RELIGIOUS TEXT AND PROBLEMS OF CONTEMPORARY CRITICISM

Abstract

The article explores and discusses the methodical formation of some questions raised by contemporary Arab critics who have worked to reject the sanctification of traditional texts. They deny the idea of historical perpetuity associated with these texts and call for a reevaluation and study of all aspects of Arab heritage without exclusion. This is achieved through the use of various Western analytical methods and mechanisms without consideration for their cultural and religious specificity. This approach is either an attempt to break free from the authority of understanding or an effort to elevate the comprehension of contemporary reality over revisiting the past. The article attempts to answer the following questions: What are the reference points for Arab texts? How is contemporary criticism formulated? How have Westerners constructed their understanding of the text? What challenges have postmodern critics faced? How do we balance the objectives of traditional texts with Western analytical methods?

We have concluded that most critics have not been able to present a methodical alternative for a suitable analysis of traditional texts. Their intellectual foundations are predominantly marked by an emotionally charged critical influence from Western achievements. The Arab critical mind cannot be separated from its cultural and religious identity. The inherent identity within the fabric of traditional texts serves as a necessary foundation for understanding and formulating the contemporary Arab intellectual reality. This foundation encompasses cultural, religious, and social references that reflect the true nature of thought and understanding.