This axis gathers 3 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

{He is the First and the Last..}

Brief reading

The verse is used to explain words that can bear opposites, and to affirm the perfection of divine knowledge and the coexistence of attributes without contradiction.

Axes

  • Faith
  • Linguistic and semantic
  • Opposites: 2
  • Perfect knowledge: 2
  • Divine attributes: 2

Its place in the concept network

It connects the structure of the Arabic language with the conception of divine attributes.

The role of the verse in the argument

  • Support: 3

Instances of use

  • The Book and the Qur’an, p. 171: He uses it to explain that ta’wil is one of the words of opposites in Arabic.
    • Concept: Opposites
    • Function of the verse here: Support
    • Textual evidence: «In this sense came His saying تعالى {هُوَ الْأَوَّلُ وَالْآخِرُ..}»
  • The Book and the Qur’an, p. 325: He takes it as evidence for God’s unique possession of perfect knowledge and His lack of need for a partner or equivalent.
    • Concept: Perfect knowledge
    • Function of the verse here: Support
    • Textual evidence: «{هُوَ الْأَوَّلُ وَالْآخِرُ وَالظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ} (al-Hadid 3).»
  • Draining the Sources of Terrorism, p. 35: He cites it in the context of discussing the conjunction of opposites in divine attributes without contradiction.
    • Concept: Divine attributes
    • Function of the verse here: Support
    • Textual evidence: «{هُوَ الْأَوَّلُ وَالْآخِرُ وَالظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ …} (al-Hadid 3)»

This page is presented within the general method of building the atlas.