The Holy Qur'an, as a celestial book, elucidates the path of human guidance with precise vocabulary and profound meanings. Verse 53 of Surah Al-Baqarah, by referencing the granting of the Book and Furqn to Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), opens a gateway towards understanding the discrimination between truth and falsehood and its role in the divine system of guidance. This treatise, synthesising the content of two lecture series, undertakes a systematic and scientific exploration of this verse and, employing an exalted and academic language, provides a framework for analysing the concept of Furqn across the fields of theology, Quranic linguistics, Islamic philosophy, and religious psychology. The objective is to elucidate the semantic duality of Furqn, its role in discrimination and guidance, and the necessity of justice in judgment, designed for researchers and erudite audiences in theology and humanities.
This work, with a perspective on the commonalities and distinctions of the cosmos, examines Furqn as the tool of divine discrimination. Its structure comprises systematic sections with specialised subtitles, each devoted to an aspect of the verse's exegesis and related analyses. Elegant allegories and metaphors are utilised to enrich the literary quality and scientific appeal, while the academic nature of the text is preserved.
The word Furqn in the Holy Qur'an, due to its verbal noun nature, possesses the capacity to function either as a substantive noun (an external referent) or as an adjective (a distinguishing attribute). This duality is clarified by contextual clues and the verse's syntax.
This characteristic is akin to a double-edged blade that at times operates as a tool and at others as a descriptor.
Key Point: Depending on context, Furqn may be a substantive noun or an adjective.
In phrases such as فُرْقَانًا لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ, Furqn is employed adjectivally, signifying a distinguishing attribute that separates truth from falsehood.
This attribute is like a light that penetrates the darkness of ignorance and reveals reality.
Key Point: As an adjective, Furqn is a quality that differentiates truth from falsehood.
In the verse وَإِذْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ وَالْفُرْقَانَ, Furqn is used as a substantive noun, since its revelation pertains to tangible referents such as a book, iron, or rain.
This noun is like a tangible entity that descends from the heavens of guidance.
Key Point: In verse 53, Furqn as a substantive noun is a revealed referent for guidance.
Nouns are susceptible to descent and relate to external referents, whereas adjectives and verbs depend on creation and worship and are not subject to descent. In verse 53, because of its revealed nature, Furqn is a noun referring to an aspect of the Torah that distinguishes truth from falsehood.
This distinction resembles the separation of substance from accident, each occupying a specific station in the divine system.
Key Point: In verse 53, Furqn as a noun indicates a revealed referent.
Contrary to numerous opinions (such as thirteen interpretations in various exegeses), the meaning of Furqn becomes clear through contextual evidence and syntax, obviating the need for unwarranted complexities.
This approach is like wiping dust from a mirror to make the truth transparent.
Key Point: The meaning of Furqn, grounded in context and evidence, is free from unnecessary complexity.
The concept of Furqn, with its semantic duality (noun and adjective), demonstrates the flexibility of Quranic language. In verse 53, Furqn as a substantive noun refers to an aspect of the Torah that distinguishes truth from falsehood. This section sets the foundation for a deeper analysis of Furqn within the cosmos.
وَإِذْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ وَالْفُرْقَانَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ
Translation: "And when We gave Moses the Book and the Furqn so that you might be guided."
This verse, by referring to the granting of the Book and Furqn to Moses (peace be upon him), emphasises the role of discrimination and guidance in the divine system.
The phrase لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ denotes the ultimate purpose of granting the Furqn: the guidance of humanity. This guidance is a challenging and precious attribute requiring the discrimination of truth from falsehood.
This aim is akin to a torch that illuminates the path in the darkness of ignorance.
Key Point: Furqn, as an instrument of guidance, directs humanity to distinguish truth from falsehood.
In verse 53, the Book denotes the Torah, and Furqn refers to its distinguishing aspect. The Book signifies the elucidation and stability of the cosmos, whereas Furqn denotes differentiation and separation among entities.
This distinction is like two wings that enable the bird of guidance to soar towards truth.
