The Holy Quran, like a radiant light shining over the course of history, opens the path of guidance towards absolute truth. In the verses of Surah l Imrn, from verse 94 to 97, God, with eloquent and wise expression, directs humanity towards the rite of Abraham (peace be upon him), as a paradigm of pure monotheism and moderation, and introduces the Kaaba as a spiritual axis for all humankind. This writing, through reflection upon these verses and profound analysis of the presented lectures, endeavours to present the lofty meanings of these verses in a clear and coherent framework, employing a distinguished language befitting the academic and research context. In this path, by linking the verses to historical and religious realities, an attempt has been made to reveal the monotheistic and universal spirit of these verses.
فَمَنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ مِنْ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ
"And whoever invents falsehood against God after thatthose are the wrongdoers."
This verse, as a divine admonition, refers to those who, by attributing baseless rules and regulations to God, distort the truth of religion. Falsely ascribing to God is a sin that not only leads to the individual's misguidance but also diverts society from the path of monotheism and moderation. Such distortion sometimes manifests in the form of enacting forbidden and permitted rulings without any divine evidence and at other times in imposing unnecessary restrictions rooted in personal interests or individual preferences. This approach, like a thorn in the garden bed of religion, has led to societal backwardness and even the destruction of natural and biological resources.
The distortion of rulings, as observed throughout the history of the Abrahamic religions, has resulted in food shortages, extinction of animal species, and a decline in societal prosperity. These limitations, which have sometimes led to public ridicule of religion, stem from the lack of moderation and adherence to divine truth. For instance, excessive emphasis on unfounded prohibitions, without providing alternative solutions, has distanced religion from its guiding position and transformed it into a tool for restrictions and violations of human rights.
قُلْ صَدَقَ اللَّهُ ۗ فَاتَّبِعُوا مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
"Say: God has spoken the truth. So follow the religion of Abraham, the upright, who was not of the polytheists."
This verse, like a blazing torch, illuminates the path back to the monotheistic truth. God, by emphasising His veracity, invites humanity to follow the rite of Abraham (peace be upon him). This rite, described by the attribute "upright" (meaning true and moderate), is free from any form of polytheism and distortion. Abraham (peace be upon him), as the patriarch of the prophets, embodies the purity of monotheism and moderation in religiosity, avoiding not only the polytheism of Jews and Christians but also any non-divine interference in religion.
Polytheism in this verse refers not merely to idol worship but to any interference in divine religion and enactment of rulings without legitimate scriptural basis. This approach, observed in some religious scholars, is akin to adding non-divine colours to the canvas of religion, thus obscuring its truth. Conversely, the rite of Abraham flows like a clear stream, free from any contamination of polytheism and distortion, teaching its followers to preserve religion in its purity and simplicity.
إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لِلْعَالَمِينَ
"Indeed, the first House established for mankind is that at Bakkaha blessed place and a guidance for the worlds."
The Kaaba, like a shining star in the sky of monotheism, is introduced as the first house of worship for all humanity. The term "for mankind" indicates the universality of this house, which is intended not only for believers but for all humankind, irrespective of religion or creed. The name "Bakkah," sometimes used instead of Mecca, emphasises the antiquity and authenticity of this site. The Kaaba, described as "blessed," is a source of spiritual, social, and even economic blessing for the worlds, and as "guidance for the worlds," it is introduced as a pivotal centre for the guidance of all people.
This verse distinguishes the Kaaba from other places of worship, such as Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem). Unlike Bayt al-Maqdis, which was once a qibla, the Kaaba is introduced as the first and principal centre of worship. This distinction is not only due to the antiquity of the Kaaba but also because of its universality and blessings that have made it a centre for human unity.
فِيهِ آيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ مَقَامُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ۖ وَمَنْ دَخَلَهُ كَانَ آمِنًا ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا ۚ وَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ
"In it are clear signs, the Station of Abraham; and whoever enters it is safe. And pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to God by people who are able to find a way to it. And whoever disbelievesthen indeed, God is free from need of the worlds."
This verse eloquently elucidates the characteristics of the Kaaba. The "clear signs" refer to divine indications within the Kaaba, including the Station of Abraham (peace be upon him), a sacred place symbolising the connection of this house with his monotheistic rite. The safety of the Kaaba, expressed by "whoever enters it is safe," is a divine principle guaranteed even for non-believers, indicating the exalted status of the Kaaba as a sanctuary of divine security.
The obligation of pilgrimage, stated as "a duty owed to God by people who are able," is a universal command for all humanity, whether believers or not, conditioned by customary ability. This condition reflects divine wisdom in facilitating religious duties, such that Hajj is incumbent only upon those possessing the financial and physical means. Disbelief here denotes denial of this divine duty, and Gods independence from the worlds reflects His autonomy from human actions.
The history of the Abrahamic religions, like a mirror, reflects the deviations and distortions that have occurred in the name of religion. These distortions, often rooted in personal interests or individual preferences, have distanced religion from its monotheistic truth and transformed it into an instrument of restriction and superficiality. Baseless prohibitions, which have sometimes led to ridicule of religion in the public mind, have been one of the factors contributing to the backwardness of religious societies. These limitations have not only resulted in a reduction of food resources and extinction of biological species but also shifted religion from its guiding position towards superficiality and violation of human rights.
Religious sciences, which should serve truth and monotheism, have sometimes deviated due to non-divine interventions. This deviation, observed in some religious scholars, is akin to adding a non-divine hue to the canvas of religion, obscuring its truth. In contrast, the rite of Abraham (peace be upon him), like a clear spring, is free from any contamination of polytheism and distortion and teaches its followers to preserve religion in its purity and simplicity.
The Abrahamic religions, due to their detachment from monotheism and adherence to outward appearances, have at times been emptied of the essence of religion. This superficiality, seen among some followers of Judaism, Christianity, and even Islam, resembles a hollow shell devoid of knowledge, perfection, and love within. Religion, which should be like a flowing fountain nurturing love, justice, and faith in hearts, has, in the absence of monotheism, turned into a barren and fruitless desert.
Verses 94 to 97 of Surah l Imrn, like a guiding light, direct humanity towards the truth of monotheism and moderation. These verses, by condemning falsehood attributed to God, inviting to the rite of Abraham (peace be upon him), and introducing the Kaaba as the axis of global guidance, emphasise the necessity of sincerity in religiosity and the avoidance of distortion and superficiality. The Kaaba, as the first house of worship, is a sacred and guiding place not only for believers but for all humankind, which, through its security and blessings, strengthens human unity. This writing, through reflection upon these
