This thesis is an attempt to analyze Fazlur Rahman's hermeneutical method: his theory of the divine revelation of the Qur'an and its application to the case of zakat (alms) and riba (usury) in particular. Rahman's theory is firmly in touch with reality and he proposes a well-argued system of Qur'anic methodology. Theoretically, he seeks to determine the general principles behind the Qur'anic legal texts, since the latter were contextualized by time and place while the former are universal and eternal. Practically, Rahman calls Muslims to an intellectual jihad in the effort to reformulate the Qur'anic legal injunctions on social matters in order to solve the problems of the present. Rahman sees the long-standing ad hoc solutions, such as those of the traditionalist Muslims, as unworkable due to their piecemeal treatment of the Qur'anic teachings. / The thesis then explores Rahman's proposal for hermeneutical philosophy particularly of Gadamer and Emilio Betti. It attempts to show that Rahman's use of the notion of 'effective history' to understand the 'mind' of the Prophet in formulating the Qur'anic laws leads him to subjectivism. For one thing, he judges the Prophet's mind from the present century when rationality and technology play a dominant role. Besides, laws in the Qur'an are explained in terms of their socio-economic background. Consequently, the thesis comes to the conclusion that Rahman's hermeneutics are lacking in theological considerations and the legal intentions of the Qur'an are secularized.

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This study examines Fazlur Rahman's understanding of Islamic philosophy by analyzing his attitude towards the works of Muslim philosophers and his belief in the value of the Qur'an's precepts. It pays specific attention to the relationship between his understanding of philosophy and his method of interpreting the Qur'an, since in Rahman's understanding, this method is the only means to satisfy the changing needs of society. It explores Rahman's definition of Islamic philosophy, which is strongly characterized by three religious terms, iman, islam, and taqwa. / The thesis furthermore looks at the reasons why Rahman borrowed certain philosophical expressions of the Muslim philosophers in his works when, at first glance, their doctrines contradict Rahman's own position. Special attention is paid to his book Major Themes of the Qur'an, wherein Rahman discusses human existence and his final destiny through his interpretation of the Qur'an. The thesis concludes that Rahman's Islamic philosophy is a moral one, which is practically oriented and based on his understanding of the Qur'an.

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The Deobandi `Ulama' of Jami`at al-`Ulum al-Islamiyya located in the largest city of Pakistan, Karachi, began publishing an Urdu, monthly journal by the name of Bayyinat in 1962 for the expressed purpose of refuting the views and arguments of their opponents, and hence as a vehicle for asserting their religious identity and authority. The case of Bayyinat provides us with an opportunity to study an important and hitherto little considered phenomenon in Islamic modernity, namely, the intervention by the `ulama' to assert traditional claims to religious authority through the modern medium of print journalism in the context of the post-colonial nation state of Pakistan. The present work seeks to examine how the journal was utilized by the `ulama' in constructing their religious authority and to engage in the refutation of the two most prominent twentieth century personalities, Fazlur Rahman and Sayyid Abu'l `Ala Mawdudi.

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