Practical Experience in Religious Preaching

Key Point: Unscientific Mentality

An unscientific mindset, like dust on a mirror, obstructs the reflection of the light of the Qur’anic verses.

Practical Experience in Religious Preaching

Religious preaching requires psychology and an understanding of the audience. Practical experience in the city of Abhar demonstrated that by presenting challenging discussions (such as apparent denial of God), audiences can be guided towards reflection and acceptance of the truth. This method, by creating mental openness, leads individuals toward faith.

Key Point: Religious preaching, like a skilled gardener, plants the seeds of faith in hearts by understanding the audience.

The Necessity of Openness in Preaching

If religious preaching is accompanied by a restrictive spirit of negation and “No,” it becomes difficult and limited. Conversely, a positive mindset, affirmations like “Yes,” and optimism bring about openness and influence.

Key Point: Openness in preaching, like a luminous key, opens the hearts of audiences to the truth.

This section, emphasizing the role of bestowed blessings in opening the path of faith, illustrates the necessity of a scientific approach in interpreting and preaching religion. Practical experience in preaching and mental openness demonstrates the importance of a positive spirit in guiding toward the path of divine favour.

Conclusion

The verse “Ṣirāṭ al-ladhīna an‘amta ‘alayhim ghayril-maghḍūbi ‘alayhim walā ḍ-ḍāllīn”, like a brilliant jewel in Surah al-Fatiha, invites towards the path of divine favour, linked with the guardianship of the Infallibles and the perfection of religion. Bestowed blessings, as complete and unrestricted gifts, manifest within the framework of guardianship and are distinct from general blessings. The role of guardianship in the perfection of religion, the Prophet’s reverential fear for the preservation of faith, and the heavy responsibility of the Infallibles all emphasize the importance of these blessings. Preaching religion with a positive and open spirit paves the way for a deeper understanding of these blessings. This interpretation, by critiquing unscientific mindsets and emphasizing a precise, scientific approach, invites audiences to reflect on the levels of divine blessings and the role of guardianship in their realization.

The Verse as Clarification of the Straight Path

The verse “Ṣirāṭ al-ladhīna an‘amta ‘alayhim”, as an exposition of the Straight Path, directs humans towards those who have received special divine blessings. This research, employing theological, philosophical, and mystical approaches, analyses this verse and, emphasizing the concepts of blessing, gratitude, and the existential hierarchy of humans, examines the position of the blessed in the cosmic order.

General and Special Blessings in the Universe

Divine blessings, like a pure stream from the source of divine grace, are divided into general and special types. General blessings, like sunlight, shine upon all creatures, human and non-human alike, manifesting in both apparent (material) and inner (spiritual) forms, subject to limitations and dispersion. In contrast, special blessings, which manifest within the existential framework of the blessed (Infallibles, Prophets, and Saints), are unified, complete, and encompass all existential perfections. This distinction illustrates the system of blessing distribution in existence, structured according to the existential hierarchy and capacities of the recipients.

Key Point: General blessings encompass all creatures, while special blessings are complete, unified, and exclusive to the blessed.

The Comprehensiveness of the Blessed

The blessed, as the pinnacle of human perfection, embody all virtues of existence, manifesting both apparent and inner qualities fully. This comprehensiveness distinguishes them from other creatures and presents them as models of guidance on the Straight Path. Unlike general blessings, which are scattered and limited, the blessed possess all perfections in an integrated manner.

Key Point: The blessed, due to their comprehensiveness, manifest all virtues of existence and serve as models of the Straight Path.

The Connection Between Blessing and Divine Mercy

Blessing, as a vessel of divine mercy, encompasses everything. This aligns with the verse “Wa si‘at kulla shay’in rahmatī” (Surah Al-A‘raf, 7:156, “My mercy encompasses all things”). Blessing is the foundation of gratitude, and gratitude is humanity’s response to this divine grace.

Divine blessings are categorized into general and special. General blessings, dispersed and limited, encompass all creatures, while special blessings, exclusive to the blessed, are complete and integrated. This distinction highlights the unique position of the blessed as models of guidance on the Straight Path.

Gratitude, Cognitive Limitations, and Inability to Enumerate Blessings

Humans, due to cognitive limitations, cannot enumerate divine blessings, as noted in “Wa in ta‘uddu ni‘mata Allāh lā tuḥṣūhā” (Surah Ibrahim, 14:34, “If you attempt to count the blessings of Allah, you cannot”). This incapacity prevents full gratitude since gratitude relies on knowledge of the blessings. Each person can express gratitude only according to their understanding, which, due to existential limitations, is always incomplete.

