This thematic unit brings together 1 locus of use of this verse in the books of Muhammad Shahrur, linking it to the concepts and arguments that appear around it.
The Verse Text as Cited
Say, “If the Abode of the Hereafter with God is exclusively for you, to the exclusion of all people, then wish for death…”
Reader’s Answer
Question
Where does Shahrur cite verses 94–96 of al-Baqarah, what meaning does he assign to them, and what function do they serve in his argument?
Shahrur cites the verses in Islam and Faith (p. 244), in the context of his discussion of the absence of any mention of the Last Day from the extant Torah of Moses, according to his presentation. He treats the verses as evidence for his link between this absence and belief in worldly life and attachment to it, then uses this to cast doubt on the soundness of the current Jewish doctrine concerning the Last Day.
Shahrur links verses 94–96 of al-Baqarah to what he regards as the absence of any mention of the Last Day from the Torah of Moses available to us, and presents the verses as indicating belief in worldly life and attachment to it. Shahrur uses this link to raise major doubts about the soundness of the Jews’ current doctrine concerning the Last Day.
Citation and Location
Islam and Faith — p. 244.
Limits of the Reading
- The citation does not establish that Shahrur offers here an independent analysis of the wording of the verses or a detailed explanation of the meaning of each verse separately.
- At its conclusion, the citation refers to the question of “the Jews and those who became Jews,” but it is cut off before explaining any distinction between them; therefore, no specific terminological distinction can be attributed to Shahrur on the basis of this passage.
- The citation does not establish a general judgment about Judaism outside the framework of his critical presentation of the current doctrine concerning the Last Day.
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Brief Reading
He cites them to critique the Jews’ conception of the Hereafter and their attachment to worldly life, and to cast doubt on the soundness of their current doctrine.
Themes
- Faith-related
Related Concepts
- The Last Day: 2
Its Place in the Conceptual Network
It belongs to the network critiquing a conception of faith when it becomes detached from action.
The Verse’s Role in the Argument
- Critique of tradition: 1
Loci of Use
- Islam and Faith, p. 244: He cites them to critique the Jews’ conception of the Hereafter and their attachment to worldly life, and to cast doubt on the soundness of their current doctrine.
- Concept: The Last Day
- Function of the verse here: Critique of tradition
- Textual citation: “This is what you read in His saying, exalted be He: {Say, ‘If the Abode of the Hereafter is for you…’} (al-Baqarah 94–96).”
- Corresponding traditional reading: The Jews’ current doctrine concerning the Last Day
Related Books
This page is presented within the general atlas construction methodology.