Understanding the Qur’an: Literal Words or Moral Guidance?

Assalamu alaikum everyone, I’m asking this with a sincere heart because I really want to understand how we approach the Qur’an in Islam-not to argue or criticize, just to learn. A little about me: I’m not part of any religion, but I’m not an atheist either. I feel like there might be a Creator, and I think we’re far from knowing everything about the universe. So I’d say I lean toward a kind of spiritual outlook. But I also believe that thinking and questioning are gifts from Allah, and that seeking knowledge should never clash with our faith. When discussing, please don’t just say “because Allah said so.” I respect that the Qur’an is divine guidance, but I’m trying to dig deeper into the reasoning and philosophy behind how we understand it. Here’s what I’m wondering: Since Allah chose to reveal the Qur’an in 7th-century Arabia and in Arabic, wouldn’t that mean He also intentionally chose the culture, history, and language of that time? If that’s the case, shouldn’t we really consider that context to grasp what Allah intended? Could it be that focusing on the moral lessons and deeper values of the Qur’an-rather than just a strict literal reading-actually brings us closer to its true message? I’ve read a bit about Fazlur Rahman, who seems to say that the Qur’an’s ethical goals should shape how we apply it in every era. Is that a respected view among Islamic scholars, or is it seen as outside the mainstream? I also have a more philosophical question. We say Allah is perfectly good, but to even make that statement, don’t we need some idea of what “good” means from our own minds? If we had zero understanding of goodness, how could “Allah is good” mean anything to us? How do Islamic thinkers deal with that? And while we know so little about the universe, how can we truly grasp attributes like Allah’s knowledge, power, and perfection? I’d love to hear how scholars and philosophers explain this. I’m keen to hear from different Islamic perspectives-Sunni, Shia, traditional, or modern thinkers. Jazakallah khair for your time. I’m here to learn, and I’m grateful for any thoughtful replies.