of Nokounam, (Session 818)
Surah Al-Imran, one of the most eminent chapters of the Holy Quran, with its opening verses, unfolds a gateway towards contemplation on the boundless knowledge and power of the Divine. These verses, expressed with profound and sagacious eloquence, elucidate the creation of humanity, the revelation of the Divine scripture, and the relationship between faith and disbelief. In this treatise, through an in-depth examination of the opening verses of the Surah, especially verse six and related verses, an endeavour has been made to clarify the meanings and concepts of this segment of the Holy Quran with lucid and dignified language for seekers of knowledge and truth.
This analysis, inspired by practical mysticism, theology, and philosophy, explores the existential dimensions of humanity and its relationship with Divine guidance, employing allegories and references that establish a connection between Quranic concepts and the daily life of mankind.
Verse six of Surah Al-Imran, like a jewel at the forefront of this Surah, emphasises the absolute knowledge and power of God in the creation of man. This verse, with an exalted expression, depicts the formation of man within the wombs of mothers and manifests the unconditional will of God in this wise process.
هُوَ الَّذِي يُصَوِّرُكُمْ فِي الْأَرْحَامِ كَيْفَ يَشَاءُ ۚ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
He it is Who shapes you in the wombs as He wills. There is no deity except Him, the Mighty, the Wise.
This verse, by referring to the formation in the wombs, portrays the creation of man as a tableau of Divine artistry, each part of which has been fashioned with unparalleled precision and wisdom. The phrase as He wills functions as a key indicating Gods absolute discretion in diversifying His creatures. This verse, in connection with the preceding verse:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَيْهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ
Indeed, nothing is hidden from Allah on the earth or in the heaven.
introduces Divine knowledge as the foundation of creation and guidance. The combination of knowledge and power in these verses acts like two wings that guide humanity towards a deeper understanding of its place in the cosmic order. The creation of man in the womb represents the perfect manifestation of the anfus (inner world), whereas subsequent verses address the afaq (outer world) and the revelation of guidance.
Verse six of Surah Al-Imran, with succinct and profound wording, underscores Divine knowledge and power in human creation. By depicting the creation process within the womb, it not only reveals Divine grandeur but also invites man to reflect on his status in the system of creation. The connection of this verse with the preceding ones highlights the importance of Divine knowledge as the basis for creation and guidance, thus preparing the path for further discussions in the Surah.
The opening of Surah Al-Imran, by addressing topics such as faith, disbelief, knowledge, and Divine power, presents subtle and delicate foundations before the reader like a fruitful garden. These verses, articulated with sagacity, elucidate the relationship between the afaq (outer world) and the anfus (inner self). Verse six, by stressing human creation within the womb, represents a complete manifestation of Divine presence in the inner self, while the following verse:
هُوَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْهُ آيَاتٌ مُحْكَمَاتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَابِهَاتٌ
He it is Who has sent down to you the Book. Of it are verses that are precisethey are the foundation of the Bookand others unspecific.
refers to the revelation and Divine guidance concerning the outer world. This connection acts as a bridge, guiding man from his inner self towards the external realm and inviting him to contemplate the Divine verses.
Verse seven of Surah Al-Imran complements the discourse on knowledge and power in the previous verses. It categorises the Quranic verses into precise (muhkamat) and unspecific (mutashabihat), emphasising the importance of correct comprehension of the revelation:
هُوَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْهُ آيَاتٌ مُحْكَمَاتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَابِهَاتٌ ۚ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَابَهَ مِنْهُ ابْتِغَاءَ الْفِتْنَةِ وَابْتِغَاءَ تَأْوِيلِهِ ۗ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِلَّا اللَّهُ ۗ وَالرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ آمَنَّا بِهِ كُلٌّ مِنْ عِنْدِ رَبِّنَا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّا أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ
He it is Who has sent down to you the Book; some of its verses are precise in meaningthey are the foundation of the Bookand others are unspecific. But those with deviated hearts follow that which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking its interpretation. And none knows its interpretation except Allah. And those firmly grounded in knowledge say: We believe in it; all is from our Lord. And none will be reminded except those possessing intellect.
The firmly grounded in knowledge, like guiding stars, believe in both types of verses, avoid deviation in understanding the unspecific, and submit to Divine wisdom. This verse serves as a mirror revealing the distinction between those who seek discord and those steadfast in knowledge.
The opening of Surah Al-Imran, by linking the outer world and the inner self, invites man to reflect on creation and Divine guidance. Verse seven, by explaining the categories of the Quranic verses, stresses the importance of correct comprehension of revelation and avoidance of deviation. This section acts as a solid foundation facilitating deeper understanding of the subsequent verses and the supplication of the believers in verse eight.
Verse eight of Surah Al-Imran, like a cry from the depths of the believers hearts, depicts a request for steadfastness of the heart and the boundless mercy of God:
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْوَهَّابُ
Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us mercy from Yourself. Indeed, You are the Bestower.
This supplication responds to the doctrinal and ethical challenges posed in the preceding verses. Aware of the danger of deviation (zigh), the believers implore God to preserve their hearts from error after guidance. The request for mercy from from Yourself (ladunka) and the emphasis on the attribute Bestower (wahhab) reflect the human need for Divine grace that is free from any condition or expectation.
In practical mysticism, the heart is introduced as the chassis or axis of human existence. Attaining the station of the heart, which according to Khwaja Nasir al-Din Tusi is possible after traversing six hundred stations, signifies spiritual perfection. The supplication Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate is, from a mystical perspective, a request for steadfastness at this exalted station. Those who have not attained the heart remain captive to the ego and the world and do not benefit from this prayer. The heart, like a pure mirror, is the locus of Divine guidances manifestation; its deviation leads man towards the darkness of compounded ignorance.
Verse eight of Surah Al-Imran, by requesting steadfastness of the heart and Divine mercy, reflects the believers response to doctrinal and ethical challenges. This prayer manifests awareness of the danger of deviation and the need for unconditioned Divine mercy. The heart, as the axis of human existence in practical mysticism, occupies a special position, and its preservation from error necessitates seeking refuge in the Bestower God.
Verse four of Surah Al-Imran, with explicit wording, refers to the fate of the disbelievers in Divine verses:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِآيَات
