LessonsQur’anic Argumentation: Debates with Jewish Interlocutors and Principles of ReformQuiz

أَتُحَدِّثُونَهُمْ بِمَا فَتَحَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ
Do you tell them what Allah has disclosed to you? (Qur’an 2:76, opening clause)

In context, the verse exposes a mentality that avoids disclosing known evidence lest others use it in argument. The lesson is not that every claim by an opponent must be accepted without examination; rather, evidence should not be suppressed simply because it is inconvenient to one’s group.

Intellectual integrity requires accurate quotation, avoiding unsupported additions to the meaning, and fair consideration of contrary evidence. The opening of a verse must also be read with its surrounding discourse.

Opening interactive controls...

Scholarly responsibility when evidence is inconvenient

Qur’anic Argumentation: Debates with Jewish Interlocutors and Principles of Reform

أَتُحَدِّثُونَهُمْ بِمَا فَتَحَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ
Do you tell them what Allah has disclosed to you? (Qur’an 2:76, opening clause)

In context, the verse exposes a mentality that avoids disclosing known evidence lest others use it in argument. The lesson is not that every claim by an opponent must be accepted without examination; rather, evidence should not be suppressed simply because it is inconvenient to one’s group.

Intellectual integrity requires accurate quotation, avoiding unsupported additions to the meaning, and fair consideration of contrary evidence. The opening of a verse must also be read with its surrounding discourse.