of Nokounam, may his secret be sanctified (Session 154)
The Holy Quran, like a blazing torch, serves as humanitys guide across all eras. Verse 4 of Surah Al-Baqarah, وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ وَبِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ
(And those who believe in what has been revealed to you, and what was revealed before you, and they are certain of the Hereafter), stands as one of the foundational verses, delineating the characteristics of the God-fearing with emphasis on certainty in the Hereafter. Certainty, akin to a precious jewel, manifests the perfection of the faith of the God-fearing and differentiates it from superficial beliefs. This work, adopting a scientific and systematic approach, conducts a precise analysis of the concept of certainty, distinguishes it from faith and self-evidence, explores the role of vision in its realization, critiques epistemological and social deviations, and examines the relationship between the worldly life and the Hereafter. The objective is to provide a distinguished academic text for an erudite audience that, while preserving every detail, contributes to the reconstruction of religious knowledge in this domain.
Analysis and Elucidation
The attribute يُوقِنُونَ, presented as a present continuous verb in the verse, resembles a continuous melody that indicates the dynamism and persistence of certainty as the perfection of the God-fearing. This attribute is mentioned at the end of the characteristics of the God-fearing and highlights its position as the pinnacle of faith.
This perspective, like a clear mirror, introduces certainty as a fundamental pillar in the faith structure of the God-fearing.
Analysis and Elucidation
Certainty, like a lofty summit, is applied in matters of perfection and transcendence such as the Hereafter and is distinct from self-evidence, akin to the evident two plus two equals four. Self-evidence, like a smooth plain, lacks degrees of perfection and gradual development, whereas certainty, like a steep path, possesses epistemic gradations.
This distinction, like a clear line, separates certainty as profound and elevated knowledge from superficial cognition.
Analysis and Elucidation
The container of certainty, like a fertile ground, provides the possibility for spiritual and epistemic growth due to perfection and gradual development. This container, unlike the static nature of self-evidence, is like a flowing river, dynamic and possessing levels.
This perspective introduces certainty as a dynamic and purposeful process that guides the God-fearing towards perfection.
Analysis and Elucidation
Certainty in the Hereafter, like a crown upon the heads of the God-fearing, is their most important attribute, mentioned at the end of their characteristics. This arrangement, like a precise map, emphasises the central position of certainty in the faith structure of the God-fearing.
This position, like a shining star, highlights the significance of certainty on the path of piety and faith.
Analysis and Elucidation
General belief in the Hereafter, like a root in innate nature and reason, is embedded in the balanced system of existence. This belief, like a seed planted in the soil of innate disposition, can even sprout within non-believers.
This perspective, like a bridge between innate disposition and faith, differentiates certainty from superficial beliefs.
Analysis and Elucidation
The certainty of the God-fearing, like a window towards the realms of the Hereafter, encompasses detailed belief in the intermediary state, Hell, and Paradise. This certainty, like a precise engraving on the tablet of knowledge, transcends implicit and mental beliefs.
This definition, like a golden key, introduces certainty as deep and comprehensive knowledge.
Analysis and Elucidation
The God-fearing, like birds flying in the sky of knowledge, perceive the Hereafter intuitively. This vision, like light dispelling darkness, distinguishes them from ordinary believers.
This perspective, like a clear mirror, emphasises the experiential and intuitive dimension of certainty.
Analysis and Elucidation
The verse لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عِلْمَ الْيَقِينِ لَتَرَوُنَّ الْجَحِيمَ
(At-Takathur: 5-6; If you knew with the knowledge of certainty, you would surely see the Hellfire) stresses the connection between certainty and the vision of Hell. In mystical progression, the vision of Hell and the intermediary state, as initial steps, is easier than that of Paradise and Bliss.
This verse, like a torch illuminating the path, testifies to the hierarchical structure of the realms of the Hereafter and the priority of the vision of Hell.
Analysis and Elucidation
It cannot be said that if you knew with the knowledge of certainty, you would see Paradise, because the vision of Paradise, like a lofty summit, is more difficult and positioned at higher levels. Hell, like a gate to the realms of the Hereafter, is more accessible.
This critique, like a clear line, underscores the distinction in the hierarchies of the realms of the Hereafter and the difficulty in accessing Paradise.
Analysis and Elucidation
The people of the world, like those trapped in the darkness of heedlessness, are not only merchants or the irreligious but also individuals who, despite worship and knowledge, only see the world and remain heedless of the Hereafter.
This definition, like a mirror reflecting truth, regards worldliness beyond outward behaviour and rooted in neglect of the Hereafter.
Analysis and Elucidation
The God-fearing, like astronomers who observe distant horizons, perceive the Hereafter, and this vision, like a cool breeze, frees them from attachment to the world and inclines them towards the Hereafter.
This perspective, like a bridge to the truth, introduces vision as a spiritual motive for nearness to the Hereafter.
Analysis and Elucidation
The verses بَلْ تُؤْثِرُونَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ
(Al-Al: 16-17; But you prefer the worldly life, while the Hereafter is better and everlasting) and لَتَمُنَّ الْمَوْتَ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
(Al-Jumuah: 6; If you are truthful, desire death) indicate the truth that vision of the Hereafter removes fear of death and strengthens the desire for it among the God-fearing.
