of Nokounam Session 185
The Holy Quran, like a radiant gem in the firmament of knowledge, guides humanity towards the truth. Verse 21 of Surah Al-Baqarah,
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
(Translation: O mankind! Worship your Lord who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous), with a universal address to all humans, elucidates the pivotal position of mankind in the cosmic order and the importance of worship towards the Lord. This work, relying on scholarly lectures and philosophical, theological, and mystical analyses, interprets this verse in a systematic and exalted framework for specialised audiences and academic environments. By employing allegories and metaphors, it portrays the depth of Quranic meanings within a scientific and universal context, without detracting from the sublime status of the Divine Word.
The verse begins with the address يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ, indicating its inclusiveness to all human beings regardless of time and place. Man is the axis of religion, the world, and the hereafter, while Paradise and Hell, as consequences of his actions, serve to clarify his position in the system of creation.
This address is like a light that shines upon all humanity, summoning them towards accountability before the Creator.
Paradise and Hell are the effects and outcomes of human deeds. These two are not merely final destinations but also mirrors reflecting the actions of man in this world, demonstrating his position in the cosmic order.
Paradise and Hell act like the two pans of the Divine scale of justice, measuring human deeds and revealing his station before the Lord.
Worship in its general sense, due to the absence of any restriction or limitation, is reproachable. This concept is akin to imitation which, without rational justification, is considered undesirable. Worship, like imitation, holds value only within its specific context.
General worship is like a stream flowing aimlessly in the desert without a defined destination, dissipating and wasted.
Worship attains legitimacy only when directed towards رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ, because the Lord is the Creator of man and his predecessors. This characteristic confines worship to an act exclusively dedicated to God.
Specific worship is like a flower that grows solely in the garden of the Lord, whose fragrance rises towards Him.
Just as imitation without rational justification is blameworthy, worship in the general sense, without divine limitation, is also undesirable. However, in cases where reason necessitates imitation, such as consulting a physician when ill, imitation is permissible. Likewise, worship towards God, due to His Creatorship, is rational and necessary.
Imitation and worship are like two paths that reach the correct destination only under the guidance of reason.
Worship is not confined solely to prayer and supplication, but encompasses all foundations of thought, theoretical and practical wisdom, study, knowledge, work, and service to creation. Every act performed in accordance with the Divine command is considered worship.
Worship is like a vast ocean into which every small river of righteous deed flows, increasing its grandeur.
Service to creation is a prominent example of worship; however, restricting worship exclusively to service to creation is incorrect. Worship encompasses all commands revealed in the Holy Quran that are performed for Divine satisfaction.
Worship is humanitys response to the infinite Divine blessings. Being incapable of fully recompensing these blessings, man expresses his gratitude through worship.
Worship is like a bridge that leads man from Divine blessings towards gratitude and nearness.
Etiquette is the essence and core of worship. Worship devoid of etiquette loses its value. Etiquette towards God manifests as worship, and towards creation as respect and affection.
Etiquette is like a light that illuminates worship and guides it towards Divine acceptance.
Etiquette pertains to a persons outward appearance and behaviour; ethics relate to the inner qualities and character; and piety is the attainment of harmony between these two. Man must regulate etiquette and ethics to progress towards piety.
Etiquette is like a garment adorning ones exterior; ethics are like a jewel shining within; and piety is the goal that perfects both.
Man ought to show etiquette even towards the smallest efforts of others. This etiquette manifests before God as worship and before creation as respect and affection.
The Lord, as the guardian of all Divine active names, is the administrator of the entire cosmos. This position directs worship towards God, since He is the caretaker and sustainer of all beings.
The Lord is like a helmsman steering the ship of existence with wisdom and power.
The verse prioritises mentioning the Lord before the Creatorship: رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ. This order indicates that Gods creatorship is accompanied by etiquette and wisdom, and the Lord, as a nurturer, perfects creation through upbringing.
Contrary to some syntactic views considering عَالَمِينَ as a quasi-plural, this term is a genuine plural, pointing to the vastness of Divine lordship. رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ denotes the Lord of all worlds and beings.
The goal of worship is to attain piety. The phrase لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ signifies the possibility of success on this path, contingent upon adherence to etiquette and conscious worship.
Piety is like a summit to which worship directs man, but climbing it requires effort and sincerity.
Piety is the outcome of harmonising etiquette (outward) and ethics (inward). By regulating these, man achieves salvation and piety.
The interpretation of verse 21 of Surah Al-Baqarah, emphasising the position of man, the concept of worship, and the goal of piety, reveals the depth and comprehensiveness of the Holy Qurans teachings. Man, as the axis of the cosmic order, is the general addressee of Divine discourse, while Paradise and Hell reflect his deeds. Worship is legitimate only towards the Lord, as Creator and nurturer, and beyond specific acts, it includes all intellectual, practical, and ethical activities performed for Divine satisfaction. Etiquette, as the essence of worship, along with ethics, guides man towards piety. The distinction among etiquette, ethics, and piety underscores the necessity of harmonising outward and inward states. The Lord, as the guardian of Divine active names, governs the entire cosmos and perfects creation through nurturing and etiquette. The goal of worship is piety, achievable through sincerity and adherence to etiquette. This interpretation, providing a scientific and universal framework, offers a path to deeper understanding of mans position, worship, and piety within the cosmic order.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
