The Holy Qur'an, as an unparalleled source for human guidance, in verses 35 to 38 of Surah Al-Baqarah, narrates the story of Adam and Eve, their lapse caused by Satans deception, and the consequences of denying the Divine signs. These verses, beyond elucidating the human narrative in Paradise and their descent to Earth, address the issue of falsehood and denial of Divine revelations as a major sin and an impediment on the path to guidance. Falsehood is a multifaceted and profound phenomenon that exerts destructive effects on both individuals and society from psychological, sociological, and spiritual perspectives. This treatise, adopting a scientific and systematic approach, analyses the concept of falsehood within the framework of these verses, employing Qur'anic principles, traditions, and theological and mystical analyses to examine its various dimensions. The present text, constructed with a coherent structure and emphasising the unity of creation, recognition of truth, and the necessity of transformation in religious knowledge, is composed for an audience specialised in theology, exegesis, and humanities. The objective is to provide a comprehensive perspective on falsehood, its causes, types, and consequences, as well as an invitation to self-purification and sincerity on the path to Divine perfection.
وَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنْتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
Translation: And We said: O Adam, dwell you and your spouse in Paradise, and eat therefrom abundantly wherever you desire, but do not approach this tree lest you become among the wrongdoers.
This verse describes the commencement of life for Adam and Eve in Paradise, where God granted them permission to benefit extensively from Divine blessings, but forbade them from approaching the prohibited tree, thus instituting a test of their obedience. This prohibition is not merely a Divine command but a symbol of Divine limits established to preserve the order of creation. Transgression of this command leads to injustice against the self, which subsequently manifests through Satans deception.
فَأَزَلَّهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ عَنْهَا فَأَخْرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِ وَقُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ وَلَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَاعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ
Translation: Then Satan caused them to slip from it and expelled them from that [condition] in which they had been. And We said: Descend, being enemies to one another. And for you on the earth is a dwelling place and provision for a time.
This verse highlights the role of Satans falsehood in deceiving Adam and Eve. Satan, through a false oath and deceitful promises, led them to disobey the Divine command. This lapse resulted in their descent from the exalted state of Paradise to the earthly life, replete with enmities and challenges. Satans falsehood represents an ancient sin in the history of creation that distances humanity from Divine truth.
فَتَلَقَّىٰ آدَمُ مِنْ رَبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
Translation: Then Adam received words from his Lord, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, He is the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.
This verse demonstrates Divine mercy and the possibility of repentance. Adam, upon receiving Divine words, turned back to God and was forgiven. This return illustrates humanitys capacity for correction and purification from sin, including falsehood, which stands opposed to Satans deception.
قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا ۖ فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ مِنِّي هُدًى فَمَنْ تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Translation: We said: Descend all from it. Then when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance will neither fear nor grieve.
This verse articulates the promise of Divine guidance as the path of human salvation. Following this guidance liberates the individual from fear and sorrow and directs them towards perfection. This guidance stands in opposition to falsehood and denial, offering a path of deliverance from deviation.
وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَكَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
Translation: And those who disbelieve and deny Our signs those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.
This verse presents the consequence of denying the Divine signs as eternal residence in the Fire. Denial is an active rejection of truth, distinct from disbelief, and due to its destructive impact on guidance, it leads to eternal punishment. Falsehood, as the origin of this denial, is a major sin that distances humanity from Divine truth.
Verses 35 to 38 of Surah Al-Baqarah narrate the story of Adam and Eve as an exemplar of the influence of Satans falsehood and the possibility of repentance and Divine guidance. Verse 39, by emphasising the denial of signs, introduces falsehood as a major sin culminating in eternal punishment. These verses provide a framework for understanding the role of falsehood in deviation and guidance within the cosmic order.
Falsehood is a multifaceted phenomenon manifesting in linguistic, intentional, behavioural, and epistemic dimensions. Linguistic falsehood refers to lying by speech; intentional falsehood relates to a deceitful intent and purpose; behavioural falsehood appears in acts such as hypocrisy and ostentation of piety or asceticism without their reality; epistemic falsehood concerns the claim to spiritual ranks such as nobility or piety without possessing them. This diversity indicates the broad presence of falsehood within human existence and its influence on all aspects of life.
Falsehood is a common affliction among humans, except for Prophets and Divine saints who are protected by infallibility. This universality roots in the inherent weakness of humans, as the Holy Quran states in the verse: Man was created weak (An-Nisa: 28). The nafss weakness propels humans towards lying, but this weakness can be overcome through self-purification and strengthening of faith.
Falsehood is among the most heinous sins, yet due to its frequency and persistence, its disgrace has diminished in human societies and has sometimes even transformed into a virtue. This phenomenon resembles a bitter wine that, through habit, its bitterness turns into pleasure. Repetition of falsehood reduces moral sensitivity and integrates it into the social culture.
