This axis brings together 2 instances of this verse’s use in the books of Muhammad Shahrur, linking it to the concepts and arguments that appear around it.
Text of the verse as cited
We are only reformers
Reader’s answer
Question
How does Shahrur employ God’s saying, “And when they are told, ‘Do not spread corruption on the earth,’ they say, ‘We are only reformers,’” in his presentation?
Shahrur cites the verse under the heading “corruption on the earth,” as a Qur’anic witness to the prohibition of corruption and to the contrast between it and the claim of reform. However, this passage does not provide a detailed explanation of social conduct or specify the intended forms of corruption.
Shahrur places Al-Baqarah 11 in a list of verses on “corruption on the earth,” alongside verses prohibiting corruption and commanding reform.
Citation and location
Islam and Faith — p. 77.
Limits of the reading
- The citation consists of including the verse in a thematic list, rather than offering a sustained interpretation of it.
- It is not appropriate to attribute a detailed social analysis of the verse to Shahrur on the basis of this passage alone.
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Brief reading
For Shahrur, the verse reveals that a claim to reform may conceal corruption; he reads it within a critique of deviant social conduct, rather than as genuine reform.
Axes
- Human and ethical
- Political and social
Related concepts
- Reform: 2
- False reform: 2
Its place in the conceptual network
It is connected to the concept of distinguishing between an outward appearance of righteousness and a corrupt substance within the network of critique of heritage and conduct.
The verse’s role in the argument
- Support: 1
- Critique of heritage: 1
Instances of use
- Islam and Faith, p. 77: He invokes it to show that the claim of reform may be a cover for corruption, which accords with his critique of deviant social behaviors.
- Concept: Reform
- Function of the verse here: Support
- Textual citation: “{And when they are told, ‘Do not spread corruption on the earth,’ they say, ‘We are only reformers’} (Al-Baqarah 11).”
- Islam and Faith, p. 77: He uses it to show that some who claim reform are in fact corrupters.
- Concept: False reform
- Function of the verse here: Critique of heritage
- Textual citation: “- {And when they are told, ‘Do not spread corruption on the earth,’ they say, ‘We are only reformers’} (Al-Baqarah 11).”
Related books
This page is presented within the general methodology for building the atlas.