This axis brings together 2 instances of the use of this verse in the books of Muhammad Shahrur, linking it to the concepts and arguments that appear around it.
Text of the Verse as Cited
Indeed, We have granted you a manifest victory * so that God may forgive you what preceded of your sin and what followed
Reader’s Answer
Question
Where does Shahrur employ Al-Fath 1–2, what is the meaning of the distinction between forgiven sin and the rights of others, and what function do the two verses serve in his argument?
Shahrur employs Al-Fath 1–2 in his book Islam and Humanity, in his discussion of the forgivability of sins committed against God. He understands the forgiveness mentioned for the Messenger as pertaining to sins within the relationship between the Messenger and his Lord, not wrongs involving the rights of others. The two verses function in his argument as evidence for this distinction, particularly because, according to his reading, the forgiveness includes what will occur after the revelation of the verse.
Shahrur cites Al-Fath 1–2 in the context of maintaining that sins committed against God are forgivable, with the exception of polytheism, as he states in the same passage. Shahrur understands the forgiveness in Al-Fath 1–2 as concerning sins confined to the relationship between God and His Messenger, and as not including wrongs in which others have rights.
Citation and Location
Islam and Humanity — location not specified.
Limits of the Reading
- The location of the citation within the book is not specified; therefore, the chapter or page of the citation cannot be determined precisely.
- The citation establishes this reading as Shahrur’s understanding; it does not establish an independent exegetical judgment beyond this passage.
- The citation does not explain a comprehensive, detailed criterion for distinguishing all rights of God from the rights of others; it provides an example concerning the Prophet’s rebuke in Surat ʿAbasa.
- On the basis of this citation alone, the page does not address verbal or exegetical relationships with verses other than those mentioned in the citation.
Continue From Here
Brief Reading
He reads it as meaning that forgiveness here concerns what lies between the Messenger and his Lord, not what affects the rights of others.
Axes
- Faith-based
- Human and ethical
Related Concepts
- Forgiveness: 2
- Forgiveness of sin: 2
Its Place in the Conceptual Network
It links the meaning of forgiveness to the limits of moral responsibility.
Role of the Verse in the Argument
- Support: 1
- Example: 1
Contexts of Use
- Islam and Humanity: He employs it to show that the Prophet’s ﷺ forgiven sin here concerns his relationship with God, not the rights of others.
- Concept: forgiveness
- Function of the verse here: support
- Textual citation: “{ Indeed, We have granted you a manifest victory * so that God may forgive you what preceded of your sin and what followed… } (Al-Fath 1–2)”
- Islam and Humanity: He uses it as an example that the Prophet’s sins here concern his relationship with God, not the rights of others.
- Concept: forgiveness of sin
- Function of the verse here: example
- Textual citation: “The Exalted and Glorious One addressed His noble Messenger, saying: { Indeed, We have granted you a manifest victory * so that God may forgive you what preceded of your sins and what followed… } (Al-Fath 1–2)”
Related Books
This page is presented within the overall methodology for building the atlas.