“The Human Was Created Out of Haste.” On Prophecy and the Problem of Human Nature in the Qur’an

In this article it is argued that the Qur’an’s doctrine of divine mercy is best understood in light of its pessimistic anthropology, an aspect of the text that is often underappreciated. The so-called “primordial covenant” verse (Q 7:172) of the Qur’an holds humans responsible for submission to God....

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Main Author:	Gabriel Said Reynolds
Format:	Article
Language:	English
Published:	MDPI AG 2021-07-01
Series:	Religions
Subjects:	Qur’an God mercy prophets sin punishment stories
Online Access:	https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/12/8/589

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spelling	doaj-26f0d0f6d6184f91873f8fd1070bd0642021-08-26T14:16:48ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442021-07-011258958910.3390/rel12080589“The Human Was Created Out of Haste.” On Prophecy and the Problem of Human Nature in the Qur’anGabriel Said Reynolds0Department of Theology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USAIn this article it is argued that the Qur’an’s doctrine of divine mercy is best understood in light of its pessimistic anthropology, an aspect of the text that is often underappreciated. The so-called “primordial covenant” verse (Q 7:172) of the Qur’an holds humans responsible for submission to God. The Qur’anic language on “signs” in the natural world suggests that humans should recognize God (and be grateful to Him) by reflection on nature alone. Yet, according to the Qur’an they do not. The Qur’an refers frequently to humans as “ungrateful” and “hasty”. It also makes divine punishments a regular element of human history, suggesting that rebellion is endemic to human nature. It is, I argue, precisely the rebelliousness of humans that makes God’s initiative in sending prophets merciful. The ministry of prophets in the Qur’an is an unmerited manifestation of divine compassion for a sinful humanity.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/12/8/589Qur’anGodmercyprophetssinpunishment stories
collection	DOAJ
language	English
format	Article
sources	DOAJ
author	Gabriel Said Reynolds
spellingShingle	Gabriel Said Reynolds “The Human Was Created Out of Haste.” On Prophecy and the Problem of Human Nature in the Qur’an Religions Qur’an God mercy prophets sin punishment stories
author_facet	Gabriel Said Reynolds
author_sort	Gabriel Said Reynolds
title	“The Human Was Created Out of Haste.” On Prophecy and the Problem of Human Nature in the Qur’an
title_short	“The Human Was Created Out of Haste.” On Prophecy and the Problem of Human Nature in the Qur’an
title_full	“The Human Was Created Out of Haste.” On Prophecy and the Problem of Human Nature in the Qur’an
title_fullStr	“The Human Was Created Out of Haste.” On Prophecy and the Problem of Human Nature in the Qur’an
title_full_unstemmed	“The Human Was Created Out of Haste.” On Prophecy and the Problem of Human Nature in the Qur’an
title_sort	“the human was created out of haste.” on prophecy and the problem of human nature in the qur’an
publisher	MDPI AG
series	Religions
issn	2077-1444
publishDate	2021-07-01
description	In this article it is argued that the Qur’an’s doctrine of divine mercy is best understood in light of its pessimistic anthropology, an aspect of the text that is often underappreciated. The so-called “primordial covenant” verse (Q 7:172) of the Qur’an holds humans responsible for submission to God. The Qur’anic language on “signs” in the natural world suggests that humans should recognize God (and be grateful to Him) by reflection on nature alone. Yet, according to the Qur’an they do not. The Qur’an refers frequently to humans as “ungrateful” and “hasty”. It also makes divine punishments a regular element of human history, suggesting that rebellion is endemic to human nature. It is, I argue, precisely the rebelliousness of humans that makes God’s initiative in sending prophets merciful. The ministry of prophets in the Qur’an is an unmerited manifestation of divine compassion for a sinful humanity.
topic	Qur’an God mercy prophets sin punishment stories
url	https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/12/8/589
work_keys_str_mv	AT gabrielsaidreynolds thehumanwascreatedoutofhasteonprophecyandtheproblemofhumannatureinthequran
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“The Human Was Created Out of Haste.” On Prophecy and the Problem of Human Nature in the Qur’an

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