of Nokoonam, (Session One)
The Holy Qur'an, the unparalleled Divine Word, is not merely a book of guidance but a living and dynamic reality that permeates all dimensions of human existence. This celestial book, with its unique characteristics, is distinguished from other heavenly scriptures and human works, holding an unparalleled position as the axis of human guidance in both this world and the Hereafter. In this text, relying on the lectures of religious scholars, the nature of the Holy Qur'an, critiques of interpretative methods, and the necessity of intimacy with this Divine Book are examined. The objective is to present a coherent and profound perspective of the Holy Qur'an as a book that should serve as the central focus of action and thought not only in the Hereafter but also in worldly life. This treatise, emphasising the inseparable connection between the Holy Qur'an and the Tradition of the Infallible Imams (peace be upon them), offers a path to comprehend the Divine reality and to attain deliverance from the tribulations of the End Times.
The discussion begins with the invocation of the Name of Almighty God, signalling the centrality of the Holy Qur'an as the Word of the Lord of the Worlds. Blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Infallible Household emphasise the inseparable link between the Qur'an and the Sunnah, as indicated in the Hadith of the Two Weighty Things (Thaqalayn):
إِنِّي تَارِكٌ فِيكُمُ الثَّقَلَيْنِ: كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَعِتْرَتِي، مَا إِنْ تَمَسَّكْتُمْ بِهِمَا لَنْ تَضِلُّوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّهُمَا لَنْ يَفْتَرِقَا حَتَّى يَرِدَا عَلَيَّ الْحَوْضَ
This Hadith introduces the Holy Qur'an and the Ahl al-Bayt as two inseparable pillars of guidance. The Opening Chapter (Al-Fatiha), as the Mother of the Book, serves as the gateway to the Holy Qur'an, and its initial verse, such as "All praise is due to God, the Lord of the Worlds", reveals the guiding spirit of this Book.
One of the pivotal verses discussed is the one that invites humans to read their record of deeds on the Day of Resurrection:
اقْرَأْ كِتَابَكَ كَفَىٰ بِنَفْسِكَ الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكَ حَسِيبًا (الإسراء: ١٤)
Traditionally, this verse refers to the Day of Judgment and the review of human deeds. However, a novel approach in this discussion associates it also with worldly life. The term "this day" in the verse is interpreted as the present moment, emphasising the necessity of attention to one's actions in this life. This perspective introduces the Holy Qur'an not only as a book for the Hereafter but also as a source of guidance in everyday life. Human beings must read their book of deeds today, prior to the advent of Resurrection, and engage in self-reformation.
The Holy Qur'an is a book for action in this world, not merely an anticipation of the Hereafter. This Book is introduced with verses such as:
هَٰذَا بَيَانٌ لِلنَّاسِ وَهُدًى وَمَوْعِظَةٌ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ (آل عمران: ١٣٨)
The emphasis on the actualisation of the verses is an invitation to operationalise the Qur'anic teachings in all spheres of life. Waiting solely for the Day of Judgment, the Day of Reckoning, is incompatible with the primary purpose of the revelation of the Holy Qur'an, namely guidance in this world.
Interpretations that focus exclusively on the Hereafter, detaching the verses from worldly life, have been criticised. The Holy Qur'an, as a Book of guidance, must be beneficial and practical in this world. This view aligns with verses such as:
كِتَابٌ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ لِتُخْرِجَ النَّاسَ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ (إبراهيم: ١)
Interpretations confined solely to the Hereafter diminish the practical role of the Qur'an in life.
The central question in this discussion concerns the nature of the Holy Qur'an and humanity's interaction with it: "What is the Qur'an and what have we done with it?" This inquiry invites reflection on the status of the Qur'an as "a guidance for mankind" (Al-Baqarah: 185) and an evaluation of interpretative and practical approaches towards it. The Holy Qur'an, beyond being a text, is a living and dynamic reality that must be manifested in all aspects of life.
The Holy Qur'an, unlike other heavenly scriptures which were limited to specific times and places, is an eternal and universal Book. This characteristic has preserved it from distortion and degradation. The following verse emphasises this reality:
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ (الحجر: ٩)
This verse confirms the Divine preservation of the Holy Qur'an from alteration, making it a matchless Book for all eras.
Unlike human works, such as the Diwan of Hafez or Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, which, though excellent, are not free from imperfection, the Holy Qur'an is safeguarded from any deficiency. This attribute renders it an unparalleled Book. The following verse confirms this truth:
لَا يَأْتِيهِ الْبَاطِلُ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَلَا مِنْ خَلْفِهِ (فصلت: ٤٢)
This immunity forms the basis of trust in the Holy Qur'an as a source of guidance and distinguishes it from all other Books.
