The 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. Verse 186 of this Surah, centred upon divine nearness, the acceptance of supplication, and the direct relationship between the Creator and His servants, offers a passionate, epistemological, and remembrance-focused manifestation of religion. This verse, regarded by some as the most distinguished verse in the Qur'an, consists entirely of dhikr (remembrance) and, in its elevated stages, transforms into a profound and weighty remembrance. Verse 186, emphasising questioning as a permission to enter the divine presence and faith as a prerequisite for attaining this closeness, guides humanity towards a deep and purposeful relationship with its Creator. In this treatise, through a scholarly and systematic approach, the content of this verse is examined from epistemological, mystical, and dhikr perspectives, and through integration of profound analyses, its unparalleled status within the Qur'anic epistemological system is elucidated.
Key Point: Due to its emphasis on direct divine nearness and the acceptance of supplication, Verse 186 of Surah Al-Baqarah is recognised as the most distinguished verse of the Holy Qur'an. Entirely composed of dhikr, it transforms into a weighty and transformative remembrance in its special ranks.
Verse 186 of Surah Al-Baqarah occupies an unparalleled position in the Qur'an due to its elucidation of divine nearness and the promise of the acceptance of supplication. This verse, articulated in a sincere and direct manner, portrays the relationship between God and His servants in such a way that every question from the servant results in an immediate response from the Lord.
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ
Translation: And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me, so that they may be rightly guided.
This verse, with its emphasis on the Lords direct nearness, delineates a loving and epistemological relationship between the Creator and the creation that transcends legalistic and cautionary aspects, leading to divine manifestation and determination.
Verse 186 is entirely dhikr, meaning it inherently contains the continuous remembrance of the Lord and presence in His divine presence. In the special stages of mystical wayfaring, certain parts of this verse, such as فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ (Indeed, I am near), become a weighty dhikr that exerts a profound and transformative effect on the soul of the seeker. Weighty dhikr refers to a remembrance which, due to its depth and intensity, is only comprehensible and actualised in special vessels prepared with complete readiness.
Key Point: The dhikr nature of Verse 186 implies the servants continuous connection with the Lord, which in the highest degrees becomes a weighty remembrance guiding the wayfarer towards absolute nearness.
Verse 186 must be employed in its entirety and as a unified dhikr; segmenting it during the initial stages of spiritual progression diminishes its dhikr and epistemological effect. Preserving the verses wholeness enables a full comprehension of the meanings of nearness, acceptance, and faith.
In various stages of spiritual wayfaring, Verse 186 is divided into different parts. At the initial stage, the entire verse is a single unit of dhikr. In subsequent stages, it is divided into two sections: فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ and فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي. At the highest level, the remembrance أَنِّي قَرِيبٌ (without the prefix فَ) is highlighted as the principal and central dhikr that guides the seeker towards witnessing and lofty spiritual ranks.
Due to its emphasis on divine nearness, acceptance of supplication, and its dhikr nature, Verse 186 of Surah Al-Baqarah occupies a unique station in the Holy Qur'an. This verse, by inviting questioning and faith, directs the servant towards an intimate and direct relationship with the Lord. Its nature as dhikr, particularly in its weighty stages, transforms it into a means for spiritual transformation and reaching divine nearness.
The remembrance أَنِّي قَرِيبٌ, due to its emphasis on absolute and direct divine nearness, holds a special place in mystical wayfaring. This dhikr, pronounced without the prefix فَ at the highest stages, refers to the complete presence of God before the servant. The correct pronunciation of this dhikr with the letter قاف (qf) instead of غین (ghayn) is of utmost importance, as incorrect pronunciation may lead to misunderstanding and doctrinal deviation.
Key Point: The dhikr أَنِّي قَرِيبٌ, pronounced correctly with قاف, points to absolute divine nearness and, within the full capacity of spiritual wayfaring, guides the seeker to witnessing and exalted spiritual ranks.
Pronouncing قَرِيبٌ with غین instead of قاف may lead to deviations such as disbelief, atheism, or polytheism, because the lexical root of قرب in this verse signifies true and determinate proximity. Precision in pronouncing this dhikr preserves knowledge and purity in spiritual progression.
The phrase وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي introduces questioning as the key and permission to enter the divine presence. Without questioningsignifying the servants conscious attention and desireattainment of divine nearness is not possible. Questioning functions as a key that opens the door to the Lords presence and guides the servant towards truth-seeking and knowledge.
The question in this verse may be voluntary, involuntary, urgent, apparent, inward, or potential. This diversity indicates the inclusivity of the verse for all servants in various states. Questioning forms according to the servants condition and interior, acting as a bridge between creation and the Creator.
Though the address in Verse 186 is generally to My servants (عِبَادِي), the condition of entryquestioningis specific. Without conscious questioning, divine nearness is unattainable. This specificity emphasises the necessity of the servants attention and intent in spiritual wayfaring.
