Intended Meaning
Divine innocence is an innocence that is not established by action or by material sign; rather, it is established by revelation and by a report from heaven. It differs from merciful innocence, which relies on conclusive material evidence or action.
The Atom’s Structure in the Atlas
- Type of argument: Distinguishing
- Movement of the argument: It separates divine innocence from merciful innocence.
- Key terms: divine innocence, merciful innocence, revelation, material sign.
- Degree of centrality: Secondary.
It prevents conflating two modes of establishment, one based on revelation and the other on material evidence, thereby clarifying the different methods of proof.
Links to Aid Reading
Basis
- Supporting text: «Merciful innocence: an innocence established by action or by decisive material sign, not by mere statement. Divine innocence: an innocence that comes by revelation and by report from heaven».
Basis in the Book
- Book: Islam and Faith.
- Location: in the final section of the book
- Type of basis: Close witness.
- Verifying marker: conclusive proof through action
- Reading note: This passage serves as a valid basis because it speaks of material innocence and conclusive proof through action, and it is close to the point at hand despite the difference in context.
Documentation Grade
- Level: Directly documented
- Meaning of the level: The atom relies on an explicit witness close to the formulation of the claim.
- Limits of reading: The wording above is an analytical summary and should not be treated as a verbatim quotation unless the witness is transmitted textually.
Its Function in the Book
Its function here is definitional; it establishes a meaning or conceptual distinction on which Shahrur relies in building the idea.
Editorial Note
The distinction here lies in the method of proof.