This axis 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
But as for the orphan, do not oppress him
Reader’s answer
Question
Where does Shahrur cite the verse, what meaning does he place it in, and what function does it serve in his argument?
Shahrur cites the verse in Islam and Faith (p. 77), under the heading of kindness to the orphan and safeguarding his property. He presents it, within a group of verses, as evidence that this principle was established in the messages of Moses and Jesus and then expanded and developed in the Muhammadan message; in this citation, the verse is not standalone evidence for a general description of orphan care as the “center” of the ethical system.
Shahrur places the verse “But as for the orphan, do not oppress him” within the topic of kindness to the orphan and safeguarding his property. He uses the verse, together with other verses, in his argument that the principle of kindness to the orphan and safeguarding his property was established in the messages of Moses and Jesus, then expanded, developed, and improved in the Muhammadan message.
Citation and location
Islam and Faith — p. 77.
Limits of the reading
- The citation does not explicitly draw an independent terminological distinction between “kindness to the orphan” and “safeguarding his property”; rather, it combines them under a single heading.
- The citation does not establish that Shahrur describes caring for the orphan as the “center” of ethical meaning or as a “fixed principle” in the Islamic system of values in this wording.
- The verse here is evidence within a sequence; therefore, the full historical argument should not be attributed to its standalone meaning.
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Brief reading
He cites it to affirm that caring for the orphan is a fixed principle in the Islamic system of values, and that kindness toward him is central to ethical meaning.
Axes
- Humanitarian and ethical
- Faith-based
Related concepts
- Orphan: 3
Its place in the network of concepts
It falls within the network of social mercy and the protection of the vulnerable.
Role of the verse in the argument
- Support: 2
Contexts of use
- Islam and Faith, p. 77: He cites it together with others to show that caring for the orphan is a fixed principle in the Islamic system of values.
- Concept: orphan
- Function of the verse here: support
- Textual citation: “{But as for the orphan, do not oppress him} (al-Duha 9).”
- Islam and Faith, p. 77: He includes it among the verses concerning the orphan to affirm the centrality of kindness to the orphan and not oppressing him.
- Concept: orphan
- Function of the verse here: support
- Textual citation: “- {But as for the orphan, do not oppress him} (al-Duha 9).”
Related books
This page is presented within the general atlas construction methodology.