This axis brings together 2 loci of use of these verses in Muhammad Shahrur’s books, linking them to the concepts and arguments that appear around them.
Text of the verse as cited
Indeed, we found our forefathers following a community …
Reader’s Answer
Question
Where does Shahrur cite Al-Zukhruf 23–24, what meaning does he assign to them, and what function do they serve in his argument?
Shahrur cites the two verses in the book The State and Society (p. 152), in the context of his discussion of the contention between calls for reform and what he calls the “forces of patriarchalism.” He uses them as evidence that resistance to messengers was linked to adherence to what the forefathers had become accustomed to and fear for their legacy.
Shahrur cites Al-Zukhruf 23–24 as part of an account of the contention between the call to reform and the forces of patriarchalism. He presents the peoples’ resistance to prophets and messengers as an objection to what departs from familiar speech or conduct, and as fear for the inheritance of the forefathers.
Citation and Location
The State and Society — p. 152.
Limits of the Reading
- The citation establishes the location in The State and Society, p. 152, but does not establish that the citation occurs in the book Islam and Humanity.
- The citation does not explicitly use the phrase “blind imitation”; it is more precise to adhere to the vocabulary of holding fast to what the forefathers were accustomed to, their legacy, and the forces of patriarchalism.
- The citation does not provide an independent technical definition of patriarchalism, nor a detailed theoretical distinction between it and heritage or tradition.
- The accompanying text of the citation breaks off while presenting a later verse, but its citation of Al-Zukhruf 23–24 is clear and specific.
Continue from Here
Brief Reading
For Shahrur, the two verses occur in the context of criticizing blind imitation of forefathers and the rejection of calls for reform in the name of inherited tradition.
Axes
- Human and ethical
- Political and social
Related Concepts
- Imitation: 2
- Patriarchalism: 2
Its Place in the Network of Concepts
It belongs to a network of concepts that opposes stagnation and calls for moving beyond closed inherited tradition.
Role of the Verse in the Argument
- Critique of heritage: 2
Contexts of Use
- Islam and Humanity: He cites it to condemn blind following of forefathers and the rejection of calls for reform on the grounds of inherited tradition.
- Concept: imitation
- Function of the verse here: critique of heritage
- Textual citation: “{ And thus … Indeed, we found our forefathers following a community … } (Al-Zukhruf 23–24)”
- The State and Society, p. 152: He uses it to denounce patriarchal imitation that rejects criticism and rejects as unbelief the new call to reform.
- Concept: patriarchalism
- Function of the verse here: critique of heritage
- Textual citation: “{And thus We sent not…} (Al-Zukhruf 23, 24)”
Related Books
This page is presented within the general methodology for building the atlas.