Muqatta'ah Letters in the Beginning of Surahs in the Quran: Criticism Towards Nöldeke

Abstract

Nöldeke is a big name in the world of the orientalist. He has a high position and great influence among them not only so called Sheikh al-Mustasyriqin of Germany, but all over the world. His views, especially in the area of the Quranic studies has guide and being a holding part of the orientalist even by some Muslim scholars. This study aims to find out about the Nöldeke's view of the letter of muqatta'ah in fawatih suwar particularly through it's work Geschichte des Qorans. It also aims to find out the source or the basis of his views. It will be evaluated and compared with the views of Muslim scholars and clerics to learn the accuracy. The methodology of the study is a literature review using primary and secondary documents. Data were analyzed through inductive and deductive method. Initial findings showed that Nöldeke even considered a pioneer and master of the study of the al-Quran and be followed by orientalists, but he failed to understand exactly about the letters of muqatta'ah even rejected by some friends and his own students.