This axis brings together 1 instance 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
And God wills to turn toward you in repentance, while those who follow desires will…
Reader’s answer
Question
Where does Shahrur employ Al-Nisa’ 27, what does his distinction between will and volition mean, and what function does the verse serve in his argument?
Shahrur employs Al-Nisa’ 27 to explain that will is the making of a decision, and he situates human will within probabilistic divine knowledge. As for volition, he defines it in the same passage as freedom and the possibility of affirmation and negation in making conscious decisions; the cited passage does not state that the verse itself establishes the distinction between the two terms.
Shahrur defines will as the making of a decision, and cites Al-Nisa’ 27 when asserting that human will falls within probabilistic divine knowledge. Shahrur defines volition as freedom and the possibility of affirmation and negation in the task of making conscious decisions concerning known things, and links it to divine decree and predestination through a relation of knowledge.
Citation and location
A Contemporary Guide to Reading the Wise Revelation — p. 57.
Limits of the reading
- The cited passage presents Al-Nisa’ 27 within its discussion of human will and divine will, but does not explain the context of the verse or its wording in detail.
- The cited passage does not establish that Al-Nisa’ 27 contains both the terms will and volition, or that it alone forms the basis for distinguishing between them; the definition of volition is presented with another citation from Surat al-Insan.
- The cited passage does not state that will and volition are synonymous, nor does it deny their synonymy.
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Brief reading
Shahrur cites it to distinguish will from volition, making it a decision that falls within probabilistic divine knowledge.
Axes
- Methodological
- Faith-related
Related concepts
- Will: 2
Its place in the network of concepts
It contributes to the conceptual distinction between will and volition.
Role of the verse in the argument
- Support: 1
Instances of use
- A Contemporary Guide to Reading the Wise Revelation, p. 57: He cites it to distinguish will from volition and makes it a decision that falls within probabilistic divine knowledge.
- Concept: Will
- Function of the verse here: Support
- Textual citation: “As for will, it is the making of a decision … as God Most High says: { And God wills to turn toward you in repentance … } (Al-Nisa’ 27).”
Related books
This page is presented within the general methodology for constructing the atlas.