of Nokounam, may his sanctity be preserved (Session 988)
The Holy Quran, like a radiant lamp, illuminates the path of guidance before mankind and, through its luminous verses, elucidates not only the way of individual felicity but also the principles of social order and cohesion. This treatise, reflecting on verse 83 of Surah Al-Imran and related verses, examines social behaviours, the role of divine guidance, and the necessity of systematicity within the religious community. The present text, with a profound contemplation of Quranic verses, endeavours to present their exalted meanings in a clear and solemn manner within a coherent and scholarly framework. Employing literary metaphors and allusions, it strives to reflect the profound Quranic significances in a way that both enlightens the heart with the light of faith and invites the intellect to contemplate the divine system.
Verses 81 to 83 of Surah Al-Imran, akin to a connected thread, portray hypocritical behaviours and divine strategies for societal reform. Verse 82, by inviting contemplation of the Holy Quran, stands as a bridge between the discussion of the hypocrites in verse 81 and their destructive actions in verse 83. This shift in atmosphere, like a breeze that freshens a heavy environment, underscores the importance of reflection upon the divine discourse so that inappropriate social behaviours may be rectified.
وَإِذَا جَاءَهُمْ أَمْرٌ مِنَ الْأَمْنِ أَوِ الْخَوْفِ أَذَاعُوا بِهِ ۖ وَلَوْ رَدُّوهُ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ وَإِلَىٰ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْهُمْ لَعَلِمَهُ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَنْبِطُونَهُ مِنْهُمْ ۗ وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ لَاتَّبَعْتُمُ الشَّيْطَانَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
And when there comes to them information about [public] security or fear, they spread it around. And if they had referred it back to the Messenger or to those of authority among them, then the ones who draw correct conclusions from it would have known about it. And if not for the favour of Allah upon you and His mercy, you would have followed Satan, except for a few.
This verse, like a mirror, reflects the hypocrites behaviour in spreading rumours and disrupting societal order and demonstrates the divine solution in referring matters to the Messenger and those in authority.
The structure of the verses, by linking contemplation of the Holy Quran with the critique of social behaviour, emphasises the importance of divine guidance in societal reform. These verses, like a precise map, delineate the pathway of social systematicity.
The hypocrites, like those who steer the ship of society into turbulence amid a storm of false news, upon hearing any information of security or fear, propagate it heedlessly. This behaviour not only disrupts social order but also weakens the roots of trust and cohesion. The Holy Quran criticises this act as a sign of irresponsibility and selfishness.
In good, the hypocrites seek their share, and in evil, through rumour-mongering, they destroy the communitys reputation. This behaviour is like a fire that falls upon the harvest of societal unity and reduces it to ashes.
The Holy Quran, by emphasising the referral of news to the Messenger and those in authority, offers a wise remedy. This principle, like a firm pillar, preserves social order. The authorities are those who, through knowledge and wisdom, can deduce the truth and protect society from the harm of rumours.
Rumour-mongering by the hypocrites is like a poison injected into the body of society, but referring matters to the Messenger and the authorities is like an antidote that neutralises this harm. This section stresses the necessity of information management by righteous individuals.
The Holy Quran, in verse 83, by emphasising divine grace and mercy, calls humanity to gratitude and humility. Without this grace, except for a few, all would have fallen into Satans trap. This principle is like a light that dispels the darkness of misguidance.
وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ لَاتَّبَعْتُمُ الشَّيْطَانَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
And if not for the favour of Allah upon you and His mercy, you would have followed Satan, except for a few.
Divine mercy is bestowed even upon sinners, which is indicative of the vastness of Gods benevolence. This mercy is like rain that irrigates the parched soil of hearts.
The verse considers true believers as few but gathered. This group, like stars in the dark sky of misguidance, scatter the light of guidance. True faith depends not on cunning nor superficial knowledge, but on divine grace.
Divine grace and mercy act as an umbrella protecting humanity from the storm of misguidance. This section emphasises the rarity of true faith and the necessity of striving to attain divine grace.
Religion, like a coherent system, prevents backbiting, slander, and the spread of corruption. This system is like a gardener who prunes unhealthy branches so that the tree of society may bear fruit.
The Holy Quran, by emphasising reliance upon God, critiques human guardianship that leads to self-centredness and power-seeking. This principle is like a breeze that removes the dust of polytheism from the heart.
فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ وَكِيلًا
So turn away from them and rely upon Allah. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.
The religious system, by establishing discipline and critiquing human guardianship, directs society towards monotheism and piety. This section highlights the importance of adhering to divine principles.
From the viewpoint of religious sociology, religions are divided into two groups: a majority engaged in superficiality and a minority possessing true faith. This minority, like precious seeds within soil, are few but valuable.
Over time, social consciousness has increased, yet the number of true believers remains limited. This progress is like a river deepening its course, but only a few drink from it.
The division of religions and the progress of social consciousness underline the necessity for self-purification and vigilance against deviations. This section invites man to join the small group of true believers.
Certain inappropriate behaviours in religious places, like thorns in the foot of the religious community, indicate social deviations. This critique reveals the necessity of reform and supervision of these institutions.
Managing society by righteous individuals is like a gardener protecting the community garden from pests. Truth, due to its divine origin, remains constant over time, whereas falsehood is like a transient shadow, unstable.
This section, by emphasising the reform of religious institutions and the selection of righteous managers, offers strategies for faithful living and wise governance of society.
The interpretation of verse 83 of Surah Al-Imran and related verses, like a mirror, reflects social behaviours and the role of divine guidance. These verses, by critiquing the hypocrites rumour-mongering, emphasise the necessity of referring affairs to those in authority and the role of divine grace in preserving man from misguidance. The religious system, by establishing discipline and piety, guides society towards felicity. True believers, although few, scatter the light of faith in society like shining gems. This treatise calls humanity to self-purification, reliance upon God, and adherence to divine principles in order to, under the shadow of divine grace and mercy, join the small group of true believers.
