This locus brings together 5 instances of this verse’s use in Muhammad Shahrur’s books, linking it to the concepts and arguments that appear around it.
Text of the verse as cited
Yes—whoever submits his face to God while doing good shall have his reward with his Lord…
Reader’s answer
Question
How does Shahrur situate Al-Baqarah 112, what does its qualification by “while doing good” mean, and what function does it serve in his argument?
Shahrur cites Al-Baqarah 112 alongside Al-Nisa’ 125 and draws attention to the description “while doing good.” From Al-Baqarah 112, he concludes that otherworldly reward is connected to beneficence in this world, while regarding reward as recorded for the individual.
In Al-Baqarah 112, Shahrur draws attention to the pairing of submitting one’s face to God with the description of beneficence, and places the verse alongside Al-Nisa’ 125, where the same formulation occurs. Shahrur understands Al-Baqarah 112 to mean that the reward of the Hereafter is tied to beneficence in this world. He links the singular formulation in “he shall have his reward with his Lord” to the individual recording of good deeds and reward with God.
Citation and location
Islam and Faith — p. 87.
Limits of the reading
- The citation does not define “beneficence” in a detailed technical sense; rather, it describes it as what is sown in this world and upon which reward in the Hereafter ensues.
- The occurrence of Al-Nisa’ 125 in the citation does not, in itself, establish a broader interpretive relation between the two verses or a judgment that their terms are synonymous.
- The citation does not establish an additional claim about the conditions of religious acceptance in general; it is confined to linking otherworldly reward to beneficence in this world and to the individual character of reward.
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Brief reading
Shahrur treats it as evidence that acceptance and reward are connected to practical beneficence in this world.
Axes
- Faith-related
- Human and ethical
Related concepts
- Beneficence: 5
- Islam and beneficence: 2
Its place in the network of concepts
It connects Islam to beneficent conduct rather than to formal affiliation.
The verse’s role in the argument
- Support: 3
- Foundational: 2
Summary of its presence in the atlas
- Beneficence is a condition of reward
- It is connected to practical Islam
- It appears in linking this world and the Hereafter
Instances of use
- Islam and the Human Being: He derives from it that otherworldly reward is connected to practical beneficence in this world.
- Concept: beneficence
- Function of the verse here: foundational
- Textual citation: “The mention of beneficence in His Exalted saying: { Yes, whoever submits his face to God while doing good shall have his reward with his Lord… } (Al-Baqarah 112).”
- Islam and the Human Being: He adduces it to show that a person’s acceptance and reward are connected to beneficence in this world, not merely to formal affiliation.
- Concept: beneficence
- Function of the verse here: support
- Textual citation: “We must pay attention to the description { while doing good } that occurs in verse 112 of Surat al-Baqarah: { Yes, whoever submits his face to God while doing good … }”
- Islam and Faith, p. 87: He adduces it to show that, for him, Islam is practical submission accompanied by beneficence.
- Concept: Islam and beneficence
- Function of the verse here: support
- Textual citation: “{ Yes, whoever submits his face to God while doing good…} (Al-Baqarah 112).”
- Islam and Faith, p. 110: He treats it as evidence that otherworldly reward is connected to beneficence in this world.
- Concept: beneficence
- Function of the verse here: support
- Textual citation: “And in verse 112 of Surat al-Baqarah: { Yes, whoever submits his face to God while doing good shall have his reward with his Lord… }”
- Islam and Faith, p. 233: He makes it a basis for linking beneficence in this world to reward in the Hereafter, and views this world as a field for the Hereafter.
- Concept: beneficence
- Function of the verse here: foundational
- Textual citation: “- {Yes, whoever submits his face to God while doing good shall have his reward…} (Al-Baqarah 112).”
Related books
This page is presented within the general methodology for constructing the atlas.