The College of Islamic Sciences at the University of Karbala held an online seminar titled “Rational Approaches in Quranic Interpretation – A Comparative Perspective.” The seminar was presented by Assistant Lecturer Hassan Abdulhadi Rashid Al-Lami, who discussed the concept of “rational approach” and its impact on Quranic interpretation, as well as the debate between “reason” and “opinion” in Islamic heritage.

The seminar highlighted the crucial role of reason in interpreting Quranic texts, reviewing both classical rationalist interpretive schools, such as the Mu’tazilites, Ash’arites, and Imamiyya, and modern approaches that emphasize reason as a foundation for understanding religion and the Quran. It also addressed the principles governing the rational methodology in interpretation and the importance of balancing textual and rational approaches to ensure a comprehensive interpretive framework.

The event witnessed significant engagement from attendees, who discussed the challenges of rational interpretation and its legitimacy in understanding religious texts. This contributed to a deeper exploration of the fundamental principles underpinning this interpretive approach.