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 God is Witness over what you do.
Reader’s Answer
Question
How does Shahrur employ Al Imran 98 in his discussion of “the Witness,” and what does the cited passage establish regarding the description of witnessing?
Shahrur cites Al Imran 98 among verses by which he argues that “the Witness” is one of the Most Beautiful Names of God, and he describes God’s witnessing as combining present witnessing and cognitive witnessing. The accompanying citation does not explain the meaning of either description or how to distinguish between them.
Shahrur cites Al Imran 98 among a group of verses to establish that “the Witness” is one of the Most Beautiful Names of God. He describes God as “a witnessing Witness,” linking His witnessing to both present witnessing and cognitive witnessing.
Citation and Location
Islam and Humanity — location not specified.
Limits of the Reading
- The precise location in the book is not specified in the accompanying citation.
- The citation does not define the meaning of “present witnessing” or “cognitive witnessing”; therefore, no detailed explanation of the distinction between them may be attributed to Shahrur here.
- The citation does not establish that Shahrur explains at this point how God is characterized by witnessing; what is established is the description and its inclusion among the verses cited as evidence.
- This citation does not support a conclusion regarding synonymy, or its absence, between “Witness” and “witnessing.”
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Brief Reading
Shahrur makes the verse a point of departure for affirming that the Witness is one of the Names of God, then explains the meaning of His witnessing in this context.
Axes
- Theological
- Linguistic and semantic
Related Concepts
- God’s witnessing: 2
Its Place in the Conceptual Network
It serves to construct the concept of divine witnessing within the Names and Attributes of God.
Role of the Verse in the Argument
- Foundation: 1
Instances of Use
- Islam and Humanity: He uses it among a group of verses to affirm that the Witness is one of the Names of God, then explains how God is characterized by witnessing.
- Concept: God’s witnessing
- Function of the verse here: Foundation
- Textual citation: “It is stated in many verses that ‘the Witness’ is one of the Most Beautiful Names of God, as in His, exalted be He, saying: - { … AND GOD IS WITNESS OVER WHAT YOU DO } (Al Imran 98),”
Related Books
This page is presented within the general atlas construction methodology.