The Holy Quran, like a radiant lamp, guides humanity towards felicity and salvation. The luminous verses of Srah An-Nis, articulated with profound and deep expression, invite human beings to contemplate their behaviours, responsibilities, and the consequences of their actions. This treatise, focusing on verses 88 and 89 of this chapter, examines the concepts of hypocrisy, misguidance, and the necessity of unity in the face of the enemies of religion. The objective of this work is to present a comprehensive analysis of these verses, employing clear and dignified language that conveys the profound Qurnic meanings within a structured and coherent framework to the reader. By utilising allegories and literary allusions, it endeavours to reflect the spirit of the verses within a spiritual and epistemological context.
فَمَا لَكُمْ فِي الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِئَتَيْنِ وَاللَّهُ أَرْکَسَهُمْ بِمَا کَسَبُوا ۚ أَتُرِيدُونَ أَنْ تَهْدُوا مَنْ أَضَلَّ اللَّهُ ۖ وَمَنْ يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَلَنْ تَجِدَ لَهُ سَبِيلًا
Why are you divided into two factions concerning the hypocrites? Whereas God has brought them to ruin because of what they earned. Do you wish to guide those whom God has led astray? And whoever God misguides, you will never find a way for him.
وَدُّوا لَوْ تَکْفُرُونَ کَمَا کَفَرُوا فَتَکُونُونَ سَوَاءً ۖ فَلَا تَتَّخِذُوا مِنْهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءَ حَتَّىٰ يُهَاجِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۚ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَخِذُوهُمْ وَاقْتُلُوهُمْ حَيْثُ وَجَدْتُمُوهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّخِذُوا مِنْهُمْ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا
They desire that you disbelieve as they disbelieved so that you may be alike. So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate in the way of God. But if they turn away, seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and do not take from them any ally or helper.
The Holy Quran, in verse 88 of Srah An-Nis, reproaches the believers for division in their approach towards the hypocrites. Such division, resembling a fissure in the edifice of Islamic unity, is dangerous and detrimental. Some believers, due to navet or lack of profound understanding of the nature of hypocrisy, supported the hypocrites and formed opposing factions against the Prophet of God. This verse, in a resolute tone, asks the believers: "Why are you divided into two factions concerning the hypocrites?" This question, like a mirror, reveals the weakness in unity and the absence of insight.
This reproach carries an eternal message for human societies. In todays world, where division and discord readily infiltrate communities, the necessity of maintaining unity against internal and external enemies is more manifest than ever. Just as the sun dispels darkness with its light, the unity of the believers can dispel the shadow of hypocrisy from society.
The Holy Quran continues in verse 88 by referring to the reversal of the hypocrites: "And God has brought them to ruin because of what they earned." The word "brought to ruin" (أَرْکَسَهُمْ) means returning to a previous state; a state in which the hypocrites, after their apparent faith, reverted due to their unbecoming actions towards disbelief and hypocrisy. This reversal is akin to a stone falling from the summit of faith into the abyss of disbelief, resulting from erroneous choices and reprehensible conduct.
The hypocrites, through afflicting the Prophet, disobedience to religion, and duplicity, cast themselves into the abyss of misguidance. This verse clearly states that God imposed this reversal upon them because of their own deeds. Just as a gardener who neglects his tree harvests bitter fruit, so too does a person reap the fruit of misguidance through improper actions.
This concept invites reflection on ones own behaviour. Every choice and action is like a seed sown in the soil of existence, whose fruit is manifested in ones destiny.
Verse 88 continues with a thought-provoking question: "Do you wish to guide those whom God has led astray?" This question is a prompt to the intellect and heart, indicating that efforts to guide those whom God has, by His justice, misled are futile. Divine misguidance is the result of persistence in sin and neglecting divine proofs. When a person obstinately treads the path of hypocrisy, the doors of guidance are closed upon him.
