The exegesis of the Qur'anic verses, especially those of Surah Al-Baqarah, constitutes a gateway towards a profound understanding of divine truths and human guidance. This treatise, adopting a scientific and methodological perspective, analyses and elucidates the verses of this Surah, employing a rational and meaning-centred approach to present the fundamental significances of the verses in a systematic and sublime manner. The objective of this work is not merely to deepen religious understanding but to provide a text that serves as a brilliant jewel for learned audiences and researchers of Qur'anic sciences, guiding them towards knowledge and praxis. The structure of this treatise, with precise divisions and specialised subtitles, is designed to convey the key concepts to the reader with clarity and coherence.
The interpretation of the Holy Qur'an must concentrate on the fundamental meanings and the guiding aspects of the verses, while avoiding engagement with peripheral topics that do not contribute to the deepening of spiritual or social life. This approach preserves the exegesis from dispersion and transforms it into a tool for human guidance and felicity. Avoidance of unnecessary discussions is akin to the purification of clear water from impurities, turning the exegesis into a transparent and effective flow.
Many of the issues raised in the periphery of the verses, such as undocumented historical details or the identity of the speakers of the verses, are regarded as deviant discussions that neither assist in deepening Qur'anic understanding nor align with its primary objective, namely guidance. These matters, like dust upon the mirror of truth, obstruct the reflection of divine knowledges light.
Credible exegesis requires reliance on authentic sources. Narrations lacking reliable chains, such as mursal hadiths or baseless asbb al-nuzl (occasions of revelation), lose their scientific and religious validity. Authentication, like a firm pillar, preserves the edifice of exegesis from collapse.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَسْتَحْيِي أَنْ يَضْرِبَ مَثَلًا مَا بَعُوضَةً فَمَا فَوْقَهَا ۚ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا فَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَيَقُولُونَ مَاذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِهَذَا مَثَلًا ۘ بِهِ يُضِلُّ كَثِيرًا وَبِهِ يَهْدِي كَثِيرًا ۚ وَمَا يُضِلُّ بِهِ إِلَّا الْفَاسِقِينَ
Translation: Allah is not ashamed to set forth any parable, even that of a mosquito or anything above 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 Allah intend by this parable?" He causes many to go astray thereby and guides many thereby; and He causes none to go astray except the defiantly disobedient.
This verse emphasises the Qur'anic pedagogical method of employing simple and tangible parables to clarify profound divine truths. The phrase لَا يَسْتَحْيِي negates any form of hesitation or inhibition in using familiar examples, ranging from the mosquito to larger creatures. This method acts like a lamp in darkness, illuminating truths for all.
Certain interpretations, by delving into complicated philosophical issues, have distanced themselves from the verses common and straightforward meaning. Such interpretations, like redundant branches on a mighty tree, detract from the clarity and impact of Qur'anic meanings. Emphasising the common understanding renders the verse more accessible to the general populace.
The phrase بَعُوضَةً فَمَا فَوْقَهَا denotes the use of parables ranging from a mosquito to larger creatures. This expression underscores the comprehensiveness of the Qur'anic method in employing tangible and familiar examples and avoids unconventional interpretations that refer to microscopic beings.
In some traditions, the mosquito is compared to the elephant to demonstrate the comprehensiveness of Qur'anic parables. This comparison, like a painting on canvas, portrays the Qur'ans capacity to elucidate truths through diverse examples.
The inquiry مَاذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِهَذَا مَثَلًا ("What did Allah intend by this parable?") signifies the search for divine purpose behind employing a parable. This question does not pertain to intrinsic or actual will but rather to clarifying the Lords aim in utilising simple and conventional examples. This meaning, like a golden key, unlocks the doors to divine comprehension.
Some exegetes, by venturing into philosophical issues such as intrinsic and actual will, deviate from the verses principal meaning. These discussions, akin to side paths on a direct road, lead away from the main destination of exegesis. Emphasising the literal meaning of the question returns exegesis to the path of guidance.
The phrase بِهِ يُضِلُّ كَثِيرًا وَبِهِ يَهْدِي كَثِيرًا indicates that Qur'anic parables serve as a guide for some and, due to their vice and obstinacy, a source of misguidance for others. This meaning, like a mirror, reflects the reality of the human heart: the believers perceive the light of truth therein, and the corrupt perceive darkness and error.
The extensive debates on predestination and free will, which have been elaborated in theology and philosophy, are unnecessary under this verse. The Holy Qur'an, in the statement أَنَّا هَدَيْنَاهُ السَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا (Surah Al-Insan, 3: "We showed him the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful"), affirms the contingent nature of the world and human free will. This view, like a cool breeze, dispels the dust of complex philosophical disputes.
Certain historical movements promoting fatalism have sought to discourage human effort and movement. This perspective, like chains binding human will, is distant from Qur'anic teachings. The Qur'an, emphasising the contingent nature of existence, regards every being as possessing the capacity for transformation and change.
Many reported occasions of revelation, especially in Sunni sources, lack authentic chains and have been presented as mursal or baseless narrations. These reports, like rootless shadows, cannot serve as foundations for understanding the verses.
Within Shiite thought, only occasions of revelation narrated from the Infallibles are deemed authentic. This approach, like a star in the night, safeguards exegesis from error.
Even when authentic, the occasion of revelation does not restrict the meaning of a verse. The Qur'anic verses, like an infinite ocean, possess broad and universal meanings that transcend their historical contexts.
A considerable portion of exegetical discussions, due to their lack of benefit, must be removed from texts so that the exegesis becomes a functional and guiding tool. This purification, like pruning redundant branches, makes the tree of exegesis more fruitful.
Introducing irrelevant topics, such as insignificant historical details, particularly in religious education for children, diverges from the religions primary goal of upbringing and guidance. Religious education must be like a pure seed sown in the soil of hearts.
Religion must be founded upon authentic documentation. Baseless narrations, like buildings without foundations, collapse and diminish scientific and religious value.
Religion manifests divine grace expressed through religious rulings articulated in the language of human intellect. Religious commands flow like streams from the spring of divine benevolence toward human felicity.
Unlike human-made artificial laws, religious commandments originate from divine grace and accord with human reason. Human laws, like unstable constructs, fade in the face of religious truth.
No religious ruling contradicts reason. Reason, like a wise teacher, endorses religious laws and illuminates the path to felicity.
Claims of miracles and spiritual visions, especially concerning non-Infallibles, frequently lack reliable evidence and approach mere storytelling. These claims, like mirages in a desert, are distant from truth.
The Infallibles, due to their revealed station, are the pivots of religious culture. Emphasising unverified
