The miracle–science relationship in Sait Şimşek's tafsīr

This study examines the relationship between miracle and science through the lens of Sait Şimşek's work titled Hayat Kaynağı Kur'ân Tefsiri. It first defines the concept of science and sets out its scope, method, and principal features in a systematic manner. It then offers a definition of "scientific exegesis," tracing its historical development and reviewing the key opinions and critiques associated with this approach. The third section defines the concept of miracle, discusses its general characteristics and major types, and evaluates Qur'ānic terms whose semantic scopes intersect with miracle (āyah, bayyina, burhān, sulṭān, ḥaqq, furqān). Subsequently, the mufassir's scholarly profile, his works, and delivered papers are introduced, and then his methodological stance in his works is explained. The final section discusses the relationship between miracle and science in Şimşek's exegesis. The findings indicate that Şimşek centers the "iʿjāz of the Qur'ān" as the Prophet's greatest miracle. While he accepts the sensory miracles attributed to earlier prophets, he rejects attempts to reduce such events entirely to natural causes. He maintains that scientific data may serve an explanatory or illustrative function in exegesis but cannot constitute the ultimate criterion for determining the meaning of the text. Accordingly, he adopts neither reductionist readings that confine miracle within the bounds of science nor a stance that dismisses science entirely. Instead, he proposes a middle path that is iʿjāz-centered, methodologically cautious, and text-focused. Conducted through literature review, textual analysis, and comparative readings, this study concludes that Şimşek's approach offers a moderating contribution to contemporary debates in Qur'ānic exegesis.