Approaches to Muhammad and the Qur'an in French literature

The thesis consists of an introduction, three main parts and a conclusion. In the introduction, information is given about French orientalism and its institutions and the sources of the research. In the first part; Approaches to the Prophet are examined in the French literature of theology. The personality of the Prophet, his private life, his pre-prophetic status, his prophethood, his sincerity, his relationship with previous religions and the orientalist approach to the issues of sunnah (hadith) are discussed. In the second part; The subject of perception of the Qur'an in the French literature is examined. The definition of the Qur'an, its relevance to previous religions and cultures, its writing, collection and reproduction, and approaches to its composition and content are discussed. In the third part; The concept of Qirāʼāt, the causes of Qirāʼāt differences, the existing Qirāʼāts, the status of different Qirāʼāts, and the final form of the Mushaf are discussed. The subject of Qirāʼāts is generally studied within the framework of the French orientalist Régis Blachère's approach. At the end of each chapter, a general analysis and evaluation of the topics covered in the chapter is made. In the conclusion part, the opinions and conclusions reached in line with the information obtained on the general study are expressed. Accordingly, in the French literature, Hz. The perception of the Prophet and the Qur'an began to soften after the eighteenth century. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the diversity of discourse emerged with extensive research on the Qur'an. Although there is a softening in the discourse, it has been observed that the approaches that evoke the old understanding continue. It has been understood that this approach emerged about Muhammad, the history of the Qur'an and the Qirāʼāts. Accordingly, it has been evaluated that Muhammad was not a prophet, that the Qur'an was not a revelation but the Prophet's own word, and that its final form was formed by the contributions of tradition. In addition, it has been evaluated that these ideas are effective in the approach to the issue of Qirāʼāts and that this issue is approached in terms of not protecting the Qur'an.