The Poets 3–4

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This locus 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

{Perhaps you would destroy yourself with grief because they will not become believers (3). If We willed, We could send down upon them a sign from heaven, and their necks would remain humbled before it}

Reader’s Answer

Question

What place do The Poets 3–4 occupy in Shahrur’s distinction, and what do coercive guidance and the function of these two verses in his argument mean?

Shahrur presents The Poets 3–4 as an example of guidance by coercion: in his definition, a human being retains a sphere of choice, but an overwhelming external force drives him toward one of the two sides. He reads the cited verse as envisioning the sending down of a material sign from outside consciousness that subdues necks, such that the resulting faith is one of fear and compulsion rather than choice.

Shahrur distinguishes guidance by coercion as a state in which a person has a choice, after which an overwhelming external force compels him toward one of the two choices. Shahrur cites The Poets 3–4 as an example of guidance by coercion, linking them to the sending down of a material sign from outside consciousness that subdues necks and gives rise to faith through fear and compulsion, without choice.

Citation and Location

The State and Society — p. 297.

Limits of the Reading

  • The citation establishes this distinction in Shahrur’s presentation and the function of the two verses as its example; it does not establish an independent ruling on the meaning of the two verses outside this presentation.
  • The citation does not provide a detailed comparison between “tanzīl” and “inzāl” beyond the connection Shahrur makes here.
  • The description of the sign as material and as coming from outside consciousness is part of Shahrur’s reading as conveyed in the citation.

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Brief Reading

He distinguishes this type as coercive guidance through a material sign that subdues people through fear rather than conviction.

Axes

  • Methodological
  • Faith-related
  • Guidance by coercion: 2

Its Place in the Conceptual Network

It enters into a distinction between free guidance and coercive guidance.

Role of the Verse in the Argument

  • Distinction: 1

Instances of Use

  • The State and Society, p. 297: He distinguishes this type as coercive guidance through a material sign that subdues people through fear rather than conviction.
    • Concept: guidance by coercion
    • Function of the verse here: distinction
    • Textual citation: “2– Guidance by coercion… as is clear in His—exalted be He—saying: {Perhaps you would destroy yourself with grief …} (The Poets 3, 4). Note here how He used guidance through tanzīl rather than inzāl.”

This page is presented within the general methodology for constructing the atlas.

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Muhammad Shahrur Atlas