This is a lexicon entry in the Shahrur lexicon. The atlas does not equate “the Mother of the Book” with “legislation” merely on the basis of proximity; rather, it brings together what the claim atoms establish regarding its definition and function, and distinguishes this from what requires additional evidence.
Documented summary
The claim atoms define the Mother of the Book as “the collection of definitive verses” and link it to rulings and the rules of conscious human conduct, such as the lawful and the forbidden and the forms of command and prohibition. In another piece of evidence, it is described as “the general limit-setting source valid for every age.” These functions are connected in the source material, but they do not constitute a single statement that warrants every possible detail.
The distinction between the Mother of the Book and its elaboration
In Shahrur’s framework, the Mother of the Book is the definitive section, fixed in text and content, whereas its elaboration is connected to the domain of human interpretation and changing application. Thus, the statement “closed to interpretation” pertains to the definitive verses as presented by the claim atom; it does not mean that every domain of legislation or application is closed.
Limits of the indication
The source establishes the definition of the Mother of the Book as the definitive verses and its connection to rulings and conduct, and elsewhere establishes the generality of its source. However, it does not specify here a list of all the verses included within it, settle every use of the phrase “and with Him is the Mother of the Book,” or make “the Mother of the Book” a literal synonym for every use of the word legislation.
Verification points
- The Mother of the Book and commands of human conduct
- The Mother of the Book, the definitive verses, and the domain of rulings
- The Mother of the Book as a general limit-setting source valid for every age
- The Mother of the Book, its elaboration, and interpretation
- The Book, the Qur’an, and the Mother of the Book