This treatise undertakes a profound and comprehensive examination of verse 14 from Surah Al-Imran, offering a sagacious perspective on the concept of desire and its role in the evolutionary journey of humanity. This exegesis, relying on Quranic knowledge, narrations from the Infallibles (peace be upon them), and psychological and mystical analyses, elucidates the position of desire as the motivating force of the self and its connection to divine guidance. The objective is to clarify the pathway of the souls growth from material inclinations to attaining proximity to the Divine, with each stage of human existence investigated through scientific precision and eloquent language. Addressing societal needs and educational imperatives, this work serves as a guide for a deeper comprehension of the Holy Quran and its application in life.
The Holy Quran, in verse 14 of Surah Al-Imran, eloquently refers to one of the most fundamental aspects of human existence, namely desire. This verse delicately portrays the carnal inclinations as an intrinsic component of human nature:
"Beautified for men is the love of that which they desirewomen and sons, and heaped-up sums of gold and silver, and branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life; but Allah has with Him the best return."
This verse, by highlighting the adornment of desires, manifests the Divine wisdom in the creation of humanity and its tendencies. Desire is akin to a flame that burns within the human nature, which, if rightly guided, leads to perfection; otherwise, it results in degeneration.
From a linguistic standpoint, desire (shahwah) is a simple verbal noun whose plural form is "shahawat". In its authentic sense, it refers to the intense longing of the soul for carnal objects, whether appropriate or inappropriate. Psychologically, desire can be understood as the vital energy of the self, operating to fulfil the natural and spiritual needs of human beings. This definition, essence (intense longing) and the subject (the soul towards carnal objects), is presented scientifically and serves as the foundation for analysing human inclinations.
Desire, like petrol in a car or oil in a lamp, is a force without which movement and growth of the soul are impossible. Just as a vehicle without fuel is merely an inanimate object, the human soul without desire remains static and unprogressive.
Appetite acts as the receptive vessel for the ignition of desire. In Arabic morphology, appetite is in the causative form, implying volition and following. Appetite is divided into two types:
Appetite serves as the container in which the fire of desire burns. If this fire is directed toward appropriate objects, it attains perfection; if drawn to inappropriate ones, it leads to corruption. This distinction enables precise analysis of human behaviour within the framework of religious psychology.
Desire evolves in harmony with the age-related conditions of human life. This transformation resembles a journey that guides humans from basic needs toward exalted goals:
Incompatibility of desire with ones stage of life is analogous to planting a tree in unsuitable soil; its growth halts or becomes distorted. For example, if a child behaves like an adult or an adult acts childishly, it signals psychological imbalance.
In advanced stages of growth, desire evolves into spiritual cravings, such as love for knowledge, insight, and creativity. When these desires reach the station of contentment (rida), they guide the individual towards a perfect union wherein two contentments (human and Divine) coexist. Unlike defective unions (such as hypocrisy and hidden desire), this union signifies spiritual perfection.
The Infallible (peace be upon him) said:
"The lightest thing I fear for you is hypocrisy and hidden desire."
Hypocrisy and hidden desire are like concealed shadows that appear in the more advanced stages of life. Hidden desire, such as the yearning for others admiration or external honour (e.g., hand-kissing or shoe-touching), requires spiritual vigilance to prevent deviation from the path of perfection.
The Holy Quran describes desire in Paradise in a sublime manner, appropriate to the humans eschatological rank:
"And therein is whatever your souls desire, and therein is whatever you request."
"And fruit from whatever they select, and the flesh of fowl from whatever they desire."
These verses beautifully demonstrate that desire in Paradise, like a clear stream, is directed towards the Divine love. The human attains a station in Paradise where they seek only God, and all desires culminate in perfection under the light of Divine unity.
Ultimately, desire transforms into Divine love and affection for the Creator. This station is where the human soul, like a bird flying towards its nest, seeks God alone. The Holy Quran states:
"O serene soul! Return to your Lord, well-pleased and well-pleasing. Enter among My servants, and enter My Paradise."
This verse signifies the ultimate destination of humanitythe return to God and admission into Divine Paradise, where all desires dissolve in Divine love.
Nutrition, especially attention to the pleasure of the eye (talazz al-uyun), plays a fundamental role in the physical and psychological health of humans. Hastiness in eating without reflection and enjoyment is like sowing seeds in barren soil; it leads to physical and psychological disorders. The Holy Quran, by emphasizing mindfulness in daily actions, invites humans to attentively consider their nutrition. For instance, contemplation upon food, gazing at it, and taking pleasure in it contribute to mental and bodily health.
A person who eats without mindfulness is like a traveller journeying without a map; not only do they fail to reach the destination, but they also become lost en route. This results in psychological disorders such as obsession and delusion.
Investment in cultural affairs, particularly education about proper nutrition and spiritual conduct, resembles watering a garden to prevent its withering. Neglecting spiritual culture leads to increased judicial and criminal issues. Religious science, by providing educational strategies, can rescue society from degeneration and guide it towards perfection.
The Holy Quran, with sagacious expression, stresses the pervasive presence of God in all affairs:
"So wherever you turn, there is the Face of Allah."
This verse acts as a torch illuminating the darkness of existence and calls humans to awareness of Gods presence at every moment and place. God exists as an external element and an internal condition in all things without being mixed with them. This concept summons humans to mindfulness in behaviour and choices.
Religious scholars are like gardeners entrusted with planting the saplings of faith in peoples hearts, leading them towards God with love and wisdom. Such guidance necessitates the avoidance of violence and the promotion of a culture of affection and spirituality. The dissemination of religious revolution entails addressing the material and spiritual needs of people, binding them to religion so that they perceive it as the sole path to salvation.
This treatise, by examining verse 14 of Surah Al-Imran and conducting profound psychological and mystical analyses, explicated the concept of desire and its role in the evolutionary course of humanity. Desire, as a vital force, transforms throughout different life stages and, if harmonised with each stages conditions, leads to perfection. Ultimately, this force guides towards Divine love and proximity, where the human seeks only God. Religious science, through educational and cultural solutions, can rescue society from degeneration and steer it towards perfection. This exegesis, with a comprehensive and precise outlook, offers guidance for a deeper understanding of the Holy Quran and its practical application in life.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
