ABSTRACT
The Qur’an is a text, and like all texts, it requires interpretation. The simple act of reading is itself an act of interpretation. Every time a person reads a text or hears someone speaking, they are interpreting those words. Each individual has learned to process information in certain ways in order to “construct” meaning from texts, even though they are usually unaware of this process. The reader of the Qur’an does not merely remain a neutral, objective observer, but becomes its interpreter, bringing his or her own biases and insights to the interpretation of the text. Due to different life experiences, presuppositions, values, and socio-cultural environments, each individual will “construct” meaning in a different way to reach their understanding of the text. However, this subjectivity of interpretation does not mean that every reading is of equal validity.
