Verse 248 of Surah Al-Baqarah, serving as a gateway to profound comprehension of Quranic theology, portrays the remarkable sign of King Taluts sovereignty through the return of the sacred Ark. This Ark, bearing the divine Saknah, remnants of the family of Moses and Aaron, and borne by angels, is not merely a symbol to affirm Taluts legitimacy but also a mirror reflecting the composite miracle and shared agency within the cosmic order. This exegesis, adopting philosophical, Quranic, and sociological perspectives, explores the multifaceted dimensions of this verse and, through critique of unscientific beliefs, emphasises the necessity of a comparative and scientific approach to understanding the Holy Quran. The structure of this discourse, grounded in the lecture content, is systematically arranged to open a new vista for learned audiences and researchers to contemplate the concepts of monotheism, miracle, and agency.
Verse 248 of Surah Al-Baqarah describes a miracle that is not of the simple variety, such as the White Hand or the revival of the dead, but rather multifaceted and composite. This miracle, akin to a fruitful garden, consists of three key elements: the divine Saknah, the relics of the family of Moses and Aaron, and the carrying by angels. This combination, like a jewel in the divine crown, shines in multiple aspects and is a sign designed for a people of strong scepticism.
The miracle of the Ark, like a structure with two wings, possesses both internal and external dimensions. The internal dimension, embodied in the divine Saknah and the remnants of the family of Moses and Aaron, refers to the contents within the Ark. These elements, like pearls within an oyster, contain divine peace and blessing. In contrast, the external dimension manifests in the carrying of the Ark by angels, an external agent to the Ark itself. This distinction is analogous to the difference between the intrinsic components of prayer (such as bowing and prostration) and its external conditions (such as intention and purity), each playing a complementary role in the fulfilment of worship.
The miracle of the Ark, akin to a mirror reflecting divine light in varied angles, utilises its multifaceted nature to serve as a decisive sign for the Children of Israel. This miracle, combining material, spiritual, and supernatural elements, not only verifies Taluts legitimacy but also offers a paradigm of divine design to influence a sceptical people.
Verse 248 of Surah Al-Baqarah, by referencing multiple agents involved in carrying the Ark, opens a window towards understanding shared agency in the cosmic system. The Holy Quran mentions two principal agents: the Ark itself, which comes to you (ya'tikum), and the angels who carry it (tamiluhu al-malikah). Some Torah narrations have also identified oxen as carriers; however, the Quranic text emphasises the agency of the Ark and angels. This multiple agency is like an orchestra where each musician performs a harmonious role so that the divine symphony may be realised.
The Ark, as a ship sailing on divine waves, possesses a marine nature. This characteristic stems from its history when, during the era of Moses, it was placed upon the sea, and now, as a divine sign, it continues to traverse the oceanic realm. This nature distinguishes the miracle of the Ark from terrestrial movement and connects it to a continuous miracle spanning from Moses to Talut.
The concept of shared agency, like a river originating from multiple springs, leads to a redefinition of monotheism. In this perspective, monotheism is not merely the oneness of God but the unity of agency in existence. Every act, from the movement of the Ark to the daily deeds of humans, results from the cooperation of multiple agents: from angels and divine administrators to material factors such as humans and nature. This view acts as a key that unlocks the ancient locks of traditional philosophies and introduces monotheism as the active presence of God in all realms of existence.
Shared agency, as one of the most fundamental concepts verse 248 of Surah Al-Baqarah, depicts the cosmic system as an interconnected web in which no act occurs without the collaboration of multiple agents. This concept transforms monotheism from an abstract notion into a dynamic reality permeating all spheres of existence, emphasising the joint role of material and spiritual factors in realising divine acts.
Certain Torah narrations, such as the carrying of the Ark by oxen, have been critiqued as undermining the Quranic miracle. These narrations, like withered branches, lack evidential value and cannot be considered valid against the Quranic text that exclusively refers to the agency of the Ark and angels. Moreover, unscientific interpretive methods in some religious circles, which rely on baseless conjectures rather than reasoning, are scientifically and argumentatively invalid.
A large portion of human beliefs, like structures without foundations, lack logical reasoning and stem from ignorance and navet. These beliefs, which sometimes lead to the worship of inanimate objects or creatures, reveal the weakness of critical thinking in human societies. Even among followers of divine religions, many convictions, including some prevalent among Twelver Shiism, have formed without logical basis and require reassessment.
Experience in studying and teaching Judaism and Christianity reveals the inadequacy of their scriptures compared to the comprehensiveness of the Holy Quran. This experience, like a radiant torch, manifests the Qurans superiority in providing a coherent and divine intellectual system and underscores the necessity of a comparative approach in understanding divine scriptures.
According to Aristotelian and Avicennian logic, affirmation (belief) without conception (correct understanding) is impossible. Many religious and philosophical beliefs, due to weakness in conception, lack rational foundations. This principle serves as a guiding light for precise comprehension of religious and philosophical concepts.
Traditional philosophies, like ancient relics, have become outdated and ineffective, requiring reconsideration and practical reimagining. Philosophy that does not serve practical and applicable understanding leads to an intellectual deadlock.
Critique of unscientific beliefs and traditional interpretive methods acts as a mirror reflecting the epistemic weaknesses of human societies. Emphasis on scientific, comparative, and rational approaches to understanding the Holy Quran and divine scriptures paves the way for deeper and more credible comprehension of divine verses.
Monotheism, in this exegesis, is not merely the oneness of God but the unity of agency in existence. Every act, from the movement of the Ark to human daily deeds, results from cooperation among multiple agents: from angels and divine administrators to material factors. This view acts as a bridge connecting God and creatures within an integrated system.
God, like a light permeating all particles of existence, maintains a profound connection with all realms of the universe. This contamination denotes the active and dynamic presence of the divine in all phenomena, and humans, as mirrors, reflect this presence.
The Hereafter, like a grand tribunal, is a shared system in which all agents, from prophets to Satan, are held accountable in divine judgement. Divine justice, akin to an exact scale, evaluates each agents role in the realisation of acts and does not judge any act without considering all involved factors.
Pride and arrogance, like a dark shadow, become meaningless in the light of shared agency. Sins and deeds, due to the participation of multiple agents, relate to all beings, and no individual can claim sole authorship of an act.
Redefining monotheism as the unified agency of existence is like a torch illuminating the obscurities of traditional concepts. This perspective, emphasising the active presence of God in all spheres of existence and shared justice in the Hereafter, guides humanity towards humility and abstention from arrogance.
The exegesis of verse 248 of Surah Al-Baqarah, like a comprehensive map, introduces the composite miracle of the Ark as a multifaceted sign to affirm Taluts kingship. This miracle, with its internal features (Saknah and relics) and external aspect (carriage by angels), is designed for a sceptical and contentious people. The concept of shared agency redefines monotheism as the unity of agency in existence and stresses the joint role of material and spiritual agents in the realisation of acts. Critique of unscientific beliefs and traditional interpretive methods is a call for reassessment in religious understanding and the strengthening of critical thought. This exegesis, offering a novel outlook on monotheism, divine justice, and practical philosophies, paves the way for deeper understanding of divine verses and the cosmic system.
