This axis brings together 2 instances of the use of this verse in Muhammad Shahrur’s books, linking them to the concepts and arguments that appear around it.
Text of the verse as cited
Indeed, We do not let the reward of one who does good work go to waste.
Reader’s answer
Question
Where does Shahrur cite Al-Kahf 30, and what does the evidence establish about the distinction he draws and the verse’s function in his argument?
Shahrur cites the verse in «Islam and Faith» (p. 178) after quoting the text of a hadith, and pairs it with Al-Kahf 88. What the evidence establishes is that he juxtaposes the text of the hadith with the two verses in the same passage; the excerpt alone does not establish a detailed meaning of this juxtaposition or a fully developed theory of destiny and action.
Shahrur cites Al-Kahf 30 after presenting the text of a hadith, then follows it with Al-Kahf 88 on the same page. In this excerpt, the function of Al-Kahf 30 is to introduce the Qur’anic text into a direct juxtaposition with the preceding hadith text, rather than to present it independently in an interpretation of the verse.
Evidence and location
Islam and Faith — p. 178.
Limits of the reading
- The excerpt does not explain Shahrur’s understanding of “does good work.”
- The excerpt does not state that the verse negates or contradicts the hadith; this categorical formulation should therefore not be attributed to him.
- The evidence alone does not establish a generalization about separating destiny from action, or about Shahrur’s complete theory of recompense.
- The mere occurrence of the two verses together does not establish a relationship of synonymy or semantic equivalence between them.
Continue from here
Brief reading
Shahrur draws on the verse to affirm that recompense is tied to doing good work, and critiques an understanding that separates destiny from action.
Axes
- Humanistic and ethical
Related concepts
- Righteous deeds: 2
- Action: 2
- Recompense: 1
- Excellence: 1
Its place in the network of concepts
It forms part of a network linking recompense to responsible human action.
Role of the verse in the argument
- Support: 1
- Critique of tradition: 1
Instances of use
- Islam and Faith, p. 178: He cites it as evidence that recompense is tied to doing good work, in opposition to an understanding of the hadith that he regards as ambiguous or contradictory to this.
- Concept: Righteous deeds
- Function of the verse here: Support
- Textual evidence: “- {Indeed, We do not let the reward of one who does good work go to waste} (Al-Kahf 30).”
- Islam and Faith, p. 178: He uses the verse to oppose the hadith that suggests destiny cannot be understood from action, affirming that reward is tied to doing good work rather than to an obscure seal at the end of life.
- Concept: Action
- Function of the verse here: Critique of tradition
- Textual evidence: “{Indeed, We do not let the reward of one who does good work go to waste} (Al-Kahf 30)”
- Corresponding traditional reading: the hadith: ”… and the one destined for the Fire is sealed with the deeds of the people of the Fire, whatever deeds he may have done…”
Related books
This page is presented within the general methodology for constructing the atlas.