of Nokounam, (Session 112)
The interpretation of the initial verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, particularly the Muqattaat (disjointed letters) and their relation to the knowledge of divine letters and names, constitutes a profound and intricate subject within Qur'anic sciences. It necessitates a precise, systematic approach free from exaggeration or negligence. This work, focusing on the analysis of the Muqattaat, the Greatest Name (Ism Al-Azam), and their roles within the existential and devotional system of the Holy Qur'an, endeavours to present a profound understanding of these verses in a lofty and scholarly language. The present content, relying on the delivered lectures and scientific analyses, examines the status of words, knowledge, and faith within the spiritual system of Islam, avoiding any conflation of literary and philosophical discussions. This treatise, aimed at educated audiences and researchers in religious sciences, opens a gateway to a more precise comprehension of the divine verses and the place of the Names in the system of existence.
The knowledge of letters, particularly in relation to the Muqattaat appearing at the beginning of some Qur'anic chapters, such as
Alif Lam Meem (ذَلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِلْمُتَّقِينَ) [Al-Baqarah: 1-2]
Translation: This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for the righteous.
is a specialised domain within Qur'anic sciences. This knowledge has encountered two opposing approaches: an excessive approach that associates the letters with concepts such as temperament, coldness, humidity, and celestial spheres; and a negligent approach that considers letters merely as meaningless utterances lacking semantic or ontological roles. This dichotomy exposes the challenges of accurately understanding the place of letters in the Qur'anic epistemological system.
The excessive approach, attributed to some mystics such as Ibn Arabi, interprets the letters within metaphysical and cosmic frameworks. Although this viewpoint possesses philosophical richness, it occasionally leads to unnecessary complexities. Conversely, the negligent approach, by denying any semantic or ontological role for the letters, undermines their revealed status. A correct understanding requires avoidance of this dichotomy and an emphasis on a balanced role for the letters within the Qur'anic system.
Some contemporary scholars, emphasising the ontological nature of the divine Names, have denied the role of pronounced words within the spiritual and devotional system. This viewpoint regards the Greatest Name (Ism Al-Azam) as a non-verbal reality and considers uttered words devoid of efficacy. Such a perspective conflicts with Qur'anic verses and traditions that emphasise the importance of invocation and supplication. For example, the verse:
Say, "Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Merciful. Whichever [name] you call - to Him belong the best names." [Al-Isra: 110]
Translation: Say: Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Merciful, whichever you call, to Him belong the most beautiful names.
emphasises the role of words in relation to the Divine Essence.
Denying the role of uttered words weakens a crucial part of the Islamic devotional system, since the Holy Qur'an and traditions repeatedly stress the significance of dhikr, supplication, and specific utterances such as "Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim". These utterances, as manifestations of divine existence, cannot merely be conventional symbols but rather possess an ontological and spiritual role.
One of the primary challenges in analysing the Muqattaat and divine Names is the conflation of literary and philosophical frameworks. In literature, concepts such as noun, verb, and particle refer to verbal structures. For example, in the sentence "Zayd struck", the verb "struck" precedes the subject "Zayd" to form a verbal sentence. However, in philosophy, the subject precedes the verb, because the verb is the manifestation of the subject, and without a subject, no verb exists. This distinction is vital in the analysis of the Muqattaat and the Greatest Name.
Within the literary framework, the Muqattaat are analysed as particular verbal markers; however, from a philosophical perspective, their role in the existential system and divine manifestation must be considered. Confounding these approaches either leads to the denial of the role of uttered words or to exaggeration in their meanings. For instance, in the analysis of
Alif Lam Meem [Al-Baqarah: 1]
Translation: Alif Lam Meem.
one cannot merely focus on the literary aspect but must also consider their connection with the semantic and ontological system of the Holy Qur'an.
The conflation of literary and philosophical discussions has led to misinterpretations in the analysis of the Greatest Name. Some have regarded the Greatest Name solely as a verbal term based on literary rules, whereas in philosophy, the Greatest Name is examined as a manifestation of divine existence. This conflation has resulted in the denial of the role of words within the ontological system, whereas traditions, such as a narration from Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him), who states:
"Alif Lam Meem is a letter from the letters of the Greatest Name of Allah which is the Muqattaat in the Qur'an that the Prophet and the Imam compose, and when supplicated with it, it is answered."
Translation: Alif Lam Meem is a letter from the letters of the Greatest Name which is the disjointed letter in the Qur'an, composed by the Prophet and the Imam; hence, whenever it is invoked, it is answered.
emphasise the connection of the Muqattaat with the Greatest Name.
This narration indicates that the Muqattaat, as part of the Greatest Name, have an ontological and influential role. Denying this role weakens the evidences from both narrations and the Qur'an.
In Islamic philosophy, even mental existence, by virtue of external existence, possesses an external reality. Therefore, uttered words, as manifestations of existence, have ontological influence. For instance, the invocation:
Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim [Al-Fatiha: 1]
Translation: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
has been introduced in traditions as a key to resolving difficulties. This invocation, by generating will and spiritual connection, can produce ontological effects, provided it is accompanied by faith and knowledge.
This view aligns with the principle of the unity of existence (Wahdat al-Wujud), since nothing exists outside the circle of existence. Words, as parts of the creation system, carry divine will and hold a central role in the devotional system.
The efficacy of divine Names, including the Greatest Name, depends on the knowledge and faith of the individual. The Greatest Name, in addition to its verbal dimension, requires an internal criterion within the heart of the believer, mystic, or prophet. For example, in the story of Samiri, mentioned
