This axis brings together 2 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 it appears
﴿… AND I WAS OVER THEM A WITNESS AS LONG AS I REMAINED AMONG THEM …﴾
Brief reading
The verse is made the basis for understanding the witness as someone present and alive, and for distinguishing present witness-bearing from the commonly circulated exclusive meaning.
Axes
- Faith-related
- Linguistic and semantic
Related concepts
- present witness-bearing: 2
- witness-bearing: 2
- witness: 1
- presence: 1
Its place in the network of concepts
It serves the reconstruction of the concept of witness-bearing within the Qur’anic system.
The verse’s role in the argument
- Foundational: 1
- Context: 1
Instances of use
- Drying Up the Springs of Terrorism, p. 56: he makes it evidence that the witness is present and alive, and that witness-bearing ceases with absence or death.
- Concept: present witness-bearing
- Function of the verse here: Foundational
- Textual evidence: «{… AND I WAS OVER THEM A WITNESS AS LONG AS I REMAINED AMONG THEM …} (al-Ma’idah 117).»
- Drying Up the Springs of Terrorism, p. 75: he cites the verse in the context of presenting commentators’ views on the meaning of witness-bearing and the witness, as a prelude to criticizing their confinement to those killed in battle.
- Concept: witness-bearing
- Function of the verse here: Context
- Textual evidence: «Jesus to his Lord: {AND I WAS OVER THEM A WITNESS…} (al-Ma’idah 117).»
- Corresponding traditional reading: restricting witness-bearing to those killed in battle
Related books
This page is presented within the general method of atlas construction.