Ayah 152 of Surah Al-Baqarah, as one of the pivotal verses of the Holy Qur'an, represents a profound invitation towards remembrance, gratitude, and prohibition of ingratitude. Situated within the ethical and spiritual system of the Qur'an, this verse delineates an epistemic and practical relationship between humanity and the Divine Lord. In this treatise, a scientific and systematic approach is adopted to provide a detailed analysis of this Ayah. The objective is to offer a comprehensive exegesis for specialised audiences engaged in Quranic studies, elucidating the position of remembrance as theoretical wisdom and gratitude as practical wisdom through the nexus of knowledge and action. The structure of this manuscript, grounded in extracted points from the original text and supplementary analyses, is organised so as to maintain fidelity to the initial content while enhancing its scientific and literary richness.
فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِي وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ
Therefore, remember Me so that I may remember you, and be grateful to Me and do not be ungrateful to Me.
Ayah 152 of Surah Al-Baqarah, with a succinct and profound structure, establishes three key injunctions: remembrance (remembrance of God), gratitude (thankfulness for divine blessings), and prohibition of ingratitude. The prefixed conjunction Fa at the beginning of the Ayah indicates continuity between remembrance and the reciprocal remembrance by God. This mutual relationship is akin to a mirror guiding humanity towards knowledge and action. Gratitude, as the ultimate objective of the Ayah, in connection with remembrance, provides the practical ground that stems from knowledge.
Remembrance, as a cognitive activity, holds a fundamental position within the Qur'anic system. This concept, mentioned 321 times in the Holy Qur'an, transcends mere verbal recollection, being introduced as an independent science and the foundation of theoretical wisdom. Remembrance directs the human intellect towards divine knowledge and lays the groundwork for gratitude.
Gratitude, referenced 48 times in the Qur'an, manifests practical wisdom. It is like a fruit that arises from the healthy root of knowledge (remembrance). Gratitude is a conscious act that complements divine blessings and guides humans towards active thankfulness.
The relationship between remembrance and gratitude resembles a root and its fruit united within a single epistemic tree. Remembrance provides the cognitive foundation that enables gratitude as an ethical action. The conjunction Fa in the Ayah indicates this continuity, such that a heedless or neglectful individual cannot be truly grateful.
Theoretical wisdom, exemplified by remembrance, emphasises the primacy of thought. This wisdom is like a root which, if healthy, yields the fruit of action. Nonetheless, its essence is in knowledge itself rather than in action.
Practical wisdom, represented by gratitude, focuses on application and action. It is akin to a fruit ripe for consumption but dependent on the healthy root of knowledge.
A prevalent misunderstanding concerning the distinction between theoretical and practical wisdom is the complete separation of the two. Theoretical wisdom is not thought without action, since such thought would degenerate into fantasy. Likewise, practical wisdom is not action without knowledge, as action devoid of knowledge is valueless.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ
"O you who have believed and done righteous deeds."
Perfect faith is accompanied by righteous deeds. Without action, faith is incomplete, just as inaction signifies absence of knowledge and faith.
Remembrance, as a multifaceted phenomenon, ranges from verbal to intrinsic. These types include verbal, respiratory, heartful, visionary, moral, behavioural, descriptive, and intrinsic remembrance. Each level guides the individual towards a particular degree of divine proximity.
لِمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا
"For whoever hopes for Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much."
Abundant remembrance does not mean mere formal repetition, but remembrance coupled with profound knowledge and the manifestation of truth, drawing the person into an involuntary and mystical state.
الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ
"Those who remember Allah standing, sitting, and lying on their sides."
The saints perpetuate remembrance in all states, even during sleep. This remembrance is not mere verbal recitation but an existential state maintaining constant presence before God.
Formal and repetitive remembrances performed without knowledge and heartfelt presenceakin to verbal mumbling in traditional settingshave lost their essence. Such remembrance neither brings tranquility to the heart nor might it cause psychological disturbance.
Indeed, by the remembrance of Allah do hearts find peace.
Formal and Qalandari mysticism, which emphasises excessive remembrance without knowledge, leads to deviation. Repetitive remembrances such as "16,000 remembrance" or "54,000 remembrance" lack scientific and religious basis and may harden the heart.
Destructive media, by occupying humans with futile entertainments, hinder reflection and knowledge. This approach, serving colonial systems, distances humanity from theoretical wisdom and divine knowledge.
Knowledge constitutes the principal aim of religion, with action being its natural consequence. Knowledge is like a root advancing towards the ocean of truth, not merely to produce fruit (action).
The narration of Gabriel illustrates that worship without knowledge has limited value. A servant who perceived God as a material entity, despite abundant worship, was deprived of knowledge. Furthermore, the story of a religious scholar advising his son to choose a knowledgeable roommate emphasises the importance of knowledge over formal worship.
Remembrance is an independent science requiring systematic study and research. This science encompasses various levels from verbal to intrinsic remembrance and must be conducted under scientific supervision.
Many religious books, due to commercialisation and lack of scientific standards, lack scholarly value. These works, filled with unfounded claims such as excessive remembrances, should be replaced with scientifically grounded content.
Religious sciences require scientific laboratories to evaluate claims, such as the effects of excessive remembrance. Without such an approach, religious sciences will be deprived of scientific credibility.
The exegesis of Ayah 152 of Surah Al-Baqarah elucidates the profound relationship between remembrance and gratitude as the two wings of knowledge and action within the Qur'anic system. Remembrance is like a root guiding knowledge towards truth, and gratitude is the fruit born of this root. The critique of formal remembrance, false mysticism, and destructive cultural influences highlights the necessity to return to true knowledge. This exegesis constitutes an invitation to a scientific reevaluation of Qur'anic concepts and the reinforcement of theoretical wisdom for individual and social transformation.
