The Prophets 76

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This locus 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 Noah, when he called out before; so We answered him

Reader’s Answer

Question

Where does the verse occur, what does “before” signify for Shahrur in it, and what function does it serve in his argument?

The verse occurs in Surat al-Anbiya’ (21:76). Shahrur presents it as an example of how “before” may refer to a past extending over centuries, in his discussion of the varying temporal range that the phrase may indicate.

Shahrur cites al-Anbiya’ 76 as an example that the meaning of “before” may extend centuries into the past.

Evidence and Location

Qur’anic Narratives, vol. 1 — p. 129.

Limits of the Reading

  • The evidence establishes that the verse is presented as an example of “before” extending over centuries, but it does not specify the number of those centuries or any particular date.
  • This evidence alone does not establish a semantic relation between “before” and other terms, nor a ruling of synonymy or its negation.
  • In the excerpt provided, the evidence does not explain the details of the verse’s narrative context; its function here is limited to temporal inference.

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Brief Reading

Shahrur cites it to clarify that the phrase “before” may extend to a very distant past.

Axes

  • Narrative and historical
  • Linguistic and semantic
  • The past: 2
  • Before: 1

Its Place in the Conceptual Network

It is connected to a temporal reading of Qur’anic expressions in the context of narrative.

The Verse’s Role in the Argument

  • Example: 1

Locations of Use

  • Qur’anic Narratives, vol. 1, p. 129: He cites it to support the claim that “before” may reach far back into the past, over long centuries.
    • Concept: the past
    • Function of the verse here: example
    • Textual evidence: “{And Noah, when he called out before; so We answered him} (al-Anbiya’: 76)”

This page is presented within the general atlas-building methodology.

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Muhammad Shahrur Atlas