Al-Rum 21

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This axis brings together 3 instances 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 among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves …

Reader’s Answer

Question

How does Shahrur employ Qur’an 30:21, and what distinction does he draw in this context?

Shahrur employs the verse within his discussion of family organization. In this context, he distinguishes between two types of relationships between man and woman: marriage and ownership of the right hand; he presents marriage as a family bond that entails affinity by marriage, lineage, and children. For him, the verse thus supports the characterization of marriage as a family bond, rather than merely affirming affection and mercy apart from this context.

In the context of family organization, Shahrur maintains that there are two types of relationships between man and woman: marriage and ownership of the right hand. Shahrur defines marriage as a family bond that entails affinity by marriage, lineage, and children, and cites Qur’an 30:21 in this context.

Evidence and Location

The Qur’an in Contemporary Thought — p. 26.

Limits of the Reading

  • The evidence does not explain the nature or rulings of ownership of the right hand; it merely mentions it as one side of the distinction.
  • The evidence does not state that the verse negates individual benefit, so this should not be presented as a conclusion attributed to Shahrur here.
  • The evidence does not offer an independent theory of the meanings of affection and mercy, although the text of the verse is cited as part of the argument.
  • This passage alone does not establish further details about the family or society beyond affinity by marriage, lineage, and children.

Continue from Here

Brief Reading

The verse is used to define marriage as a social relationship founded on affection and mercy, rather than on mere individual benefit.

Axes

  • Political and social
  • Human and ethical
  • Affection: 3
  • Marriage: 2

Its Place in the Network of Concepts

It connects the construction of the family with the meaning of affection in a conception that distinguishes the marital relationship from a relationship of enjoyment.

Role of the Verse in the Argument

  • Example: 1
  • Distinction: 1
  • Critique of tradition: 1

Contexts of Use

  • The Qur’an in Contemporary Thought, pp. 26–27: He cites it as evidence that marriage is a social relationship foundational to the family and society, rather than merely an individual relationship.
    • Concept: marriage
    • Function of the verse here: example
    • Textual evidence: “We find that, in its organization of the family, it shows us … as in His—Exalted is He—saying: {And among His signs is that He created for you…} (Al-Rum 21).”
  • The Book and the Qur’an, p. 504: He uses it to reject reducing the relationship between man and woman to one of enjoyment, and to affirm that it is a relationship of affection and mercy.
    • Concept: affection
    • Function of the verse here: distinction
    • Textual evidence: “Here I wish to clarify that woman is not the enjoyment of man, nor is man the enjoyment of woman; rather, the relationship between man and woman is one of affection and mercy.”
  • Toward New Foundations of Islamic Jurisprudence, p. 280: He relies on it to refute the hadith that portrays the wife as absolutely submissive, affirming that the relationship between spouses is one of affection and mercy.
    • Concept: affection
    • Function of the verse here: critique of tradition
    • Textual evidence: “{ And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves… } (Al-Rum 21)”
    • Corresponding traditional reading: prostration to the husband or confinement of women

This page is presented within the general atlas construction methodology.

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Muhammad Shahrur Atlas