Shahrur’s Claim
Shahrur defines shura as the exercise of freedom by a human group: “Shura is the exercise of freedom by a human group within some frame of reference.” In his later exposition, he states: “From here, we enter into the concept of shura in Islam (democracy), in order to explain it fully in contemporary terms, as we stand at the beginning of the twenty-first century. We said that shura is the exercise of freedom by a group of people within a cognitive, ethical, aesthetic, customary frame of reference. The first foundations of shura are freedom of expression of opinion, through the presence of opinion and counter-opinion, and equality in freedom of expression among differing opinions.”
What Is Shura Based On?
Shahrur places freedom of expression among the foremost foundations of shura, linking it to the existence of opinion and counter-opinion, and to equality in freedom of expression among differing views.
The Historical Dimension
He does not present shura as a fixed social and political model; rather, he says: “That is, shura assumes successive historical forms and is subject to historical development according to the structure of the historical society and the cognitive ground on which this shura is practiced.”
Limit of the Reading
The passage does not specify the frame of reference here as constitutional; rather, it mentions cognitive, ethical, aesthetic, and customary frames of reference. Nor does it explain specific constitutional or electoral procedures at this point.