Surah Al-Baqarah, as one of the most comprehensive chapters of the Holy Qur'an, presents a coherent system of divine rulings, knowledge, and guidance wherein legal ordinances intertwine with profound mystical and ethical insights. Ayah 186 of this Surah, centred on Divine nearness, the acceptance of supplication, and the direct relationship between Creator and creature, opens a gateway to the affectionate and epistemological dimension of the religion. This verse, situated within the context of the fasting injunctions, does not merely state a legal ruling but, through a divine melody, invites the servants towards an intimate and unmediated connection with the Lord. The present text, employing a scholarly and specialised approach, analyses this Ayah and elucidates its unparalleled position within the Qur'anic content framework. The aim of this work is to offer a comprehensive and systematic exegesis of Ayah 186 of Surah Al-Baqarah, enriched by learned lectures to deepen its epistemic and literary significance.
The Holy Qur'an, like a blossoming garden, presents rulings and knowledge within a coherent and interconnected structure. Ayah 186 of Surah Al-Baqarah exemplifies this systematic approach, wherein amidst the fasting ordinances it addresses profound knowledge concerning Divine proximity and the acceptance of prayer. This interweaving demonstrates that the Qur'an is not merely a book of legal prescriptions or a treatise, but through its divine melody, guides servants toward knowledge and guidance.
Rulings in the Holy Qur'an are presented, like a wise physician, descriptively rather than imperatively. This heavenly book, instead of issuing rigid commands, delineates the appropriateness or inappropriateness of actions, as though it were a guide for finding the path to salvation. Ayah 186, by inviting acceptance and faith, beautifully demonstrates this descriptive approach and directs servants towards a loving relationship with the Lord.
Repeated commands, like a wind bending tree branches, weary and dishearten human beings. The Holy Qur'an avoids this pitfall by varying its expression of rulings and knowledge, and in Ayah 186, with a gentle and intimate tone, it grants tranquillity and guidance to the servants. This verse, positioned within the fasting regulations, distances itself from rigidity and enhances the Qur'ans spiritual attractiveness.
The imperative approach in religious propagation, rooted in monarchic and authoritarian cultures, is incompatible with the spirit of the Holy Qur'an. This method, sometimes observed in admonitions and sermons, leads not to guidance but to aversion. Ayah 186, with a loving and advisory tone, offers a model for religious propagation that speaks to the heart and soul of the audience.
The content system of the Holy Qur'an, by interweaving rulings and knowledge, avoids rigidity and tedious repetition, and like a clear stream, guides servants towards enlightenment and understanding. Ayah 186, as a distinguished instance of this systematic approach, delineates a direct and intimate relationship between God and the servants with a descriptive and affectionate tone.
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ
Translation: When My servants ask you concerning Me, [say] I am indeed near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me, that they may be rightly guided.
Ayah 186 of Surah Al-Baqarah, like a radiant jewel among the verses of the Qur'an, holds an unparalleled position due to its expression of the direct relationship between God and His servants. This verse, by eliminating intermediaries, even the Prophet, and emphasising Divine proximity, invites servants towards a pure and unadorned love.
The structure of Ayah 186, like a divine melody, interweaves rulings, topics, and criteria, guiding the servants towards knowledge with a prophetic tone. This verse, following the fasting ordinances and Ayah 187 (It has been made permissible for you to approach your wives during the night of fasting), addresses Divine proximity and distances itself from rigid legalism.
The Qur'anic jurisprudential methodology, akin to a precise map, rests on three pillars: identifying the subject, recognising the criterion, and stating the ruling. True jurists, relying on this method, first identify subjects such as music, usury, or travel, elucidate their criteria, and then present valid rulings. Ayah 186, by stating the subject of prayer and the criterion of Divine proximity, exemplifies this method.
Religious knowledge devoid of subject and criterion identification is like a grocer offering goods without awareness of their nature and quality. Ayah 186, by emphasising Divine proximity, points to the importance of knowing the subject of prayer and its criterion and cautions against baseless rulings.
