Verse 165 of Surah al-Baqarah, as one of the pivotal verses of the Holy Qur'an, delves into the concept of ubb (love/affection), juxtaposing its two distinct aspects: love for God (ubb Allh) and love for God's equals (ubb Andd). This verse, in connection with verses 166 and 167, explicates verse 164 and highlights the role of reason in guiding love and human choices. In this treatise, employing a scientific and systematic approach, the notion of ubb is analysed from theological, philosophical, psychological, and sociological perspectives. The objective is to present a profound and comprehensive exegesis for specialised audiences, articulated in an elevated and academic style suitable for a high-level scholarly readership, elucidating the gradations of love and its position within the cosmic order.
This analysis, utilising refined allegories and metaphors, endeavours to maintain scientific integrity whilst offering literary appeal to the reader. The Qur'anic verses are rendered with precise translation and the narrations are provided with meticulous scholarly accuracy to enhance the semantic richness of the text.
Verses 165, 166, and 167 of Surah al-Baqarah serve as elucidations subordinate to verse 164, emphasising the importance of reason in understanding divine signs. Verse 164, with the phrase لَآيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ (Signs for a people who use reason), designates reason as an instrument of guidance. This structural link, from a theological standpoint, underscores the comprehensiveness of the Qur'an in rational guidance and, epistemologically, introduces reason as a criterion to distinguish truth from falsehood.
The Holy Qur'an in verse 164, by stressing لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ, considers the rational as those endowed with practical and applied intellect. Conversely, the irrational are those deprived of this endowment and thus deviate in their choices. Philosophically, practical reason acts as an instrument for rational decision-making that protects the human from error. Psychologically, this distinction pertains to the harmony between reason and emotion in human behaviour.
In the Qur'an, reason is not merely theoretical thought but is defined as practical, real, and applicable knowledge manifesting in human behaviour and choices. Epistemologically, this definition regards reason as a dynamic tool for discerning truth, while theologically, it is considered a divine gift for guiding humanity towards perfection.
The first section demonstrated that reason, as the axis of understanding divine verses, plays a pivotal role in guiding humanity. The connection of verses 165 to 167 with verse 164 underscores the importance of rationality in differentiating between truth and falsehood, introducing practical reason as an instrument for harmonising intellect and emotion.
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَتَّخِذُ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ أَنْدَادًا يُحِبُّونَهُمْ كَحُبِّ اللَّهِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِلَّهِ ۗ
And of the people are those who take others besides Allah as equals [to Him], and they love them as they love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah.
This verse, centred on the concept of ubb, addresses two types of love: love for God's equals (Andd) and the intense love of the believers for God. Theologically, this verse emphasises the superiority of the believers love, while psychologically, it introduces love as a motivating force behind human behaviour.
In verse 165, ubb acts as the impetus for the adoption of equals. The disbelievers, due to their love for these equals, choose them instead of God. Theologically, this choice signifies deviation from monotheism to polytheism, and psychologically, it highlights the role of emotions in doctrinal decision-making.
Love, in general, is an inherent human attribute and is commendable, akin to natural needs such as eating and drinking. Theologically, it is a divine gift guiding towards perfection, and psychologically, it contributes to the emotional balance of the human being. Just as eating and drinking are essential for the body, love is a vital necessity for the heart and soul.
Love, with respect to its object, is divided into four levels:
Philosophically, these levels correspond to ontological hierarchies; psychologically, they reflect the diversity of human emotions.
The phrase أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِلَّهِ in verse 165 indicates the superiority of the believers faith. The intensity, theologically, refers to epistemic faith and obedience to God, and psychologically, it signifies the harmony between reason and emotion.
