Abstract

This study explores Abdullah Saeed’s progressive Qur’anic hermeneutics, focusing on his concept of the Islamic hierarchy of values as a framework for reinterpreting ethical-legal verses in light of contemporary social realities. Utilizing a descriptive-qualitative method with hermeneutic and socio-historical approaches, the research examines the epistemological foundations of Saeed’s contextual exegesis. Grounded in Fazlur Rahman’s double-movement theory, Saeed distinguishes between universal moral principles and historically contingent rulings, advocating for a shift from rigid textualism to a more dynamic, context-sensitive methodology. His model emphasizes the Qur’an’s overarching ethical objectives—such as justice, compassion, and public welfare—over literalist interpretations, thereby ensuring the scripture’s continued relevance in addressing modern challenges. The study concludes that Saeed’s hierarchy of values offers a transformative and systematic approach to Qur’anic interpretation, enabling a balance between textual fidelity and ethical adaptability.