of Nokounam (may his sanctity be preserved), Session 519
The verse 177 of Surah Al-Baqarah, like a brilliant jewel amidst the lengthy verses of the Holy Quran, presents a comprehensive collection of theological, social, and ethical principles within a psychological and educational framework. This verse, by negating superficiality and emphasising the profound essence of benevolence, opens a path towards spiritual and human perfection. In this treatise, with a scientific and systematic approach, the content of this noble verse is elucidated from an academic perspective employing a lofty and refined style. The objective is to offer a comprehensive and precise exegesis that caters to the needs of researchers and expert audiences, while maintaining the texts attractiveness and richness through literary allusions and metaphors.
Verse 177 of Surah Al-Baqarah, due to the breadth of its content and the abundance of words and letters, is classified among the long verses (yt al-awl). This verse, like a profound ocean, encompasses diverse topics and, through its comprehensiveness, provides a complete paradigm for benevolence.
The Surah Al-Baqarah, which until this verse predominantly focuses on theological, historical, and spiritual matters, in this section turns to the exposition of divine rulings and jurisprudential issues. This transition signifies the status of legal rulings as the vessel of religion which, following the establishment of foundational beliefs, regulate individual and collective conduct.
Elucidation: Legal rulings, like steadfast pillars, complete the edifice of religion after the foundation of beliefs and spiritual values have been laid, ensuring both social and personal order.
The organisation of religious sciences in Islamic societies, particularly within academic institutions, is incongruent with the style and approach of the Holy Quran. The Quran prioritises theological, historical, and social issues over legal rulings; however, academic institutions concentrate on jurisprudence, marginalising other disciplines.
Elucidation: This incongruence, akin to severing branches from the roots of a tree, weakens the intellectual and spiritual foundations of religious sciences and distances them from the Qurans comprehensiveness.
The Holy Quran, with mastery over history and its philosophy, deeply analyses events, yet academic institutions have disregarded the sciences of history and its philosophy. This neglect has led to the proliferation of unauthenticated narratives and a weak understanding of events such as Ashura.
Intellectual sciences such as philosophy, mysticism, literature, and sociology have become neglected in academic institutions, replaced by superficial sciences like jurisprudence and theology. This focus has led to a reduction in intellectual depth and an inclination towards populism.
Elucidation: Intellectual sciences, like pure springs of knowledge, enrich scientific and spiritual realms; abandoning them, akin to drying these springs, has directed religious sciences towards superficiality.
Intellectual sciences like philosophy and mysticism, due to traditional resistance, have been introduced under names such as New Theology or Spiritual Ethics. This renaming reflects efforts to preserve the status of these sciences against traditional critiques.
Elucidation: This renaming, like covering a gem with another garment, does not diminish the essence of intellectual sciences but indicates cultural challenges in their acceptance.
The focus on superficial sciences has led academic institutions towards populism and guiding society with superficial methods. This approach reduces scientific and spiritual authenticity and fosters a culture of populism.
Elucidation: Populism, like building a structure on unstable foundations instead of scientific robustness, results in instability and deviation in guiding society.
Leadership in religious sciences is sometimes confined to elderly individuals who lack sufficient efficiency due to advanced age. Religious leadership requires knowledge, dynamism, and physical capability to effectively guide society.
The organisation of the Holy Quran, unlike the mathematical and linear order of religious sciences, is founded upon psychology and spiritual education. The Quran arranges subjects based on psychological taste and educational suitability rather than formal sequence.
Elucidation: Quranic organisation, like a garden full of diverse flowers arranged with harmony and beauty, guides the heart and soul towards knowledge, whereas mathematical order, like a rigid and dry wall, is merely educational.
The arrangement of books in a library based on subject matter (psychological) as opposed to size (mathematical) exemplifies the difference between these approaches. Psychological organisation leads to easier access and deeper impact.
لَيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَنْ تُوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ وَلَٰكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالْكِتَابِ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ وَآتَى الْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِ ذَوِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَالسَّائِلِينَ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَاهَدُوا ۖ وَالصَّابِرِينَ فِي الْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَحِينَ الْبَأْسِ ۗ أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ
Translation: Righteousness is not that you turn your faces towards the east or the west, but righteousness is in one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets; and gives wealth, despite loving it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveller, those who ask, and for freeing slaves; and establishes prayer and gives zakah; those who keep their covenant when they make one; and those who are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous
