This axis gathers 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 quoted

THAT WE MIGHT TURN AWAY FROM HIM EVIL AND INDECENCY; INDEED, HE WAS ONE OF OUR SINCERE SERVANTS

Brief reading

For Shahrur, the verse supports the distinction between evil and indecency, with the indication that indecency is understood in the context of later prohibition.

Axes

  • Human and ethical
  • Legislative
  • Evil: 2
  • Indecency: 2

Its place in the conceptual network

It serves the distinction between two degrees of ugliness within a semantic path of legislation.

The verse’s role in the argument

  • Support: 2

Instances of use

  • Islam and Faith, p. 228: He distinguishes between evil and indecency, and makes the verse evidence that God turned both away from Joseph.
    • Concept: evil
    • Function of the verse here: support
    • Textual citation: «God Almighty said: {لِنَصْرِفَ عَنْهُ السُّوءَ وَالْفَحْشَاءَ إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُخْلَصِينَ}»
  • The State and Society, p. 49: He cites it to indicate that sexual relations with a foreign woman came to be described as indecency at a late stage in the development of prohibition.
    • Concept: indecency
    • Function of the verse here: support
    • Textual citation: «As the Qur’anic narrative tells us how God — Glorified and Exalted — turned indecency away from Joseph by his refraining from marrying the wife of al-‘Aziz in His — Exalted — saying: {وَلَقَدْ هَمَّتْ بِهِ …} (Joseph 24).»

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