of Nekounam, (Session 929)
The Holy Quran, as a book of guidance and illumination, beautifully delineates the pathways for the spiritual elevation of mankind through its verses. Ayah 179 of Surah Al-Imran shines like a brilliant jewel, addressing the divine wisdom in the purification of faith and the separation of the pure from the impure. This writing, through contemplation upon this noble verse, elucidates the principles of faith, the wisdom behind divine trials, and the role of piety and altruism in the spiritual journey of man. Its aim is to present the profound Quranic concepts in a clear and composed manner within a coherent and scholarly framework, guiding the reader towards a deeper understanding of divine wisdom.
مَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيَذَرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَىٰ مَا أَنْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّىٰ يَمِيزَ الْخَبِيثَ مِنَ الطَّيِّبِ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُطْلِعَكُمْ عَلَى الْغَيْبِ ۙ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَجْتَبِي مِنْ رُسُلِهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ ۖ فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ ۚ وَإِنْ تُؤْمِنُوا وَتَتَّقُوا فَلَكُمْ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ
God is not such that He should leave the believers in the state in which you are until He distinguishes the impure from the pure. Nor is it Gods way to inform you of the unseen; but God selects from His messengers whom He wills. So believe in God and His messengers. And if you believe and practise piety, a great reward awaits you.
The Holy Quran in this noble verse introduces faith as the pivotal and foundational belief system of the believer. This faith must align harmoniously with Quranic teachings, such that any deviation from itwhether by deficiency or excessresults in weakness or misguidance. Faith, like a clear stream, must be quenched from the spring of divine revelation, and any deviation from this path distances the believer from purity. This principle underscores the necessity of adherence to Quranic fundamentals and rejects any arbitrary interpretation or extremism.
The phrase مَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيَذَرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَىٰ مَا أَنْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ clearly indicates that God does not abandon believers in a state of weakness, frailty, or defeat. This verse was revealed in the historical context following the Battle of Uhud, when believers were enveloped in weakness and despondency after their defeat. Yet divine wisdom dictates that believers are not left in this state; rather, through trials, they are guided towards spiritual elevation and purification. The divine test is like a furnace that separates impurities from the essence of the believers being.
This purification pursues a noble objective: to separate the impure from the pure. The impure refers to internal defilements such as polytheism, disbelief, and weakness, which settle as dust over the pure essence of faith. The pure, however, is the genuine core of the believers existence, intrinsically pure and radiant. Divine trials, like a gentle breeze, cleanse this dust so that the authentic purity of the believer is revealed. This process not only strengthens faith but also guides the heart and nature of man towards perfection.
Divine trials, from calamities and hardships to ascetic practices and difficulties, are essential for the purification of the human heart. Just as a bird is cooked in the furnace of heat to become a nourishing food, so too is man refined amid affliction to attain spiritual perfection. This analogy elegantly illustrates that without enduring hardships, a person remains raw, like uncooked meat fit only for the dogs. Affliction is a fire that burns away impurities and reveals the pure essence of faith.
This process is logical and wise. The ignorant may perceive affliction as a sign of divine cruelty, but divine wisdom aims to rescue the believer from weakness and frailty and guide them towards perfection. The true believer perceives these hardships as good and embraces them willingly, knowing that these tests are a path towards felicity and purity. This acceptance is not born of illness or sadism but is an expression of a will shaped by faith in divine wisdom.
The phrase وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُطْلِعَكُمْ عَلَى الْغَيْبِ emphasises the truth that God does not disclose the unseen to the generality of believers. Knowledge of the unseen is a matter reserved solely for the special elect of God who have attained elevated degrees of cognition. Claiming knowledge of the unseen by ordinary individuals is a sign of ignorance or misguidance. This limitation reveals divine wisdom in preserving the dignity and honour of human beings, since judgment regarding others without access to the unseen prevents prejudice and error.
Man possesses the ability to distinguish good from evil, but judging who is truly good or bad falls within the realm of the unseen and is only possible by reference to apparent deeds. This principle prevents hasty and erroneous judgments and invites humility and submission to divine wisdom.
The phrase وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَجْتَبِي مِنْ رُسُلِهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ indicates that God selects His messengers according to divine wisdom. This selection is not discriminatory but a manifestation of divine management in the guidance of mankind. The Quran elsewhere states: لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِنْ رُسُلِهِ, affirming equality among the messengers. Believers are obliged to have faith in God and all His messengers without differentiation among them.
This comprehensive faith is like a current encompassing all prophets and reinforcing the unity of divine religions. The true believer, by accepting all messengers, treads a path leading to spiritual unity and coherence.
The phrase وَإِنْ تُؤْمِنُوا وَتَتَّقُوا فَلَكُمْ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ introduces faith and piety as prerequisites for receiving a great reward. Piety entails acts that distance one from carnal desires, such as fasting or charity. These acts, unlike righteous deeds which may be performed for personal or familial needs, require asceticism and renunciation of ones own desires.
Righteous deeds are like water flowing to quench oneself and ones kin, but piety is a stream directed towards others, even if the person is in hardship. Altruism is the pinnacle of this hierarchy, wherein a person gives to another even at personal need and hardship. This distinction reveals the gradations of virtuous acts and invites man towards spiritual elevation.
Performing virtuous acts, such as piety and altruism, brings a spiritual delight distinct from material pleasures. This sweetness is like nectar that settles beneath the tongue of the soul, filling man with deep and enduring joy. This pleasure arises not from desire but from faith and submission to divine wisdom. Through virtuous deeds, man finds himself on a path leading to inner satisfaction and closeness to the Creator.
The Holy Quran, by emphasising the selection of messengers, alludes to the continuity of divine guidance throughout all eras. Although apparent prophethood ended with the Seal of the Prophets, inner guidance continues through hidden saints. These saints, like precious gems within creation, bear the responsibility of guiding humanity without claims to knowledge of the unseen. This principle highlights the continuity of divine mercy and the perpetual presence of guidance in the world.
The universe, like an infinite ocean, is eternal and boundless. Human cognitive limitations, however, prevent full comprehension of this magnificent system. The Quran, by referring to لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ, invites man to humility before the grandeur of creation. This principle restrains fanciful imaginings and calls man to submission before divine wisdom.
The attribute ستار العیوب signifies Gods infinite mercy in concealing the faults of His servants. At first glance, this attribute appears contradictory to Gods perfect knowledge, which hides nothing. Yet this apparent contradiction is an invitation to reflect upon divine mercy and justice. God, by covering faults, guides servants towards repentance and reform while His knowledge encompasses all things.
Ayah 179 of Surah Al-Imran, like an illuminating lamp, reveals the path of faith and spiritual elevation. This verse, by elucidating the wisdom of divine trials, emphasises the necessity of purifying the believers heart from impurities. Faith, piety, and altruism are gradations of virtuous deeds guiding man towards great divine reward. Human epistemological limitations invite humility before divine wisdom, and the continuity of divine guidance signifies Gods boundless mercy. This writing, through reflection upon this noble verse, invites the reader towards a deeper comprehension of divine wisdom and the spiritual journey.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