Falsehood is described in traditions as a sin equivalent to seventy acts of fornication, the least of which is fornication with ones mother. This severity indicates the position of falsehood as the gateway to evil and the origin of other sins. A narration states: "Falsehood leads to licentiousness, and licentiousness leads to the Fire." This statement introduces falsehood as the root of moral deviations.
Falsehood, as a multifaceted phenomenon, appears in linguistic, intentional, behavioural, and epistemic forms and, due to its prevalence and reduction of disgrace, exerts a destructive effect on individuals and society. Traditions, by emphasizing the severity of falsehood and its eschatological consequences, invite humanity to self-purification and avoidance of lying. This section provides a framework for recognising the dimensions of falsehood and the necessity of combating it.
The nafss weakness is the principal cause of falsehood, which the Holy Quran refers to in the verse: Man was created weak (An-Nisa: 28). This weakness drives humans towards lying to conceal their deficiencies or to attain fleeting benefits. Weakness is like a shadow that distances humans from the light of truth.
Various factors such as stinginess, lust, enmity, jealousy, hypocrisy, and deceit provoke falsehood in humans. Socially, despotism, hypocrisy, and lack of freedom also strengthen lying. Despotism is like a wind scattering the seeds of hypocrisy within society, compelling humans towards falsehood.
Falsehood and hypocrisy share a reciprocal relationship; falsehood generates hypocrisy, and hypocrisy reinforces lying. This vicious cycle is like a whirlpool that drags humans towards moral degradation and distances them from sincerity and faith.
Falsehood commenced at the inception of creation through the deceit of Satan. Satan, by means of a false oath, deceived Adam and Eve, thereby expelling them from Paradise. This antiquity illustrates the deep-rooted nature of falsehood in human history and its role in leading humanity astray.
Key Point: Falsehood, originating with Satans deception at the dawn of creation, possesses a historical root in human misguidance.
The factors underlying falsehoodfrom spiritual weakness to tyranny and hypocrisyhave profound roots in the psyche and society. These factors have transformed falsehood into a pervasive and destructive phenomenon that, since the beginning of creation, has distanced humanity from truth. Recognising these factors constitutes a fundamental step in the struggle against falsehood and the reinforcement of veracity.
The narrations identify falsehood as the origin of depravity and fire. One narration states: إذا كذب العبد خرج منه نكهة تزعج أهل العرش
(When a servant lies, a stench emerges from him that troubles the inhabitants of the Throne). It is also reported that seventy thousand angels curse the liar. These consequences refer explicitly to the severe spiritual and eschatological effects of falsehood.
Key Point: Falsehood, by incurring the curse of angels and disturbing the inhabitants of the Throne, alienates humanity from the spiritual order of creation.
Falsehood leads to the blackening of the face, heart, and destiny of a person, as referenced in the Quranic verse وُجُوهُهُمْ مُسْوَدَّةٌ (l Imrn: 106) which alludes to the darkness upon the faces of sinners. This blackness acts as a veil that extinguishes the light of faith within a person and immerses them in the darkness of deviation.
Key Point: Falsehood extinguishes the light of faith and plunges the face and heart of the individual into the darkness of deviation.
Falsehood surpasses many major sins in severity. A narration states: الكذب يساوي سبعين زنية، وأهونها الزنا مع الأم
(Falsehood equals seventy acts of fornication, the least of which is fornication with ones mother). This comparison underscores falsehoods unparalleled status as a sin that severely undermines truth.
Key Point: Falsehood, with unmatched severity, exceeds major sins and drives humanity towards complete moral degradation.
Practical falsehood, such as the improper distribution of religious dues or feigning piety, weakens societys trust in religious institutions. This kind of falsehood acts like a fire that burns the foundations of justice and trust, ultimately leading to social corruption.
Key Point: Practical falsehood, by eroding social trust, undermines the foundations of justice and societal cohesion.
The consequences of falsehoodfrom the curse of angels to the blackening of the heart and facedemonstrate its destructive impact on both the individual and society. The narrations, emphasising the severity of falsehood and comparing it to major sins, exhort humanity to abandon lies and strengthen honesty. This section highlights the necessity of purifying the soul from falsehood as a step on the path of divine guidance.
Religious knowledge, due to its focus on traditional methods and lack of integration with human sciences such as psychology and sociology, has failed to provide practical solutions to contemporary issues. This passivity is akin to a ship anchored in the harbour of stagnation, unable to sail in the sea of knowledge.
Key Point: Traditional methods in religious knowledge, without employing human sciences, are inadequate to address modern needs.
Religious knowledge must engage with psychological and sociological approaches to examine phenomena such as falsehood and propose practical solutions. This approach is like a light that illuminates the darkness of deviation and paves the way for guidance.
