This axis brings together 1 place where this verse is used in Muhammad Shahrur’s books, linking it to the concepts and arguments that appear around it.
The verse text as cited
… AND THOSE WHO TAKE AS PROTECTORS OTHER THAN HIM [SAY], “WE DO NOT WORSHIP THEM EXCEPT THAT THEY MAY BRING US NEAR TO اللَّه “
Brief reading
He uses it to clarify that their worship of idols, in their own claim, was a link to God, not pure worship.
Axes
- Faith-based
- Linguistic and semantic
Related concepts
- Shirk: 2
Its place in the network of concepts
It is connected to shirk as a deviant religious conception in the ancient consciousness.
The verse’s role in the argument
- Support: 1
Usage instances
- Islam and Faith, p. 256: He uses it as evidence that their worship of idols was, in their view, a kind of relation to God, not pure worship.
- Concept: Shirk
- Function of the verse here: Support
- Textual citation: «{… وَالَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مِنْ دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ مَا نَعْبُدُهُمْ إِلَّا لِيُقَرِّبُونَا إِلَى اللَّهِ زُلْفَى…} (al-Zumar 3).»
Related books
This page is presented within the general methodology of building the atlas.