JOURNAL OF QUR'AN AND HADITH STUDIES
Vol. 14 No. 2 (2025)

Revisiting the Sectarian Milieu: Pre-Islamic Arab Cultural Agency in the Dialectical Formation of the Qur’an

Muslikhun (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Dec 2025

Abstract

The examination of the Qur'ān's origins and its relationship with pre-Islamic Arab culture remains a contentious issue, complicated by narratives rooted in Islamophobia and the politicization of identity. This study seeks to reassess John Wansbrough's theory of the “sectarian milieu” by incorporating neglected aspects of pre-Islamic Arab culture, examining the influence of local factors in the Islamization process, and deconstructing the binary of “external influence versus internal authenticity.” Using a qualitative interdisciplinary methodology, the study integrates analysis of Quranic texts, Jahiliyyah poetry, archaeological inscriptions, and cultural anthropology. The findings show that the Qur'ān emerged as a result of a dynamic synthesis between pre-Islamic Arabic heritage (including oral traditions, ḥaram rituals, and tribal values) and external Judeo-Christian influences. This conclusion challenges Wansbrough's theory, which isolates the Arab context, while revealing a theologically revised continuum of cultural heritage. The recommendations of this study underscore the need for a comprehensive approach in early Islamic studies that incorporates archaeological, philological, and socio-historical evidence to avoid polarizing narratives manipulated in identity-political discourse.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

journal-of-quran-and-hadith

Publisher

Subject

Arts Humanities

Description

Journal of Qur'an and Hadith Studies (ISSN 2089-3434; E-ISSN 2252-7060) is a journal published by Qur'an and Hadith Academic Society, in cooperation with Graduate School Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University of Jakarta. The journal is published twice annually (June and December) and consists ...