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.
The Verse Text as Cited
Thus, no messenger came to those before them
Reader’s Answer
Question
How does Shahrur employ Al-Dhariyat 52 to distinguish between “ata” and “ja’a”?
Shahrur uses the verse as an example that “ata,” in this usage, falls within the sphere of the party concerned with the matter; he interprets the messenger mentioned as being from among the people themselves. He contrasts this with “ja’a” in examples in which what is brought is described as coming from outside the sphere of the party concerned.
Shahrur presents “ata” as occurring within the sphere of the party concerned with the matter, and makes Al-Dhariyat 52 an example of this because the messenger, in his interpretation of the example, is one of the people. Shahrur contrasts this with the use of “ja’a” for what he describes as coming from outside the sphere of the party concerned with the matter, citing Moses’ coming with clear proofs and the messenger’s coming with the truth from the Lord.
Evidence and Location
Towards New Foundations for Islamic Jurisprudence — p. 136.
Limits of the Reading
- The evidence establishes this distinction as Shahrur presents it in his examples; it does not establish a comprehensive rule for every occurrence of “ata” and “ja’a” in the Qur’an.
- The evidence does not explicitly state that the two terms are synonymous or not synonymous; therefore, no claim of this kind is attributed to him here.
- The verse’s relation to the argument is its function as an example of “ata” within the sphere of the party concerned, rather than as an independent and detailed interpretation of the verse or its entire context.
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Brief Reading
He uses it to distinguish the meaning of “ata” as falling within the sphere of the addressee or the party concerned with the matter, in contrast to “ja’a.”
Axes
- Linguistic and semantic
- Methodological
Related Concepts
- Coming: 2
Its Place in the Conceptual Network
It is connected to clarifying the distinction between terms in Qur’anic usage.
The Verse’s Role in the Argument
- Distinction: 1
Instances of Use
- Towards New Foundations for Islamic Jurisprudence, p. 136: He uses it to explain that “ata” falls within the sphere of the addressee/the party concerned with the matter, in contrast to “ja’a.”
- Concept: Coming
- Function of the verse here: Distinction
- Textual evidence: “{ Thus, no messenger came to those before them except that they said… } (Al-Dhariyat 52),”
Related Books
This page is presented within the general atlas construction methodology.