of Nekounam (may his sacred spirit be sanctified), Session 937
Surah An-Nisa, one of the lengthy chapters of the Holy Quran comprising 176 verses, serves as a gateway to profound understanding of anthropological, ethical, and social issues. The first verse of this Surah, which constitutes the focus of this treatise, is akin to a shining jewel that depicts the foundation of human creation, the unity of his origin, and his responsibilities towards the Creator and society. This verse, with its eloquent language and deep content, calls man to piety, observance of kinship bonds, and accountability before the Divine. The present writing endeavours, through an analytical and scientific perspective, to elucidate the meanings of this verse and strives to clarify its concepts for the readers in a fluent language and coherent structure.
Surah An-Nisa, one of the longest chapters of the Quran with 176 verses, addresses fundamental anthropological and social issues. This Surah, concentrating on topics such as familial relations, inheritance rulings, and human characteristics, offers a comprehensive framework for organising the social system. Its comprehensiveness has rendered it akin to a roadmap for human felicity, which, alongside doctrinal and ethical matters, also attends to social order. This Surah complements preceding chapters such as Al-Imran, which focused more on doctrinal matters.
The diversity of themes presented in Surah An-Nisa, ranging from social relations to legal and ethical injunctions, reflects its depth and breadth. This diversity renders the exegesis of this Surah a multidisciplinary endeavour requiring an integrated approach encompassing jurisprudence, ethics, and sociology. This attribute has transformed Surah An-Nisa into a rich source for religious and academic research.
Key point: The address O mankind in the Holy Quran encompasses all humans, and nas denotes the lowest degree of humanity which is the vessel for human evolution.
The opening verse of Surah An-Nisa addresses all of humankind with the phrase O mankind. This address, repeatedly employed throughout the Quran, signifies the universality of Divine guidance for all people. Nas, as the lowest degree of humanity, is distinct from higher ranks such as bashar, insan, and mumin. This rank acts as a seed planted in the soil of creation, possessing the capacity to flourish towards higher degrees.
From an anthropological standpoint, nas is the receptacle of human evolution and the starting point of a journey that leads man from rudimentary stages to spiritual perfection. This concept, emphasizing the unity of the human species, negates any form of discrimination or elitism and considers all humans equal before their Lord.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ مِنْ نَفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاءً وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءَلُونَ بِهِ وَالْأَرْحَامَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul and created from it its mate, and dispersed from both many men and women. And fear God, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed, God is ever an Observer over you.
Key point: The nafs wahidah (single soul) is the common origin of all humans, arising from an evolutionary process and affirming the intrinsic equality of men and women.
The phrase created you from a single soul in the verse refers to the creation of mankind from one nafs wahidah. This single soul is the essence encompassing all humans and indicating the unity of human origin. From philosophical and biological perspectives, the nafs wahidah results from an evolutionary process, transforming from prior beings to the perfected human. This concept, emphasizing the intrinsic unity of humans, negates any form of discrimination or superiority.
Certain narrations, such as those regarding the forty mornings or the creation of Eve from Adams rib, lack Quranic support and are closer to superstition than truth from scientific and religious viewpoints. The Holy Quran, by remaining silent on such details, stresses the overarching unity of humanity. The nafs wahidah is neither Adam nor Eve, but the essence from which both emerged. This essence is like a river flowing from a single source, producing diverse human branches.
The phrase and created from it its mate refers to the creation of a counterpart from the single soul. The Quran refrains from naming Eve explicitly and only mentions its mate, indicating the generality of the message and avoidance of unnecessary details. This approach, from a rhetorical perspective, facilitates interpretative flexibility and accommodation of new sciences.
Key point: The phrase and dispersed from both many men and women refers to the proliferation and dissemination of humans, indicative of Divine power and human diversity.
The expression and dispersed from both many men and women points to the spread and multiplication of humans from the single soul and its mate. This proliferation is akin to the branches of a tree growing from a single root and expanding over the earth. From a sociological perspective, this phrase alludes to the expansion of human societies and diversity of social roles. Men and women encompass all social roles, from mother and sister to spouse.
The precedence of men over women in this phrase is purely structural and does not imply any superiority. The Quran, emphasising the single soul, negates all forms of gender discrimination. Furthermore, the mention of men and women relates to maturity, although humans initially emerge as children. This rhetorical view points to the ultimate outcome of creation and illustrates the Qurans holistic outlook.
In the process of procreation, the sperm is initially neutral before differentiating into male or female. This process aligns with the creation of the single soul, demonstrating that gender is a secondary matter and the human essence precedes it.
Key point: The dual exhortations to piety, fear your Lord and fear God, signify the intimate relationship between servant and Creator and Divine oversight over society.
The first verse of Surah An-Nisa contains two calls to piety, urging man to abide by Divine laws and avoid disobedience. The phrase fear your Lord, employing the term Rabb, denotes the intimate relationship between the servant and the Creator as a nurturer, as if holding the human hand to prevent missteps. Conversely, fear God, using the name Allah, emphasises Divine grandeur and supervision over the human collective.
The expression through whom you ask one another and and the wombs indicates the mutual responsibilities of humans before God and one another. Arham, the plural of rahm, refers to kinship bonds and, more broadly, to all creatures related to humans. This responsibility resembles a network encompassing humans, animals, and even possessions. Humans are accountable for all, from the money in their pocket to the animals with which they interact.
This responsibility is universal; no one is exemptfrom the Prophet to the insane. Even the insane, while exempt from ritual obligations, remains accountable for preserving their own life. Abdication of responsibility, as practiced by some tyrants and dictators, is the gravest sin as it violates the essence of humanity.
Key point: The phrase Indeed, God is ever an Observer over you presents God as the sole true watcher and prohibits human spying.
The phrase Indeed, God is ever an Observer over you introduces God as the vigilant guardian of humans. Raqib, derived from the root raqaba, indicates the closest watcher, nearer to a person than their jugular vein. This Divine surveillance is like a light shining in the darkness of human existence, inviting self-control and piety.
This expression negates human spying and surveillance upon one another. God alone is the true Observer, and humans must refrain from undue interference or espionage. Ethically, this principle safeguards privacy and forbids unjust intrusion.
Human responsibility towards animals is also implicit in this verse. Humans are obliged to observe religious conditions, such as proper slaughter and abstention from cruelty to animals. This responsibility is a trust God has placed upon humans, requiring accountability before His creation.
The first verse of Surah An-Nisa serves as a gateway to understanding human creation, responsibility, and social order. The universal address O mankind summons all humans to piety and self-awareness. The nafs wahidah, as the common origin, manifests the unity and intrinsic equality of all humans, repudiating any discrimination or superstition. The expansion of creation through the multiplication of men and women exemplifies Divine power and human diversity. Universal responsibility, from the Prophet to the insane, and Divine supervision as the sole Observer, constitute a framework for eternal human felicity. This verse shines as a torch illuminating mans path towards truth and justice.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
