Āl ʿImrān 191

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This page brings together four instances of the use of Āl ʿImrān 191 in the books of Muhammad Shahrur, where it appears as a foundational verse for the value of reflection. Its importance lies in making contemplation of creation part of religious knowledge and opening the way to explain terms such as janb on the basis of their linguistic meaning.

The Text of the Verse as Cited

Those who remember God while standing and sitting …

Reader’s Answer

Question

How does Muhammad Shahrur employ Āl ʿImrān 191 in his conception of knowledge and thought?

Shahrur employs the verse as an injunction to reason and engage in profound scientific thought concerning the creation of the heavens and the earth, linking this thought to the pursuit of “the closest possible objective conception of existence.”

Shahrur presents reflection on the creation of the heavens and the earth, grounded in Āl ʿImrān 191, as part of the profound reasoning and scientific thought that God commands people to pursue in order to arrive at a possible objective conception of existence.

Evidence and Location

The Qur’an in Contemporary Thought — p. 38.

Limits of the Reading

  • The evidence does not establish that Shahrur defines “thought” in this particular verse as an analysis of perceptions; the cited passage describes “profound scientific thought” and does not offer a technical definition of thought.
  • The evidence on page 38 alone does not establish the interpretation of junūb as “direction” or “side”; this is a separate linguistic usage found elsewhere in another book, and should therefore not be incorporated into the main answer concerning the verse’s epistemic use.
  • The citation does not indicate that the verse alone establishes a complete scientific theory; what is established is its inclusion in the context of his call for reason and scientific inquiry.
  • The evidence on pages 38 and 39 is textually identical, so it is sufficient to rely on one precise citation.

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Brief Reading

Shahrur relies on the verse to affirm that reflection on the creation of the heavens and the earth is a valid path of knowledge. He also uses it to explain the meaning of thought as an analysis of perceptions, and to clarify the meaning of janb as a direction or side. Thus, the verse becomes a locus bringing together knowledge and linguistic meaning.

Axes

  • Methodological
  • Faith-based
  • Linguistic and semantic
  • Reflection: 3
  • Thought: 2
  • Janb: 2

Its Place in the Network of Concepts

In the atlas, the verse is connected to reflection, thought, and janb. It is central because it situates thinking within the religious sphere itself, while at the same time allowing the reading to move from faith-based meaning to linguistic meaning, without separating one from the other.

The Verse’s Role in the Argument

  • Support: 2
  • Foundation: 1
  • Example: 1

Summary of Its Presence in the Atlas

  • It recurs in establishing the value of reflection.
  • It is used to explain the meanings of thought and janb.
  • It connects knowledge and linguistic meaning.

Contexts of Use

  • The Qur’an in Contemporary Thought, p. 38: He cites it in conclusion to affirm that reflection on creation is part of the epistemic method religiously required.
    • Concept: Reflection
    • Function of the verse here: Support
    • Textual evidence: “As in His saying—exalted is He—: {Those who remember God … and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth …} (Āl ʿImrān 191).”
  • The Qur’an in Contemporary Thought, p. 39: He cites it to establish the value of profound scientific reflection as the path to an objective conception of existence, rather than mere devotional contemplation.
    • Concept: Reflection
    • Function of the verse here: Foundation
    • Textual evidence: “As in His saying—exalted is He—: {Those who remember God … and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth …} (Āl ʿImrān 191).”
  • Guide to the Contemporary Reading of the Wise Revelation, p. 60: He adduces it to show that thought is a process of analyzing perceptions produced by the fuʾād.
    • Concept: Thought
    • Function of the verse here: Support
    • Textual evidence: “Thought is the process of analyzing perceptions … according to His saying—exalted is He—: { … and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth … } (Āl ʿImrān 191).”
  • Toward New Foundations for Islamic Jurisprudence, p. 110: He cites it to explain the root janb as a side or direction, rather than only in a juridical sense.
    • Concept: Janb
    • Function of the verse here: Example
    • Textual evidence: “As for the meaning of side, this is seen in His saying—exalted is He—: {Those who remember God while standing and sitting and [lying] on their sides} (Āl ʿImrān 191).”

This page is presented within the general methodology for constructing the atlas.

Graph View

Muhammad Shahrur Atlas