This axis brings together 4 instances of the use of this verse in the books of Muhammad Shahrur, linking it to the concepts and arguments that appear around it.
Text of the Verse as Cited
Indeed, Abraham was most compassionate and forbearing.
Reader’s Answer
Question
How does Muhammad Shahrur employ the conclusion of Al-Tawbah 114—“Indeed, Abraham was most compassionate and forbearing”—in understanding disavowal?
Shahrur reads the verse as drawing a line between disavowal after enmity toward God has become evident and a turn toward harshness or aggression. For him, “disavowal” is a stance toward enmity and warfare, yet it remains—in his reading—accompanied by compassion and forbearance, and does not mean severing natural human relationships. This states Shahrur’s interpretation of the text; it is not a judgment that the verse alone settles all rulings concerning relations with those who differ.
Shahrur employs the end of the verse to distinguish disavowal of “God’s enemies and those who wage war against Him” from cruelty and harshness; he describes this disavowal as compassionate and forbearing, and as preserving natural relationships.
Evidence and Location
Drying Up the Sources of Terrorism — p. 172.
Limits of the Reading
- The evidence establishes Shahrur’s reading of the verse and does not provide an independent proof here that this meaning is the only possible interpretation of the verse.
- The statement about preserving “natural relationships” is part of Shahrur’s interpretive formulation in the evidence and should not be extended to detailed rulings not mentioned therein.
- The link to “Islam and Humanity” mentioned in the usage description is not supported by a quotation from this source among the attached evidence; it is therefore not taken here as direct evidence.
Continue From Here
Brief Reading
For Shahrur, the verse is read to show the distinction between doctrinal disavowal and the continued presence of forbearance and compassion in human relations.
Axes
- Faith-related
- Human and ethical
- Narrative and historical
Related Concepts
- Disavowal: 2
- Opposites: 2
- Kindness to parents: 2
- Disavowal: 2
Its Place in the Network of Concepts
It is connected to the network of loyalty and disavowal, and to the balanced portrayal of Abraham’s character.
The Verse’s Role in the Argument
- Distinction: 2
- Foundation: 1
- Support: 1
Instances of Use
- Islam and Humanity: He cites it as evidence for the legitimacy of disavowal when enmity is established, while forbearance and compassion remain.
- Concept: Disavowal
- Function of the verse here: Foundation
- Textual evidence: “{ Abraham’s seeking forgiveness for his father was only … then, when it became clear to him that he was an enemy of God, he disavowed him … } (Al-Tawbah 114).”
- the Book and the Qur’an, p. 278: He uses it to highlight the alternation between two opposite attributes within Abraham’s character.
- Concept: Opposites
- Function of the verse here: Distinction
- Textual evidence: “{Abraham’s seeking forgiveness for his father was only … Indeed, Abraham was most compassionate and forbearing} (Al-Tawbah 114). Note the alternation in the Exalted One’s saying: Indeed, Abraham was most compassionate and forbearing — Indeed, Abraham was forbearing and most compassionate.”
- Drying Up the Sources of Terrorism, p. 172: He uses it to explain the intersection of familial loyalty with doctrinal disavowal, and that the seeking of forgiveness was due to a promise, not an endorsement of polytheism.
- Concept: Kindness to parents
- Function of the verse here: Support
- Textual evidence: “{Abraham’s seeking forgiveness for his father was only…} (Al-Tawbah 114).”
- Drying Up the Sources of Terrorism, p. 187: He makes it evidence that disavowal is bounded by compassion and forbearance, rather than being aggression or hatred.
- Concept: Disavowal
- Function of the verse here: Distinction
- Textual evidence: “{… then, when it became clear to him that he was an enemy of God, he disavowed him …} (Al-Tawbah 114).”
Related Books
This page is presented within the general methodology for building the atlas.