This lexicon entry brings together the terminological meaning of this term in Shahrur’s various books and connects its multiple usages.
This entry belongs to the Shahrur Lexicon. For reading by theme, see Shahrur’s Major Themes and Shared Concepts.
Meaning in Shahrur
Allegiance is a voluntary bond arising from the level of practical belonging, expressed in faith, righteous action, and following, rather than in mere assertion or slogan. It is a social relationship whose degrees vary according to proximity and commitment, and it is not to be understood as submission to authority or as an instrument of exclusion.
Distinctions
- It is not equivalent to political obedience or submission to authority, since it rests on choice and belonging rather than coercion.
- It is not limited to verbal affiliation or declared identity, nor does it become dissociation from those who differ or collective hostility.
Passages from His Books
- Drying Up the Sources of Terrorism: Here, allegiance is a voluntary social relationship embodied according to one’s level of belonging, and it does not mean submission to authority. The author links it to faith, righteous action, and practical following, rather than to political slogans or collective exclusion.
Related and Contrasting Concepts
- Islam is a practical value, not a verbal identity.
- Human association in the Qur’an is founded on mutual acquaintance and action, not exclusion and hostility.
- Allegiance is a multiple social choice, not submission to authority.
- Non-exclusionary religious allegiance.
- Doctrinal allegiance is connected to faith and righteous action.
- Allegiance is a voluntary social relationship.
- Allegiance does not mean submission to authority.
- Allegiance and dissociation follow conduct.
- Allegiance varies according to levels of belonging.
- Drying up the sources of terrorism requires restoring religion to the Qur’an, freedom, and mercy, and stripping traditional violence of its legitimacy.