of Nekounam, , Session 101
The verse غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ in Surah Al-Fatiha, like a transparent mirror, distinguishes the path of the guided from the way of those upon whom wrath has descended and the misguided. This phrase, by delineating two groups the maghdoub alayhim (those upon whom divine wrath has descended) and the dalleen (the misguided) invites a profound exploration into the system of the best creation (nizam-e ahsan). This interpretation, adopting a Qur'anic and philosophical approach, examines the distinctions between these two groups, their position within the creation system, and their connection with divine guidance. With a systematic consideration of Qur'anic evidence and epistemological analyses, this discourse calls learned audiences on a journey into the depths of divine wisdom, so that, like wayfarers on the straight path, they may comprehend the reality of guidance and deviation.
Maghdoub alayhim and dalleen are two distinct groups mentioned in the verse غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ. Every maghdoub alayh is necessarily a dal (misguided), because divine wrath arises from deliberate and conscious deviation. However, not every dal is a maghdoub, for misguidance may stem from ignorance or bewilderment.
غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ
Neither [the way] of those upon whom wrath has descended, nor of the misguided.
Key Point: Every maghdoub alayh is misguided, but not every misguided person is maghdoub; this distinction reveals the hierarchy of deviation within the Quranic ethical system.
Interpretations equating maghdoub alayhim and dalleen are mistaken. The maghdoub alayhim, due to heavy and conscious offences, occupy the pinnacle of vileness, whereas the dalleen may have deviated out of ignorance or confusion.
Key Point: Equating maghdoub alayhim and dalleen is incorrect due to the differences in severity and nature of their deviation.
Among 24 occurrences of the term maghdoub in the Holy Quran, 14 refer to divine wrath (maghdoub haqqi), and 10 refer to human wrath (maghdoub khalqi). Human wrath, such as the wrath of Moses (peace be upon him), lacks theological value because the angry party may also be mistaken.
فَلَمَّا آسَفْنَا أَخَذْنَاهُمْ بِالْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ
When We were wrathful with them, We seized them with adversity and calamity.
Key Point: Divine wrath carries theological significance, whereas human wrath does not.
The truly wrathful, due to committing grave crimes such as the murder of prophets or deliberate mistrust of God, occupy the summit of evil and ugliness. This group is distinct from the misguided because of their awareness and ill intent.
Key Point: The truly wrathful, due to conscious crimes, are positioned at the peak of vileness.
Among approximately 190 instances of the terms dal and mudill in the Quran, dal refers to simple, lost misguided individuals, while mudill refers to those who lead others astray. God possesses the title Mudill as a Name of Majesty but is never Dal.
وَاللَّهُ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيُضِلُّ مَنْ يَشَاءُ
God guides whom He wills and leads astray whom He wills.
Key Point: Dal refers to simple misguided individuals, whereas mudill is a misleader, a title attributed to God as a Name of Majesty.
The mudill may be maghdoub because misleading others is a serious crime, but a simple dal due to bewilderment is not maghdoub. Out of the 190 occurrences of dal and mudill, only 14 refer to divine wrath, indicating the rarity of the truly wrathful.
Key Point: The mudill may be wrathful, but simple dal due to confusion are not.
The universe, as the best of creation (nizam ahsan), is replete with guidance. The dalleen and mudill constitute a minority, and the maghdoubin are even rarer. If misguidance and divine wrath were predominant, the system of creation would not be the best.
فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ
So blessed is Allah, the best of creators.
Key Point: In the best of creation, guidance predominates while misguidance and divine wrath remain in the minority.
In the divine system, nothing is "waste." Even the dalleen are guidable and can return to the straight path, unlike the maghdoubin who, due to grave crimes, are further distant from divine mercy.
Key Point: Unlike the maghdoubin, the dalleen are guidable and are not lost within the creation system.
The truly wrathful, due to crimes such as the deliberate murder of prophets, intentional mistrust of God, or enmity towards the infallibles, occupy the apex of vileness. Their crimes, by reason of awareness and ill intent, distinguish them from others.
مَنْ قَتَلَ نَبِيًّا مُتَعَمِّدًا
Whoever intentionally kills a prophet.
Key Point: The truly wrathful are at the summit of vileness due to grave and conscious crimes such as the killing of prophets.
The maghdoubin commit crimes with full awareness ("and they know"). This awareness intensifies their malevolence, akin to one who calls a truthful person a liar knowingly.
Key Point: Due to committing crimes with awareness, the maghdoubin are malevolent and distinct from the misguided.
The main characteristic of the maghdoubin is intentional mistrust of God, as exemplified by Iblis, who was maghdoub due to such suspicion. This mistrust distinguishes them from the believers and even from the misguided.
وَلَقَدْ أَضَلَّ مِنْكُمْ جِبِلًّا كَثِيرًا
And indeed, Iblis led astray many of you.
Key Point: Malicious suspicion of God is the defining trait of the maghdoubin, separating them from others.
Despite their few numbers, the maghdoubin are highly dangerous due to their grave crimes and consequential impacts. They stand opposed to the infallibles and, through their enmity, threaten the order of creation.
Key Point: The maghdoubin, though few, pose a significant threat to the order of creation due to their severe crimes.
Recognition of the maghdoubin is essential to avoid their path. The Holy Quran forbids believers from befriending the maghdoubin, as they are the principal enemies of the infallibles and divine guidance.
لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا دِينَكُمْ هُزُوًا وَلَعِبًا
Do not take those who ridicule and mock your religion as friends.
Key Point: Identifying the maghdoubin is necessary to preserve faith and avoid deviation.
A religion founded upon the best system, wherein guidance prevails and misguidance is rare, possesses global appeal. This perspective introduces Islam as a universal, guidance-centred religion.
Key Point: Religion best system, due to the predominance of guidance, is attractive worldwide.
Humankind instinctively recognises God as the effective agent and harbours no malicious suspicion. This innate nobility distinguishes humans from the maghdoubin, even if they occupy lower levels of faith.
Key Point: The innate nobility of humankind protects it from malicious suspicion and wrathfulness.
The interpretation of the verse غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ, by clarifying the differences between the maghdoub alayhim and the dalleen, sheds light on the best system of creation. The truly wrathful, due to grave and conscious crimes such as the murder of prophets or mistrust of God, occupy the summit of vileness, whereas the misguided, due to confusion or ignorance, remain guidable. Among approximately 190 occurrences of dal and mudill in the Quran, only 14 refer to the truly wrathful, highlighting their rarity. The system of creation, with guidance prevailing and misguidance and wrath in the minority, is best and nothing is wasted within it.
The maghdoubin, because of their consequential influence and enmity toward the infallibles, are dangerous, and recognising them is necessary to avoid deviation. The religious culture best system, emphasising the innate guidance-seeking nature of humankind, has universal appeal. This interpretation, linking Quranic and philosophical concepts, provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the path of guidance and deviation, inviting wayfarers to profound contemplation of divine wisdom.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
