This axis gathers 1 instance 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
Let them surely slit the ears of cattle
Reader’s answer
Question
How does Muhammad Shahrur employ the Qur’anic statement, “Let them surely slit the ears of cattle,” in explaining the meaning of the root?
Shahrur employs the verse as evidence that “batk” denotes division into pieces, or separating things from one another. The attached evidence does not establish the claim that a change in sound reverses the meaning into its opposite.
Shahrur cites the phrase “Let them surely slit the ears of cattle” from Women 119 to explain that “batk” is dividing a thing into pieces or separating things from one another.
Evidence and location
The Book and the Qur’an — p. 274.
Limits of the reading
- The evidence is limited to a brief lexical statement linking “batk” to division and cutting.
- The excerpt does not explain the full context of the verse or offer an exegetical analysis of it.
- The excerpt does not support the claim that a phonetic change reverses the meaning of the root into its opposite.
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Brief reading
He cites it to confirm that the root carries the meaning of division and that a change in sound reverses the meaning into its opposite.
Axes
- Linguistic and semantic
- Methodological
Related concepts
- Contronyms: 2
Its place in the network of concepts
It belongs to the phonetic and semantic analysis of words.
Role of the verse in the argument
- Example: 1
Contexts of use
- The Book and the Qur’an, p. 274: He cites the verse to confirm that the root denotes division and that a reversal of sound reverses the meaning into its opposite.
- Concept: Contronyms
- Function of the verse here: Example
- Textual evidence: “‘batlaka’ means dividing a thing into pieces or separating things from one another, as in the Qur’anic statement {..} LET THEM SLIT THE EARS OF CATTLE} (Women 119).”
Related books
This page is presented within the general methodology for building the atlas.