The Merciful Encompasses the Honorer and the Humiliator
Editorial verification status: this atom is extracted from an explanatory audio-visual source, and it has now been linked to the closest books within Shahrur’s project at the book level. For precise academic citation, consult the original book and the original episode together.
Formulation of the claim
Shahrur asserts that al-Rahman in itself combines honoring and humbling, just as it combines the one who lowers and the one who raises. That is, the name contains opposites within a single unity.
Explanation
Here he uses examples from the opposing divine names. Thus, “the Honorer” does not mean “the Humiliator,” but al-Rahman encompasses both abodes together in His power and governance. The purpose of this example is to show that a single name may include opposite functions without this being a contradiction. In this way, he reinforces the idea that al-Rahman is not only an emotional name, but a name of sovereignty and governance.
Its place in the episode’s argument
This atom is the practical application of the idea of opposites in the name al-Rahman, and it serves the transition to the meaning of punishment and mercy together.
Scope of the claim
It does not say that honoring and humbling are identical, but rather that al-Rahman possesses the capacity for both directions.
Brief testimony
“Al-Rahman in Himself is Honorer and Humiliator… the one who lowers is not the one who raises, and the one who raises is not the one who lowers.”
Nearby links
- Shahrur - Governance
- Shahrur - The Qur’an
- Atom: al-Rahman is a name on the pattern fa‘lān that contains opposites