Verse 102 of Surah Al-Baqarah, one of the profound and multi-layered verses of the Holy Qur'an, references the teaching of specialised knowledge by two angels, Harut and Marut, in the land of Babylon. This verse, addressing themes such as magic, sedition, and the social and ethical impacts of specific knowledge, opens a window for reflection on human responsibility towards knowledge and its consequences. The cautious teachings of the angels, the misuse by devils, and the destructive effects of magic on the family institution are among the pivotal themes examined here in a scientific and systematic manner. The purpose of this text is to provide a comprehensive and academic analysis of the verse's content, employing refined metaphors and solemn language, intended for erudite audiences and scholars of religious sciences. The structure of this treatise, divided thematically, explores various aspects of the verse, meticulously and faithfully conveying all details from the original text.
وَاتَّبَعُوا مَا تَتْلُو الشَّيَاطِينُ عَلَىٰ مُلْكِ سُلَيْمَانَ ۖ وَمَا كَفَرَ سُلَيْمَانُ وَلَٰكِنَّ الشَّيَاطِينَ كَفَرُوا يُعَلِّمُونَ النَّاسَ السِّحْرَ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ عَلَى الْمَلَكَيْنِ بِبَابِلَ هَارُوتَ وَمَارُوتَ ۚ وَمَا يُعَلِّمَانِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَا إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ فِتْنَةٌ فَلَا تَكْفُرْ ۖ فَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مِنْهُمَا مَا يُفَرِّقُونَ بِهِ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَزَوْجِهِ ۚ وَمَا هُمْ بِضَارِّينَ بِهِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مَا يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلَا يَنْفَعُهُمْ ۚ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمُوا لَمَنِ اشْتَرَاهُ مَا لَهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَاقٍ ۚ وَلَبِئْسَ مَا شَرَوْا بِهِ أَنْفُسَهُمْ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ
And they followed what the devils recited during the reign of Solomon. Solomon did not disbelieve, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic, and that which was revealed to the two angels in Babylon, Harut and Marut. Yet these two angels did not teach anyone until they said, "Indeed, we are only a trial, so do not disbelieve." But they learned from them that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife. Yet they do not harm anyone except by Allah's permission. And they learned what harms them and does not benefit them. And indeed, they knew that whoever purchased it would have no share in the Hereafter. And how wretched was that for which they sold themselves, if they only knew.
One of the central questions in the interpretation of the verse concerns the use of the singular address in the phrase "فَلَا تَكْفُرْ" (so do not disbelieve). This address, expressed individually rather than collectively, indicates the particular pedagogical method of the angels Harut and Marut. These two angels transmitted the knowledge individually and cautiously to prevent public disclosure and misuse.
The singular address "فَلَا تَكْفُرْ" emphasises individual responsibility regarding knowledge and its consequences. This mode of address reflects the angels' prudence in transferring sensitive and hazardous knowledge.
Individual instruction was selected due to the mysterious and dangerous nature of this knowledge. The knowledge in question, capable of leading to sin, disbelief, or social disorder, required careful supervision and cautious transmission. The angels, by warning "Indeed, we are only a trial, so do not disbelieve," alerted their pupils to the dangers of misuse. This method resembles a double-edged sword which, in the hands of the ignorant, produces harm instead of good.
The angels Harut and Marut imparted knowledge to humans with the intention of testing and reforming them. These teachings were accompanied by ethical warnings to prevent misuse. Conversely, the devils, by distorting this knowledge, transformed it into a tool for division and corruption.
The angels taught knowledge with benevolent intent and as a test for humankind, whereas the devils exploited it to foment discord and moral decay.
The devils, having acquired knowledge from humans taught by the angels, propagated and reflected it, turning it into a means of discord. The phrase "by which they cause separation between a man and his wife" reveals the destructive social effects of such misuse, particularly evident in familial relations. This discord functioned like a fire that consumed the foundations of the family and disrupted social order.
A key question is whether Harut and Marut taught a uniform rule to all or adjusted their teachings according to each individual's traits. Analysis of the verse suggests that the angels provided knowledge diversely and tailored to the capacities and needs of each learner. This variety resembles a gardener who applies specific watering and care to each plant.
