Derived from the lecture series of Nekounam, , session (576)
The commentary on verse 2:213 of Surah Al-Baqarah, as a pivotal section of this noble verse, presents a profound and systematic framework for elucidating the specific Divine guidance and the status of the sincere believers. This segment, focusing on the purification of faith from polytheism and directing towards the straight path, depicts fundamental concepts in theology, mysticism, and philosophy of religion. In this composition, employing a scholarly and elevated approach, the content beneath the verse is analysed in detail and structured form, utilising allegories and literary allusions to enrich its semantic depth for erudite and specialised audiences. The structure of this exegesis is organised into thematic sections, each concluding independently, to assist the reader in achieving a deeper understanding of this noble verse.
فَهَدَى اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِمَا اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ
Translation: Then Allah guided those who believed to the truth concerning that over which they differed, by His permission. And Allah guides whom He wills to a straight path.
The commentary beneath verse 2:213 of Surah Al-Baqarah, as the climax of this noble verse, comprises two principal parts: firstly, the Divine guidance of the believers towards the truth amidst their disputes, and secondly, the emphasis on Divine will in guiding to the straight path. This structure, from a theological perspective, illustrates the process of selection and purification of believers from among the dispersed and fragmented communities. The beginning and middle of the verse, referring to the general populace (ns) and the mixture of the intimate and non-intimate (believers and non-believers), provide a context for understanding the commentary beneath the verse. The latter part, dedicated to the sincere believers, acts as a Divine filter purifying faith from the impurities of polytheism and disbelief.
The commentary beneath verse 2:213 of Surah Al-Baqarah, focusing on specific Divine guidance, introduces the believers as a distinct group from the general populace. This segment, emphasising the purification of faith and direction towards the straight path, offers a systematic framework for analysing the concepts of faith and guidance in the Holy Quran.
Faith, from the Quranic viewpoint, transcends superficial clichs and ritualistic worship. A genuine believer is one whose entire existence is immersed in complete submission to Allah and who has been liberated from egocentrism and polytheism. According to this verse, true faith is rooted in the knowledge and existential connection to Allah, not in worldly acts such as alh (prayer) which, without knowledge, is regarded merely as a material act. This perspective views faith as a lamp whose light of knowledge dispels the darkness of polytheism and self-conceit.
One of the prominent points beneath the verse is the reference to the contamination of many believers with subtle polytheism. Polytheism, whether in the form of ostentation, self-conceit, or dependence on anything other than Allah, constitutes a fundamental barrier to complete guidance. Even scholars, worshippers, and spiritual guides may fall into the trap of subtle polytheism, as it, like a worm in the soul, takes root and prevents the purity of faith.
In this commentary, the concepts of annihilation claimed by certain mystical currents such as the Qalandars and Dervishes are critiqued. Instead, emphasis is placed on subsistence, identity, and truth. Quranic faith does not pursue dissolution and inactivity but seeks human perfection and transcendence under the shadow of Divine will. This viewpoint regards faith as a robust tree rooted in truth, with branches extending towards the heavens of perfection and clarity.
The concept of faith in the commentary beneath verse 2:213 is defined as an existential and epistemic state purified from polytheism and self-conceit. The critique of subtle polytheism and non-Quranic concepts of annihilation underscores the necessity of sincerity and submission to Divine will.
Divine guidance beneath the verse, as a sublime grace, is reserved for believers whose faith has been purified from polytheism. This guidance, described with the phrases "from the truth" and "by His permission," originates from Divine reality and is actualised by Allahs will. Specific guidance acts as a key that unlocks the locks of polytheism and dispersion and directs the believer towards unity and truth.
The straight path, as the ultimate destination of Divine guidance, is a clear, vast route free from any distortion or polytheism. This path, connected in the Holy Quran to the phrase the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favour in Surah Al-Ftiah, indicates the station of the Divine saints, the infallibles, and the holy. The straight path acts like a bridge, traversing the waves of dispersion and polytheism, bringing the believer to the safe shore of unity and perfection.
The expression And Allah guides whom He wills emphasises Allahs intrinsic will, which allocates guidance to a specific group of believers such as the prophets, the infallibles, and the Divine saints. This will, as an essential attribute, transcends ordinary volition and bestows guidance as a rare jewel upon the holy.
Specific Divine guidance, characterised by from the truth and by His permission, directs the pure believers towards the straight path. This route, devoid of polytheism and dispersion, indicates the station of the Divine saints and affirms Allahs intrinsic will in selecting those guided.
One prominent point in this commentary is the critique of faith contaminated by polytheism, which is regarded as the cause of much worldly corruption. Formal faith accompanied by ostentation, oppression, and self-conceit results in misguidance and chaos rather than guidance. History attests that many wars and conflicts stem from a faith devoid of purity and Divine guidance.
Self-knowledge, as a prerequisite for Divine guidance, requires honest admission of inner faults such as polytheism, ostentation, and oppression. Concealing faults constitutes an obstacle in the path of purifying the soul and drawing near to Allah. Man must, like a patient trusting his physician, present his faults before the Divine presence to become worthy of the grace of guidance.
Interpretation of the Quran must be systematic and precise, like mathematics, where any deviation results in error. Patchwork approaches that indiscriminately refer to other verses and disrupt the Qurans systemic integrity are criticised. The Holy Quran, like a mathematical book, requires accurate analysis internal structure of each verse.
Faith contaminated by polytheism causes misguidance and destruction, while self-knowledge, as a fundamental step in purifying the soul, guides the believer towards Divine guidance. The critique of non-systematic interpretations emphasises the necessity of scientific and precise analysis of the Holy Quran.
Divine guidance has various degrees: from general guidance, encompassing all beings, to specific guidance, reserved for the pure believers. Complete guidance, as discussed beneath the verse, is confined to the holy and Divine saints whose faith has been purified from every form of polytheism and impurity.
The Divine saints, the infallibles, and the prophets, as recipients of complete guidance, reside on the straight path. This group, identified in the verse by the phrase whom He wills, is free from any egoistic agency and their existence is absorbed in Divine will. Mystically, they are like mirrors reflecting nothing but Divine light.
Divine guidance, in its highest degree, is dedicated to the Divine saints and infallibles. This group, completely purified from polytheism and impurity, is established upon the straight path and manifests Allahs intrinsic will.
The commentary beneath verse 2:213 of Surah Al-Baqarah, as a brilliant gem in the treasury of the Holy Quran, provides a profound and systematic framework for explaining specific Divine guidance and the status of sincere believers. This verse, emphasising the purification of faith from polytheism and directing towards the straight path, offers foundational lessons in theology, mysticism, and religious sociology. Specific Divine guidance, like a breeze that clears the dust of polytheism from the believers being, directs them to the realm of unity and perfection. Self-knowledge, sincerity, and submission to Divine will, as prerequisites for this guidance, propose a method for achieving spiritual excellence and social cohesion. This commentary, with systematic and elevated analysis, is an invitation to reflect deeply on the meanings of the Quran and to traverse the path of the straight way under the shadow of Divine guidance.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
