of Nekounam, (Session 858)
Surah Al-Imran, like a shining jewel in the treasury of the Holy Qur'an, contains verses that speak of divine grandeur, the justice of the Resurrection, the selection of the prophets, and the unparalleled role of women in the prophetic lineage. These verses, structured systematically and possessing profound content, invite mankind to contemplate the divine order, the pure lineage of the prophets, and the exalted status of women within the cosmic system. In this treatise, with an in-depth look at verses 25 to 63 of Surah Al-Imran, an endeavour has been made to elucidate the lofty meanings of these verses with a clear and dignified language. This examination not only addresses the precise understanding of the Qur'anic themes but also, through critiquing erroneous cultures, opens a path towards reforming the view on the status of women and deepening religious knowledge.
Understanding the Holy Qur'an requires unceasing effort and an eager heart. A study accompanied by precision, inquiry, and discourse is the way to uncover the profound layers of divine meanings. Passive attendance before the verses is akin to a passerby who passes by an infinite treasure and returns empty-handed. Discourse, questioning, and critique act as a lamp that dispels the darkness of ignorance and illuminates the path towards the truth. This effort not only deepens religious knowledge but also prevents one from passivity and superficiality before the divine word.
Many common commentaries are trapped in repetition and superficiality and cannot fully reflect the depth of the divine word. Although such commentaries may serve as a starting point, they must not become the sole refuge for Qur'anic understanding. The invitation to intellectual independence in encountering the verses is like a journey in which each individual becomes a discoverer of intellectual treasures. This independence frees a person from blind imitation and directs them towards reflection and deep contemplation.
The Holy Qur'an, like a pure and inexhaustible spring, brings forth new and fresh meanings with every rereading. Each reflection upon the verses is like a new journey to an unknown land in which the hidden angles of truth become revealed. This diversity stems not from weakness but from the boundless richness of the divine word. Exegesis, if it arises from the depth of the exegetes mind, will never be uniform or repetitive but is like a flower that blossoms anew every spring.
Verses 25 to 63 of Surah Al-Imran, like a precise and organised map, encompass four main axes: the justice of the Resurrection, divine power, selection of the prophets, and matters concerning the nations. This structure begins with a verse about the Resurrection, continues with seven verses praising Gods boundless power, dedicates eleven verses to the chosen prophets, and addresses thirty-one verses on matters relating to the nations. This order acts as a ladder that ascends from understanding the justice of the Resurrection towards comprehending the greatness of God, then the pure lineage of the prophets, and ultimately, the issues of the nations.
فَكَيْفَ إِذَا جَمَعْنَٰهُمْ لِيَوْمٍ لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهِ وَوُفِّيَتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
So how will it be when We gather them for a Day about which there is no doubt, and every soul will be fully compensated for what it earned, and they will not be wronged?
This verse, like a clear mirror, depicts the absolute justice of the Resurrection. On the Day about which there is no doubt, every soul will receive the precise recompense and punishment for its deeds, without a shred of injustice. This justice is like a precise scale that neither punishes the oppressor beyond their due nor deprives the oppressed of their right. The grandeur of this justice is a sign of divine boundless power that, in one day, meticulously settles the accounts of all souls.
قُلِ ٱللَّهُمَّ مَٰلِكَ ٱلْمُلْكِ تُؤْتِى ٱلْمُلْكَ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتَنزِعُ ٱلْمُلْكَ مِمَّن تَشَآءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَن تَشَآءُ ۖ بِيَدِكَ ٱلْخَيْرُ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Say: O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will; You exalt whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.
This verse, like a powerful chant, displays the absolute ownership of God. God is the true Owner of the universe who grants sovereignty to whomever He wills and withdraws it from whomever He wills. Honour and humiliation, good and evilall are in His hand, and His will prevails over all things. This ownership is like a crown set upon the head of divine truth, guaranteeing the order of the cosmos by His will.
تُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَتُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ ۖ وَتُخْرِجُ ٱلْحَىَّ مِنَ ٱلْمَيِّتِ وَتُخْرِجُ ٱلْمَيِّتَ مِنَ ٱلْحَىِّ ۖ وَتَرْزُقُ مَن تَشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
You cause the night to enter the day, and You cause the day to enter the night; You bring the living out of the dead, and You bring the dead out of the living, and You provide whom You will without account.
This verse, like a unique painting on the tableau of creation, portrays divine authority in creation and sustenance. The rotation of night and day, the emergence of life from death, and death from life, and the unlimited provision to whomever He wills, manifest His boundless will in managing the universe.
لَّا يَتَّخِذِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۖ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ فَلَيْسَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ فِى شَىْءٍ إِلَّآ أَن تَتَّقُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ تُقَىٰةً ۖ وَيُحَذِّرُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسَهُۥ ۗ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
Believers must not take disbelievers as allies instead of believers. Whoever does so is not from God in anything except when taking precaution against them. And God warns you of Himself, and to God is the final return.
