This is a lexical entry that gathers the technical meaning of this term in Shahrur’s work across his various books, and connects its multiple uses.
This entry belongs to Shahrur’s glossary. For reading by theme, one may refer to Shahrur’s major themes and shared concepts.
The meaning according to Shahrur
Obedience to the Messenger is the free response to what the Messenger conveyed of the message, on the basis of acceptance rather than coercion. It is understood as a relation between guidance and mercy, where obedience does not turn into religious compulsion, but into a commitment that harmonizes with human freedom and responsibility.
Distinctions
- Obedience here is not equivalent to coercive submission, because coercion is excluded from this understanding
- It differs from mere obedience to the Messenger as a person; what is intended is response to the message he conveys.
- It is not understood apart from freedom; it is obedience within the framework of choice, not within the framework of violence.
- It is not reduced to the meaning of formal compliance with commands; rather, it is linked to mercy and guidance.
Places in his books
- Islam and Faith: Obedience to the Messenger is presented here as voluntary obedience that does not rest on coercion, and it is linked to divine mercy. It is part of Shahrur’s understanding of the relationship between message and freedom, not merely coerced compliance with religious commands
What adjoins it and differs from it
- the Messenger
- religion in Shahrur is a free covenant that rejects coercion and violence
- obedience to the Messenger is mercy for humanity
- obedience to the Messenger within the framework of freedom