Key Point: The inability to enumerate blessings due to cognitive limitations makes complete gratitude impossible.

The Continuity of Gratitude

Even if one recognises the blessings, gratitude leads to continuity, as gratitude itself is a blessing that necessitates further gratitude. This chain, like an unending link, renders humans indebted to divine grace and invites them to humility and existential poverty before God.

Critique of Misconceptions About Gratitude

Some assume that inability to express gratitude is purely quantitative. In reality, it stems from the incapacity to recognize blessings. This cognitive limitation, like a veil over the mirror of truth, prevents humans from fully comprehending divine grace.

Key Point: Inability to show gratitude originates in humans’ limited knowledge of blessings.

Human Existential Phases and the Position of the Blessed

Humans exist in three phases: the first, rational animals, absorbed in material and carnal needs; the second, average believers progressing in faith and worship but not yet perfected; and the third, the blessed, at the pinnacle of divine guidance, immersed in the realm of meaning. This classification, like a ladder to perfection, illustrates stages of human spiritual progression.

Key Point: Humans exist in three existential phases: rational animals, average believers, and the blessed.

Characteristics of the Blessed in the Third Phase

The blessed, like stars of guidance, transcend material limitations with open faculties. They consider themselves guests of God and claim neither ownership nor superiority. This humility aligns with the concept of existential poverty in Islamic mysticism and renders them the full manifestation of divine guidance.

Example of Complete Presence of the Blessed

The narration of an arrow piercing the foot of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) during prayer, which he did not feel due to immersion in worship, exemplifies complete presence in the third phase. This state, akin to immersion in the ocean of meaning, indicates annihilation in God and the opening of inner faculties.

Key Point: The blessed, with open faculties, are immersed in the realm of meaning and transcend material limitations.

Path to Approaching the Blessed

To approach the blessed, humans must activate their inner faculties and progress beyond the first two phases. This spiritual journey, like a passage from darkness to light, requires knowledge, struggle, and worship. The verse “Wa alladhīna jāhadū fīnā lanahdiyannahum subulnā” (Surah Al-‘Ankabut:69, “And those who strive in Our way, We shall surely guide them to Our paths”) confirms this path.

Key Point: Spiritual endeavour and striving in God’s path activate inner faculties, leading humans to the level of the blessed.

Social Critiques and Practical Recommendations

Critique of Misconceptions in Religious Knowledge: Misconceptions in religious knowledge, like dust on the mirror of truth, prevent proper understanding of the position of the blessed. Some assume superficial recognition suffices, but without spiritual practice and inner cognition, such recognition is ineffective. Religious knowledge requires purification from these misconceptions.

Key Point: Religious knowledge requires purification from misconceptions about the position of the blessed.

Recommendation for Spiritual Practice: Humans should activate their inner faculties through knowledge, worship, and struggle, progressing toward the blessed. This practice, like a key opening the doors of guidance, frees humans from the limitations of rational animals and average believers.

Critique of Arrogance: Arrogance and claims of ownership act as barriers to spiritual progress, preventing access to the third phase. The blessed, with complete humility, consider themselves guests of God, serving as models for seekers.

Summary

Verse 7 of Surah Al-Fatiha, like a comprehensive map of the Straight Path, guides humans towards the blessed, the models of divine guidance. General and special blessings elucidate human existential stages within the cosmic order, and the blessed, with their comprehensiveness and open faculties, represent the pinnacle of perfection. The inability to enumerate and fully appreciate blessings invites humility and deeper knowledge. The division of humans into three existential phases provides a framework for spiritual practice, with the blessed exemplifying humility and annihilation in God. Critique of misconceptions and recommendations for practice direct humans toward complete divine guidance.

Exploring Guidance and Misguidance

The Straight Path contrasts with deviation and misguidance. The phrase “Ghayril-maghḍūbi ‘alayhim walā ḍ-ḍāllīn” in Surah Al-Fatiha acts like a mirror distinguishing the path of guidance from deviation, inviting humans to reflect on existential stages and their place in the cosmic order. This passage, by clarifying the Straight Path versus the paths of the resented and the misguided, provides a framework for understanding the fundamental differences between divine guidance and human deviation.

The Concept of Guidance Versus the Resented and the Misguided

The phrase “Ghayril-maghḍūbi ‘alayhim walā ḍ-ḍāllīn” separates the path of the blessed from that of the resented and the misguided. It clarifies the Straight Path as the route of the blessed, in contrast to the resented (deliberately deviating) and misguided (ignorantly deviating), directing supplication toward an elevated goal.

Key Point: The phrase distinguishes the Straight Path from the path of deviation and misguidance.

Do the Resented and Misguided Receive Guidance?

