Quranic Evaluation of the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) Soft Governance Ideologies from the Perspective of Orientalists

Document Type : مقاله پژوهشی

Authors

1 Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, University of Quran and Hadith, Qom, Iran.

2 Theology Department, University of Quran and Hadith, Qom, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Shiite Studies, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran.

10.22084/qss.2025.30807.1127

Abstract

This study investigates and critiques Orientalist perspectives on the model of the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) soft governance, with a particular focus on a Qur'anic analytical approach. Since the 17th century, Orientalists have offered diverse—and at times contradictory—portrayals of the Prophet's governance, with some emphasizing its hard aspects and others focusing on its soft dimensions. Through a grounded theory analysis of entries related to the Prophet in four encyclopedias (Brill’s Encyclopaedia of Islam, The Qur'an by Leiden, The Qur'an edited by Oliver Leaman, and Princeton Encyclopedia of Islamic Political Thought), this research reveals that Orientalists often overlook the divine dimension of prophethood, reducing the Prophet's soft governance to his personal traits. This reduction undermines his authoritative and political role. The findings indicate that such an approach not only limits the Prophet’s legislative and governing authority but also diminishes the comprehensive role of prophethood to that of a merely cultural or spiritual leader. In contrast, a Qur'anic analysis based on verse 25 of Surah al-Hadid highlights a dynamic interplay between soft, network-based, and hard forms of governance within the Prophetic model, demonstrating that the Prophet’s governance was not confined to personal or cultural domains. By critiquing Orientalist approaches, this study emphasizes the necessity of a comprehensive and Qur'an-centered reinterpretation of the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) model of governance.

Keywords

Social Studies of the Quran
Volume 4, Issue 1
September 2025
Pages 108-131

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History

  • Receive Date: 13 April 2025
  • Revise Date: 18 May 2025
  • Accept Date: 15 June 2025

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