Has any Islamic scholar discussed Secular Koranism?

Asked by Omar Nachawati, answered by Grok

https://x.com/realNachawati/status/1825877256671043787

Based on the information available up to August 2024, there has been limited direct engagement by Islamic scholars with "Secular Koranism" as conceptualized by Claire Khaw. Here's a summary based on the broader context and sentiments found:

Lack of Scholarly Engagement: There's no widely recognized or mainstream Islamic scholar who has explicitly discussed or endorsed Secular Koranism. The concept, which focuses solely on the Quran without reference to Hadith or other traditional Islamic texts, fundamentally challenges the established Islamic scholarly consensus. This departure from traditional exegesis might explain the lack of engagement, as it's seen as outside the orthodox Islamic framework.

From X: Discussions on X highlight a general sentiment among some Muslims that the Quran should not be isolated from Hadith for a full understanding of Islamic law and practice, which aligns with traditional Islamic scholarship.

Critique of Similar Movements: While not directly about Secular Koranism, there are discussions around related themes:

Quran-Only Movements: Scholars like Dr. Shadee Elmasry have refuted "Quran-only" philosophies, which share some similarities with Secular Koranism in terms of rejecting Hadith. These refutations argue that understanding the Quran requires the context provided by Hadith and Sunnah.

Secularism in Islam: Scholars like Sherman Jackson have discussed the idea of an "Islamic secular," but this is more about how Islamic law can coexist or be interpreted in secular contexts, not necessarily aligning with Khaw's version of Secular Koranism.

Theological and Philosophical Critiques:

From X: There's a sentiment that secular interpretations of the Quran, like those proposed by Secular Koranism, are seen as attempts to dilute or secularize Islam, which is against the Islamic principle of divine sovereignty in law.

Academic Discussions: While not directly on Secular Koranism, scholars like Shabbir Akhtar have engaged with how Islam confronts or should confront secularism, but this is more about the broader interaction between Islamic theology and secular thought, not Khaw's specific framework.

Reasons for Lack of Discussion:

Theological Divergence: Secular Koranism's approach to Islamic law and theology is too radical for traditional scholars, leading to its marginalization in Islamic discourse.

Political and Social Implications: The concept might be seen as politically charged or an attempt to secularize Islamic governance, which could explain why it's not widely discussed in traditional Islamic circles.

In conclusion, while there's a broader discussion around secularism in Islam, and critiques of movements that focus solely on the Quran, Secular Koranism as a specific ideology has not been significantly engaged with by recognized Islamic scholars in the public domain up to 2024. This might be due to its radical departure from traditional Islamic scholarship, its political implications, or simply because it has not gained enough traction within Muslim communities to warrant extensive scholarly analysis.