Derived from the scholarly lectures of Nokounam, may his secret be sanctified (Session 66)
The sixth verse of Surah Al-Fatiha, "اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ", like a golden key, opens the gate towards the truth of Divine guidance. This verse, which resides at the heart of the daily prayer of believers, is a request for guidance to a path that leads humanity to existential perfection and nearness to the Lord. This book, relying on erudite lectures, undertakes a profound analysis of the concept of the Straight Path, critiques exegetical viewpoints, and elucidates its ontological and epistemological dimensions. The objective is to present a systematic and comprehensive analysis that clarifies the nature of the path and facilitates a more precise understanding of this concept within the context of the Holy Qur'an. The structure of this work, employing refined allegories and a scientific approach, explores various dimensions of the Straight Path in Surah Al-Fatiha.
Verse: اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ (Al-Fatiha: 6)
Translation: Guide us to the Straight Path.
Key Point: The Path, like a flowing river in existence, guides humanity towards the truth not only in the Hereafter but also in this world.
Mulla Sadra, in his exegesis, confined the Path to its manifestation on the Day of Resurrection; however, this viewpoint is erroneous, as the Path is not merely a post-mortem phenomenon.
Mulla Sadra linked the Path to the bridge of Resurrection and its ultimate manifestation in the hereafter, but the Path, as an existential reality, flows within the realm of existence and is not restricted to the Resurrection. The supplication "اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ" indicates that humanity can discern and tread this path in the world as well.
Conclusion of Section One: The Path is a revelatory reality that flows both in this world and the hereafter. The critique of Mulla Sadra's perspective underscores the necessity of understanding the Path as an existential trajectory in all levels of existence.
Verse: يَوْمَ تُحَدِّثُ أَخْبَارَهَا بِأَنَّ رَبَّكَ أَوْحَىٰ لَهَا (Az-Zalzalah: 4-5)
Translation: The Day when the earth will relate its news, because your Lord has inspired it.
Key Point: The Path, like a blazing torch, is relative in this world and complete in the Hereafter, illuminating the way of guidance.
The Path is an existential way flowing within the system of creation, appearing relatively in this world and fully manifesting in the hereafter. The Resurrection, as the station of disclosure, elevates human perception of the Path to its zenith; nonetheless, this path is accessible in the world through the prophets and the saints.
Conclusion of Section Two: The Path is a revelatory reality that flows in all levels of existence. This section highlights the importance of comprehending the Path both in this world and the hereafter.
Key Point: The Bridge of the Path, like a bridge of light, guides humanity in this world and the hereafter towards the Divine destination.
The common perception of the Bridge of the Path as a solely eschatological phenomenon is incomplete. The Path is an existential trajectory that is shaped by human choices at every moment of life. The supplication for guidance in the verse "اهْدِنَا" indicates the possibility of traversing this path in this world.
Conclusion of Section Three: The Path, beyond being the bridge of Resurrection, is an existential route that can be traversed in this world. This section elucidates the importance of recognising the Path in worldly life.
Key Point: Self-knowledge, like a clear mirror, reveals the Straight Path before the human being.
The belief that "nothing is known" or that discerning good and evil is postponed until the hereafter is a form of sophistry. Through divine criteria and self-awareness ("May God have mercy on one who knows his worth"), a person can distinguish the Straight Path from deviant ways in this world. Prophets have come precisely to provide the standards of discernment.
Conclusion of Section Four: Recognition of the Path in this world is possible through self-awareness and divine criteria. This section emphasises the necessity of self-consciousness and the rejection of sophistry.
Verse: وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ (Al-Hashr: 9)
Translation: And they prefer others over themselves.
Key Point: Prophets and saints, like torchbearers in the night, illuminate the Straight Path for the misguided.
Prophets and saints, through sacrifice and selflessness, manifest the example of the Straight Path within society. The verse "وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ" demonstrates the pinnacle of the infallibles' altruism in guiding humanity, even at the cost of enduring hardships.
Conclusion of Section Five: Prophets and saints are the guides of the Straight Path. This section highlights their unparalleled role in leading humanity towards perfection.
Verse: قُلْ هَٰذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ (Yusuf: 108)
Translation: Say, "This is my way; I invite to Allah."
Key Point: The Path, like a direct line to the truth, is distinct from the winding and misleading ways.
The Path is the divine guidance leading to perfection, whereas the ways include corrupt paths as well. The verse "قُلْ هَٰذِهِ سَبِيلِي" demonstrates the positive way, but the Holy Qur'an sometimes ascribes ways to misguidance, such as "sabl al-lln" (the way of the misguided).
Conclusion of Section Six: The distinction between the Path and the way underscores the exclusivity of the Path as the route of divine guidance. This section clarifies the importance of choosing the Straight Path.
Key Point: Guidance, like a divine breeze, and decree, like a firm order, direct existence towards perfection.
Guidance encompasses providing the way (through prophets) and delivering to the destination (by God). Decree represents the divine order within creation that directs each being to its place. These two are manifested in the verse "اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ".
Conclusion of Section Seven: Guidance and decree are pillars of the system of creation that shape the Straight Path. This section highlights the importance of understanding these two concepts in traversing the Path.
Verse: وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ (Al-Hashr: 9)
Translation: And they prefer others over themselves.
Key Point: The self-sacrifice of the infallibles, like a luminous offering, illuminates the way of the Path for humanity.
The highest degree of self-sacrifice belongs to the infallibles who, to guide humanity, bear even the burden of Hellfire. This selflessness is manifested in the verse "وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ" and illustrates the utmost dedication on the path of the Path.
Conclusion of Section Eight: The self-sacrifice of the infallibles is a paradigm for traversing the Straight Path. This section clarifies the indispensable role of sacrifice in human guidance.
Key Point: Understanding guidance and decree, like a key to unlocking the doors of creation, leads humanity towards perfection.
Understanding guidance and decree enables control over the system of creation, such as correcting progeny. This control must be within the framework of the Straight Path to avoid misguidance.
Conclusion of Section Nine: Control over creation, through understanding guidance and decree, is possible in line with the Straight Path. This section underscores the importance of divine guidance in human progress.
Verse: اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ (Al-Fatiha: 6)
Translation: Guide us to the Straight Path.
Key Point: The prayer "Guide us" is like a grand couplet in the ode of Surah Al-Fatiha, summoning humanity towards Divine perfection.
"اهْدِنَا" is a profound and earnest supplication that, unlike other verses in Surah Al-Fatiha which sometimes bear a lyrical tone, directly points to the existential perfection of humanity. This prayer requests complete infallibility and accompaniment with prophets and saints.
Conclusion of Section Ten: The prayer "Guide us to the Straight Path" is humanity's greatest request for guidance towards perfection. This section elucidates the exalted position of this prayer in Surah Al-Fatiha.
The verse "اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ" in Surah Al-Fatiha, like a luminous torch, illuminates the truth of the Straight Path as an existential and revelatory trajectory within the system of existence. The critique of Mulla Sadras view emphasises the presence of the Path in both this world and the hereafter. The distinction between the Path and the way, the roles of the prophets and saints, and the importance of guidance and decree are highlighted. The prayer "اهْدِنَا" constitutes the essence of Surah Al-Fatiha and a request for complete infallibility, guiding humanity towards existential perfection. This interpretation, presenting a philosophical and mystical perspective, invites humanity towards self-awareness and reform in this world and provides a comprehensive framework for traversing the Straight Path.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
