This axis brings together 1 locus in which this verse is used in Muhammad Shahrur’s books, linking it to the concepts and arguments that appear around it.
The Verse Text as Cited
And when the son of Mary was set forth as an example, behold, your people turned away from it … They set it forth for you only in argument; rather, they are a contentious people.
Reader’s Answer
Question
Where are verses 57–58 of al-Zukhruf situated, what distinction does Shahrur read in them, and what function do they serve in his argument?
The two verses occur in Surat al-Zukhruf (57–58). Shahrur employs them as an example of a contentious and confrontational dispute between the Prophet and his people, in the context of his discussion of doctrinal and political conflict. He then contrasts this case with that of a non-confrontational dispute with non-Muslims who are not People of the Book, when they are not engaged in fighting or expulsion.
Shahrur reads al-Zukhruf 57–58 as a statement of a contentious dialectical relationship between the Prophet and his people. He places this relationship within a framework of doctrinal and political conflict with groups openly hostile to Muslims, and links its clarity to the battles the Prophet fought against them.
Citation and Location
The Book and the Qur’an — p. 279.
Limits of the Reading
- The citation does not provide a detailed linguistic analysis of the verses’ wording, nor does it establish a general ruling on every religious dispute.
- Describing the dispute as “non-reconciliatory” is an acceptable editorial summary insofar as the citation indicates contention and confrontation; it is not a term attributed to Shahrur.
- The verses do not, in this citation alone, establish an interpretive relationship with other passages not mentioned by Shahrur in the excerpt.
Continue from Here
Brief Reading
Shahrur reads the two verses as exposing a contentious dispute, not a reconciliatory dialogue.
Axes
- Linguistic and semantic
- Faith-based
Related Concepts
- Disputation: 2
Its Place in the Network of Concepts
They enter the network of disputation through the distinction between contention and dialogue.
The Verse’s Role in the Argument
- Critique of tradition: 1
Loci of Use
- The Book and the Qur’an, p. 279: He cites them as evidence for contentious disputation as an explicit quarrel rather than a reconciliatory dialogue.
- Concept: disputation
- Function of the verse here: critique of tradition
- Textual citation: “The Exalted has made this clear in His saying: {And when the son of Mary was set forth as an example … They set it forth for you only in argument; rather, they are a contentious people} (al-Zukhruf 57–58).”
Related Books
This page is presented within the general atlas-building methodology.