of Nekounam, (Session 164)
The exegesis of verse 7 of Surah Al-Baqarah opens a window towards a profound understanding of the concepts of faith, polytheism, hypocrisy, and ostentation. This treatise, relying on the lecture content, analyses these concepts from philosophical, psychological, and sociological perspectives. With a systematic approach, it examines polytheism and hypocrisy on both general and specific levels. The objective is to provide a scientific and academic analysis articulated in a dignified and exalted language, suitable for highly educated audiences, that elucidates the reality of faith and its deviations. The Qur'anic verses are presented with full diacritical marks alongside precise translations, and all details of the original content are cohesively and meticulously documented with complementary explanations.
From the perspective of religious cognition, humans are divided into three categories: believers, who solely involve God in the matters of life and avoid polytheism with the slogan La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (There is no might nor power except by God); disbelievers, who do not involve God in life affairs; and polytheists, who consider both God and others as partners in worldly matters. This categorisation reflects, like a mirror, the levels of cognition and commitment to monotheism.
This verse highlights the pure faith of the believers, free from polytheism and hypocrisy.
General polytheism arises from the weakness of faith and is even observed among believers. This type of polytheism entails inadvertently involving others besides God in life affairs, due to ignorance. Such polytheism is like a shadow over the believers heart, stemming from a deficiency in cognition.
Specific polytheism is a conscious and deliberate act where a person fully involves others besides God in divine matters. This form of polytheism leads to disbelief and impurity and distances one from true faith.
This verse demonstrates the severity of specific polytheism and its consequences.
General ostentation and hypocrisy stem from weak faith and are common among believers. These behaviours may invalidate prayer but do not lead to disbelief or impurity. This type of hypocrisy is like a mist over the heart, arising from simple ignorance.
Specific hypocrisy and ostentation appear in those who fully feign faith with the intention to deceive others and even God. This group is described in the Qur'anic expression wa m hum bimuminn (and they are not believers), and their hypocrisy is of a high degree.
This verse refers to the state of specific hypocrites who have been deprived of divine guidance.
From the philosophical viewpoint, hypocrisy is a deviation from monotheism that conflicts with divine cognition. Psychologically, hypocrisy originates from weak faith or hidden intentions. Sociologically, it results in diminished social cohesion and public trust.
Although general ostentation and hypocrisy do not lead to disbelief, they reduce the sweetness of faith and distance purity and lordship from the believers heart.
Some traditional exegeses conflate general and specific hypocrisy and erroneously extend the rulings of specific hypocrisy (such as disbelief and impurity) to general hypocrisy. This approach weakens the religious spirit of individuals.
Traditional methods of religious education are often fragmented and non-systematic, lacking an engineered and logical approach. These methods result in rote memorisation without deep analysis and lack necessary efficacy.
Hypocrisy manifests in two forms: individual and systemic. Individual hypocrisy appears in personal behaviours with limited impact, whereas systemic hypocrisy occurs through organised networks, exerting wider influence on society.
This verse points to systemic hypocrisy and feigning of faith.
To confront systemic hypocrisy, there is a need to develop an information system Qur'an and Sunnah, which, with precision and modernity, can identify infiltrators.
A tradition from Imam diq (peace be upon him) warns against deceit with God.
Indeed, salvation lies in not deceiving God so that He does not deceive you.
This tradition refers to specific hypocrisy and must not be generalised to general hypocrisy.
The Qur'an and Sunnah, as two steadfast pillars, must be central to religious education. Fragmented and non-systematic methods cannot meet contemporary needs.
The analysis of hypocrisy requires a systematic and engineered approach that leaves no point unaddressed, akin to a precise map.
The exegesis of verse 7 of Surah Al-Baqarah, employing a scientific and multidisciplinary approach, elucidates the concepts of faith, polytheism, hypocrisy, and ostentation on both general and specific levels. General polytheism and hypocrisy, originating from weak faith, are prevalent among believers and lead to diminished purity and sweetness of faith; whereas specific polytheism and hypocrisy, due to their deliberate nature, culminate in disbelief and impurity. The analysis of these concepts necessitates the utilisation of philosophical, psychological, and sociological sciences. Critiques of traditional religious educational methods and emphasising the formulation of educational and informational systems Qur'an and Sunnah offer solutions for confronting contemporary challenges. Verses and traditions, as guiding lights, clarify the reality of faith and its deviations, underscoring the necessity of a systematic reconstruction of religious knowledge.
Under the Supervision of Sadegh Khademi
