This treatise, relying upon the luminous verses of the Holy Quran and reflecting on their profound meanings, examines one of the fundamental issues in the domain of religious studies: the distinction between the exalted essence of the Divine religions and the conduct of their followers. Just as the sun of truth shines in the firmament of revelation, sometimes the clouds of disbelief and hypocrisy obscure its light in the eyes of some. This work endeavours, through a deep examination of verse 46 of the Noble Surah An-Nis, to elucidate this distinction with scientific precision and eloquent linguistic clarity. Its aim is to invite the reader to ponder the authenticity of the Divine Word and its separation from human deviations, so that, as a guide on the path of truth, one may remain safe from misguidance.
مِنَ الَّذِينَ هَادُوا يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَنْ مَوَاضِعِهِ وَيَقُولُونَ سَمِعْنَا وَعَصَيْنَا وَاسْمَعْ غَيْرَ مُسْمَعٍ وَرَاعِنَا لَيًّا بِأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ وَطَعْنًا فِي الدِّينِ ۚ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا وَاسْمَعْ وَانْظُرْنَا لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُمْ وَأَقْوَمَ ۚ وَلَكِنْ لَعَنَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
Some of the Jews distort the words from their proper places and say: "We have heard and disobeyed," and "Hear without being heard," and "Look upon us," twisting their tongues and defaming the religion. And if they had said: "We have heard and obeyed," and "Hear," and "Look upon us," it would have been better for them and more upright. But Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe only a little.
The noble verse explicitly refers to the distortion of the Divine Word by some Jews. Distortion is like tampering with a Divine map that turns the path of guidance towards misguidance. This distortion occurs not only in wording but also in meaning, outward form, and inner essence of the word. Some Jews, by misusing the heavenly scriptures, have transformed them into instruments for mocking the religion and weakening the truth. This behaviour stems from inner disbelief which, like a poison in the heart, contaminates outward actions.
The verse, referring to phrases such as "سَمِعْنَا وَعَصَيْنَا" ("We have heard and disobeyed") and "اسْمَعْ غَيْرَ مُسْمَعٍ" ("Hear, while you shall never hear"), addresses the manifest disobedience and derision of some Jews. These expressions are like a double-edged sword, revealing both disobedience and scorn towards the Divine religion. The term "رَاعِنَا" (literally "Shepherd us" or "Take care of us" in Hebrew) was uttered by some with a mocking tone to maintain superficial propriety while internally exposing hypocrisy.
The Holy Quran subtly indicates the correct path: "وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا وَاسْمَعْ وَانْظُرْنَا لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُمْ وَأَقْوَمَ" ("And if they had said: We have heard and obeyed, and Hear, and look upon us, it would have been better for them and more upright"). This suggestion, like a light in darkness, illuminates the path of guidance and stresses the importance of sincerity and obedience to the Divine Word.
Verse 46 of Surah An-Nis explicitly points to the deviation of some Jews in distorting the Divine Word and mocking religion. This deviation originates from inner disbelief, which steers outward behaviour towards hypocrisy. The Quran, by suggesting correct phrases, indicates the path of reform and emphasises sincerity and obedience.
One of the fundamental concepts of this exegesis is the separation between the exalted essence of the Divine scriptures (the Holy Quran, the Torah, the Psalms, and the Gospel) and the conduct of some of their followers. Divine scriptures, like pure springs of truth, originate from Divine revelation and have been sent for the guidance of humanity. Nevertheless, some followers, instead of utilising these springs, have polluted them with hypocrisy and misuse. This separation is akin to distinguishing between sunlight and shadows cast by obstacles; the light should not be disregarded because of the shadows.
Some followers of religions have transformed the Divine scriptures into tools for profit, crime, or distortion. For example, in the marketplace of Mecca, some exploited the term "gift" to present goods as ostensibly free while seeking payment. Such behaviour, like a mask over the face of truth, exposes hypocrisy. Similar examples of misuse of scriptures have been observed in other religions, such as Christianity in the Vatican or Judaism, where instead of guidance, these have led to misguidance.
To elucidate this concept more clearly, one may refer to the crisis of the Coronavirus pandemic. In China, with a vast population, this crisis was managed swiftly and effectively, with a huge hospital built in ten days and the virus contained. However, in some other societies, due to dishonesty or inefficiency, the crisis resulted in disaster. This difference is like a mirror reflecting how righteous actions and truth-based management can prevent deviations.
The distinction between the essence of Divine religions and the behaviour of their followers is a fundamental principle in understanding religious truth. Divine scriptures, as beacons of guidance, were revealed to maintain the path of truth. However, the misuse by some followers has darkened this light in the eyes of some. Historical and contemporary examples reveal that human deviations stem from inner disbelief, not from defects in the Divine Word.
The noble verse, emphasising "لَعَنَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِكُفْرِهِمْ" ("Allah has cursed them for their disbelief"), identifies the root of deviations as inner disbelief. This disbelief, like a hidden root beneath the soil, nourishes outward actions and results in distortion, disobedience, and mockery. The Divine curse is not because of the outward acts but due to this inner disbelief which, like a hard stone, prevents acceptance of guidance.
The phrase "فَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا" ("They believe only a little") indicates that only a few individuals come to true faith. This paucity refers to the number of believers, not the quality of their faith. This point is clarified by another Quranic verse:
يَدْخُلُونَ فِي دِينِ اللَّهِ أَفْوَاجًا وَيَخْرُجُونَ فِي دِينِ اللَّهِ أَفْوَاجًا
People enter into the religion of Allah in crowds, and leave it in crowds.
This verse acts as a mirror, showing the instability of the faith of some followers of religions and emphasising the exceptional nature of true faith.
Inner disbelief is the principal root of deviations among some followers of religions, leading to distortion of the Divine Word and disobedience. The Divine curse is a consequence of this disbelief that obstructs acceptance of guidance. Only a few groups, endowed with genuine faith, escape this loss and follow the path of truth.
The Holy Quran, in Surah Al-Asr, explicitly mentions the exception of faith and righteous deeds:
إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ
Indeed, mankind is in loss, except those who believe, do righteous deeds, and exhort one another to truth, and exhort one another to patience.
This verse, like a blazing torch, demonstrates that only faith combined with righteous deeds can save a person from loss. However, even this group may sometimes refrain from constructive dialogue due to inner obstinacy.
Among the believers, there exists a distinguished group who "تَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْمَرْحَمَةِ" ("exhort one another to patience and mercy"). This group, like stars in the sky of guidance, possesses the capacity for constructive dialogue and interaction through patience and compassion. Finding such individuals is akin to searching for a rare gem that illuminates the path of truth.
Faith and righteous deeds are the path to salvation from loss, but only the group that exhorts each other to patience and mercy is protected from inner obstinacy and capable of guidance. This group shines like a rare gem amidst the multitude of religious followers.
Divine scriptures, like signs on the path of guidance, were revealed to preserve the way of truth. The Holy Quran, Torah, Psalms, and Gospel were not sent for the guidance of all humanity indiscriminately but to safeguard the path of guidance for the few who come to true faith. These scriptures are like lanterns in
