The exegesis of verse 136 of Surah Al-Baqarah undertakes a profound and sociological examination of the fundamental challenges facing the Abrahamic religions and the obstacles impeding the realisation of their lofty ideals. This commentary adopts a critical approach, analysing the historical failures of religions by identifying three principal factorsnamely Satan, the commanding self (nafs al-ammrah), and colonialismas key impediments. The verse in question provides a divine directive for unity among the prophets and submission to God, emphasising the necessity of returning to the upright nation of Abraham. The present treatise employs an elevated linguistic style and a systematic structure, presenting the content of the lecture with complementary analyses in an academic and scientific format. It is intended to serve specialised audiences within the fields of theology, Quranic sciences, and the sociology of religion. Through the use of allegories and literary references, the text maintains scholarly integrity while also possessing literary allure.
قُولُوا آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَا أُوتِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ
Translation: Say: We believe in God and in that which has been revealed unto us, and that which was revealed unto Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that which was given unto Moses and Jesus, and that which was bestowed upon the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we submit.
Verse 136 of Surah Al-Baqarah, like a luminous torch, elucidates two fundamental principles of religion: the unity of the prophets and submission to God. These two principles stand as steadfast pillars constituting the essence of the Abrahamic faiths. The unity of the prophets signifies the acceptance of the continuity and integrity of the divine mission extending from Abraham to the later prophets, while submission to God denotes acknowledgement of divine sovereignty and complete obedience thereto. The verse explicitly summons the believers to profess faith in all prophets and to avoid any sectarian division among them, as though God, like a sagacious architect, has devised a coherent plan for humanitys guidance.
Verse 136 of Surah Al-Baqarah reflects the truth of religion as a clear mirror: an integrated faith in all the prophets and complete submission before God. These two principles guide believers towards liberation from discord and deviation, whose impediments will be examined further.
The Abrahamic religionsJudaism, Christianity, and Islamdespite their divine mission, have failed to actualise their exalted ideals. This failure stems not from the intrinsic nature of religion itself, but rather from internal and external factors that have diverted religious communities from their original path. Just as a pure river loses its way when obstructed by stones and obstacles, religions too, influenced by destructive factors, have strayed from their intended destination.
One of the maladies afflicting religious communities is self-conceit and deflection, which prevent introspection and internal reform. Instead of blaming Judaism and Christianity, Islamic societies must also engage in critical assessment of their own shortcomings. This approach aligns with the noble verse, Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves (Quran, Ar-Rad 13:11), which posits social change as contingent upon internal reformation.
The narrative that nations act one layer upon another signifies behavioural patterns common across religions. The difficulties faced by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam originate from shared causes that, irrespective of outward differences, have operated uniformly among all peoples. This similarity resembles an invisible chain ensnaring religious societies in the trap of deviation.
The failure of the Abrahamic religions is the consequence of deviation from divine principles under the influence of common factors. Self-criticism and internal reformespecially within Islamic communitiesare essential to facilitate a return to the truth of religion.
Satan, as a metaphysical and real entity, has actively played a role in the deviation of humanity from the time of Adam until today. Contrary to purely psychological or metaphorical interpretations, Satan is an external being with distinct identity and attributes, who throughout human history has corrupted religions by infiltrating societies and individuals. The noble verse, Indeed, Satan is an explicit enemy to you (Quran, Al-Araf 7:22), underscores Satans manifest enmity.
The commanding self, an inner human force characterised by selfishness, pride, and desire, acts as a complementary factor alongside Satan. This force, described in the verse Indeed, the self is prone to evil (Quran, Yusuf 12:53), inclines humans toward moral and spiritual deviations. The commanding self is akin to a concealed fire within; if uncontrolled, it leads to the ruin of religion and faith.
Colonialism, exercised by elites and dignitaries within societies, is a social and political factor that, leveraging power and influence, guides communities towards personal interests and religious deviation. Unlike the commanding self, which is individual and psychological, colonialism is a form of authority and elitism exercised by societal elites. The noble verse, And the chiefs of his people (Quran, Al-Araf 7:75), alludes to the role of the arrogant in leading communities astray.
One obstacle to proper understanding of religion is generalisation within religious sciences, which reduces metaphysical beings such as Satan to abstract concepts. This approach hinders precise comprehension of the objective and metaphysical realities of religion. Emphasising the external existence of Satan and demons is essential for methodological reform in religious sciences.
The three factorsSatan, the commanding self, and colonialismact as three hidden enemies that have diverted religions from their principal path. Precise recognition of these factors and confronting them is a fundamental step towards the revival of religious truth.
The noble verse, They said: Be Jews or Christians, then you will be guided (Quran, Al-Baqarah 2:135), criticises the call by Jews and Christians for sectarian division and emphasises the unity of the upright nation of Abraham. Such sectarianism is also observed within Islamic societies, hindering the realisation of prophetic unity and divine submission.
قَالُوا کُونُوا هُودًا أَوْ نَصَارَىٰ تَهْتَدُوا ۖ قُلْ بَلْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِیمَ حَنِيفًا ۖ وَمَا کَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِکِينَ
Translation: They said: Be Jews or Christians, so you will be rightly guided. Say: Rather, the religion of Abraham, the upright one, is our way, and he was not of the polytheists.
The nation of Abraham the Upright represents a clear and natural religion, balanced and free from excess and deficiency. This nation, emphasising the unity of the prophets and submission to God, provides an ideal model for rectifying religious deviations.
Narratives from early Islam, such as the events of Saqifah and the Army of Usama, demonstrate the influence of the threefold factors in diverting the Islamic community. In the episode of Usamas army, the disobedience of some Companions to the Prophets command resulted in divine curse: May God curse whoever lags behind Usamas army. This report reveals the role of arrogance and the commanding self in the deviation of the Islamic community.
Sectarianism and deviation within religions result from the infiltration of the threefold factors that have persisted from early Islam until today. A return to the nation of Abraham the Upright is essential for the revival of unity and submission to God.
The reform of religious societies depends upon strengthening the two principles of prophetic unity and submission to God. These two principles, like two wings, guide humanity towards perfection. The unity of the prophets denotes acceptance of the integrated divine mission, while divine submission entails acknowledging Gods sovereignty in all aspects of life.
Combating Satan requires precise recognition of him as a real metaphysical entity. Controlling the commanding self is achievable through purification and self-discipline, and recognising arrogance demands thorough analysis of power structures within societies. These three factors, as hidden enemies, must be restrained for religion to reach its perfection.
Religious scholars, as guardians of truth, have the duty to contribute to the reform of religious sciences methodology and to avoid generalisation, thereby assisting in the precise understanding of religious and social realities. This reform necessitates a revision of traditional approaches and attention to objective realities.
The revival of religion requires a return to the fundamental principles of prophetic unity and divine submission, along with controlling destructive factors. This path, although difficult, leads towards human and social perfection.
The exegesis of verse 136 of Surah Al-Baqarah, like a light in darkness, illuminates the truth of religion: the unity of the prophets and submission to God. The failure of the Abrahamic religions stems from the infiltration of three factorsSatan, the commanding self, and arrogancethat, through division and deviation, have distanced religious communities from the divine path. The solution for reform is a return to the nation of Abraham the Upright, strengthening prophetic unity, and full submission to God. This path demands self-purification, precise recognition of enemies, and reform of the methodology in religious sciences. Religion, as a precious gem, moves within human hearts and societies, and its success depends on humanitys victory over both internal and external adversaries.
Prayer: O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
