Verse 168 of Surah Al-Baqarah, as one of the pivotal verses of the Holy Quran, addresses all humanity (An-Ns) with a universal appeal to partake in lawful and pure blessings, thus opening a gateway to profound reflections across religious, philosophical, theological, and social domains. This verse transcends a mere jurisprudential command, constituting an ethical and social manifesto that redefines the relationship between humans, God, nature, and society. The thematic breadth of this versefrom jurisprudence and legal rulings to deep philosophical discourses on free will and the tension between reason and religious lawrenders it highly suitable for interdisciplinary research. In this treatise, by synthesising the content of the lecture and scientific analyses, the various dimensions of this verse are examined to provide a comprehensive guide for scholars and erudite audiences.
Verse 168 of Surah Al-Baqarah is recognised as one of the most comprehensive verses in the Quran, distinguished by its unparalleled scope and esteemed standing across multiple disciplines including jurisprudence, theology, philosophy, and sociology.
Key Point: Due to its inclusive addressee (An-Ns) and the introduction of the concepts of Hall and ayyib, this verse establishes a multidimensional foundation for interdisciplinary research, ranging from practical issues such as lawful consumption to theoretical contemplations regarding reason and religious law.
Unlike many verses which focus on specific rulings or limited ethical matters, this verse, by virtue of its universal address and its association with multiple topics, philosophically addresses human free will and its relationship with nature. Theologically, it raises the possibility of conflict between religious law and reason in interpreting the concepts of Hall and ayyib. From a sociological perspective, the general address indicates the inclusivity of religion across all cultures and societies. These characteristics render the verse an appropriate subject for multidisciplinary research that encompasses fields from jurisprudence and ethics to ecology and psychology.
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُوا مِمَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُبِينٌ
O mankind! Eat from what is lawful and pure on earth, and do not follow the footsteps of Satan; indeed, he is an open enemy to you.
Verse 168 of Surah Al-Baqarah, with its thematic breadth and interdisciplinary relevance, is not merely a religious injunction but an invitation to profound contemplation on the human relationship with nature and society. By presenting the concepts of lawful and pure, it lays the groundwork for deep philosophical, theological, and social inquiries.
Verse 168 of Surah Al-Baqarah addresses An-Ns (all people), thereby encompassing a broad scope, whereas verse 172 addresses Alladhna man (the believers), referring to a specific group. This distinction demonstrates the Qurans strategic differentiation in addressing diverse audiences: a general address for universal principles and a specific address for detailed rulings.
Key Point: The term An-Ns in verse 168 indicates the inclusivity of religion across all cultures and societies, whereas Muminn in verse 172 denotes characteristics particular to the group of believers.
It is noteworthy that Muminn in verse 172 is interpreted as an active descriptive state (the condition of faith at the moment) rather than a nominal descriptor (permanent, fixed faith). This interpretation signifies the dynamic nature of faith in the Quranic discourse and indicates that faith is a transient and temporally dependent state.
The use of the word An-Ns highlights the verses universality and its concern for all humanity, regardless of religion or belief. From a sociological perspective on religion, this universal address implies that fundamental religious principles, such as the enjoyment of lawful and pure blessings, are common to all humans. This inclusivity leads to profound discussions within religious sociology on whether a human can exist without religion or if every human inherently possesses a value system (religion) of some kind.
Two perspectives are presented: firstly, that no human is without religion, as each individual holds customs, traditions, or norms which constitute their value system. Secondly, that there may exist humans without formal religion, but even such individuals possess distinctions regarding lawful and unlawful matters (in a general sense), such as preferences and avoidances. This topic requires historical and sociological research to ascertain whether An-Ns, as human beings per se, inherently have systems of lawful and unlawful or not.
The address An-Ns in verse 168 of Surah Al-Baqarah signifies the universal applicability of religion across all cultures and societies, and from a sociological viewpoint, it provides a basis for examining human value systems. The distinction between general and specific addresses in verses 168 and 172 reflects the Qurans strategy in guiding humanity considering diverse audiences.
The word Kul in verse 168, contrary to its literal meaning eat, refers to a broader concept, namely the entitlement to make use of the earths resources. The absence of the word Isrib (drink) in this verse indicates the Qurans intention to generalise consumption to all forms of utilisation of natural, economic, and social resources.
Key Point: Kul in this verse signifies permission to take possession of the earths resources, not merely eating, a meaning reinforced by the omission of Isrib.
From a jurisprudential perspective, this interpretation associates Kul with permissibility of utilisation. This notion contrasts with restrictive views that condition any form of possession on explicit religious permission.
The word Kul is absolute, inviting reasonable and proportionate utilisation of divine blessings. Abstaining from consumption, especially when necessary, is blameworthy, as it may lead to social misunderstand