Analysis and Elucidation
The Prophets, as divine guides, did not come to develop the world or enrich the poor; rather, their purpose, like a bridge towards the Hereafter, was to direct humanity towards ultimate spiritual perfection. The world, akin to fertile soil, serves merely as the foundation for the Hereafter.
This viewpoint, like a luminous line, clarifies the role of the world as a means for the Hereafter.
Analysis and Elucidation
The verse Whoever is blind in this [world], he is blind in the Hereafter and more astray in way (Al-Isra: 72) emphasises the intimate connection between the world and the Hereafter. The worldly state, like a shadow, determines the state in the Hereafter.
This verse, like a clear mirror, demonstrates the impact of worldly deeds on eternal felicity.
Analysis and Elucidation
Some religious scholars equate the world and the Hereafter; however, this perspective, akin to a fragile structure, is erroneous. The world and the Hereafter, like earth and sky, are transcendent, with the world serving as the ground for the Hereafter.
This critique, like a precise key, elucidates the proper relationship between the world and the Hereafter.
Analysis and Elucidation
The verse Those are the ones whose deeds have become void in this world and the Hereafter (Al-Baqarah: 217) indicates that nullification of deeds in this world, like a corrupted seed, leads to ruin in the Hereafter.
This verse, like a clear warning, attests to the influence of worldly deeds on eternal happiness.
Analysis and Elucidation
The verse And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers (Aali Imran: 85) stresses the truth that choosing non-Islam, like a path to misguidance, results in eternal loss.
This verse, like a guiding torch, emphasises the necessity of choosing Islam for eternal success.
Analysis and Elucidation
Multiple verses, such as Indeed, the God-fearing will be in gardens and springs (Adh-Dhariyat: 15), regard the God-fearing as shining stars with an exalted status in the Hereafter.
These verses, like an engraving on the tablet of existence, emphasise the special rewards of the God-fearing.
Analysis and Elucidation
The verse Indeed, the God-fearing are in a secure position (Ad-Dukhan: 41) and the verse The Day the man will flee from his brother, and his mother and his father, and his spouse and his children (Saba: 49) indicate that on the Day of Resurrection, everyone flees from one another except the God-fearing, who reside in a secure and serene place, gardens and springs.
These verses, like a pure spring, bear witness to the tranquillity and safety of the God-fearing on the Day of Judgment.
Analysis and Elucidation
The God-fearing, like explorers peering through apertures of knowledge into other realms, dedicate part of their lives to the vision of the Hereafter. This vision, like a golden key, leads them to certainty and piety.
This metaphor, like a delightful melody, introduces vision as a spiritual and essential occupation for the God-fearing.
Analysis and Elucidation
Religious knowledge, like a tree whose branches are severed from its root, is preoccupied with verbal subjects such as principles, jurisprudence, philosophy, and mysticism instead of the vision of the Hereafter. This focus, like a heavy negligence, has left certainty and vision unattended.
This critique, like an invitation to reconstruction, emphasises the necessity of altering the priorities of religious knowledge.
Analysis and Elucidation
Religious knowledge must allocate a part of its time to the vision of the Hereafter and pursue it as a scientific discipline. This section, like a new seed, can guide religious knowledge towards certainty and piety.
This proposal, like a map for the future, provides a pathway for reconstructing religious epistemic systems.
Analysis and Elucidation
The claim of vision of the Hereafter, like a flower wilting in unsuitable soil, may be subject to ridicule in religious knowledge. However, this vision, like a celestial melody, must be accepted as a scientific duty.
This critique, like an awakening warning, underscores the necessity of changing the culture within religious knowledge.
Analysis and Elucidation
Humanity, like a traveller on the path of truth, must dedicate part of their lifespan to the vision of the Hereafter. Without vision, like a rootless tree, one cannot claim piety.
This invitation, like a divine melody, guides humanity towards knowledge and piety.
The exegesis of the phrase and in the Hereafter they are certain from verse four of Surah Al-Baqarah, like a shining torch, elucidates certainty in the Hereafter as a prominent attribute of the God-fearing. This work, through precise analysis of the concept of certainty, demonstrated that certainty surpasses mere general belief; it is a detailed and intuitive knowledge realised through vision of the otherworldly realms (Barzakh, Jahim, Naim). Vision, like a golden key, distinguishes the God-fearing from ordinary believers and grants them a secure station in the Hereafter. The critique of the focus of religious knowledge on verbal subjects, neglect of vision, and the inappropriate culture of ridiculing vision revealed the necessity of reconstructing epistemic systems. Quranic verses such as If you only knew with the knowledge of certainty and Whoever is blind in this [world], he is blind in the Hereafter testify to the close connection between the world and the Hereafter and the role of vision in the achievement of certainty. The proposal to establish a visionology section, like a new seed, paves the way for realising piety and certainty. This exegesis, like a solid bridge, directs researchers towards reconstructing religious knowledge with a scientific and spiritual approach.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
