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.
The Verse Text as Cited
Those who say, “God is the third of three,” have certainly disbelieved … There is no god except one God … And if they do not desist from what they say … a painful punishment will surely afflict those among them who disbelieve
Reader’s Answer
Question
Where does Shahrur situate Al-Ma’idah 73, what distinction does he derive from it, and what function does it serve in his argument?
Shahrur places the verse in his discussion of the Trinity and explicitly distinguishes it from incarnation. He reads its warning as less severe than that in another passage, since he does not see it as prohibiting Paradise. He further infers from it a division among those who profess the Trinity, such that punishment afflicts those among them who disbelieve. He then refers through it to Al-Nisa’ 171.
In the verse, Shahrur addresses the Trinity rather than incarnation, making this distinction an entry point for his reading. Shahrur considers the warning in the verse less severe because it threatens painful punishment for those who do not desist, without declaring Paradise prohibited in this passage. Shahrur infers from the verse a division of those who profess the Trinity into two groups, and that painful punishment afflicts those among them who disbelieve, making this a passage toward Al-Nisa’ 171.
Citation and Location
Islam and Faith — p. 246.
Limits of the Reading
- The citation does not establish that disbelief here is conditional upon the mere verbal declaration of the Trinity; therefore, this qualification is not attributed to Shahrur on this page.
- The citation does not explain the nature of the two groups that Shahrur derives, nor does it permit their identification.
- The citation does not establish details of a comparison between the verse and Al-Nisa’ 171; rather, it merely states that it leads to it.
- Describing the warning as less severe is confined to Shahrur’s comparison, in which he notes that the prohibition of Paradise does not occur in this passage.
Continue from Here
Brief Reading
The verse is used to critique the doctrine of the Trinity, while distinguishing this subject from other matters of belief.
Axes
- Faith
Related Concepts
- Trinity: 3
- Disbelief: 1
- Punishment: 1
- Incarnation: 1
Its Place in the Conceptual Network
It is connected to his position on doctrines contrary to monotheism in the faith-based reading.
The Verse’s Role in the Argument
- Critique of tradition: 2
Instances of Use
- Islam and the Human Being: It is cited as evidence for rejecting the doctrine of the Trinity and regarding it as disbelief when it is declared verbally.
- Concept: Trinity
- Function of the verse here: Critique of tradition
- Textual citation: «{ Those who say, “God is the third of three,” have certainly disbelieved … } (Al-Ma’idah 73)»
- Corresponding traditional reading: The doctrine of the Trinity
- Islam and Faith, p. 246: He distinguishes it from incarnation and considers its warning lighter because it threatens punishment rather than prohibiting Paradise.
- Concept: Trinity
- Function of the verse here: Critique of tradition
- Textual citation: «b- { Those who say, “God is the third of three,” have certainly disbelieved … … a painful punishment will surely afflict those who disbelieve [among them]} (Al-Ma’idah 73).»
- Corresponding traditional reading: The Christian Trinity
Related Books
This page is presented within the general atlas-building methodology.