This axis brings together 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
And whoever does that in aggression and injustice, We shall make him enter a Fire; and that is easy for Allah.
Reader’s Answer
Question
Where does Shahrur employ verse 30 of Al-Nisa’, what distinction does he draw between forms of killing the self, and what function does it serve in his argument?
Shahrur employs the verse in his discussion of killing oneself together with killing others in suicide operations. He distinguishes between someone who commits suicide in a psychological state that may affect their capacity for discernment—whom people are not permitted to judge—and someone who kills himself and others while conscious and intentional. He makes the verse grounds for considering the latter case aggression and injustice, and for establishing the multiplication of its perpetrator’s punishment before God.
Shahrur cites Al-Nisa’ 30 when discussing a person who kills himself and kills others with him, especially in suicide operations attributed to terrorist groups. He regards this act as the unlawful killing of others and the premeditated, conscious killing of oneself. Shahrur distinguishes between suicide arising from a psychological condition that may not permit discernment between right and wrong—leaving judgment in this case to God—and the conscious, intentional killing of oneself together with others. In the latter case, he describes the act as aggression and injustice against innocent victims. The function of the verse in Shahrur’s argument is to support his claim that one who kills himself and others in this manner deserves a multiplied punishment before God.
Citation and Location
Islam and the Human Being — location not specified.
Limits of the Reading
- The citation does not state a page number or a more precise location within the book; it establishes only that the use is attributed to the book Islam and the Human Being.
- The distinction presented is specific to the context set out by the citation; it does not establish a general ruling for all cases of suicide or all forms of legal or medical responsibility.
- The citation attributes to Shahrur the description of punishment as multiplied in this case, but it does not provide an independent explanation here of how this multiplication occurs.
- The citation does not establish a relationship with other verses or pages merely on the basis of similarity in wording or subject matter.
Continue from Here
Brief Reading
Shahrur uses it to affirm that one who detonates himself and kills others thereby commits compounded aggression and injustice and deserves punishment.
Axes
- Human and ethical
- Political and social
Related Concepts
- Aggression and injustice: 2
Its Place in the Network of Concepts
It is connected to the discussion of violence as an ethical and social violation.
The Verse’s Role in the Argument
- Support: 1
Instances of Use
- Islam and the Human Being: He uses it to affirm that one who detonates himself and kills others with him commits compounded aggression and injustice and deserves punishment.
- Concept: aggression and injustice
- Function of the verse here: support
- Textual citation: “{ And whoever does that in aggression and injustice, We shall make him enter a Fire… } (Al-Nisa’ 30)”
Related Books
This page is presented within the general methodology for building the atlas.