This lexicon entry brings together the terminological meaning of this term in Shahrur’s various works and connects its multiple uses.
This entry belongs to the Shahrurian lexicon. For reading by theme, see Shahrur’s major themes and shared concepts.
Meaning in Shahrur’s Thought
Occasions of revelation are historical reports that may be consulted in interpreting certain verses and explaining their context, but they are not made into a universal basis for understanding the entire Qur’an, nor a criterion governing all its meanings. Their interpretive value is limited. Error arises when their relevance is generalized to all verses, thereby confining meaning to the event and leading to determinism that negates human agency.
Distinctions
- They are not a comprehensive key to understanding the entire Qur’an, but rather a partial indication for specific passages.
- They differ from the Qur’an itself and therefore are not treated as a source of legislation or as a final interpretation binding for all verses.
Passages from His Works
- Qur’anic Narratives, Vol. 1: The author holds that these reports may explain certain verses, but they are not suitable as a comprehensive key to understanding the entire Qur’an. When generalized, they close the text off within history and prevent its renewed meaning.
- Qur’anic Narratives, Vol. 2: Shahrur regards them as a limited indication, not a comprehensive key to understanding the whole of the Wise Revelation, because generalizing them leads to determinism that eliminates human will. They are therefore, in his view, a partial interpretive tool that must not be imposed upon all verses.
Documentation Limit in This Round
The legal witness re-examined here establishes the universality of the Wise Revelation’s address to all the inhabitants of the earth. From this, a question may arise concerning the limits of restricting meaning to a single historical event; however, it does not by itself provide a direct definition of occasions of revelation or a detailed judgment concerning their interpretive status. The detailed formulations above remain tied to their source passages, and any revision of them requires adducing their direct evidence rather than relying on this inference alone.
Related and Contrasting Terms
- The Qur’an
- Occasions of revelation do not explain the entire Qur’an.
- Qur’anic narratives are not a direct source of legislation.
- The Wise Revelation
- Occasions of revelation are not a comprehensive key.
- Occasions of revelation and transmitted reports are not suitable as an absolute basis for understanding.
- The methodological reading of narratives distinguishes between moral lesson and legislation and frees understanding from closed inherited tradition.
- Generalizing occasions of revelation leads to determinism.