This is a lexicographic entry that gathers the technical meaning of this term in Shahrur’s work across his various books, and connects its multiple usages.
This entry belongs to Shahrur’s lexicon. For reading by theme, one may refer to Shahrur’s major themes and shared concepts.
The meaning according to Shahrur
Al-bara’ is dissociation from a belief, act, or position after clarification, in a manner governed by conditions and domains, not in the sense of absolute enmity or general hatred. It is a moral and religious stance of distinction that rejects what is shown to be false or harmful, without turning into open exclusion or an escalation of conflict.
Distinctions
- It differs from enmity; al-bara’ is dissociation from falsehood or error, not comprehensive hostility or hatred of people in general
- It also differs from loyalty; loyalty is connected with agreement, conduct, and choice, whereas al-bara’ concerns distancing oneself from what is shown to be corrupt or false within defined limits.
Passages from his books
- Drying Up the Sources of Terrorism: for the author, al-bara’ is dissociation from a belief, act, or position after clarification, not absolute enmity or general hatred. He emphasizes that it is a concept governed by conditions and domains, so that it does not turn into a tool for magnifying religious conflict
What it adjoins and differs from
- Islam is a practical value, not a verbal identity
- Human association in the Qur’an is based on mutual acquaintance and action, not exclusion and hostility
- Al-bara’ is a regulated dissociation, not open enmity
- Al-bara’ has specific conditions and domains
- Al-bara’ is dissociation, not absolute enmity
- Loyalty and disavowal follow conduct
- Drying Up the Sources of Terrorism requires returning religion to the Qur’an, freedom, and mercy, and stripping traditional violence of legitimacy