What Shahrur Says
Shahrur defines Hanafism as follows: “Hanafism: the quality of change in legislation, thought, and customs, together with steadfastness in values.” The change mentioned encompasses legislation, thought, and customs, and the definition itself pairs it with steadfastness in values.
Atlas Explanation
The definition distinguishes between two aspects presented together: domains open to change—legislation, thought, and customs—and values that the definition describes as stable. Therefore, within the limits of this witness, Hanafism should not be reduced to either aspect alone.
Synthetic Conclusion
This atom offers a key for reading Hanafism as a combination of change and steadfastness, rather than as a synonym for legislative change alone. This remains an inference from the structure of the brief definition.
Open Question and Limits of the Evidence
The witness does not specify what the stable values are, nor does it explain the criterion for distinguishing them from what falls under legislative, intellectual, or customary change. Nor is it sufficient on its own to establish other definitions of Hanafism.
For related reading: Muhammad Shahrur: A Guide to the Contemporary Reading of the Wise Revelation، the methodology of contemporary reading، Hanafism.