The Splitting 1

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This axis gathers 1 instance of this verse’s use in Muhammad Shahrur’s books, linking it to the concepts and arguments that appear around it.

Text of the Verse as Cited

{ WHEN THE SKY IS SPLIT ASUNDER }

Reader’s Answer

Question

Where does Shahrur cite the verse “When the sky is split asunder,” what meaning does he distinguish it by, and what function does it serve in his argument?

Shahrur cites the verse in Towards New Foundations of Islamic Jurisprudence (p. 250), in a discussion distinguishing between shiqāq, shiqq, and inshiqāq. He takes inshiqāq to mean splitting into two halves, and the verse thus serves as evidence for this meaning.

Shahrur cites God’s words, “When the sky is split asunder,” together with the verse on the splitting of the moon, as evidence that inshiqāq means splitting into two halves. This occurs within his distinction between it and shiqq, which he defines as a half, and shiqāq, which he defines as opposition involving effort and striving.

Evidence and Location

Towards New Foundations of Islamic Jurisprudence — p. 250.

Limits of the Reading

  • The evidence establishes this distinction in the cited passage, but does not establish that the verse is used to affirm the meaning of “division and separation” in a formulation broader than “splitting into two halves.”
  • The evidence does not establish a direct semantic relation between the verse and the verses concerning familial discord; its function here is to exemplify the meaning of inshiqāq.
  • The evidence does not explicitly state a general judgment concerning synonymy or its absence among these terms, although it presents distinct meanings for them in this context.

Continue From Here

Brief Reading

Shahrur cites it to affirm the meaning of division and separation in the root sh-q-q.

Axes

  • Linguistic and semantic
  • Shiqq: 2

Its Place in the Conceptual Network

It supports the lexical reading of the term within the derivational network.

The Verse’s Role in the Argument

  • Support: 1

Contexts of Use

  • Towards New Foundations of Islamic Jurisprudence, p. 250: He cites it to affirm the meaning of division and separation in the root sh-q-q.
    • Concept: Shiqq
    • Function of the verse here: Support
    • Textual evidence: “And His saying—Exalted is He—: { WHEN THE SKY IS SPLIT ASUNDER }”

This page is presented within the general atlas construction methodology.

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Muhammad Shahrur Atlas