of Nokoonam, (Session 62)
Surah Al-Fatiha, akin to a precious gateway in the ocean of Qur'anic knowledge, encompasses a summary of both theoretical and practical wisdom. The verse Ihdina al-sirat al-mustaqim (Guide us to the straight path) constitutes the axis of this treatise, which, through a philosophical and mystical approach, elucidates the concept of the straight path, distinguishes it from the sabeel, and discusses the position of the guardianship of Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him). This work, while critically examining superficial readings of the Noble Qur'an and traditional methods in religious sciences, calls for a novel approach to understanding Qur'anic teachings. Presented in an exalted, scholarly, and academic style, the entirety of the lectures content is intended for erudite audiences within academic environments, enriched with literary allusions and metaphors that manifest the depth and allure of the knowledge imparted.
Throughout history, the Noble Qur'an has often been reduced to a mere tool for earning rewards, blessings, and ritual recitations, thus diverting it from its principal status as the Book of Guidance. This superficial perspective acts as a veil over the truth of the Qur'an, hindering deep contemplation of its semantic and esoteric layers.
Certain scholars, by emphasising the grandeur and sanctity of the Qur'an and restricting its understanding exclusively to the Infallible Imams (peace be upon them), have rendered it inaccessible to the general public. They maintain that the Qur'an is neither comprehensible nor applicable to the masses. This viewpoint has resulted in a separation between the people and the Qur'an, preventing practical utilisation of its teachings.
One prominent Shia scholar has stated that he encounters difficulty when reading a simple Surah such as Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad (Say: He is Allah, the One) (Al-Ikhlas: 1), being uncertain of how to pronounce it correctly. This instance demonstrates the profound gap between religious knowledge and mastery of the Qur'anic text.
When the Qur'an is introduced as a text inaccessible and incomprehensible, individuals refrain from engaging with it and benefiting from its teachings. This disconnection is the consequence of promulgating the belief that the Qur'an is only understandable by elites or the Infallibles, while the Qur'an itself emphasises:
And indeed We have made the Qur'an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember? (Al-Qamar: 17).
The extant narrations concerning the Noble Qur'an are exceedingly few, due to the Infallible Imams (peace be upon them) facing temporal constraints and the pressures of adversaries, which deprived them of sufficient opportunity for comprehensive Qur'anic exegesis. This scarcity does not imply the incapacity of the Imams but is a result of historical circumstances.
Religious sciences, owing to their formalistic and acquired nature, have often been confined to transmitting concepts within traditional frameworks, thus failing to extract the profound truths of the Qur'an. These sciences resemble a teacher who faces the Qiblah yet teaches with his back turned to it, merely converting concept into concept.
Despite the existence of numerous Shia and Sunni commentariesranging from one hundred to five hundredtheir simplistic repetitions have been unable to uncover the deep realities of the Qur'an. These commentaries are like stagnant water, lacking the dynamism required for fresh currents of understanding.
The proposed approach in this exegesis transcends morphology, syntax, and traditional methodologies. It strives to extract Qur'anic truths from non-formal sources and translate them into concepts comprehensible to all.
The straight path is a unique and unparalleled route upon which God and His saints tread. Unlike the sabeel, which is a labour-intensive path for lovers, it is accompanied by grace and ease for the beloved.
In the Noble Qur'an, the term sabeel (the way of the lovers) is mentioned 176 times, while sirat (the way of the beloved) appears 45 times. The sabeel is a path fraught with challenges and misguidance, whereas the straight path is devoid of deviation and guides towards the truth.
The verse Ihdina al-sirat al-mustaqim (Guide us to the straight path) (Al-Fatiha: 6) emphasises the uniqueness of the sirat. This path, without any suffix or additional explanation, alludes to the absolute truth.
The straight path is exemplified by the guardianship of Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him). The narration Ala al-sirat sab'oon alfa misbah min noor (On the path, there are seventy thousand lamps of light) highlights the luminous nature of this route, which is intertwined with guardianship.
In Shia culture, Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) is recognised as the foremost teacher and the true champion of the world, in contrast to figures such as Aristotle who are exalted in non-Shia traditions. This status has been overlooked during the era of occultation due to the cultural estrangement of the Shia.
The distinction between Shia scholars and Western intellectuals is that the latter invite people towards themselves, while the Shia must guide everyone towards the guardianship of Ali (peace be upon him). This invitation acts like a lamp in darkness, illuminating the path of truth.
Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) is the Misbah al-Huda (Lamp of Guidance) and Safinat al-Najat (Ark of Salvation). He guides humanity towards the truth, whereas scholars themselves remain on the path and are not guides.
It has been proposed that the name Mustaqim be selected as one of the names for the children of Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) to promote the culture of guardianship. This proposal, like a seed in the soil of culture, assists in reviving Shia identity.
The belief that understanding the Qur'an is exclusive to the Infallible Imams (peace be upon them) is refuted. The Noble Qur'an is a book for all times and places, and every individual can benefit from it according to their capacity.
The Qur'an is the book of the dhawi al-uqool (possessors of intellect), not merely for ritual recitation. This characteristic transforms the Qur'an into a dynamic source of guidance.
A critical study of existing commentaries and Qur'anic sources, instead of reliance on traditional methods, is a path to extracting profound Qur'anic truths. This approach, like a fresh current, revitalises Qur'anic knowledge.
This treatise, like a radiant torch, explicates the concept of the straight path in Surah Al-Fatiha, and by critiquing superficial views of the Noble Qur'an, calls for a novel approach to understanding its teachings. The straight path exemplifies the guardianship of Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him), which, like a luminous lamp, guarantees guidance towards truth. The distinction between sirat and sabeel, the scarcity of exegetical narrations, and the limitations of religious sciences are key points of discussion. The Qur'an is a living book for the rational, whose comprehension is not limited to the Infallibles but accessible to all. Invitation to guardianship as the Shia mission and the proposal to name Mustaqim to revive the guardianship culture are other prominent points. This work invites erudite audiences to reconsider their interaction with the Qur'an and to promote the culture of guardianship.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