Although Nahj al-Balagha and Sahifa Sajjadiya, influenced by the Holy Qur'an and holding an exalted status, do not stand in opposition to it, they rather elucidate and complement it. These works manifest the Divine verses in the speech of the Ahl al-Bayt and lack independent identity without the Qur'an. This view corresponds with the Prophet's words in the Hadith of Thaqalayn, which introduces the Qur'an and the Ahl al-Bayt as two pillars of guidance.
Human interaction with the Holy Qur'an has been of two kinds: direct (mubashir) and indirect (nisbiyyat). The direct group includes scholars and exegetes who have worked directly with the text of the Qur'an, whereas the indirect group comprises political and cultural currents, such as the Umayyads, Abbasids, Jews, and Christians, who have influenced the understanding of the Qur'an. The following verse alludes to the distortion of the Divine Word by some groups:
يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَنْ مَوَاضِعِهِ (المائدة: ١٣)
These distortions were often aimed at legitimising political power and disrupted the correct understanding of the Holy Qur'an.
Political currents, from the Umayyads and Abbasids to some other groups, have obstructed the proper understanding of the Holy Qur'an by directing interpretations. These influences were exerted through scholars and exegetes under their sway, leading to distortion of Qur'anic meanings. Such deviations have distanced the Qur'an from its guiding position and turned it into a tool for political objectives.
The direct groups in Qur'anic interpretation include the literalists (ahl al-zahir) who were rigidly attached to the wording, the philosophers with their philosophical justifications, the mystics (urafa) with their esoteric interpretations, and the modernists with their materialistic tendencies. Each of these groups, in some manner, has distanced the Qur'an from its true reality. For instance, the modernist interpretation of the verse:
وَالْعَصْرِ * إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ (العصر: ١-٢)
being explained as the "law of pressure" by modernists is an example of deviation from the Divine meaning.
The mystics have sometimes, through subjective and undocumented interpretations, disregarded the apparent meanings of the verses and resorted to unrealistic exegeses. These interpretations have distanced them from the truth of the Holy Qur'an and have led to misguidance. The following verse restricts true interpretation to God and those firmly grounded in knowledge:
وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَالرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ (آل عمران: ٧)
Mystical interpretations attributed to Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi, for example, often conflict with the apparent meaning of the verses and cannot be accepted as genuine exegesis.
Modernists, through materialistic and superficial interpretations, have transformed the Holy Qur'an into an instrument to justify their own inclinations. For example, their interpretation of:
الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْغَيْبِ (البقرة: ٣)
as meaning "underground activities" distorts the Divine meaning of the unseen.
The diversity of interpretations (allegorical, justificatory, rigid, and modernist) has, rather than elucidating the truth of the Holy Qur'an, subjected it to distortion. These interpretations have often rendered the Qur'an subordinate to the presuppositions of the exegetes. The following verse alludes to the distortion of the Divine Word:
Such deviations, particularly in the modern era, have diverted the younger generation from the Qur'anic path of guidance, leading them towards misguidance and ruin.
The Holy Qur'an is healing and guiding for the believers, yet for the oppressors and those who do not establish a proper relationship with it, it results in misguidance and loss:
This duality indicates the active role of the Holy Qur'an in human interaction. Believers attain guidance through intimacy and adherence to the Qur'an, whereas the oppressors suffer loss due to misuse or neglect.
Intimacy with the Holy Qur'an transcends mere recitation and study; it is the gateway to its reality. This intimacy is actualised in the light of the guardianship (Wilayah) of the Ahl al-Bayt. The statement of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) elucidates this reality:
مَنْ جَعَلَهُ إِمَامَهُ قَادَهُ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ، وَمَنْ جَعَلَهُ خَلْفَهُ سَاقَهُ إِلَى النَّارِ
Translation: Whoever makes it his leader, it guides him to Paradise, and whoever makes it his rear, it drives him to the Fire.
This statement emphasises the necessity of following the Holy Qur'an as an Imam and guide. Intimacy with the Qur'an requires purity, attention, and constant companionship.
Formalistic recitation, tajwd (proper phonetics), and memorisation of the Holy Qur'an, although valuable, do not lead to complete guidance without intimacy and profound understanding. The following verse stresses contemplation upon the verses:
Contemplation upon the verses is the principal aim of the Qur'an's revelation, and formalistic recitation without inner comprehension cannot achieve this objective.
The Holy Qur'an must be the guide of humankind, not a tool to justify presuppositions. Following the Qur'an, akin to following an Imam in congregational prayer, requires complete obedience. Those who manipulate the Qur'an to justify themselves are like a child in congregational prayer behaving improperly without understanding.
