This axis brings together 1 locus where this verse is used in the books of Muhammad Shahrur, linking it to the concepts and arguments that appear around it.
Text of the verse as cited
God is He who created seven heavens, and of the earth their like; the command descends among them, so that you may know that God is powerful over all things and that God has encompassed everything
Reader’s answer
Question
Where does Shahrur cite Qur’an 65:12, how does he distinguish the meaning of “the Witness,” and what function does the verse serve in his argument?
Shahrur cites the verse in the book Islam and Humanity, in his discussion of the divine name “the Witness.” He distinguishes between human witnessing, which is based on auditory and visual presence, and God’s witnessing, which he connects to perfect knowledge and encompassing awareness without personal presence or indwelling in the universe. In his argument, the verse serves as evidence of God’s knowledge encompassing all things, as the basis for explaining the essence of the name “the Witness.”
Shahrur cites Qur’an 65:12 in the context of his explanation of the divine name “the Witness” in Islam and Humanity. Shahrur distinguishes between human witnessing, which he describes as auditory and visual presence, and God’s witnessing, which does not require personal presence or indwelling in the universe and which he connects to perfect knowledge and awareness. The verse is employed in Shahrur’s argument to show that God’s knowledge encompasses all things, and he makes this encompassing awareness the essence of the name “the Witness.”
Citation and location
Islam and Humanity — location not specified.
Limits of the reading
- The location of the citation within the book is not specified in the citation, so no page or chapter number can be determined.
- This citation alone does not establish a relationship between Qur’an 65:12 and other Qur’anic passages merely on the basis of verbal similarity.
- No general ruling concerning synonymy or its absence can be inferred from this citation outside the formulations and relations that Shahrur explicitly stated in this location.
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Brief reading
The verse is adduced to show that God’s knowledge encompasses all things, which for him is the essence of the name “the Witness.”
Axes
- Theological
- Methodological
Related concepts
- Epistemic encompassing awareness: 2
Its place in the conceptual network
It is connected to the understanding of the name “the Witness” through the meaning of comprehensive encompassing awareness.
The verse’s role in the argument
- Support: 1
Locations of use
- Islam and Humanity: He adduces it to show that God’s knowledge encompasses all things, which for him is the essence of the name “the Witness.”
- Concept: Epistemic encompassing awareness
- Function of the verse here: Support
- Textual citation: “As He, glorified and exalted, says: {God is He who created seven heavens … and that God has encompassed everything} [Divorce 12]”
Related books
This page is presented within the general atlas construction methodology.