Hud 118–119

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This locus brings together 3 instances 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

Had your Lord willed, He could have made humanity one community, but they will continue to differ—except those upon whom your Lord has mercy. And for that He created them.

Reader’s Answer

Question

How does Shahrur employ Hud 118–119 in explaining human difference, and what does the verse establish in his argument?

Shahrur uses the two verses to support his claim that cultural difference is a divine law and a purpose of creation; he therefore rejects the forcible imposition of one culture upon another. The evidence does not establish that this difference derives from human freedom or that it encompasses every form of difference among people.

Shahrur maintains that the difference of cultures is among God’s laws, and reads Hud 118–119 as evidence that cultural difference is a purpose of creation. On this basis, Shahrur argues that no one has the right to impose their culture upon another by force, and that this matter is not subject to voting.

Evidence and Location

The Qur’an in Contemporary Thought — p. 23.

Limits of the Reading

  • The evidence links the two verses specifically to cultural difference, not to differences of nationality and race; Shahrur cited Qur’an 30:22 for the latter.
  • The evidence does not state that difference is a result of human freedom; this explanation therefore should not be attributed to Shahrur here.
  • The evidence does not establish the unqualified statement that “difference among people is intended”; what it establishes is that the difference of cultures is a purpose of creation according to Shahrur’s reading.
  • The evidence does not provide a detailed interpretation of the exception in the divine statement, “except those upon whom your Lord has mercy.”

Continue from Here

Brief Reading

The two verses are treated as a basis for the view that difference among people is intended, and that neither conformity nor coerced unity may be imposed.

Axes

  • Methodological
  • Political and social
  • Faith-related
  • Difference of cultures: 3
  • Difference: 2
  • Human freedom: 1

Place in the Conceptual Network

It is linked to the concept of freedom and to social laws in the interpretation of diversity.

Role of the Verse in the Argument

  • Foundational: 2
  • Supporting: 1

Instances of Use

  • Islam and the Human Being: He bases on it the view that difference among people results from the human freedom God intended, rather than being a deficiency that requires coercion or conformity.
    • Concept: difference
    • Function of the verse here: foundational
    • Textual evidence: “{ Had your Lord willed, He could have made humanity one community … } (Hud 118–119)”
  • The State and Society, p. 237: He cites it as evidence that cultural difference is intended as a divine law and that coerced unity may not be imposed.
    • Concept: difference of cultures
    • Function of the verse here: supporting
    • Textual evidence: “As in His saying: { Had your Lord willed … } (Hud 118, 119). Thus, the difference of cultures is a purpose of creation.”
  • The Qur’an in Contemporary Thought, p. 23: He cites it as evidence that difference is a purpose of creation and that imposing a single culture by force contravenes the divine laws.
    • Concept: difference of cultures
    • Function of the verse here: foundational
    • Textual evidence: “{ Had your Lord willed, He could have made humanity one community … } (Hud 118, 119)”

This page is presented within the general atlas construction methodology.

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Muhammad Shahrur Atlas