A fundamental question arises: do the resented and misguided receive any form of guidance, or are they entirely deprived of it? Two perspectives exist: first, they receive a form of misguiding guidance; second, they are entirely deprived, and the prayer “Ihdina” seeks only guidance to the Straight Path.

Key Point: The prayer “Ihdina” requests guidance to the Straight Path; the resented and misguided are deprived of true divine guidance.

Conditional Meaning and Absence of Conditionality

In jurisprudence, some conditional statements imply meaning, others do not. For example, “In jā’a Zayd fa akrimhu” implies if Zayd does not come, no honour is required. In the phrase “Ghayril-maghḍūbi ‘alayhim”, no conditional meaning exists, as the prayer simply seeks guidance to the Straight Path without prohibiting paths of the resented or misguided.

Key Point: The prayer “Ihdina” has no conditional meaning; it exclusively seeks guidance to the Straight Path.

Distinction Between the Resented and the Misguided

The resented are those who, with knowledge and awareness, deviate from the right path and mislead others. They are subject to divine wrath due to their deliberate deviation.

Key Point: The resented knowingly deviate and mislead others, incurring divine wrath.

The misguided are those who, out of ignorance, stray from the right path. They are like the asleep, unaware of their actions, potentially causing harm.

Key Point: The misguided, due to ignorance, deviate like the sleeping, whereas the resented deliberately mislead.

Misguidance and Knowledge of Perpetrators

Misguidance is a conscious act carried out by the resented. This group, aware of the truth, misleads others and spreads corruption in society.

Key Point: Misguidance is a deliberate and knowledgeable act performed by the resented to mislead others.

Distinction Between General and Special Blessings

General blessings are granted to all creatures, human and non-human, in material and spiritual forms, with limitations. Special blessings are exclusive to the blessed, encompassing all existential perfections.

Key Point: General blessings are scattered and limited, whereas special blessings are complete and manifested in the blessed.

Comprehensiveness of the Blessed

The blessed, as the peak of human perfection, possess all apparent and inner blessings and are introduced as models of the Straight Path. The verse “Wa man yuti‘illāha wal-rasūla fa ulā’ika ma‘alladhīna an‘amallāhu ‘alayhim minan-nabiyyīn was-ṣiddīqīn wash-shuhadā’ was-ṣāliḥīn” confirms that those obedient to God and the Prophet are with the blessed among Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous.

Key Point: The blessed, as the assembly of all virtues, serve as models of the Straight Path.

Critique of Limiting the Blessed

Limiting the blessed to specific groups, such as Jews or Christians, contradicts the inclusivity of the verse. The blessed include Prophets, the truthful, martyrs, and the righteous.

Key Point: The blessed transcend specific groups, encompassing all comprehensive guides to perfection.

Existential Hierarchy and Three Human Phases

Humans exist in three phases: phase one (rational animals), phase two (average believers), and phase three (the blessed). Phase one remains limited to material needs; phase two progresses in faith and good deeds; phase three, the blessed, achieve existential perfection with open faculties.

Key Point: Humans are defined in three phases, each representing a level of guidance.

Open Faculties in the Blessed

The blessed, with open faculties, transcend material limitations and immerse themselves in the realm of meaning, reaching the pinnacle of guidance. The narration of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) not feeling an arrow during prayer exemplifies this state.

Key Point: The blessed, with open faculties, are liberated from material limitations and connected to the realm of meaning.

Path to the Blessed

To reach the status of the blessed, humans must activate inner faculties and progress beyond the first two phases. The verse “Wa alladhīna jāhadū fīnā lanahdiyannahum subulnā” confirms that spiritual striving guides humans to this level.

Key Point: Spiritual practice and striving activate inner faculties, leading to the blessed phase.

Being Guests of God in the Third Phase

The blessed consider themselves guests of God, claiming no ownership or superiority, indicating absolute humility and existential poverty. This is reflected in the verse “Fa bi ayyī ālā’i rabbikumā tukadhibān” (“Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny?”).

Key Point: The blessed, with absolute humility, perceive everything as a divine gift.

Critique of Traditional Views: Sin and Sin-Making

Sin-making by the resented differs from personal sin. The resented, by misleading others, commit heavier acts than individual sins due to awareness.

Key Point: Sin-making by the resented is weightier than individual sins due to conscious action.

Critique of Attributing the Resented and Misguided to Specific Groups

Attributing the resented and misguided to particular groups like Jews or Christians contradicts the inclusivity of the verse. These concepts refer to deliberate deviation and ignorant misguidance, not specific communities.

Key Point: The resented and misguided refer to deliberate deviation and ignorant misguidance, not particular groups.

Summary

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