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 as cited
AND WE HAD MADE A COVENANT WITH ADAM BEFORE, BUT HE FORGOT, AND WE FOUND NO DETERMINATION IN HIM
Brief reading
It is used to argue that the phrase “min qablu” is an adverb of time, and that variation in grammatical inflection does not alter the overall temporal meaning.
Axes
- linguistic and semantic
- narrative and historical
Related concepts
- time: 2
- priority: 2
Its place in the conceptual network
It enters into the network of interpreting temporal expressions and resetting their meaning according to context.
The verse’s role in the argument
- support: 1
- example: 1
Instances of use
- The Qur’anic Narrative Vol. 1, p. 128: It is cited to show that “min qablu” is also an adverb of time, while grammatical inflection does not alter the general temporal meaning.
- concept: time
- function of the verse here: support
- textual evidence: “or in the nominative with ḍamma, as in verse 4 of al-Rum, and similarly in His saying, Exalted is He, {AND WE HAD MADE A COVENANT WITH ADAM BEFORE…} (Taha: 115)”
- The Qur’anic Narrative Vol. 2, p. 128: He mentions it to show that the nominative form (qablu) remains a temporal adverb, with a difference in implication from the accusative and genitive cases.
- concept: priority
- function of the verse here: example
- textual evidence: “or in the nominative with ḍamma, as in verse 4 of al-Rum, and similarly in His saying, Exalted is He, {AND WE HAD MADE A COVENANT WITH ADAM BEFORE HE FORGOT…} (Taha: 115)”
Related books
This page is presented within the general methodology of building the atlas.