This verse, like a clear warning, forbids believers from taking disbelievers as allies except when necessary for precaution (taqiyya). This prohibition acts as a shield that preserves the identity of faith and prevents deviation from the path of truth. God's warning serves as a guardian preventing the believer from stumbling before the enemies of religion.
قُلْ إِن تُخْفُوا۟ مَا فِى صُدُورِكُمْ أَوْ تُبْدُوهُ يَعْلَمْهُ ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Say: Whether you conceal what is in your breasts or reveal it, Allah knows it. And He knows what is in the heavens and what is on the earth. And Allah is over all things competent.
Divine knowledge is like a light that conceals no secret from Him. This verse expresses God's complete awareness of the hidden and the apparent and displays His boundless power in overseeing the universe.
يَوْمَ تَجِدُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَا عَمِلَتْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ مُّحْضَرًا وَمَا عَمِلَتْ مِن سُوءٍ تَوَدُّ لَوْ أَنَّ بَيْنَهَا وَبَيْن
The Birth of Mary and Critique of Patriarchy
The Birth of Mary and the Critique of Patriarchy
فَلَمَّا وَضَعَتْهَا قَالَتْ رَبِّ إِنِّى وَضَعْتُهَآ أُنثَىٰ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا وَضَعَتْ وَلَيْسَ ٱلذَّكَرُ كَٱلْأُنثَىٰ ۖ وَإِنِّى سَمَّيْتُهَا مَرْيَمَ وَإِنِّىٓ أُعِيذُهَا بِكَ وَذُرِّيَّتَهَا مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ
Then, when she had given birth to her, she said: My Lord, I have given birth to a female. And Allah is most knowing of what she bore; the male is not like the female. And I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge for her and her descendants in You from Satan, the expelled.
This verse, like a tempest upon patriarchal culture, shatters false beliefs. The wife of Imran awaited a son, yet God, by choosing Mary, demonstrated that the female is not only equal but, in the station of prophethood, superior to the male. This verse, like a radiant gem, reveals the exalted status of women within the divine order.
Key point: The verse and the male is not like the female negates patriarchy and emphasises the high value of women in the divine system.The Exalted Status of the Mother
The Holy Quran, by emphasising the unique role of the mother, considers her akin to fertile soil from which pure generations grow. The prophetic hadith Paradise lies beneath the feet of mothers shines like a medal of honour upon the chests of mothers. The mother is not only the nurturer of generations but the axis of perfection and spiritual life. In contrast, the father holds a limited role, while the mother is like the root that strengthens the tree of generations.
Key point: The mother, as the fertile land of generations, is the centre of spiritual life and perfection.Critique of the Foreign Patriarchal Culture
Foreign culture, in contrast to the Quranic culture, by means of patriarchy, has reduced the status of women to servitude. This culture, like chains, enslaves women and deprives them of the natural management of home and family. The Holy Quran, through the verse and the male is not like the female, rejects this false belief and introduces the woman as the natural manager and centre of the family.
Key point: The Holy Quran, by critiquing foreign patriarchy, presents the woman as the natural manager of the family.Womans Management in the Family
Managing the household and life is a natural right of the woman, not servitude. Male interference in household affairs is like a wind that disturbs the natural order. The woman is like the captain who steers the family ship towards the shore of felicity. This management is entrusted to the woman not out of compulsion but by divine will.
Key point: The womans natural management of the household signifies divine order in family governance.Section Four: Mary, Zechariah, and John
Marys Acceptance and Divine Sustenance
فَتَقَبَّلَهَا رَبُّهَا بِقَبُولٍ حَسَنٍ وَأَنۢبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنًا وَكَفَّلَهَا زَكَرِيَّا ۖ كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَرِيَّا ٱلْمِحْرَابَ وَجَدَ عِندَهَا رِزْقًا ۖ قَالَ يَٰمَرْيَمُ أَنَّىٰ لَكِ هَٰذَا ۖ قَالتْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
Then her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow a good growth and entrusted her to Zechariah. Whenever Zechariah entered upon her in the sanctuary, he found provision with her. He said: O Mary, from where is this to you? She said: It is from Allah. Indeed, Allah provides for whom He wills without account.
Marys acceptance is a sign of special divine favour, accompanied by miraculous sustenance. This provision, directly from God, is an indication of Marys sanctity and election.
Key point: Marys miraculous provision is a sign of her sanctity and special divine favour.Zechariahs Prayer and the Glad Tidings of John
هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُۥ ۖ قَالَ رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ ٱلدُّعَآءِ
There Zechariah called upon his Lord, saying: My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication.
فَنَادَتْهُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّى فِى ٱلْمِحْرَابِ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحْيَىٰ مُصَدِّقًا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَسَيِّدًا وَحَصُورًا وَنَبِيًّا مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
Then the angels called to him while he was standing in prayer in the sanctuary, Indeed, Allah gives you good tidings of John, confirming a word from Allah and [who will be] honoured, abstinent, and a prophet from among the righteous.
