This axis gathers 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.
The Verse as Cited
{The Most Merciful—ask one well-informed about Him}
Reader’s Answer
Question
How does Shahrur understand the description “khabīr” in the Almighty’s saying: {The Most Merciful—ask one well-informed about Him}?
Shahrur understands “khabīr” here as one whose expertise rests on firsthand presence and direct engagement; that is, one who is present in a matter or practises it personally, rather than someone who possesses merely abstract theoretical knowledge of it.
Shahrur explicitly states that “expertise” in the verse from al-Furqan means “firsthand presence.” He explains the meaning of firsthand presence by saying that an experienced person is one who “practises matters personally,” and is therefore an expert.
Citation and Location
Qur’anic Stories, Vol. 1 — p. 147.
Limits of the Reading
- This presents Shahrur’s use of the term “khabīr” in the verse; it is not a judgment that this is the only possible meaning of the term in Arabic or in exegesis.
- The citation establishes the connection between expertise, firsthand presence, and practice, but does not elaborate all the exegetical implications of the phrase “ask one well-informed about Him.”
- This reading is limited to the meaning explicitly stated by the citation in the indicated passage.
Continue From Here
Brief Reading
It is understood to mean that the expert is one who engages directly with and is present in the matter, rather than one who possesses theoretical knowledge alone.
Axes
- Linguistic and semantic
- Methodological
Related Concepts
- Expertise: 3
Its Place in the Network of Concepts
It serves to define meaning through the presence and direct performance of the act.
The Verse’s Role in the Argument
- Support: 2
Instances of Use
- Qur’anic Stories, Vol. 1, p. 147: He interprets “khabīr” as one who has firsthand presence and direct engagement, rather than merely theoretical knowledge.
- Concept: expertise
- Function of the verse here: support
- Textual citation: “Thus we understand the Almighty’s saying {The Most Merciful—ask one well-informed about Him} (al-Furqan: 59): here, expertise means firsthand presence.”
- Qur’anic Stories, Vol. 2, p. 147: He adduces it as evidence that the “khabīr” is one who engages directly with the matter and is present in it, rather than merely someone who has heard of it.
- Concept: expertise
- Function of the verse here: support
- Textual citation: “Thus we understand the Almighty’s saying {The Most Merciful—ask one well-informed about Him} (al-Furqan: 59): here, expertise means firsthand presence.”
Related Books
This page is presented within the general atlas construction methodology.