Al-Fath 18

3 min read

This axis brings together 1 instance of the use of this verse in the books of Muhammad Shahrur, linking it to the concepts and arguments that appear around it.

Text of the Verse as Cited

Indeed, God was pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you beneath the tree

Reader’s Answer

Question

How does Shahrur employ Al-Fath 18 in his discussion of the source of political legitimacy, and what distinction does he draw from it?

Shahrur links the verse to the event in which the believers pledged allegiance to the Prophet, making it evidence in his argument that the source of political legitimacy is the people, not a claim to a divine right to rule.

Shahrur cites Al-Fath 18 to show that the Prophet requested allegiance from the people; he did not appoint himself as a leader on the grounds that he was God’s representative on earth. In the context of his argument, Shahrur distinguishes between authority derived from the people’s pledge of allegiance and authority attributed to a divine right to rule; he maintains that authority can be obtained only from the people.

Citation and Location

The Qur’an in Contemporary Thought — p. 25.

Limits of the Reading

  • The citation establishes Shahrur’s political use of the verse in this passage, but does not provide a linguistic or detailed interpretation of its other terms.
  • The citation does not establish that allegiance is the only possible form of political legitimacy in all circumstances.
  • The distinction mentioned is one within Shahrur’s argument between two sources of legitimacy, not a judgment on the meaning of the verse independently of this context.

Continue From Here

Brief Reading

The verse supports the idea that political legitimacy is attained through allegiance from the people, not through claiming a direct divine right.

Axes

  • Political and social
  • Political legitimacy: 2

Its Place in the Conceptual Network

It falls within the construction of the concept of authority based on society’s acceptance.

Role of the Verse in the Argument

  • Support: 1

Instances of Use

  • The Qur’an in Contemporary Thought, p. 25: He cites it to maintain that political legitimacy is obtained through allegiance from the people, not through claiming a direct divine right.
    • Concept: Political legitimacy
    • Function of the verse here: Support
    • Textual citation: “The evidence is that the Prophet—peace be upon him—requested allegiance from the people … {Indeed, God was pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you beneath the tree} (Al-Fath 18)”

This page is presented within the general atlas-building methodology.

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Muhammad Shahrur Atlas