This is a lexical entry that gathers the technical meaning of this term in Shahrur across his different books, and connects its multiple uses.
This entry belongs to the Shahrur glossary. For reading by theme, one may refer to Shahrur’s major themes and shared concepts.
The meaning in Shahrur
The father is the one who undertakes the function of upbringing, care, guidance, and purpose, not merely the one to whom biological descent is established. Thus fatherhood here is understood as a social and educational role based on responsibility and on managing the affairs of the one being raised.
Distinctions
- It is not confined to genetic fatherhood or the bond of birth alone
- It does not correspond to motherhood, nor does it fall under the meaning of adoption as a substitute for lineage.
Places in his books
- Islam and Faith: In this source, the father is not reduced to biological lineage, but means the one who undertakes upbringing, care, and purpose. In this way, Shahrur expands the concept of fatherhood to include the educational and social function
What is adjacent to it and different from it
- Shahrur’s reconstruction of Qur’anic concepts makes them epistemic and human
- Fatherhood transcends genetic lineage
- Motherhood transcends biological birth
- Familial differentiation in the Qur’an redefines fatherhood, motherhood, and adoption
- The Qur’an distinguishes between family terms