This axis brings together 4 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
Say: Travel through the earth, then observe how He originated creation
Brief reading
For Shahrur, the verse is a basis for the Qur’an’s call to rational and scientific reflection on the earth and the beginning of creation.
Axes
- Methodological
- Faith-based
Related concepts
- Scientific reflection: 4
- Reason: 2
Its place in the conceptual network
It is linked to the method of looking at the universe and to redirecting the question toward the manner/how.
The verse’s role in the argument
- Support: 3
- Foundation: 1
Instances of use
- Islam and Human Beings, p. 40: He makes it an example of the Qur’an’s call to direct scientific observation of the universe rather than merely relying on the books of the predecessors.
- Concept: Scientific reflection
- The verse’s function here: Support
- Textual evidence: «{ Say: Travel through the earth, then observe how He originated creation … } (Al-ʿAnkabut 20)»
- Islam and Human Beings, p. 42: He uses it to indicate that the Qur’an calls for traveling through the earth and scientifically observing the beginning of creation, not merely relying on the books of the predecessors.
- Concept: Scientific reflection
- The verse’s function here: Support
- Textual evidence: «Indeed, dozens of verses in the Book of God urge reason and reflection, among them… { Say: Travel through the earth, then observe how He originated creation … } (Al-ʿAnkabut 20)»
- The State and Society, p. 153: He makes it a foundation for the necessity of scientific observation of the earth and the beginning of creation instead of relying on the heritage of the predecessors.
- Concept: Scientific reflection
- The verse’s function here: Foundation
- Textual evidence: «{Say: Travel through the earth, then observe how He originated creation…} (Al-ʿAnkabut 20)»
- Drying Up the Sources of Terrorism, p. 232: He cites it to emphasize that the Qur’anic methodological question is about how and the rational inquiry into the emergence of creation, not merely about proving divine power.
- Concept: Reason
- The verse’s function here: Support
- Textual evidence: «The human العقل does not ask about God’s power to do this or that, but rather about how God’s will was carried out in doing this or that… {Say: Travel through the earth, then observe how He originated creation} (Al-ʿAnkabut 20)»
Related books
This page is presented within the general method of building the atlas.