The verse further emphasises: "And whoever God misguides, you will never find a way for him." This deadlock is like a high wall constructed by a persons own deeds, which cannot be crossed. This principle invites repentance and returning to God before the divine proofs are exhausted.
One of the profound lessons of these verses is the warning against spiritual lethargy and indolence. Weakness in worship and distancing oneself from remembrance and supplication is like a disease that gradually corrodes the soul. This lethargy is a manifestation of divine cunning, which, in the event of negligence, leads a person towards misguidance. Just as the inactive body weakens, the soul deprived of attention to worship and remembrance is also exposed to decay.
To illustrate this concept, a story is recounted about a religious scholar who, due to an improper habit of unnecessary travelling, deviated from his main path and ultimately perished in an accident. This story serves as a mirror showing the danger of lethargy and daily routine. One must maintain spiritual vigour like a soldier in the battlefield, keeping the soul free from stagnation.
To clarify the necessity of vigour, an example from the battlefield is mentioned. In battle, if a wounded soldier remains immobile, his blood clots and death is inevitable. However, if he moves, even by striking himself against a wall, the blood continues to flow and survival becomes possible. This allegory, like a blazing torch, illuminates the necessity of dynamism in the face of spiritual and material challenges. One must combat lethargy with worship, remembrance, and righteous deeds to keep the soul alive.
The text criticises expressions such as "my brain does not work" or "too much study drives one mad," deeming them superstitions and baseless. These expressions act as veils over human reason and will, preventing endeavour and exertion. A person must stand firm against such excuses with resilience and rationality. Just as a mountaineer does not surrender before daunting cliffs, a faithful person must advance with faith and determination amid difficulties.
Verse 89 of Srah An-Nis refers to the hypocrites malicious intent: "They desire that you disbelieve as they disbelieved so that you may be alike." The hypocrites wish for the believers to become disbelievers like themselves, so that all are on an equal footing. This wish is akin to a poison injected with the intention of weakening the communitys faith. The Holy Quran explicitly commands: "So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate in the way of God." Friendship with hypocrites is prohibited until they migrate for the sake of God.
The migration mentioned in this verse symbolises practical commitment to religion and alignment with the Prophet. Just as a bird spreads its wings to escape a cage, a person frees themselves from the bonds of hypocrisy through migration in the divine path. This principle emphasises the necessity of choosing committed friends and avoiding destructive relationships.
Verse 89, in case of the hypocrites refusal to repent and migrate, commands severe confrontation: "But if they turn away, seize them and kill them wherever you find them." This command, revealed within the context of warfare and defending the faith, stresses the necessity of preserving the security of the Islamic community. Hypocrites, who allied with enemies and refused migration, constitute an active threat. This verse, like a sharp sword, underscores firmness against the enemies of religion.
However, this apparent violence is specific to wartime conditions and should not be interpreted outside its historical and social context. Just as a physician sometimes resorts to surgery to save a patient, the Islamic community in wartime must confront decisively to maintain its wellbeing.
The text points to an apparent contradiction between these verses and another verse which does not assign the Prophet responsibility for monitoring others. This contradiction is resolved by understanding the wartime context of verse 89 and the Prophets guiding role in non-wartime situations. The Holy Quran, like a profound ocean, delivers messages suited to specific circumstances in each verse. Understanding these verses requires a comprehensive and context-based approach to avoid misinterpretations.
Verses 88 and 89 of Srah An-Nis act as a clear mirror, depicting the realities of hypocrisy, misguidance, and the necessity of unity. These verses caution believers against division in the face of hypocrites and assert that misguidance results from wrongful human deeds. The hypocrites, through afflicting the Prophet and disobedience, cast themselves into reversal and find no salvation after the divine proof is exhausted. These verses invite humans to spiritual vigour, avoidance of lethargy, and adherence to the Prophet.
In the contemporary world, these lessons translate into the preservation of unity, selection of committed companions, and resolute defence against threats. The faithful person, like a star in the sky of faith, must clear their path to salvation with dynamism and insight. This interpretation offers a valuable guide for faithful living and wise management of society.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
