What you are looking at is a visual representation of the Quran, the holy text revealed to the Prophet Muhammad [Peace be Upon Him] over a period of twenty-three years. Each thread you see represents one of over 8,000 intertextual cross-references within the Quran. These cross-references, or links, connect verses that are related in content, helping to explain and expand upon the meanings of other verses. The colors of the threads vary depending on the length of the connections.
For instance, one thread might represent a verse that refers to or clarifies another. This method of explaining the Quran through the Quran itself is known as Tafsir al Quran bil Quran (TQBQ), which translates to "Exegesis of the Quran by the Quran." In this approach, one verse helps to explain another, revealing the Quran’s self-referential nature.
TQBQ is not a modern concept—it has been used by classical scholars for centuries. However, it is challenging to systematize this form of exegesis due to the subjective interpretations scholars may apply to different verses. One exegete might identify a parallel between two verses that another exegete does not see.
That’s why I used data from a book by Professor Mun’im Sirry, who developed a system of cross-referencing that I found particularly straightforward and easy to follow. His references are clear and understandable, even to a first-time Quran reader. While not exhaustive, this data provides a beautiful glimpse into the Quran’s intricate web of self-references.
Beyond its visual appeal, this data offers valuable insights. It allows us to explore how often chapters refer to one another, revealing patterns of connection throughout the Quran. For example, certain chapters are referenced more frequently than others. This is useful for anyone interested in Quranic studies, as it gives a clearer picture of how the text explains itself.
To provide an easier view, I’ve created several graphs. The first shows the number of references each chapter makes to other chapters. You might notice certain patterns and begin asking questions, like: “Why does chapter 2 have so many references?” or “Is there a correlation between the length of a chapter and how often it’s referenced?”
Another graph shows how many times each chapter is referred to by other chapters. Additionally, we can observe the length of each surah, with longer chapters appearing at the beginning of the Quran and shorter ones toward the end.
A clear observation is the correlation between the number of references and the length of a chapter. It’s possible that more words naturally provide more opportunities for cross-reference. Another possibility is that Dr. Sirry might have started his analysis with the longer chapters and thus paid more attention to them. It’s likely a combination of both factors.
While the data I used focuses on clear, exoteric references, there’s still much work to be done, especially in mapping more esoteric references that are not immediately obvious. However, this is a task that I am not qualified for, as I am a college student with a passion for engineering and theology, rather than an expert in Quranic exegesis.
This project is a step toward a deeper understanding of the Quran’s self-referential nature. The data provided here shows a clear pattern of intertextuality within the Quran that can enrich both academic and personal studies of the text.
Feel free to share your thoughts or suggestions for further improvements to this project.
Lastly, I want to clarify that the views expressed here are my own, and this work is intended to fulfill a need I saw, not to endorse any specific group or ideology.