the Lectures of Nekounam, May His Soul Rest in Peace, Session (665)
This treatise, through contemplation on the luminous verses of the Holy Quran and the rational and philosophical analysis of the fundamental concepts of faith, freedom, and social order, examines the principles governing collective life and the human relationship with religion. The principal focus of the discussion is the exegesis of verse 248 of Surah Al-Baqarah, which introduces a divine sign for the kingship of Talut. This interpretation, adopting a rational and sociological approach, elucidates concepts such as volition in faith, the distinction between freedom and liberation, and critiques despotism and violence within religious societies, while emphasising the necessity of dialogue, pacifism, and rationality in societal governance. The present text, preserving all details of the original lecture and supplementary analyses, is systematically arranged with a refined style appropriate for an academic milieu to serve as a guiding and enlightening resource for expert and learned audiences.
وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ آيَةَ مُلْكِهِ أَنْ يَأْتِيَكُمُ التَّابُوتُ فِيهِ سَكِينَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَبَقِيَّةٌ مِمَّا تَرَكَ آلُ مُوسَىٰ وَآلُ هَارُونَ تَحْمِلُهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ
Translation: And their prophet said to them: Indeed, the sign of his kingship is that the Ark will come to you in which is tranquillity from your Lord and a remnant of what the family of Moses and the family of Aaron have left, carried by the angels. Indeed, in that is a sign for you, if you are believers.
Verse 248 of Surah Al-Baqarah refers to a divine sign validating Taluts kingship: the return of the sacred Ark which carries divine tranquillity and blessing. This verse underscores the conditional nature of divine guidance, as acceptance of this sign is contingent upon the voluntary faith of the audience. The phrase إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ (if you are believers) indicates that faith is a voluntary matter, dependent on the conscious choice of the individual. This principle constitutes the foundation of all Quranic teachings that present guidance not as compulsion but as a rational and voluntary invitation.
Revelation, mission, the Holy Quran, and guidance are all instruments for presenting the divine invitation, not for coercing acceptance. These elements function like a lamp that illuminates the path, yet traversing the way depends on the human will and volition. Coercion or compulsion in faith corrupts its essence, as faith is a conscious and heartfelt act that loses meaning without freedom of choice.
Faith is a voluntary act which, without freedom of choice, lacks validity. The Holy Quran repeatedly emphasises, including in the aforementioned verse, that accepting faith must stem from awareness and volition. If compulsion or coercion is involved, faith is reduced to mere imitation or fear, thus departing from its true essence. This principle portrays man as a free and accountable being regarding his choices.
The exegesis of verse 248 of Surah Al-Baqarah emphasises the conditional nature of guidance and volition in faith. Revelation and the Holy Quran are gateways to truth that humanity can benefit from by its own will. This perspective exempts divine invitation from any form of coercion and regards faith as a conscious and voluntary act.
Social life requires avoidance of aggression, disorder, and friction. Just as an orderly road requires adherence to traffic laws, society too, in order to preserve its health and clarity, needs rational regulations. This principle underlies all social order that prevents chaos and lawlessness.
To achieve a healthy society, two essential principles are necessary: firstly, refraining from oppression of one another; secondly, preventing disruption of freedoms and social order. These two principles function like wings for societys flight toward prosperity, without which chaos and disorder prevail.
Freedom is like a door that moves within its frame and preserves order, whereas liberation is like a door detached from its frame leading to disorder. Freedom is rational and constructive, while liberation is destructive and irrational. This distinction, akin to that between order and chaos, is essential for understanding social life.
Rational freedom entails absence of friction, wear, nuisance, and aggression. A human is free within social frameworks so long as they do not harm others. This freedom resembles a calm current flowing within its riverbed without damaging its shores.
No society in the world can maintain its order without limits, boundaries, and punishments. This principle is like a thread stringing the beads of society together and preventing dispersal. All societies, small or large, have enacted laws to preserve order.
The type of punishments in each society depends on that societys beliefs, cultures, and ethics. No society has the right to impose its punishments on others. This diversity is like various colours in a painting, each beautiful in its own place, yet none superior to another.
Manifestations of friction, such as dress codes or social behaviours, vary across societies. What is normative in one society might be considered abnormal in another. This cultural relativity resembles branches of a tree growing toward their own light.
Social life requires rationality, order, and avoidance of aggression and disorder. Freedom attains