Zechariahs prayer, inspired by Marys provision, led to the glad tidings of John. John, like a star in the firmament of prophecy, with qualities such as lordship and chastity, confirms the word of God (Jesus).
Key point: The glad tidings of John signify the acceptance of prayer and divine favour to Zechariah.The Miracle of Johns Birth
قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَـٰمٌ وَقَدْ بَلَغَنِى ٱلْكِبَرُ وَٱمْرَأَتِى عَاقِرٌ ۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ ٱللَّهُ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَآءُ
He said, My Lord, how will I have a boy when my wife is barren and I have reached old age? He said, Such is Allah; He does what He wills.
The birth of John is a divine miracle, demonstrating Gods power to create the impossible. This miracle is a sign of Gods infinite will.
Key point: The miracle of Johns birth manifests divine power in creating the impossible.Zechariahs Sign of Silence
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱجْعَل لِّىٓ ءَايَةً ۖ قَالَ ءَايَتُكَ أَلَّا تُكَلِّمَ ٱلنَّاسَ ثَلَـٰثَةَ أَيَّامٍ إِلَّا رَمْزًا ۖ وَٱذْكُر رَّبَّكَ كَثِيرًا وَسَبِّحْ بِٱلْعَشِىِّ وَٱلْإِبْكَٰرِ
He said, My Lord, make for me a sign. He said, Your sign is that you will not speak to the people for three days except by gesture. And remember your Lord much and exalt [Him] morning and evening.
Zechariahs silence is a voluntary sign, not a deficiency, intended to focus on the remembrance of God. This sign serves as an invitation to deep contemplation and continuous glorification, enhancing spiritual virtues.
Key point: Zechariahs silence is a sign to focus on remembrance and preservation of spiritual virtues.The Election of Mary and the Call to Worship
وَإِذْ قَالَتِ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يَـٰمَرْيَمُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰكِ وَطَهَّرَكِ وَٱصْطَفَىٰكِ عَلَىٰ نِسَآءِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
And [mention] when the angels said, O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.
يَـٰمَرْيَمُ ٱقْنُتِى لِرَبِّكِ وَٱسْجُدِى وَٱرْكَعِى مَعَ ٱلرَّٰكِعِينَ
O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow [in worship].
Marys election signifies her sanctity and superiority over previous women. The call to devotion, prostration, and bowing, represent pathways to draw closer to God, guiding her towards perfection.
Key point: Marys election and call to worship identify her as a model of sanctity and divine proximity.The Unseen News
ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهِ إِلَيْكَ ۚ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يُلْقُونَ أَقْلَـٰمَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ يَكْفُلُ مَرْيَمَ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يَخْتَصِمُونَ
This is from the news of the unseen which We reveal to you, and you were not with them when they cast their pens as to which of them should be responsible for Mary, nor were you with them when they disputed.
The unseen news, like a treasure from the heavens, is a sign of divine revelation and the authenticity of the Holy Quran. These reports demonstrate the importance of Mary and her exalted status.
Key point: The unseen news is a sign of divine revelation and the authenticity of the Holy Quran.Section Five: Critique of the Decline of Nations and Non-Arab Civilisations
The Decline of Nations
Nations, through deviation and corruption, have brought the names of prophets to ruin. This decline, like a heavy shadow, darkened the spiritual heritage of the prophets and caused many of their names to be forgotten. This underscores the heavy responsibility of nations in preserving divine legacy.
Key point: The decline of nations obstructed preservation of prophets spiritual heritage and caused their names to be forgotten.The Unique Lineage of the Prophets
The prophets arose from the pure and miraculous lineage of Adam, Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of Imran. This lineage, like a clear river, originates from a divine source and demonstrates divine order in prophethood. Apart from these families, no people have attained the status of prophethood.
Key point: The unique lineage of the prophets signifies divine order and selection in the prophetic succession.Arab and Foreign Civilisations
Ancient civilisations flourished only in the lands of the Arabs and the foreigners (Ajams). Other regions, like disordered forests, lacked advanced civilisation. The isolation of civilisations such as China led to their defeat and decline, whereas Arab and foreign civilisations, through connection to the lineage of the prophets, attained spiritual vitality.
Key point: Arab and foreign civilisations gained spiritual vitality due to their connection with the lineage of the prophets.The Word of God
A word from Allah is like an unparalleled gem, referring to a special and exalted miracle. This word is the divine manifestation in prophets such as Jesus and Mary and encompasses a meaning deeper than a general miracle.
Key point: The Word of God signifies the greatness and special divine manifestation in the prophets.Summary
Verses 25 to 63 of Surah Al-Imran shine like a brilliant light illuminating the path of divine knowledge. These verses speak of the justice of the Resurrection, divine power and ownership, the election of prophets, and the exalted status of women. The justice
