Al-Samad = that which does not change
Editorial verification status: this atom is extracted from an explanatory audiovisual source, and it has now been linked to the closest books within the Shahrur project at the book level. For precise academic citation, consult the original book and the original episode together.
Formulation of the claim
Shahrur interprets “al-Samad” as that which does not change. God, for him, is fixed in His essence, whereas everything other than Him is changeable and multiple.
Explanation
Shahrur links God’s name “al-Samad” to the negation of change and multiplicity from the divine essence. This is consistent with his broader conception of God as the fixed exemplar that is not subject to motion and transformation. The world, by contrast, is governed by motion, change, and multiplicity. From here, the difference between God and the cosmos becomes a profound ontological difference.
Its place in the episode’s argument
This atom confirms the distinction between God and cosmic existence, and completes his construction of monotheism.
Scope of the claim
Here he does not provide a detailed linguistic interpretation of all usages of the term al-Samad.
Brief evidence
“Al-Samad in the sense of not changing.”
Close links
- Shahrur - the Qur’an
- Shahrur - testimony
- Shahrur - shirk