An-Nisā’ 16

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This axis brings together 4 instances of the use of this verse in Muhammad Shahrur’s books, linking them to the concepts and arguments that appear around it.

The Verse as Quoted

وَاللَّذَانِ يَأْتِيَانِهَا مِنْكُمْ فَآذُوهُمَا …

Brief Reading

Shahrur assigns the verse to male same-sex indecency and makes it a starting point for speaking about a discretionary social punishment that does not reach killing.

Axes

  • Legislative
  • Political and social
  • Human and ethical
  • homosexuality: 3
  • liwat: 2
  • harm: 2

Its Place in the Network of Concepts

It is linked to the concept of harm as a minimum threshold of punishment within a social context.

The Verse’s Role in the Argument

  • Distinction: 1
  • Example: 1
  • Support: 1
  • Foundation: 1

Instances of Use

  • The Book and the Qur’an, p. 385: He interprets it as being specific to male indecency, and emphasizes that it is neither abrogating nor applicable to zina.
    • Concept: liwat
    • Function of the verse here: Distinction
    • Textual evidence: «The verse numbered 16 speaks specifically about indecency between males, which we now call “liwat”»
    • The corresponding traditional reading: those who hold the view of abrogation
  • The Book and the Qur’an, p. 393: He understands it as a lighter punishment for male indecency, while leaving its form to society and its circumstances.
    • Concept: harm
    • Function of the verse here: Example
    • Textual evidence: «– {وَالَّذِينَ يَأْتِيَانُهَا مِنْكُمْ فَأَذُوهُمَا …} (النساء ١٦)»
  • Toward New Foundations for Islamic Jurisprudence, p. 234: He uses it to determine the ruling on public male homosexuality, and holds that society may intervene with punishment without it reaching killing.
    • Concept: homosexuality
    • Function of the verse here: Support
    • Textual evidence: «Society has the right to intervene and exact retribution according to His – تعالى – saying: { وَاللَّذَانِ يَأْتِيَانِهَا مِنْكُمْ فَادْوُهُمَا … } (An-Nisā’ 16)»
  • Toward New Foundations for Islamic Jurisprudence, p. 234: He treats the verse as a description of public male homosexuality, and makes the punishment in it a social, non-lethal discretionary one.
    • Concept: homosexuality
    • Function of the verse here: Foundation
    • Textual evidence: «In the case of public male homosexual activity, society has the right to intervene and exact retribution according to His – تعالى – saying… for this verse describes the state of homosexuality»

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

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