Ayah 186 of Surah Al-Baqarah, with its unique position in the Holy Qur'an, as a miracle of eloquence and clarity, sketches a loving and direct relationship between God and His servants. This verse, through divine melody and Qur'anic jurisprudential method, guides servants toward knowledge and guidance.
Ayah 186, like a clear mirror, portrays a direct relationship between God and His servants. At the beginning of the verse, the Prophet is addressed (And when My servants ask you), but in the response, God speaks directly (Indeed, I am near), eliminating any intermediary, even the Prophet. This approach demonstrates the infinite Divine proximity in which no intermediary, not even saints, is admitted.
Ayah 186, with the sevenfold repetition of the pronoun Me (My servants, about Me, Indeed I, I answer, when they call Me, let them respond to Me, and believe in Me), like a loving melody, embodies intimacy and Divine proximity. This repetition, unseen in any other verse, signifies Gods direct and intimate presence before the servants.
The term My servants in Ayah 186, like an endless ocean, encompasses all creaturesfrom humans and animals to plants and inanimate beings. This broad inclusiveness even covers sinners, for God holds no enmity with any servant and His mercy embraces all.
Ayah 186, by preceding about Me with My servants (And when My servants ask you about Me), like a calming breeze, dispels the fear of the servants and instils a sense of closeness and intimacy. This approach also serves as a model for removing fear and fostering heartfelt obedience in familial and social relations.
Ayah 186, by eliminating intermediaries and emphasising Divine proximity, sketches an intimate and loving relationship between God and His servants. The sevenfold repetition of the pronoun Me and the universal inclusiveness of My servants render this verse a miracle of eloquence and clarity that dispels fear from the hearts of the servants.
Intermediary practices in some religions, like a dark shadow, have led to exploitation and the tarnishing of human dignity. This affliction, which in some churches has resulted in the sale of indulgences and child abuse, is incompatible with the spirit of Islam, which abolishes intermediaries. Ayah 186, by emphasising direct relationship, points to the purity and transparency of Islam.
Ayah 186, like a healing medicine, brings tranquillity and guidance to those afflicted by violence, suspicion, or delusion. Frequent recitation of this verse, which must be preserved as Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim, aids in strengthening serenity and alleviating psychological ailments.
Mentioning groups or individuals by name in exegesis, like chaff in clear water, leads to division and epistemic pollution. Interpretation must concentrate on content and avoid naming. Ayah 186, through the universal term My servants, invites unity and purity.
Ayah 186, emphasising the transparency of Islam and the removal of intermediaries, avoids the pitfalls of other religions and, as a healing medicine, guides servants towards tranquillity and guidance.
Ayah 186, with a flirtatious tone, like a lover embracing the beloved, invites servants to Divine love. This verse, by omitting majestic names such as Allah and Ar-Rahman and employing the pronoun Me, displays an unparalleled intimacy.
Love poems, like wild birds flying from rooftops, due to complaints and grievances, are inferior to Ayah 186. This verse, with a pure and complaint-free tone, portrays a Divine love superior to any human expression.
Ayah 186, like a golden bridge, provides the possibility of touching, seeing, meeting, and attaining God through love and nearness. This verse invites servants to a spiritual journey in which God is felt within their being.
Ayah 186, with a loving and flirtatious tone, guides servants towards attaining God. This verse, surpassing love poems and portraying pure love, opens a path to eternal felicity.
Ayah 186 of Surah Al-Baqarah, like a radiant jewel in the crown of the Holy Qur'an, depicts a loving and direct relationship between God and His servants, emphasising Divine proximity, acceptance of prayer, and removal of intermediaries. This verse, with the sevenfold repetition of the pronoun Me, the universal inclusiveness of My servants, and an intimate tone, has become a miracle of eloquence and clarity. Its placement amidst the fasting rulings indicates the Qur'ans systematic approach, intertwining rulings and knowledge and avoiding rigidity. Ayah 186, by removing fear from the servants and inviting Divine love, opens a way to
