Anfal 60

This axis gathers 3 instances of the use of this verse in Muhammad Shahrur’s books, linking it to the concepts and arguments that appear around it.

The verse text as cited

﴿And prepare against them whatever you are able of power … by which you terrify the enemy of God and your enemy …﴾

In Shahrur’s work, the verse appears to distinguish legitimate defensive deterrence from war, while linking it to preparation and spending.

It is connected to the concept of disciplined fighting and the preservation of peace within the bounds of defense.

The Messengerly Sunna and the Prophetic Sunna, p. 96: He invokes it as an implicit reference in the context of discussing legitimate spending tied to preparedness and financial duty.
- Concept: Spending
- Function of the verse here: Context
- Textual evidence: “‘Spending in the way of God’ at times (see al-Baqara 195), 262 and al-Anfal 60)”
Drying Up the Sources of Terrorism, p. 41: He interprets terrorism here as defensive deterrence that prevents war and preserves peace, not as waging war itself.
- Concept: Deterrence
- Function of the verse here: Distinction
- Textual evidence: “The command is clear to prepare deterrent force to prevent war and preserve peace”
Drying Up the Sources of Terrorism, p. 115: He places it among the verses detailing combat in order to establish the principle of military preparation and deterrence within legitimate fighting.
- Concept: Preparation and deterrence
- Function of the verse here: Support
- Textual evidence: “Al-Anfal (60) | { And prepare against them whatever you are able of power … by which you terrify the enemy of God and your enemy … }”

This page is presented within the general method of building the atlas.