Key Point: The Book indicates elucidation and stability; Furqn signifies discrimination and differentiation.
Verse 53 of Surah Al-Baqarah, emphasising the granting of the Book and Furqn to Moses (peace be upon him), highlights their role in human guidance. As a tool of discrimination, Furqn, alongside the Book, provides a framework for understanding the divine system. This section prepares the ground for analysing the commonalities and distinctions within the cosmos.
The cosmos shares attributes such as existence, manifestation, createdness, and being known by the Creator. All entities constitute the Divine Book that demonstrates stability, specification, and elucidation.
These commonalities are like a thread connecting the beads of existence.
Key Point: The cosmos, as a Divine Book, possesses commonalities such as existence and stability.
Besides commonalities, the cosmos contains distinctions (myiz) that differentiate each thing from another. The Holy Qur'an, by referring to فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:253: "We preferred some over others"), emphasises these distinctions.
These distinctions are like diverse colours on the cosmic canvas, each with a unique manifestation.
Key Point: The distinctions of the cosmos differentiate each entity by its unique attributes.
The Book pertains to the cosmos's commonalities (stability and elucidation), whereas Furqn relates to distinctions (differentiation and separation). These two complement each other and complete the system of guidance.
This complementarity resembles two pillars that establish the edifice of guidance.
Key Point: The Book represents commonalities, and Furqn represents the cosmos's distinctions.
Words are appointed for the soul of meanings rather than for specific instances. For example, "pen" denotes the instrument of writing whether made of wood, gold, or even finger or tongue.
This feature is like a window opening meaning beyond materiality towards reality.
Key Point: Words are designated for the essence of meanings, transcending particular instances.
The cosmos, with its commonalities (stability and elucidation) and distinctions (differentiation and separation), is a Divine Book for which Furqn is the tool of discrimination. This section provides a framework for understanding the cosmic system and the role of Furqn therein.
Discrimination manifests in five forms (actual, aesthetic, prohibitive, gradual majestic, sudden majestic) within the Qur'an. Perfect discrimination, comprising both majesty and beauty, distinguishes truth from falsehood with justice.
These types are like branches of a tree, each yielding a unique fruit of discernment.
Key Point: Perfect discrimination, blending majesty and beauty, distinguishes truth from falsehood with justice.
Negligence (failure to discriminate between purity and impurity) and rigidity (excessive discrimination) are both defects that impair perfect discrimination. Balance in discrimination is a prerequisite for guidance.
These defects resemble two sides of a rope losing balance and leading to a fall.
Key Point: Negligence and rigidity obstruct perfect discrimination and guidance.
Perfect discrimination leads to recognising virtue even in the worst and defect even in the best, preventing bias and indoctrination. Justice underpins this discrimination.
This justice is like a scale precisely weighing truth and falsehood.
Key Point: Perfect discrimination, grounded in justice, identifies virtue and defect in everything.
Political bias, as observed in certain historical periods, signals lack of justice and discrimination. Such bias disrupts fair judgment.
This bias is like dust that obscures the mirror of truth.
Key Point: Bias impedes perfect discrimination and fair judgment.
Absence of discrimination leads to the death of justice and affection, steering humans toward unjust judgments. This death resembles the drying of a spring that once quenched ethical life.
Key Point: Lack of discrimination destroys justice and affection.
The practice of discrimination begins with analysing simple objects (such as a book or pencil) and extends to judging oneself and others. This exercise is akin to mental training that strengthens justice.
Key Point: The practice of discrimination, from simple objects to complex judgments, nurtures justice.
The prayer اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ signifies humility and supplication to the Divine for correct guidance and discrimination.
This supplication is like a key that opens the doors of guidance.
Key Point: The closing prayer manifests a plea for protection from deviation and enhancement of discrimination.
Perfect discrimination, combined with justice and balance, distinguishes truth from falsehood and prevents bias and negligence. Practising discrimination and supplicating for Divine guidance lead humans towards ethical perfection and guidance.
Verse 53 of Surah Al-Baqarah, emphasising the granting of
