of Nekounam (may his sanctity be preserved), Session 974
Verses 53 to 56 of Surah An-Nisa in the Holy Quran reflect, like a pristine mirror, the reality of human beings entrapped in the whirlpool of moral vices such as envy and miserliness. These verses, with lucid and profound articulation, critically address hypocritical behaviours and delineate the dual fate of humans in the face of faith and disbelief. In this writing, through contemplative reflection upon these verses, the divine concepts, Gods justice, and the reward and punishment in the hereafter are elucidated. The present text, organised systematically and expressed in clear language, endeavours to portray the profound meanings of these verses with an analytical and scholarly perspective, guiding the reader towards contemplation of their existential truth.
Verse 53: Extreme Miserliness and Lack of Charity
"Do they have a share in the dominion? Then, in that case, they would not give the people even a little."
This verse, with incisive expression, refers to a group among the People of the Book who, should they gain power and wealth, withhold even the smallest amount (naqr, meaning the tiniest portion) of charity from others. This miserliness acts like a dam obstructing the path of benevolence and generosity, rooted in a lack of faith and inner envy. Such individuals, instead of utilising divine blessings as a means for doing good, remain trapped in selfishness and avail themselves of their blessings solely for their own benefit.
Verse 54: Envy Towards Divine Grace
"Or do they envy the people for what Allah has given them of His bounty? Yet We gave the family of Abraham the Scripture and wisdom and We gave them a mighty kingdom."
Verse 54, like a shining lamp, reveals the envy of a segment of the People of the Book towards divine blessings bestowed upon others. This envy, rooted in a lack of spiritual substance and authentic faith, drives them towards hypocrisy and misguidance. God, in this verse, points to His grace upon the family of Abraham, to whom He granted the Scripture (revelation), wisdom (spiritual firmness and dignity), and a mighty kingdom (power and sovereignty). These blessings, signs of Gods infinite favour, kindle a fire of hatred and envy in the hearts of the envious.
Envy acts as a poison that corrupts the human soul and deters it from gratitude for divine favours. Instead of reflecting on their own blessings, this group fixates on Gods grace in others, thereby sinking into a whirlpool of misery and failure.
This group suffers misery in both scenarios: if God grants them blessings, they become miserly and withhold charity; if He grants blessings to others, they envy them and cannot tolerate Gods grace upon others. This paradox acts like a mirror reflecting the depth of their moral and spiritual deviation. These individuals are neither tyrants nor outright disbelievers but are caught in a state of instability and fragility, a condition that renders them the worst kind of human beings.
Due to their lack of faith and sincerity, they become ensnared in a cycle of miserliness and envy, deprived of the bliss of the hereafter. This misery, like a dark shadow, perpetually dominates their existence, distancing them from the divine light of guidance.
The Holy Quran in verse 54 refers to the great divine blessings upon the family of Abraham: the Scripture, a sign of revelation and guidance; wisdom, which brings spiritual dignity and firmness; and a mighty kingdom, symbolising power and authority. These blessings, granted to Abrahams lineage, are the object of envy of the hypocrites. They envy not only the prophets and their descendants but also rulers and those in power, whether their blessings be knowledge and wisdom or wealth and authority.
This pervasive envy, like a burning flame, scorches their souls and deprives them of any good or bliss. The family of Abraham, as a symbol of faith and monotheism, having received these blessings, stand as a model for human guidance; yet the envious, rather than following this model, sink into hatred and jealousy.
Verse 55: The Believers and the Obstructors
"Among them are those who believe in it, and among them are those who turn away from it. And Hell is sufficient as a blazing fire."
This verse clearly points to the division among the People of the Book into two groups: those who believe in the truth and attain felicity, and those who not only turn away from faith but also prevent others from guidance. This obstruction, a sign of hypocrisy and enmity toward truth, renders them among the worst of creatures.
The phrase "And Hell is sufficient as a blazing fire" denotes the intensity and extent of Hells torment sufficient to punish this group. The term sr, meaning intensely blazing, emphasises a burning and pervasive punishment commensurate with the grievous sins of those who obstruct faith.
Verse 56: Punishment of Disbelievers and Renewal of Skins
"Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses - We will drive them into a Fire. Every time their skins are roasted through, We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted in Might and Wise."
This verse depicts, with a terrifying image, the punishment of disbelievers in the divine signs. God subjects them to a burning fire such that whenever their skins are seared due to the heat, new skins are substituted so that they may continually experience the torment. This imagery, like an engraving upon stone, emphasises the continuity and intensity of the punishment, illustrating that Hells torment is not only scorching but also perpetual and unending.
The phrase "so they may taste the punishment" clarifies the purpose of this torment: to let the disbelievers experience pain in such a way that they become aware of the depth of their sinfulness. This punishment is the outcome of divine wisdom and might, executed with precision and justice. God, being Mighty and Wise, enforces His justice upon the oppressors with infinite power and wisdom.
The metaphor of skin renewal used in this verse symbolises a punishment beyond human comprehension. Humans, limited by material faculties, cannot fully grasp this torment; however, the Quran employs this metaphor to guide the mind towards the reality of the hereafters punishment. This torment is like a fire that envelops the layers of a persons existence, penetrating even to the depth of the bones.
