of Nekounam, (Session 201)
The Holy Quran, as a clear mirror reflecting human truth, elucidates the characteristics of the Fsiqn in Verses 26 and 27 of Surah Al-Baqarah. With profound rhetoric, it delineates the behavioural and moral deviations of humans in opposition to Divine guidance. These verses not only provide a framework for recognising the Fsiqn but also, through a psychological and sociological lens, analyse the roots of deviation and its consequences. This work adopts a scientific and systematic approach to the interpretation of these verses, employing refined allegories to present Fasq as a dark shadow against the light of guidance. The objective of this treatise is to offer a comprehensive and academic exegesis for researchers and erudite audiences, articulated in a dignified style befitting advanced doctoral-level scholarship, addressing the psychological, sociological, and epistemological dimensions of these verses.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَسْتَحْىِۦٓ أَن يَضْرِبَ مَثَلًا مَّا بَعُوضَةً فَمَا فَوْقَهَا ۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ فَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَيَقُولُونَ مَاذَآ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَٰذَا مَثَلًا ۘ يُضِلُّ بِهِۦ كَثِيرًا وَيَهْدِى بِهِۦ كَثِيرًا ۚ وَمَا يُضِلُّ بِهِۦٓ إِلَّا ٱلْفَٰسِقِينَ [Al-Baqarah: 26]
Translation: God does not shy away from setting forth an example even that of a mosquito or something greater than it. As for those who believe, they know that it is the truth from their Lord; but as for those who disbelieve, they say, What did God intend by this example? He misleads many thereby and guides many thereby; and none are led astray by it except the Fsiqn.
This verse highlights the application of parables in the Holy Quran and their influence on guidance and misguidance.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَنقُضُونَ عَهْدَ ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مِيثَٰقِهِۦ وَيَقْطَعُونَ مَآ أَمَرَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦٓ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيُفْسِدُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْخَٰسِرُونَ [Al-Baqarah: 27]
Translation: Those who break the covenant of God after its confirmation, sever that which God has commanded to be joined, and spread corruption on the earth these are the losers.
This verse elucidates the characteristics of the Fsiqn across three dimensions: violation of Gods covenant, severing human bonds, and corruption on earth.
Verse 26 opens with the phrase إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَسْتَحْىِۦٓ أَن يَضْرِبَ مَثَلًا مَّا بَعُوضَةً فَمَا فَوْقَهَا, indicating that God harbours no shame in setting forth any example, even something seemingly insignificant like a mosquito or something larger. The term لَا يَسْتَحْىِ, in its conventional sense, implies that God possesses no hesitation in employing customary examples because such a trait is not among human emotional states such as fear or modesty.
Just as a painter utilises every brush and colour to depict truth, God employs simple yet profound parables to elucidate Divine realities.
The phrase فَمَا فَوْقَهَا denotes creatures larger than a mosquito, such as animals commonly recognised, but excludes microscopic or unfamiliar entities. The Holy Quran communicates in the vernacular and employs examples comprehensible to its audience.
Like a teacher addressing students in their own language, the Quran draws Divine truths nearer to humanity through familiar parables.
These parables serve as guidance for believers and as misguidance for disbelievers and the Fsiqn. Believers apprehend the Divine truth within these parables, whereas disbelievers mockingly question, What did God intend by this example?
Like a light that illuminates the path for some and blinds others, the Quranic parables guide the faithful and mislead the Fsiqn.
The Fsiqn, by breaking Gods covenant after it has been established, distance themselves from faith and commitment to Divine truth. This breach encompasses the transgression of innate monotheistic disposition and religious obligations.
Like a contract broken despite a signature, breaking Gods covenant alienates the Fsiq from Divine reality.
The Fsiqn sever what God has commanded to be joined, such as kinship and social bonds. This conduct results in social isolation and destruction of human connections.
Like a bridge demolished, severing human relationships deprives society of cohesion.
The Fsiqn cause corruption on earth, ranging from environmental destruction to social unrest, thereby disrupting Divine order. This corruption includes aberrant behaviours such as disorder and neglect of others rights.
Like a fire that burns a forest, the corruption of the Fsiqn devastates Divine and social order.
Many discussions found in exegeses, such as identifying which groups (Jews, polytheists, hypocrites) posed the question What did God intend by this example?, are futile and misleading. Such debates, akin to discussions on Moses mothers name or Adams stature, bear no impact on human life and guidance.
Like withered branches severed from a tree, these digressions stray from the Quranic truth and waste human life.
Religious science, due to its emphasis on non-essential and traditional topics, has failed to provide practical solutions for modern life. This deficiency impedes profound and functional understanding of the Quranic verses.
Like a spring clogged with mud, religious science without transformation is incapable of guiding society.
The Fsiqn, through breaking Gods covenant and severing human ties, become trapped in a cycle of unrest and anxiety. Psychologically, these behaviours indicate loss of mental health and inner peace.
Like a disease that exhausts the mind, Fasq deprives man of tranquillity and felicity.
The corruption caused by the Fsiqn, including environmental destruction and social chaos, annihilates social capital and disrupts societal order. Such conduct leads to social isolation and decreased public trust.
Like a storm that demolishes the foundations of a city, the corruption of the Fsiqn disintegrates social bonds.
Due to their aberrant behaviours, the Fsiqn are losers who harm not only others but also themselves. This loss, at both individual and social levels, deprives them of felicity.
Like a farmer who destroys his own crop, the Fsiq by their deeds deprive themselves of the blessing of Divine guidance.
Humans are obliged to self-examine in order to prevent falling into the trap of Fasq. This introspection involves assessing daily behaviours such as maintaining order, respecting others, and preserving the environment.
Like a physician treating an illness before it spreads, self-examination safeguards one from deviation and Fasq.
Society, to maintain its order and health, requires identification and regulation of the Fsiqn. This control can be effected through legal and psychological-social systems.
Like a guard protecting a city, society preserves its order and cohesion by regulating aberrant behaviours.
Verses 26 and 27 of Surah Al-Baqarah, by detailing the attributes of the Fsiqn, provide a comprehensive framework for analysing human deviations. God conveys Divine truths through examples such as the mosquito and creatures greater than it, articulated in vernacular language, guiding believers towards truth and leading the Fsiqn into misguidance. The Fsiqn, by violating Gods covenant, severing human relations, and spreading corruption on earth, harm not only society but themselves as well. Critique of deviant debates in religious sciences underscores the necessity of focusing on practical matters and avoiding futile subjects. Psychologically, Fasq results in unrest and anxiety, while sociologically it disrupts social order and destroys social capital. Individual introspection and social regulation represent effective strategies to prevent Fasq and maintain communal health. This exegesis, presented in a scholarly and elevated manner, invites humans to reflect on their conduct and progress towards Divine guidance, thereby escaping the trap of Fasq and attaining the light of salvation.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
