al-Shura 52

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This thematic node brings together 2 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 thus We have revealed to you a spirit of Our command…

Reader’s Answer

Question

Where does Shahrur place al-Shura 52, what does “the spirit” mean in it, and what function does it serve in his argument?

Shahrur places the verse in A Guide to the Contemporary Reading of the Wise Revelation, p. 59, and takes the naming of revelation as a “spirit” as evidence that the spirit, in this passage, is the knowledge and legislation revealed to the Prophet. The verse serves to construct his conception of the human being as bashar in its material aspect and spirit in the aspect of cognitive and legislative awareness.

Shahrur interprets the spirit in al-Shura 52 as the knowledge and legislation revealed to the Prophet, citing the designation of revelation as a spirit as evidence for this meaning. He employs the verse within his conception, which contrasts the objective material dimension of the human being with the conscious dimension represented by knowledge and legislation, expressed through language.

Evidence and Location

A Guide to the Contemporary Reading of the Wise Revelation — p. 59.

Limits of the Reading

  • The evidence establishes this interpretation of the spirit in the context of the verse and Shahrur’s use of it in constructing his conception of the human being; it does not establish a general ruling for every occurrence of the term “spirit” in the Qur’an.
  • The statement attached in the usage entry refers to a different book and page from the location of the evidence; the source relied upon here is the attached evidence from A Guide to the Contemporary Reading of the Wise Revelation, p. 59.
  • The evidence does not establish a relationship between this verse and other verses merely on the basis of verbal similarity.

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Brief Reading

Shahrur uses it to ground the idea that the spirit is knowledge and legislation, and that revelation is the bearer of this meaning.

Themes

  • Methodological
  • Faith-related
  • Revelation is spirit: 2
  • Revelation: 2

Its Place in the Conceptual Network

It enters a network that makes revelation a domain of both knowledge and legislation.

The Verse’s Role in the Argument

  • Support: 1
  • Foundation: 1

Instances of Use

  • The Book and the Qur’an, p. 94: He employs it to affirm that the spirit is connected to revelation and commands, rather than to cosmic matter.
    • Concept: Revelation is spirit
    • Function of the verse here: Support
    • Textual evidence: “- {And thus We have revealed to you a spirit of Our command…} (al-Shura 52).”
  • A Guide to the Contemporary Reading of the Wise Revelation, p. 59: He defines the spirit as knowledge and legislation, and makes revelation the bearer of this meaning.
    • Concept: Revelation
    • Function of the verse here: Foundation
    • Textual evidence: “Revelation was called a spirit in His saying, exalted is He: { And thus We have revealed to you a spirit of Our command } (al-Shura 52), because He revealed to him knowledge and legislation.”

This page is presented within the general atlas-building methodology.

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Muhammad Shahrur Atlas