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
THERE IS NO PROTECTOR TODAY FROM THE COMMAND OF GOD
Reader’s response
Question
Where does Shahrur place the verse “There is no protector today from the command of God,” and what is the function of linking it to the building of the people of Hud on elevated ground?
Shahrur cites the verse within the story of Noah, in response to his son, who sought refuge on a mountain, and then makes it the basis for a narrative analogy: in his view, the building of the people of Hud on elevated ground is understood as a similar attempt to seek protection from God’s command and punishment, and he therefore interprets its description as vain. The citation does not establish an independent terminological distinction between expressions or verses; rather, it presents only this functional connection.
Shahrur places “There is no protector today from the command of God” in Noah’s response to his son, who wished to take refuge on a mountain to escape the water. In analogical terms, Shahrur links the act of the people of Hud in building on elevated ground with the act of Noah’s son in seeking refuge on a mountain; he takes the futility of fleeing from God’s command and punishment as an explanation for describing that building as vain.
Citation and location
The Qur’anic Narratives, vol. 2 — p. 51.
Limits of the reading
- The citation does not establish that the verse speaks directly about the people of Hud or their building; rather, it introduces it from the story of Noah and then connects it to the people of Hud by way of narrative analogy.
- The citation does not establish synonymy or a linguistic distinction between the expressions in the two verses, nor does it demonstrate a relationship based on verbal resemblance.
- The citation does not explain the verse’s full context or define a general theory of Shahrur concerning the protector or the mountain.
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Brief reading
Shahrur uses it to show that the people of Hud’s building on hills was vain because it offers no protection from God’s command.
Axes
- Narrative and historical
- Linguistic and semantic
Related concepts
- Vanity: 2
- The people of Hud: 1
- Building on hills: 1
Its place in the network of concepts
It is connected to the evaluation of historical action through its indication of vanity and futility.
The verse’s role in the argument
- Support: 1
Instances of use
- The Qur’anic Narratives, vol. 2, p. 51: He uses it to explain why he considered the people of Hud’s building on hills to be vain: because it offers no protection from God’s command.
- Concept: Vanity
- Function of the verse here: Support
- Textual citation: “Noah replied to him, {THERE IS NO PROTECTOR TODAY FROM THE COMMAND OF GOD} (Hud 43).”
Related books
This page is presented within the general atlas-building methodology.