the lectures of Nokounam, (Session 975)
Verses 58 and 59 of Surah An-Nisa from the Holy Quran, like steadfast pillars, uphold the moral and social foundations of the Islamic system. These verses, with profound and wise expression, address the fundamental principles of trustworthiness, justice in judgment, and conditional obedience to those in authority. This treatise, relying on these two luminous verses, elucidates these principles and presents their concepts in a coherent and scholarly framework. Its objective is that these verses, like an illuminating lamp, guide the individual and social behaviour of believers on the path to felicity and perfection.
Trust, like a precious gem, holds a lofty position within the divine system of the Holy Quran. This concept extends not only to divine scriptures such as the Torah, Psalms, Gospel, and the Quran but also encompasses every tangible and intangible object entrusted to an individual. Trustworthiness, like a strong thread, fortifies bonds of confidence within society. This principle covers everything from the simplest verbal commitments to the safeguarding of valuable trusts and, as a universal law, forbids any form of betrayal.
Even if Yazid entrusts me with his dagger, I shall return it.
This statement, like a blazing torch, elucidates the importance of trustworthiness even towards oppressors. Upon accepting a trust, a divine commitment is formed that must only be fulfilled by returning it to its rightful owner. This principle reflects the grandeur of Islamic ethics like a mirror.
An individual possesses discretion when accepting a trust. If a trust involves something harmful, such as wine or instruments of oppression, it may be declined. However, after acceptance, the trust must be fulfilled. In case of difficulty, referral to a just court is necessary to clarify the matter. This principle balances choice and responsibility like a precise scale.
For instance, it is narrated that a group accepted books to deliver to religious scholars, but due to negligence or disbelief, they failed to perform this trust. One present insisted on fulfilling the duty and personally ensured the book reached a reliable person to deliver it to its owner. This example mirrors the moral weakness of some individuals in trustworthiness.
Betrayal of divine trusts, such as distortion of the verses of the Torah, Psalms, Gospel, or Quran, or misinterpretation of hadiths for personal benefit, constitutes a grave sin. This betrayal, like a lethal poison, damages public confidence in religion and leads society astray. The Holy Quran, emphasising trustworthiness, forbids any distortion or misuse of divine verses.
Trustworthiness, like a flowing river, nourishes the moral and social vitality of society. This principle encompasses a wide scopefrom divine verses to material objectsand any betrayal thereof is akin to a dagger in the body of social trust. Discretion in accepting trust and referral to a just court in case of difficulty are the measures the Holy Quran proposes to safeguard this principle.
Justice in judgment, like a steadfast pillar, upholds the social system. This principle obligates the judge to uphold the truth even under difficult circumstances. Unjust judgment, even out of fear or expediency, is like a dark shadow that tramples upon others rights and destroys social trust.
If just judgment is not possible, refraining from judgment is preferable. However, when judgment is obligatory, justice must be observed even if it harms the judge. This principle acts as a protective shield preventing deviation in judgment.
God, with these two principles of trustworthiness and justice, like a wise gardener, guides humanity towards perfection. This admonition, like a brilliant jewel, displays the beauty of the divine system.
The attributes of All-Hearing and All-Seeing, like vigilant eyes and attentive ears, denote Gods precise supervision over human deeds and intentions. The precedence of hearing over seeing highlights the subtlety of divine perception, which is more imperceptible than sight.
Justice in judgment, as a firm pillar, preserves the social system from collapse. Together with trustworthiness, these principles, like two wings, enable society to soar towards felicity and perfection. Divine supervision, like a radiant torch, invites humanity to observe these principles.
Obedience to God and the Messenger, like two main pillars, fortifies faith. This obedience is absolutely comprehensive in theoretical wisdom, that is, full acceptance of divine rulings, but in practical wisdom, due to human limitations in knowledge and ability, it becomes conditional. This principle acts as a gateway to truth, linking faith with action.
Those in authority, like the guardians of society, emerge from among the people. Obedience to them is conditional upon their not contravening God and His Messenger. They fall into three categories: the infallible who never err, the criminal who are not to be obeyed, and intermediate rulers who may be good or bad. This classification serves as a guiding map clarifying the path of obedience.
In cases of disagreement with those in authority, referral to the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Messenger, like a key to unlocking disputes, constitutes the ultimate solution. This principle affirms divine authority in resolving conflicts.
Faith in God and the Last Day, like an inner motivation, drives the believer to adhere to divine rulings. This referral brings about goodness and a favourable outcome, as the term 'interpretation' implies a good final result and eternal felicity.
Referral to God and the Messenger requires expertise, akin to consulting a physician in illness or an engineer in construction. Society must benefit from religious experts who accurately interpret divine rulings. This principle, like a lamp, illuminates the correct path for implementation of rulings.
Obedience to God, the Messenger, and those in authority, as three pillars, stabilises the religious system. Referral to the Holy Quran and Sunnah during disputes ensures divine authority and, with the condition of faith, brings about good and felicity. Expertise in interpretation serves as a bridge guiding society towards correct execution of these principles.
Rulers who mock religion under the guise of religiosity and spread corruption act as a destructive plague dragging society towards degradation. This apostasy contaminates religion and undermines public trust. Such individuals commit a grave sin due to their exploitation of religion for power.
Corruption and injustice of rulers, like a poisonous seed, bring divine punishments such as floods, earthquakes, and diseases. These afflictions reflect the sins of society like a mirror. Reform requires adherence to trustworthiness and justice.
Rulers must be selected from among specialists and scholars of society, not by indiscriminate public elections. These specialists, like wise gardeners, bear the responsibility of just governance. Meritocracy acts as a key preventing corruption and mismanagement.
