This axis brings together 1 instance of this verse’s use in Muhammad Shahrur’s books, linking it to the concepts and arguments that appear around it.
Text of the verse as cited
And most of them do not believe in God without associating partners with Him.
Reader’s answer
Question
How does Shahrur employ God’s saying, “And most of them do not believe in God without associating partners with Him,” in discussing polytheism among Muslims?
Shahrur employs the verse to argue that polytheism, in his view, is not limited to forms of polytheism attributed to non-Muslims; rather, “many believers” may fall into it. He classifies this polytheism into polytheism in divinity and polytheism in lordship, citing examples such as attributing absolute infallibility to the Companions and jurists, drawing near to God through saints, or absolute obedience to the shaykh.
Shahrur explicitly states that the polytheism mentioned in Yusuf 106 is one into which “many believers” fall. Shahrur understands this polytheism as polytheism in lordship or polytheism in divinity, and at times it may approach anthropomorphism without reaching it. Shahrur exemplifies polytheism in divinity by treating the Companions and jurists as absolutely infallible and making their statements permanent legislation; he exemplifies polytheism in lordship by visiting the graves of saints and drawing near to God through them.
Citation and location
Islam and Faith — p. 246.
Limits of the reading
- The citation clearly establishes that Shahrur links the verse to polytheism committed by “many believers” and mentions his own examples and classifications.
- The citation does not establish that the verse was revealed concerning Muslims or that its Qur’anic meaning is confined to the applications Shahrur mentions.
- This citation alone is insufficient to settle the theological or jurisprudential characterization of these practices outside the framework of presenting Shahrur’s reading.
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Brief reading
Here, Shahrur expands the meaning of polytheism to include Muslims’ own practices, not only those of the People of the Book.
Axes
- Faith-related
- Human and ethical
Related concepts
- Polytheism: 2
Its place in the network of concepts
It forms part of a religious critique that reconsiders the boundaries of polytheism in reality.
The verse’s role in the argument
- Critique of tradition: 1
Instances of use
- Islam and Faith, p. 246: He uses it to expand the meaning of polytheism to Muslims’ own practices, not only to those of the People of the Book.
- Concept: Polytheism
- Function of the verse here: Critique of tradition
- Textual citation: “As for the polytheism into which many believers fall, mentioned in God’s saying {And most of them do not believe in God without associating partners with Him} (Yusuf 106) …”
Related books
This page is presented within the general atlas-building methodology.