Approaches to Qur'anic exegesis

Ever since the Qur’an was revealed in the seventh century CE, Muslims have sought to understand its meaning. The great importance placed on this endeavour arose from the Muslim belief that the Qur’an is God’s Word as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, in the Arabic language. Muslim laity and scholars have always used their knowledge of Arabic for formal and informal interpretation of the Qur’an. By drawing on the Qur’an, the example of the Prophet and interpretations of earlier generations as well as knowledge of Arabic language, each generation of Muslims has sought to understand the Qur’an as it applies to their own context. This remains true of Muslims today.