Derived from the lecture series of Nokounam (may his sanctity be preserved), Session Eighty-Seven
The seventh verse of Surah Al-Fatiha, الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ, shines as a luminous light, elucidating the characteristics of a group who tread the straight path and have attained a special divine grace. This verse, by introducing the Anm (those upon whom favour has been bestowed) as the beloved of God, raises fundamental questions: Who are this group? Are they solely the infallibles, or can others also attain this station? And what is the concept of companionship (muyat) along this path? This book, through a mystical and philosophical approach, explores these inquiries and, with a precise and scholarly analysis, clarifies the spiritual and epistemological ranks associated with the straight path and the Anm. Like a river flowing from the spring of truth towards the ocean of Divine nearness, this exegesis reveals the profound layers of the verse to an expert audience.
irs are those who walk upon the straight path (ir al-mustaqm), whereas the Anm constitute a special group who have attained the specific divine favour, namely nearness and spiritual ranks. Although all Anm are on the path, not all those on the path are Anm.
الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ
Those upon whom You have bestowed favour.
This portion of the seventh verse of Surah Al-Fatiha introduces the Anm as an elite group on the straight path.
Some of the irs, through spiritual wayfaring, reach a rank close to that of the Anm, though they do not completely attain their station. This inclusion is akin to a bridge that guides the seeker closer to the summits of knowledge.
In the Noble Quran, companionship (muyat) bears different meanings: sometimes indicating equality and co-ranking (lateral companionship), and sometimes priority and superiority (longitudinal or sustaining companionship). This concept acts like a thread connecting the various ranks of spiritual wayfaring.
وَارْكَعُوا مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ
And bow down with those who bow down.
This verse from Surah Al-Baqarah (2:43) demonstrates longitudinal companionship, in which the bowers have precedence over the emotionally inclined.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ
Indeed, Allah is with the patient.
This verse from Surah Al-Baqarah (2:153) exemplifies sustaining companionship, in which Allah has precedence over the patient.
Longitudinal companionship is like two bricks leaning on each other, neither completely independent. Sustaining companionship is like a light emanating from the Divine source upon the wayfarers, placing them under its protective shadow.
The Noble Quran, in Surah An-Nis, divides the Anm into four groups: the Prophets, the Truthful (iddqn), the Martyrs (Shuhad), and the Righteous (lin).
وَمَن يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فَأُوْلَئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ
And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger those are with those upon whom Allah has bestowed favour: of the Prophets, the Truthful, the Martyrs, and the Righteous.
This verse from Surah An-Nis (4:69) specifies the ranks of the Anm.
The Anm are not necessarily infallible or Prophets. The Truthful, Martyrs, and Righteous may be non-infallible yet have attained the special divine favour.
The Beloved, synonymous with the Anm, possess varying ranks: from ordinary beloved to the supreme, where the infallibles occupy the highest station.
The Prophets hold the highest rank, the Truthful less than the Prophets, the Martyrs broader than the Truthful, and the Righteous broader than the Truthful but less than the Martyrs. These ranks resemble the steps of a ladder that elevate the seeker toward Divine nearness.
Popularity is relative. An individual may be beloved relative to one rank, yet considered less beloved in comparison to a higher rank.
فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ مِنِّي هُدًى فَمَنِ اتَّبَعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا يَضِلُّ وَلَا يَشْقَى
So if there comes to you guidance from Me, then whoever follows My guidance will neither go astray nor suffer.
This verse from Surah Taha (20:123) demonstrates the role of Divine guidance in attaining ranks of belovedness.
Unsubstantiated claims about the appearance (zuhr), considering Divine order and the limitations of the material world, appear unlikely. This critique acts as a sieve of truth, discarding groundless assertions.
Religious knowledge, due to a lack of scientific infrastructure, has sometimes tended towards superficial and incoherent interpretations. Revisiting the methodology is akin to renovating a structure whose foundations have decayed.
Companionship with the Anm can take the form of entry (access to their rank) or nearness (closeness to their rank). These concepts resemble doors leading to higher spiritual ranks.
Obedience to Allah and His Messenger leads one to companionship with the Anm. This obedience functions like a key that unlocks the hearts and guides the seeker towards Divine nearness.
The verse الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ, like a lamp on the path of the straight way, illuminates spiritual and epistemological ranks. The Anm, as Gods beloved, include Prophets, the Truthful, Martyrs, and the Righteous, who are not necessarily infallible but have attained the special grace of Divine nearness. Companionship in the Noble Quran varies from lateral to sustaining and obedience to Allah and His Messenger is the means to reach this companionship. Critiques of superficial exegeses and unsubstantiated claims reveal the necessity for revising the methodology of religious sciences. This exegesis, with a scientific and mystical approach, demonstrates the Qurans capacity to generate epistemic knowledge and invites researchers to re-examine it in a universal scholarly language.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