In the response part of the verse (فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ), God addresses directly without the intermediary of the Prophet (peace be upon him). The omission of Say (قُل) indicates a direct and unmediated relationship between the Lord and His servants in the context of nearness.
While the Prophet (peace be upon him) serves as messenger, warner, and bringer of glad tidings within the domain of legislation, in the domain of divine nearness of this verse, he assumes no role. This domain pertains to divine manifestation and determination, transcending legal titles.
The Fa (فَ) in فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ is a Fa of relief (فاء تفريح), signifying a transition from the created realm to the divine station. This Fa denotes release from created limitations and entry into absolute divine nearness.
In this verse, قَرِيبٌ, due to its absoluteness and lack of contradiction with distant (بعید), is more complete than أَقْرَبُ (as in closer than the jugular vein in Surah Qaf). قَرِيبٌ indicates an absolute and true proximity, whereas أَقْرَبُ denotes comparative degrees.
Key Point: قَرِيبٌ in Verse 186, due to its absoluteness and lack of limitation, signifies a true and determinate nearness, superior to أَقْرَبُ.
The semantic and mystical analysis of Verse 186 highlights the importance of questioning as permission to enter, absolute divine nearness, and the role of the dhikr أَنِّي قَرِيبٌ in spiritual wayfaring. This verse, by omitting intermediaries and emphasising the direct relationship between God and the servant, refers to divine manifestation and determination. The Fa of relief and the superiority of قَرِيبٌ over أَقْرَبُ reveal the depth of meaning and mystical dimension of the verse.
The verb أُجِيبُ in the verse, expressed in the present tense, indicates the continuous and perpetual presence of God in answering supplications. Unlike the past tense that limits the action to the past, the present tense in أُجِيبُ signifies an ongoing and active state.
جَوَابَ in أُجِيبُ means entrance, opening, penetration, and the breaking apart of the question. This term denotes Gods complete encompassing of the servants question and the fulfilment of his request.
أُجِيبُ, accompanied by the first-person singular pronoun, signifies Gods full encompassing of the servants question and supplication. This encompassing entails an unrestricted and effective response to the servants request.
دَعْوَةَ in the verse means a conscious asking, not merely the utterance of supplication. This asking refers to a heartfelt and profound desire, distinct from mere verbal invocation.
أُجِيبُ denotes the actual fulfilment of the servants request, whereas قَبِلْتُ might merely imply acceptance without implementation. أُجِيبُ guarantees the complete realisation of the request.
Key Point: أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ refers to the complete fulfilment of the servants request by divine encompassing, surpassing mere acceptance.
Divine acceptance is conditional upon إِذَا دَعَانِ (when he calls upon Me) and does not include the heedless. Supplication requires conscious intention and attention towards God.
All beings, from humans to other creatures, possess
Flattery and insincere behaviours towards creatures obstruct the actualisation of faith and divine nearness. The verse, with an emphasis on sincerity, invites avoidance of such behaviours.
Verse 186, by calling for responsiveness and faith, guides the servant towards purity and sanctification in divine conduct. The condition of faith, as a heavy necessity, paves the way for entry into the divine presence and repudiates any form of hypocrisy and flattery.
The phrase لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ, with a verb in the third person absent form, points to a subtle distance between the servant and growth. This absence implies the possibility of growth and its dependency on the servant's effort.
Growth in يَرْشُدُونَ denotes maturity and ripeness, contrasted with غَيّ (misguidance and corruption). Growth is an intermediate stage in the spiritual journey that guides the servant towards perfection.
لَعَلَّ in لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ points to the likelihood of growth and its reliance on the servants effort and sincerity. This flexibility demonstrates the servants responsibility in the spiritual path.
Growth is an intermediate stage in the spiritual journey, not its culmination. The servant must proceed from growth to higher levels, such as attaining divine nearness.
Verse 186, by emphasising growth and guidance, invites the servant towards spiritual maturity and emergence from misguidance. لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ reflects divine flexibility and the servants responsibility in realising this growth.
Verse 186, due to the contradiction between presence (nearness in فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ) and absence (لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ), is one of the contradictory verses in the Holy Quran. This contradiction indicates the depth and multidimensionality of the verse.
Because of the alternation between presence and absence, verse 186 resembles a divine ghazal (lyric poem) of flirtation at night. This alternation enhances the eloquence and rhetoric of the verse, depicting it as a love poem in the divine presence.
The interpretation of the verse on the second day, with emphasis on the condition of faith and sincerity, differs from the first days general inclusiveness. This change points to the multidimensionality of the verse and its capacity to reveal new aspects.
The unpleasant behaviours of certain rulers, who were different by day and night, conflict with the spirit of verse 186, which calls for sincerity and unity.
