Al-Tawbah 36

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This thematic cluster 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

… FOUR OF THEM ARE SACRED…

Reader’s Answer

Question

How does Shahrur employ al-Tawbah 36 to connect the sacred months with the known months, and what does the verse establish within his argument?

Shahrur uses the mention of four sacred months in al-Tawbah 36 to support his claim that the phrase “known months” refers to the sacred months. He makes their being known to the Arabs before the prophetic mission part of his interpretation of the term “known.”

Shahrur connects the known months with the sacred months, grounding this connection in the statement in al-Tawbah 36 that four of the months are sacred. Shahrur holds that the sacred months were known and well established among the Arabs before Muhammad’s prophetic mission, and he treats this as supporting their description as “known.”

Citation and location

Islam and Faith — p. 84.

Limits of the reading

  • The citation attributes the connection and interpretation to Shahrur; the verse alone does not establish that the “known months” are the sacred months.
  • The citation states that identifying the four months as Rajab, Dhu al-Qaʿdah, Dhu al-Hijjah, and Muharram is the predominant view, while noting the existence of disagreement; it should therefore not be presented here as a definitive identification.
  • The citation does not establish an independent terminological distinction among the verse’s terms, nor does it establish a claim of synonymy or non-synonymy.

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Brief reading

It is cited to argue that the known months are the sacred months known before the prophetic mission.

Themes

  • Legislative
  • Narrative and historical
  • Sacred months: 2

Its place in the network of concepts

It links the ruling to a time known prior to the revelation.

The verse’s role in the argument

  • Support: 1

Instances of use

  • Islam and Faith, p. 84: It is cited to argue that the known months are the sacred months known before the prophetic mission.
    • Concept: Sacred months
    • Function of the verse here: Support
    • Textual citation: “{INDEED, THE NUMBER OF MONTHS WITH GOD… FOUR OF THEM ARE SACRED…} (al-Tawbah 36).”

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Muhammad Shahrur Atlas