Al-Ahzab 37

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This axis 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

… AND YOU CONCEALED WITHIN YOURSELF THAT WHICH GOD WAS TO DISCLOSE …

Reader’s answer

Question

Where does the verse occur, how does Shahrur distinguish the meaning of “khafī” in it, and what function does it serve in his argument?

The phrase occurs in Al-Ahzab 37. Shahrur places it among the attestations of the first meaning of “khafī,” namely concealment, as opposed to a second meaning that he describes as manifestation and openness. Its function, therefore, is to establish this semantic division for him, rather than to provide an independent, detailed interpretation of the verse.

Shahrur cites the verse’s phrase from Al-Ahzab 37 among the examples of the first meaning of “khafī,” defining this meaning as concealment. In Shahrur’s presentation, the verse functions as evidence within his distinction between two opposed meanings of “khafī”: concealment on the one hand, and manifestation or openness on the other.

Citation and location

The Book and the Qur’an — p. 276.

Limits of the reading

  • The citation does not state that what is meant is “suppression” as an independent term; what it explicitly states is the meaning of concealment.
  • The citation does not offer a detailed interpretation of what was concealed in the verse, nor does it derive a ruling from its content.
  • The citation does not establish a relationship with other verses merely on the basis of verbal similarity; they are grouped here only under the use of “khafī” in the division advanced by Shahrur.

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Brief reading

Shahrur employs it in the first meaning of khafī, as inward concealment and psychological suppression.

Axes

  • Linguistic and semantic
  • Methodological
  • khafī: 2

Its place in the network of concepts

It supports the delineation of the meaning of khafī within Qur’anic usage.

The verse’s role in the argument

  • Support: 1

Instances of use

  • The Book and the Qur’an, p. 276: He employs it in the first meaning of khafī, as inward concealment and psychological suppression.
    • Concept: khafī
    • Function of the verse here: Support
    • Textual citation: “And His saying: {… AND YOU CONCEALED WITHIN YOURSELF THAT WHICH GOD WAS TO DISCLOSE…} (Al-Ahzab 37).”

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Muhammad Shahrur Atlas