Revealing the secrets of leaders and governmental systems, due to damage to social order, is inconsistent with the spirit of the verse that calls for sincerity and preservation of dignity.
Verse 186, as a divine ghazal with contradictions of presence and absence, adds eloquence and semantic depth. This verse, by calling for sincerity and unity, negates any incompatible and insincere behaviours.
The science of the Divine Names and their effects require profound study and establishment of specialised centres to benefit from Quranic knowledge. Verse 186, linked to the Name Near (قريب), is positioned within this epistemological system.
The Holy Quran, especially verse 186, possesses the capacity to resolve metaphysical issues (beyond medicine and psychology). This verse, through mention and divine nearness, assists in healing spiritual problems.
Verse 186 contains various mention systems, ranging from dangerous to heavy, none of which are light or simple. This diversity indicates the profound efficacy of the verse in spiritual progression.
Continuous recitation of verse 186 for six months to one year can transform the servants speech, love, grace, and right. This mentioning strengthens the loving relationship with God and leads to spiritual transformation.
God, out of grace, may discipline, elevate, decree, or delay the servant. These dimensions are implicit in verse 186 and reflect the dynamic relationship between God and the servant.
Verse 186, following the Sura of Unity (Tawhid) which is the identity of the Divine Essence, functions as the secondary identity of the Lord in the context of action (conduct towards servants).
The servant must provide a separate mouth, time, mind, and receptacle for God to reach intimacy, eagerness, and divine love. This receptacle aids spiritual progress and attainment of nearness.
By providing this separate receptacle, the servant attains the station of a Believer in God (مؤمن فی الله), a mystic or infallible, who reaches divine nearness with sincerity and love.
Verse 186, connected to the science of Divine Names and capable of resolving metaphysical issues, operates as a transformative mention in the spiritual path. This verse, by calling for provision of a separate receptacle for God, guides the servant towards divine love and nearness.
The Infallibles (peace be upon them) possess a pure mouth dedicated to God which they do not use for creation. This purity serves as a model for believers to attain divine nearness through sincerity in the spiritual journey.
The mention of أَنِّي قَرِيبٌ within the context of retrieval has been used by the Infallibles and martyrs. Due to its exalted position, this mention plays a key role in mystical practice.
afah al-Sajjdiyyah, as a complex collection of supplications, employs Divine Names such as Killer and Cutter to combat enemies.
Imam Sajjads supplications in afah al-Sajjdiyyah correspond with the demise of the Umayyads and have had a historical impact on changing the fate of the community.
Religious knowledge has not sufficiently benefited from afah al-Sajjdiyyah; its revival is essential for strengthening understanding and spiritual struggle.
The Infallibles (peace be upon them) offered a model for mention and spiritual practice through repetition, contemplation, and attention to various Quranic verses.
Verse 186, connected with the Infallibles and afah al-Sajjdiyyah, is a distinguished mention in the mystical path. The purity of the Infallibles and the impact of their supplications serve as a paradigm for benefiting from this verse in the journey towards divine nearness.
Analysis of the letters of the verse (such as the number of ب, ت, and دال) and their correspondence with the individuals characteristics can reveal their spiritual destiny. This analysis aids in discovering the servants identity and station in the divine presence.
Engaging with verse 186 through contemplation, mention, and continuous intimacy guides the servant towards movement and spiritual transformation.
Through mentioning and reflecting on the verse, one can uncover the spiritual identity card of the human, including their name, attributes, and destiny in the divine presence.
Verse 186, compared to the Seven Suspended Odes and Hariris Maqamat, is superior due to its focus on the reality of existence and the existential journey of the cosmos.
Verse 186, with the ability to determine destiny and reveal the servants spiritual identity, stands out as a comprehensive and transformative mention. This verse, by inviting contemplation and intimacy, guides humanity towards the reality of existence and divine nearness.
Verse 186 of Sura Al-Baqarah, as a divine ghazal and the most eminent verse of the Holy Quran, with emphasis on immediate nearness, response to supplication, and the necessity of faith and sincerity, delineates a loving and epistemic relationship between God and the servant. This verse, by virtue of its mentionfrom general to heavyguides the servant towards spiritual transformation and attainment of divine nearness. The question as permission to enter, faith as the condition of entry, and growth as an intermediate stage reveal the profound dimensions of this verse. The contradiction of presence and absence enhances the eloquence and rhetoric of the verse, portraying it as a love poem in the divine presence. The connection of the verse to the science of Divine Names, afah al-Sajjdiyyah, and the spiritual journey of the Infallibles underscores its exalted position in the Quranic epistemological system. Continuous recitation of this verse, alongside provision of a separate receptacle for God, leads the servant towards divine love and nearness and determines their spiritual destiny.