Key Point: Religious knowledge, through scientific methods, can offer practical solutions to combat falsehood.
Practical experimentation, such as comparing the effects of lying and repentance on the quality of worship and physical energy, can make the harmful effects of falsehood tangible. This experiment is like a mirror reflecting the truth of human behaviour and inviting self-reformation.
Key Point: Practical experimentation reveals the psychological and physical impacts of falsehood, guiding individuals towards self-purification.
Religious seminaries should become scientific laboratories that practically study phenomena like falsehood and provide applicable solutions. This transformation is like a seed planted in the soil of knowledge that yields the fruit of guidance.
Key Point: Seminaries, by becoming scientific laboratories, can produce applied knowledge to combat falsehood.
Delivering knowledge in a compartmentalised and impractical manner is like water in a desert that does not quench thirst. Religious knowledge must lead to behavioural change and societal reform to fulfil its guiding role.
Key Point: Compartmentalised knowledge, lacking practical application, cannot reform society or combat falsehood.
Religious knowledge, by departing from traditional methods and incorporating human sciences, can provide practical strategies to combat falsehood. Practical experiments and transforming seminaries into scientific laboratories constitute essential steps towards producing applied knowledge and guiding society.
Every individual must engage in self-examination, such as counting lies and performing repentance, to purify the soul. This self-purification resembles a stream cleansing the soil of existence from the pollution of falsehood and directing the person towards truthfulness.
Key Point: Self-examination and repentance are primary tools for purifying the soul from falsehood and progressing towards truthfulness.
Students, as the inheritors of the Prophets, possess intrinsic value and must neither belittle themselves nor become tainted by falsehood. This value is like a gem hidden in the shell of their existence, which shines with honesty and piety.
Key Point: Students, as heirs of the Prophets, fulfil their guiding role by maintaining honesty and self-respect.
False piety, such as claiming disregard for wealth while hoarding possessions, exemplifies practical falsehood that weakens societal trust in religious institutions. This hypocrisy is like a cloud that conceals the light of truth.
Key Point: False piety, by undermining social trust, obstructs the guidance of society.
Faith without action is like a tree that bears no fruit. Falsehood, by creating a gap between faith and deeds, prevents a person from attaining perfection and traps them in earthly isolation.
Key Point: Faith without action distances a person from perfection and leads to falsehood and deviation.
Self-purification, through self-examination and repentance, is the primary path to combating falsehood and strengthening honesty. Students, as heirs of the Prophets, can fulfil their guiding role by preserving self-respect and avoiding false piety. This section invites individuals to reflect on their conduct and move towards truthfulness.
The Quran should be recited with reflection and repeated sessions to achieve deep comprehension of its meanings. This method is like a key that unlocks the locks of the heart and guides the person towards truth.
فَاقْرَءُوا مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ
Translation: So recite what is easy from the Quran.
Key Point: Reflective recitation of the Quran guides a person towards understanding truth and distancing from falsehood.
One must strengthen their connection with the heavens, opening the window of the heart towards the skies and distancing from earthly isolation. This connection is like a bridge that leads a person from the darkness of falsehood to the light of truth.
فَسَوَّاهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
Translation: Then He arranged them into seven heavens. And He is, of all things, Knowing.
Key Point: Connection with the heavens liberates a person from falsehood and earthly isolation, guiding towards perfection.
A person must conduct practical self-examination, such as comparing the impact of lying and repentance on worship and physical energy, to assess the effects of falsehood in their life. This self-assessment is like a scale weighing the truth and falsehood within a person.
Key Point: Practical self-examination directs a person to recognise the effects of falsehood and strengthens honesty.
Practical methods such as reflective Quranic recitation, connection with the heavens, and self-examination are effective tools to combat falsehood and reinforce honesty. These methods guide a person towards truth and perfection, liberating them from the deviation of falsehood.
Verses 35 to 38 of Srah Al-Baqarah, through the narrative of Adam and Eve, elucidate Satans falsehood in misguidance and the possibility of repentance and divine guidance. Verse 39, emphasising the denial of verses, introduces falsehood as a major sin leading to eternal punishment in fire. Falsehood is a multifaceted phenomenon appearing in verbal, intentional, practical, and epistemological forms, strengthened by factors such as weakness, tyranny, and hypocrisy. The narrations, comparing falsehood to major sins and emphasising its eschatological consequences, call humanity to purify the soul. Religious knowledge, by employing scientific methods and transforming seminaries into laboratories of insight, can provide practical solutions to combat falsehood. Self-purification through self-examination and repentance, alongside strengthening the connection with the heavens, directs humanity towards honesty and perfection. This treatise, relying on Quranic verses and narrations, invites reflection on the truth of falsehood and efforts towards soul purification, ultimately reaching the station of فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ (there is no fear upon them, nor shall they grieve).
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
