of Nokounam, may his sanctity be preserved (Session 114)
The interpretation of the first verse of Surah Al-Baqarah, which commences with the disjointed letters Alif Lam Mim, constitutes a fundamental subject within the Quranic sciences. Due to the symbolic and metaphysical nature of these letters, a profound, methodical, and scientific perspective is requisite. This treatise, adopting an academic and specialised approach, undertakes the analysis and elucidation of the disjointed letters, employing philosophical, mystical, and Quranic frameworks, endeavouring to unveil the secrets concealed within these letters. The disjointed letters, akin to divine melodies, are not merely linguistic tools but metaphysical signs residing in a realm beyond matter and speech. This work, with a systematic structure and refined language, scrutinises all aspects of the subject and, by critiquing traditional viewpoints, paves the way for a novel understanding of these Quranic enigmas.
The disjointed letters, such as Alif Lam Mim in the first verse of Surah Al-Baqarah, are divine signs transcending literary concepts and material characteristics. These letters are neither merely components of the Arabic alphabet nor material entities possessing attributes such as coldness, heat, moisture, or celestial relations. Rather, like stars in the firmament of knowledge, they possess a metaphysical and existential identity that is exempt from superficial and material analyses.
الٓمٓ
Translation: Alif, Lam, Mim
This verse, owing to its symbolic nature, appears in the Holy Quran without direct interpretation and as a divine sign, serves as an invitation to contemplate the mysteries embedded in these letters. These letters, like keys to unlock the doors of knowledge, exhort the audience to transcend the superficial level of speech.
Traditional views in exegesis and philosophy are generally divided into two categories: firstly, superficial analyses limited to the form and pronunciation of the letters (such as Alif is long or Nun is round); secondly, existential analyses addressing the metaphysical effects of the letters but lacking scientific and empirical foundation. These views, like rudderless ships, have failed to reach the shore of truth.
The disjointed letters, as divine signs, possess a metaphysical identity beyond linguistic and material analyses. The critique of traditional views demonstrates that understanding these letters necessitates a novel and specialised approach that surpasses superficial limitations and unfounded conjectures.
Traditional exegetes, focusing on outward sciences such as tajweed and literature, and philosophers, due to lack of expertise in occult sciences, have failed to correctly elucidate the nature of the disjointed letters. Like a gardener entering a field without proper tools, these scholars, despite their eminence in their fields, have been unsuccessful in understanding the secrets of the letters.
Superficial descriptions of letters, such as Alif is long or Waw is round, and phonetic features like emphatic, nasalised, velarised, or softened sounds, are valid only within the realms of tajweed and literature and bear no relation to occult sciences. These analyses, like paintings on water surfaces, are distant from the depth of the truth of the letters.
Some analyses addressing the existential effects of letters, such as Alif determines the essence of things or Ba determines their attributes, lack verifiable evidence. These statements remain mere endless tales, speculative and distant from the metaphysical truth of the letters.
This principle reveals the epistemic gap in analyses of the disjointed letters: what was intended (understanding the truth of the letters) has not been achieved, and what has been achieved (superficial or unsubstantiated analyses) was not the intended aim. This principle mirrors the failure of traditional approaches.
Despite their eminent status in philosophy and theology, Avicenna and Mulla Sadra lacked expertise in analyzing the disjointed letters. Avicennas statements in Risla al-Sam bi-l-Frzyah and Mulla Sadras analyses in his Tafsir (Volume 1, page 189) either reiterate previous views or lack scientific validity. These two sages, like travellers in an unknown desert, have strayed from the main destination.
Mulla Sadra introduces the letters as simple entities but attributes strength to Waw and weakness to Ha, implying a combinability that contradicts the simple nature of the letters. He also considers the compound Hu (Waw and Ha) as the greatest of entities; this analysis is flawed due to neglecting the independent existence of letters. Such views collapse like buildings on weak foundations.
Mulla Sadra likened humans as the ultimate purpose of divine words and compared the letter Alif to God. These analogies are erroneous due to conflating metaphysical entities, humans, and the divine essence. Humans are composite beings, Alif is a simple entity, and neither is comparable to the infinite divine essence.
Mulla Sadra associates the letters with the 28 lunar mansions, but this relation is flawed as it does not align with the metaphysical nature of the letters. Lunar mansions are astronomical divisions, whereas the disjointed letters are metaphysical signs.
Analyses based on grammatical markers such as case endings, vowelisation, and pauses (for example, Alif is not movable) remain confined to literary sciences and bear no connection with occult sciences. These analyses, like incomplete maps, do not lead to the truth.
Fakhr al-Razi, despite providing detailed analyses of the letters in his Tafsir, also remains focused on superficial or unsupported aspects, lacking validity in the domain of occult sciences.
The critique of philosophical and mystical views shows that traditional analyses, due to lack of expertise in occult sciences and focus on superficial or unsupported aspects, have failed to grasp the truth of the disjointed letters. These critiques underscore the necessity for a specialised and scientific approach.
Infallibility is a distinct attribute from justice and knowledge. The infallibles, such as the Prophets and the saints, by virtue of their special station, have access to divine knowledge beyond the reach of ordinary scholars. Like a pure spring atop a high mountain, the knowledge of the infallibles is inaccessible to others.
Ask me before you lose me.
This tradition emphasises the access of the infallibles to esoteric knowledge and indicates that understanding Quranic mysteries such as the disjointed letters belongs to the domain of divine knowledge.
Analysis of the disjointed letters requires expertise in occult sciences, including understanding derivations, combinations, and existential effects of the letters. This domain surpasses philosophical, jurisprudential, or exegetical knowledge and, akin to a specialised profession, demands skill and experience.
The distinction of infallibility from ordinary knowledge and the necessity of expertise in occult sciences highlight the complexity of analysing the disjointed letters. Only the infallibles or specialists in occult sciences can access the secrets of these letters.
The Quranic sciences, including the analysis of the disjointed letters, must transition from mere transmission to pragmatism and empirical research. Like a farmer who cultivates through experience, religious sciences require testing and experimentation.
Seminaries should be equipped with laboratories for empirical research in Quranic topics. These laboratories, like workshops for discovering truth, can examine the effects of the disjointed letters and align religious sciences with contemporary needs.
Religious sciences must distance themselves from conservatism and engage in research and experimentation with scientific courage. This courage, like a torch in the darkness, illuminates the path to new truths.
Traditional exegetical books, due to transmission-centred approaches and lack of source criticism, have failed in analysing the disjointed letters. These books, like disorganised libraries, have been unable to reach the truth.
Transformation in Quranic sciences requires pragmatism, establishment of scientific laboratories, intellectual courage, and distancing from transmission-centred approaches. These changes pave the way for deeper understanding of Quranic mysteries.
The interpretation of the first verse of Surah Al-Baqarah, focusing on the disjointed letters Alif Lam Mim, opens a gateway to understanding the metaphysical secrets of the Holy Quran. These letters, like celestial melodies, transcend linguistic tools and material features and require a specialised and scientific approach for their elucidation. The critique of traditional views, including the analyses of Avicenna, Mulla Sadra, and Fakhr al-Razi, reveals methodological limitations in understanding these letters. Emphasis on specialisation, pragmatism, and scientific courage facilitates the discovery of Quranic truths. This treatise, by compiling the lectures and presented analyses, endeavours to provide a comprehensive and refined depiction of the disjointed letters suitable for researchers and educated audiences.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