The Holy Qur'an, for those who adhere to it, brings infallibility and protection from misguidance:
This infallibility is realised through intimacy and heartfelt connection with the Holy Qur'an.
The Holy Qur'an, as the Most Excellent Discourse (Asan al-adth), is the speech of the Almighty Gods heart that heals the human heart and soul:
The Holy Qur'an is the springtime of hearts and the healing of spiritual maladies. This characteristic renders it a living and dynamic book.
The Holy Qur'an possesses both an apparent and an inner dimension, and its inner dimension itself comprises multiple layers:
لِلْقُرْآنِ ظَهْرٌ وَبَطْنٌ وَلِبَطْنِهِ بَطْنٌ إِلَى سَبْعَةِ أَبْطُنٍ وَإِلَى سَبْعِينَ بَطْنًا
Translation: The Qur'an has an outer aspect and an inner aspect, and the inner aspect has another inner aspect, extending to seven layers and up to seventy layers.
Contrary to a garment's outer layer which is of lesser value than its inner layer, the inner dimension of the Holy Qur'an is as valuable as the apparent and even deeper. Comprehending this inner dimension necessitates intimacy and adherence to the guardianship of the Ahl al-Bayt.
Interpreting the Qur'an by the Qur'an is an authentic and distortion-free method in which the Qur'anic verses elucidate one another. The statement of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) confirms this method:
يَنْطِقُ بَعْضُهُ بِبَعْضٍ وَيَشْهَدُ بَعْضُهُ عَلَى بَعْضٍ
Translation: Some verses of it speak by means of others, and some bear witness over others.
This method, also employed in the tafsr al-Mzn, prevents imposing external presuppositions upon the Holy Qur'an.
Shia, by adherence to the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), have been safeguarded from certain interpretive distortions. The Hadith al-Thaqalayn confirms this connection:
إِنِّي تَارِكٌ فِيكُمُ الثَّقَلَيْنِ: كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَعِتْرَتِي، مَا إِنْ تَمَسَّكْتُمْ بِهِمَا لَنْ تَضِلُّوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّهُمَا لَنْ يَفْتَرِقَا حَتَّى يَرِدَا عَلَيَّ الْحَوْضَ
Translation: I leave among you two precious things: the Book of Allah and my progeny. As long as you adhere to them, you shall never be misguided, and these two shall never separate until they meet me at the Pond.
The Ahl al-Bayt, as the genuine interpreters of the Holy Qur'an, guarantee its correct understanding.
Incorrect allegories, whether philosophical, mystical, or materialistic, have distanced the Holy Qur'an from its truth. Only allegories guidance of the Ahl al-Bayt are authentic. These allegories must be consistent with the apparent meanings of the verses; otherwise, they diminish the authority of the Qur'an.
The Holy Qur'an is the remembrance and memory of human beings, which, through intimacy and heartfelt connection, guides man towards perfection:
The Holy Qur'an, as a wise and living book, establishes intimacy with humans and guides them towards the truth.
The verses of the Holy Qur'an transcend the text, possessing reality, embodiment, and objectivity in the realm of meaning:
This verse indicates the registration of everything in a clear book, introducing the verses of the Holy Qur'an as living and dynamic entities.
Intimacy with the Holy Qur'an is the prerequisite for entering its reality and inner dimension. This intimacy elevates the individual to the pinnacle of spirituality and understanding:
مَنْ أَنَسَ بِالْقُرْآنِ أَنَسَهُ اللَّهُ
Translation: Whoever becomes intimate with the Qur'an, God makes him intimate.
This intimacy is realised through purity, attention, and continual companionship with the Holy Qur'an.
The Holy Qur'an, as a living, wise, and flawless discourse, is an eternal and universal book possessing reality and embodiment beyond the textual form in the realm of meaning. Interpretation of the Qur'an by the Qur'an, as an authentic method, is safeguarded from distortion and external presuppositions. This method, alongside intimacy and existential connection with the Qur'an, facilitates entry into its inner dimension. Critiquing erroneous interpretationswhether apparentist, philosophical, mystical, or materialisticdemonstrates the peril of deviation from the Qur'anic truth. Intimacy with the Qur'an, in the light of the guardianship of the Ahl al-Bayt, is the essential condition for understanding and benefiting from this Divine book. Adherence to the Ahl al-Bayt, as the genuine interpreters of the Qur'an, guarantees its correct comprehension. The Holy Qur'an must be actualised in this world and positioned as the axis of life. Awaiting the Hereafter, with a purely eschatological and non-guiding view, is incompatible with the Qur'anic purpose. This book is an invitation to reconsider the interaction with the Holy Qur'an and to return to its truth through intimacy and guardianship of the Ahl al-Bayt.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi