of Nokounam, (Session 843)
Surah Al-Imran, one of the lengthiest chapters in the Holy Quran, encompasses verses addressing the foundational beliefs and ethical principles of religion, guiding humanity towards the correct way of life. Verse 19 of this Surah, with clear and profound expression, elucidates the truth of religion in the sight of Almighty God, speaking of integrity as the essence of religion. This treatise, through reflection upon this noble verse, explores the concept of religion as integrity and its opposition to rebellion (injustice and deviation). The aim is to offer a deep and comprehensive perspective, reinterpreting the truth of religion from an ethical and humanistic viewpoint, and through precise analogies and analyses, to redefine religiosity in light of integrity and the avoidance of oppression. Structured systematically and core content of the lectures, this text explicates these concepts thematically.
إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ ۗ وَمَا اخْتَلَفَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ إِلَّا مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَهُمُ الْعِلْمُ بَغْيًا بَيْنَهُمْ ۗ وَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ
Translation: Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam (integrity). And those who were given the Scripture did not differ except after knowledge had come to them, out of mutual envy. And whoever disbelieves in the verses of Allah then indeed, Allah is swift in [taking] account.
This noble verse defines religion as Islam, which in this context is not merely the name of a particular creed, but rather signifies integrity and a path free from any deviation and oppression. This integrity, like a pure stream, guides humanity towards a life in which the heart and soul are cleansed from the impurities of injustice, envy, and disbelief. The concept of Islam here transcends the superficial meaning of submission, alluding to a humanistic and ethical essence manifested in the integrity of behaviour and conduct.
In this verse, rebellion (bighy) is introduced as the principal adversary of integrity. Rebellion, encompassing injustice, envy, and deviation, looms as a dark shadow threatening religious integrity. When a person distances themselves from integrity, which is the core of religion, they fall into the abyss of rebellion, an aberration that estranges them from the truth of religion. The Quran attributes the disputes among the People of the Book to rebellion, which occurred after they had received knowledge, deliberately and consciously. This conscious rebellion leads to disbelief and misguidance, reducing religion to an empty shell.
Religion, like a sturdy tree, possesses deep roots (content) and manifest branches (form). Overemphasis on the outward appearance of religion, such as focusing solely on rituals and ceremonies without ethical substance, contaminates it with superstition and deviation. Conversely, neglecting the form of religion deprives it of comprehensiveness. The truth of religion lies in the balance between these two; where meaningful rituals intertwine with ethical integrity.
Throughout history, divine religions including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, have deviated from their truths due to excessive focus on appearances. This deviation, like rust upon the metal of religion, has deprived it of its original brilliance. Adding superficial adornments and neglecting ethical content have transformed religion into a lifeless shell, where rituals are performed devoid of spiritual integrity. For example, a person who commits injustice and crime while performing religious rituals essentially possesses nothing more than a superficial shell of religion.
To elucidate this concept, one might consider an analogy: a deceptive packaging containing a worthless product, such as a chocolate encased in a jewel-adorned box but filled with wine. Conversely, a simple yet valuable product like cucumbers and tomatoes sold in a sack exemplifies the importance of content over appearance. Similarly, if religion is confined to superficiality, like deceptive packaging, it lacks genuine value.
Excessive focus on religious outward forms, such as emphasis on prayer, fasting, or visible rituals without ethical integrity, leads religion into impurity and deviation. Such superficiality acts like a dust layer upon the mirror of religion, obscuring its truth. For instance, an individual with a long beard performing rituals but committing crimes and injustice is not truly religious; rather, they have turned religion into a tool to justify their rebellion.
Some past approaches within religious sciences, by emphasising outward forms, have fostered the belief that even criminals performing religious rituals are devout. This superficial perspective has distorted the truth of religion and caused societal distrust. Behaviours such as disruptive calls to prayer or the use of loudspeakers to impose religion on others do not strengthen faith but rather cause annoyance and misguidance in society.
An illuminating analogy here is behaviours conducted in the name of religion that are in fact manifestations of raucous disturbance. For example, a person calling the adhan (call to prayer) by loudspeaker in the middle of the night, disturbing others, exemplifies actions that are neither religious nor constructive but rather lead to deviation and distrust. This analogy reflects how superficiality empties religion of its essence.
Mutual trust within society and self-confidence in ones integrity serve as steadfast pillars and indicators of true religiosity. A person endowed with integrity and distanced from rebellion has self-assurance and is trusted by others. This trust, like a cool breeze, guides society towards cohesion and tranquillity. Conversely, absence of trust signals lack of integrity and prevalence of rebellion.
In earlier times, trust as a sign of religious integrity was prevalent. People entrusted their possessions to others, and such trust endured even after death. This trust, like a precious gem, shielded society from misguidance and deviation. However, in the contemporary world, distrust has cast a heavy shadow over society. For instance, in modern transactions, lack of mutual trust indicates estrangement from religious integrity.
A clear analogy is the story of an individual who entrusted their wealth to another, who preserved the trust without greed or expectation. This conduct shines like a radiant star in the firmament of religion, symbolising integrity and avoidance of rebellion. In contrast, behaviours leading to distrust, such as issuing promissory notes without payment, indicate spiritual decline and estrangement from the truth of religion.
Conscious rebellion, which occurs after receiving divine knowledge, acts like a dagger to the heart of religion, leading to apostasy and impurity. This deliberate and aware rebellion draws religion from integrity to disbelief and deviation. For example, crimes such as bombings at weddings, proudly committed in the name of religion, exemplify conscious rebellion that defiles religion.
Behaviours performed under the banner of religion but lacking integrity and avoidance of rebellion are not religious; rather, they lead to deviation and misguidance. For example, a person committing injustice and crime while performing religious rituals transforms religion into a tool to justify their rebellion. Such behaviours are like weeds choking the garden of religion.
