This thematic entry brings together 1 instance of the use of this verse in Muhammad Shahrur’s books, linking it to the concepts and arguments that appear around it.

Text of the Verse as Cited

Our Lord, indeed You know what we conceal and what we declare

Reader’s Answer

Question

Where does Shahrur place Ibrahim 38, what does khafī mean in it, and what function does it serve in his argument?

Shahrur cites Ibrahim 38 among the examples of the first meaning of khafī: covering or concealment. Its function is to support his division of the term into two opposite meanings, rather than to establish the meaning of “inward concealment” independently.

Shahrur regards khafī as a term with two opposite meanings: concealment and manifestation, and he places Ibrahim 38 on the side of concealment.

Citation and Location

the Book and the Qur’an — p. 276.

Limits of the Reading

  • The citation does not explicitly state that the meaning of the verse is “inward concealment”; therefore, it does not establish this description as an independent distinction for Shahrur.
  • The citation does not explain the context of the verse in detail or derive from it an independent theory of hiddenness.
  • The citation does not establish a relation of synonymy or opposition between khafī and other terms beyond Shahrur’s division into concealment and manifestation.

Continue from Here

Brief Reading

Shahrur cites it to establish the meaning of hiddenness as concealment and inward concealment.

Themes

  • Linguistic and semantic
  • Methodological
  • Hiddenness: 2

Its Place in the Conceptual Network

It serves to delimit the linguistic meaning of hiddenness within the semantic network.

The Verse’s Role in the Argument

  • Support: 1

Instances of Use

  • the Book and the Qur’an, p. 276: He cites it as evidence for the meaning of hiddenness as concealment and inward concealment.
    • Concept: hiddenness
    • Function of the verse here: support
    • Textual citation: “In the first meaning came His, exalted be He, saying: {OUR LORD, INDEED YOU KNOW WHAT WE CONCEAL AND WHAT WE DECLARE…} (Ibrahim 38).”

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