This axis brings together 1 instance of the use of this verse in the books of Muhammad Shahrur, linking it to the concepts and arguments that appear around it.
Text of the Verse as Cited
God knows best where to place His message
Reader’s Answer
Question
Where does Shahrur cite Qur’an 6:124, and how does he employ it in explaining the coming of the message to the Arabs of the heart of the Peninsula?
Shahrur cites the verse in the context of his discussion of Arabs from regions in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula. In this passage, he relates his understanding of it to the fact that they had not become accustomed to slavery and to the centrality of freedom among them; he then adds the authenticity of their Arabic tongue, as the language of the message and prophethood.
Shahrur employs God’s words, “God knows best where to place His message,” to understand the coming of the message to people who had not been shackled by slavery and had not become accustomed to it, and for whom freedom held great importance. Shahrur adds to this connection the authenticity of the Arabic tongue, describing it as the language of the message and prophethood.
Citation and Location
the Book and the Qur’an — p. 521.
Limits of the Reading
- The citation does not offer a detailed interpretation of the verse or present other exegetical views.
- The connection between the verse, freedom, and the authenticity of the tongue is Shahrur’s use of it in this passage, not an independent proposition established by the verse alone.
- The citation does not establish an exclusive rationale for the selection of the Arabs; rather, it combines their lack of familiarity with slavery and the authenticity of the tongue.
- The citation does not provide independent historical documentation for the claim that Arabs in these regions were not accustomed to slavery.
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Brief Reading
The verse is made the basis for explaining the selection of the Arabs in the heart of the Peninsula to bear the message, because of their freedom and the authenticity of their tongue.
Axes
- Narrative and historical
- Political and social
Related Concepts
- The message: 2
- Arabs of the heart of the Peninsula: 1
Its Place in the Network of Concepts
It forms part of a construction linking the place of the message to a specific historical and linguistic particularity.
Role of the Verse in the Argument
- Foundational: 1
Instances of Use
- the Book and the Qur’an, p. 521: He makes it a rationale for selecting the Arabs of the heart of the Peninsula to bear the message because of their freedom and the authenticity of their tongue.
- Concept: the message
- Function of the verse here: Foundational
- Textual citation: “And we understand God’s words {.. God knows best where to place His message}”
Related Books
This page is presented within the general atlas construction methodology.