of Nokounam, May His Sacred Secret Be Sanctified (Session 953)
The Noble Qur'an, akin to a radiant lamp, illuminates the path of guidance for humanity and, through the exposition of laws and traditions, directs societies towards health and perfection. Verses 26 to 28 of Surah An-Nis, examined in this discourse, resemble a clear mirror that reveals the Divine will in elucidating rulings, guiding to the precedents of former peoples, and returning mankind towards repentance and purity. These verses, with a profound view of inherent human weakness and deviations caused by following desires, chart a blueprint for individual and social reform. The present treatise, through reflection upon these verses, endeavours to present the profound Qur'anic meanings in a lucid and dignified language within a scientific and coherent framework. This work, by connecting Qur'anic concepts with social, historical, and ethical issues, opens a path towards deeper understanding of Divine wisdom.
This verse, like a golden key, opens the doors of Divine wisdom and manifests God's will in three domains: the elucidation of rulings, guidance to the traditions of former peoples, and the return of humanity towards repentance and purity. The Divine will in to make clear (liyubayyina lakum) is like a light dispelling the darkness of ignorance, clarifying the rulings of marriage and inheritance, which had been understood in a pre-Islamic context, for the believers. These rulings are not immutable and unchangeable laws but rather social or religious traditions of predecessors that were legitimate in their temporal context.
The ways of those before you (sunana alladhna min qablikum) refers either to rational social laws rooted within the societal fabric or to the religious ordinances of previous prophets, such as the Abrahamic traditions. The Noble Qur'an, by endorsing these traditions, demonstrates its acceptance of customs that are valid and compatible with collective reason, opting for gradual reform instead of outright rejection. This approach acts as a bridge connecting past and present, guiding believers to actualise these traditions in pursuit of societal health and order.
From an educational perspective, to make clear points to instruction, and to guide implies leading towards action. God, in His knowledge and wisdom, not only imparts knowledge to humans but also directs them towards righteous deeds. This process resembles a gardener planting the sapling of knowledge and nurturing it with the water of action to transform it into a robust tree.
This verse, like a fateful crossroads, presents two opposing wills before humanity: the Divine will for repentance and purity, and the will of the followers of desires for great deviation. Here, repentance is not merely a return to God but a process of purification and restoration towards moral and spiritual health. This concept, like cleansing rain, washes away spiritual and social impurities and guides mankind towards perfection.
In contrast, those who follow desires are those who, by succumbing to carnal impulses, foster injustice, corruption, and oppression. The phrase great deviation (maylan aman) refers to a deviation like a vortex, pulling both individual and society towards destruction. In the contemporary world, this deviation manifests as inequality, corruption, and violence. For example, todays world suffers from a lack of chastity and moderation; while some are immersed in excess, others are deprived of the most basic necessities. This inequality is akin to a wound that corrodes the body of society.
The modern world witnesses the dominance of corruption over virtues. Immorality and wickedness sometimes overpower institutions of knowledge and faith, and slaughter and violence overshadow charitable acts. A glaring example of such deviation is the state of countries like Afghanistan, which after decades of war and great power interventions, have fallen into social frenzy and boundless violence. In these societies, slaughter has become as normal as drinking water, and human values are marginalised. This condition is a direct consequence of following desires and turning away from Divine guidance.
From a sociological perspective, the great deviation has roots in the misuse of knowledge and religion. Knowledge, which ought to serve the good, sometimes transforms into an industry of war and instruments of destruction. Religion, in the hands of extremists, leads not to guidance but to violence and deviation. These two act like two edges of a sword threatening social order.
This verse, like a cool breeze, speaks of Divine mercy that, considering mankinds inherent weakness, lightens the burden of obligation. Man was created weak refers to the existential limitations of human beings: weakness in knowledge, power, upbringing, ethics, and health. This weakness acts as a shadow distinguishing humans from animals. Animals, endowed with strong instincts, are free from training and responsibility, whereas humans, with their weaknesses, depend upon reason and Divine guidance.
Unlike animals, humans are incapable in the face of hunger, disease, or lack of shelter. This incapacity sometimes leads to mental turmoil, as some, confronted with hardships, blame God and others. An example of this turmoil is expressed by an individual attributing his weakness to Divine sadism, neglecting Gods wisdom. Such misunderstanding is like a veil obscuring the truth.
From an educational standpoint, the means to overcome weakness is gradual effort and action. Humans, with their inherent potential, can evolve from weakness to capability, provided they accept training and guidance. In contrast, potential without education is like a sapling without water, leading to chaos and deviation.
The modern world experiences exacerbated human weakness. Continuous wars have driven societies towards frenzy and violence. For instance, great power interventions in countries like Afghanistan, by promoting slaughter and cultural destruction, have steered populations towards deviation. These societies, once rich in culture and history, are now caught in the grip of violence where slaughter is normalised.
Humans, to compensate for innate weakness, turn to industry, but this industry sometimes becomes a tool of destruction. Even a tiny mosquito, with its strong instinct, surpasses humans, who without tools, are helpless against nature. This weakness calls humans towards responsibility and perfection, but without education, it results in deviation and arrogance.
Verses 26 to 28 of Surah An-Nis, like a comprehensive map, chart the path of human guidance. The Divine will in elucidating rulings, guiding to the traditions of predecessors, and returning humanity towards repentance opens a route to individual and social health and perfection. These verses, by endorsing valid traditions and gradual reform, prevent social chaos. In contrast, following desires leads to a great deviation, the reality of which is witnessed in contemporary inequality, corruption, and violence. Human innate weakness is the foundation of Divine mercy in mitigating laws, yet it calls humans towards reason, education, and guidance. Revisiting laws in the modern context is an undeniable necessity to confront deviation and promote justice. This treatise, reflecting upon these verses, extends an invitation towards a deeper understanding of Divine wisdom and an endeavour to build a healthier and more just world.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
