This axis brings together 2 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 establish prayer and give alms…
Reader’s Answer
Question
Where does Shahrur cite Qur’an 98:5, what distinction does he make in it, and what function does it serve in his argument?
Shahrur cites the verse on page 80 of «Islam and Faith», in his discussion of almsgiving, as a passage that explicitly mentions almsgiving in conjunction with establishing prayer. Its function is to support his presentation of passages commanding almsgiving, not to establish that the verse alone defines the “essence of the upright religion.”
Shahrur cites Qur’an 98:5 in the paragraph devoted to almsgiving, after an example from al-Baqara, as a verse that combines the command to establish prayer and give alms. In his presentation, Shahrur distinguishes between passages that explicitly mention almsgiving, including Qur’an 98:5, and passages that do not mention it verbally but instead refer to the mention of its characteristics.
Citation and Location
Islam and Faith — p. 80.
Limits of the Reading
- The citation does not state that prayer and almsgiving are the “essence of the upright religion”; this formulation therefore cannot be based on it.
- The citation does not explain the meaning of almsgiving or define the conceptual relationship between prayer and almsgiving beyond their conjunction in the verses presented.
- This passage does not establish a ruling concerning how almsgiving is to be performed; Shahrur’s reported elaboration on how it is performed occurs in his discussion of prayer.
Continue From Here
Brief Reading
The verse is understood as bringing together prayer and almsgiving as rites of worship and the essence of the upright religion.
Axes
- Legislative
- Faith-related
Related Concepts
- Rites: 2
- The upright religion: 2
Its Place in the Conceptual Network
It is connected to the centrality of practical worship in the construction of religiosity.
The Verse’s Role in the Argument
- Support: 2
Instances of Use
- Islam and the Human Being: He cites it as evidence that prayer and almsgiving are pillars of practical worship committed to monotheism.
- Concept: Rites
- Function of the verse here: Support
- Textual citation: “{ And they were commanded only to worship God, devoting religion sincerely to Him, as monotheists, and to establish prayer and give alms… } (al-Bayyina 5).”
- Islam and Faith, p. 80: He employs it to connect establishing prayer and giving alms to the essence of the upright religion.
- Concept: The upright religion
- Function of the verse here: Support
- Textual citation: “{ And they were commanded only to worship God, devoting religion sincerely to Him, as monotheists, and to establish prayer and give alms… } (al-Bayyina 5).”
Related Books
This page is presented within the general methodology for building the atlas.