This thematic 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.
Text of the Verse as Cited
Indeed, we hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins, since we were the first believers.
Reader’s Response
Question
What is the place of the verse in Shahrur’s cited passage, what distinction does he draw between khaṭāyā and khaṭīʾāt, and what function does the verse serve in his argument?
The verse appears in Shahrur’s cited passage within the account of Pharaoh’s sorcerers. He makes it an example of khaṭāyā—which, in his interpretation, are followed by repentance and reform—rather than merely a general example of conversion to sound faith. Its function is to support his distinction between khaṭāyā and khaṭīʾāt and to link forgiveness to sincere repentance and reform.
Shahrur presents The Poets 51 in the context of the account of Pharaoh’s sorcerers after their transition, in his telling, from belief in Pharaoh’s divinity and lordship to belief in the Lord of Moses and Aaron. Shahrur distinguishes khaṭāyā as sins followed by repentance and reform, from khaṭīʾāt as sins and misdeeds committed with persistence and without repentance. The function of The Poets 51 in Shahrur’s argument is to serve, together with Taha 73, as evidence for his application of the meaning of khaṭāyā in the story of the sorcerers, and for the availability of forgiveness to one who follows a misdeed with a good deed with the intention of sincere repentance—not to one who persists in khaṭīʾāt.
Source and Location
Islam and Humanity — location not specified.
Limits of the Reading
- The bibliographic location within the book “Islam and Humanity” is not specified in the cited passage, so no page or chapter can be identified precisely.
- The cited passage establishes Shahrur’s distinction between khaṭāyā and khaṭīʾāt as he presents it; it does not establish a general ruling independent of this line of reasoning.
- The content of the verse is not formulated here as “sound faith” alone; rather, the verse’s function in the cited passage is specifically connected to repentance and reform, and to distinguishing khaṭāyā from khaṭīʾāt.
Continue from Here
Brief Reading
The verse serves as an example of hope for forgiveness after conversion to sound faith.
Themes
- Faith-related
- Human and ethical
Related Concepts
- Repentance: 2
Its Place in the Conceptual Network
It is connected to the concept of repentance as an open door for retreat and return.
Role of the Verse in the Argument
- Example: 1
Instances of Use
- Islam and Humanity: It is cited as evidence for hope of forgiveness after conversion to sound faith.
- Concept: repentance
- Function of the verse here: example
- Textual citation: “{ Indeed, we hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins, since we were the first believers. } (The Poets 51).”
Related Books
This page is presented within the general atlas-building methodology.