This theme gathers 1 occurrence 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 and our forefathers were promised this before.
Reader’s answer
Question
Where does the verse occur, what does “before” mean for Shahrur, and what role does the verse play in his argument?
The verse occurs in Surat al-Mu’minun, verse 83. Shahrur presents it as an example showing that “before” may refer to a past extending over several decades, rather than to one specific past moment.
Shahrur cites al-Mu’minun 83 to show that the meaning of “before” may extend over several decades. The verse’s function in his presentation is to exemplify the varying temporal scope of the phrase “before” according to context, within examples ranging from the recent past to the distant past.
Evidence and location
Qur’anic Narratives, Vol. 1 — p. 129.
Limits of the reading
- The evidence establishes this usage within Shahrur’s discussion of the term “before”; it does not establish an independent interpretive rule for every occurrence of the phrase in the Qur’an.
- The evidence does not explain in detail how “several decades” is estimated in this verse.
- The evidence does not establish a specific semantic relationship between this verse and the other verses mentioned, apart from their occurrence as examples in the same context.
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Brief reading
Shahrur uses it to indicate that “before” may extend to decades of past time, rather than to one particular time.
Themes
- Narrative and historical
Related concepts
- Past: 2
- Before: 1
- Time: 1
Its place in the network of concepts
It supports an understanding of temporal extension in Qur’anic narrative.
The verse’s role in the argument
- Example: 1
Occurrences of use
- Qur’anic Narratives, Vol. 1, p. 129: He uses it to indicate that “before” may extend to decades of past time, rather than to one particular time.
- Concept: Past
- Function of the verse here: Example
- Textual evidence: “{Indeed, we and our forefathers were promised this before} (al-Mu’minun: 83)”
Related books
This page is presented within the general atlas-building methodology.