This treatise elucidates and interprets Verse 97 of Surah An-Nis from the Holy Quran. With a profound examination of Quranic concepts, it endeavours to explore its theological, philosophical, and ethical dimensions in the light of religious teachings, employing a lucid and dignified style. The core of this interpretation delves into concepts such as injustice to the self, oppression, migration, and the nature of the soul. Through precise analyses and semantic interrelations, it provides guidance for a faithful way of life and an understanding of human responsibilities. This work, emphasising the comprehensiveness of the Holy Quran in guiding humanity, aims to extract profound lessons from divine verses applicable to contemporary life.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَوَفَّاهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ ظَالِمِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ قَالُوا فِيمَ كُنْتُمْ ۖ قَالُوا كُنَّا مُسْتَضْعَفِينَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۚ قَالُوا أَلَمْ تَكُنْ أَرْضُ اللَّهِ وَاسِعَةً فَتُهَاجِرُوا فِيهَا ۚ فَأُولَئِكَ مَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ وَسَاءَتْ مَصِيرًا
Indeed, those whom the angels take in death while they are wronging themselves say, In what [condition] were you? They say, We were oppressed in the land. The angels say, Was not the earth of Allah spacious [enough] for you to emigrate therein? So those are their refuge Hell and evil it is as a destination.
Verse 97 of Surah An-Nis follows a discussion concerning various social groups within the Islamic community: the fighters, the sedentary, and the afflicted. This verse specifically addresses those who wronged themselves and are held accountable by divine questioning at the moment of their souls departure. This contextual continuity reflects the Qurans comprehensiveness in examining human behaviours and social responsibilities. The Quran, like a clear mirror, presents the diverse facets of humanity before each individual, urging the recognition of ones rightful position within the divine system.
ظالمي أنفسهم refers to those who, through sinning or neglecting divine duties, have inflicted injustice upon themselves. This group, questioned by the angels at death, comprises a vast multitude. Injustice to the self is akin to a dagger thrust into ones own heart, depriving them of eternal felicity. This notion underscores individual responsibility for ones actions and calls for introspection regarding ones conduct.
This section introduced Verse 97 of Surah An-Nis and its placement within the structure of the Surah, elucidating the concept of those who wrong themselves. The verse invites self-examination and acceptance of responsibility for ones deeds. Its connection with preceding verses demonstrates the Qurans systematic guidance of humanity towards ultimate felicity.
The Holy Quran in this verse refers to توفى as the complete taking of the soul by the angels. This process, especially when the individual is sinful, is described as arduous and tormenting. The soul is likened to a bird ensnared by sin, released with difficulty from the cage of the body. This viewpoint emphasises the importance of purity at the moment of death, calling humans to repentance and reform throughout their lives.
In religious sciences, some philosophers, including Mulla Sadra, have considered the soul as immaterial and distinct from the physical body. However, this interpretation faces criticism based on arguments such as the impossibility of the large emerging from the small. Scientific advances, like the storage of immense information on a small disc, demonstrate that matter can harbour vast capacities without necessitating immateriality. The soul, akin to data stored on a flash memory, is material yet possesses the capacity for refinement and elevation towards higher states.
The human soul is of the same nature as the body and, like it, may be strong or weak. It can be compared to clay fired in a kiln; it may progress towards immateriality through purification, yet in its normal state, it remains material. The various levels of the soul, from fiery and earthy to more exalted states, correspond to differences in individuals spiritual capacities. This viewpoint invites humans to strive for nurturing and elevating their souls.
The soul is comparable to information stored on a diskettematerial and transferable. Angels, in the process of retrieving the soul, separate it from the body as if transferring a file from one memory to another. This analogy presents the soul as a tangible yet complex phenomenon, consistent with the natural order of existence.
The Quran elsewhere (ثُمَّ أَنْشَأْنَاهُ خَلْقًا آخَرَ) speaks of the "last creation," a subtler matter than a clot or chewed substance, yet still material. The soul originates from higher levels of existence but not directly from God, except in exceptional cases such as prophets. This origin situates the soul within a natural and orderly creative process.
The soul is layered like skin or hair; with the removal of one layer, another replaces it. This dynamic structure introduces the soul as a renewable phenomenon capable of transformation in the course of spiritual growth. It is like a tree whose branches sprout anew each time.
This section explored the nature of the soul, critiqued the traditional immateriality doctrine, and presented the soul as a material yet elevatable entity. Supported by scientific and Quranic evidence, it calls humanity to purify the self and ascend towards higher spiritual states.
At the moment of soul retrieval, angels question the oppressors: فِيمَ كُنْتُمْ (In what [condition] were you?). This question functions as a mirror revealing the truth of human actions. The oppressors claim to have been oppressed, but the angels, reminding them of the vastness of Gods earth, urge them to migrate. This dialogue emphasises human responsibility in confronting oppressive circumstances.
Fear is an innate and God-given trait that preserves humans from danger. It acts as a shield against recklessness and destruction. However, oppressors, driven by fear and weakness, resort to tyranny to compensate for their deficiencies. This perspective reveals the psychological roots of oppression.
Oppressors at death claim to have been weak, yet the angels reject this justification. The oppressor is the conqueror, not the oppressed, and the claim of weakness serves as an evasion of responsibility. Like a bird trapped in its own cage, the oppressor seeks excuses for escape, but truth exposes them.
The oppressor, born of weakness and deficiency, resorts to injustice. This weakness is like a shadow cast upon their heart, compelling them to tyranny. Conversely, couragea blend of knowledge, chastity, and powerprevents oppression. The courageous, like a steadfast mountain, have no need for tyranny as wisdom and will shield them from error.
The Quran, stressing the vastness of Gods earth, invites humans to migrate in the face of oppression. Migration is the key unlocking the shackles of captivity and guiding the individual towards freedom and felicity. Refusal to migrate condemns oppressors to Hellfire, an evil destination.
In the modern world, migrants and refugees flee harsh and oppressive conditions. Migration is a conscious choice, while seeking asylum is compelled by necessity. This distinction, like a clear demarcation between volition and compulsion, reveals the depth of contemporary social challenges.
This section, examining human responsibility amid oppression and the necessity of migration, stressed the importance of action against unjust conditions. The angels dialogue, fear as a divine trait, and critique of the claim of weakness invite acceptance of responsibility and movement towards reform.
The oppressed, lacking power and the ability to guide themselves, differ from the oppressors. The Quran, mentioning men, women, and children among the oppressed, includes all social strata within this group. This distinction acts as a light separating the darkness of tyranny from incapacity and heralds divine mercy for the oppressed.
The oppressed lack حيلة (the power of resourcefulness) and guidance towards the way. This inability chains them, preventing movement forward. This trait underscores the necessity of empowerment and education to overcome oppression.
The Quran, referring to عَسَى اللَّهُ أَنْ يَعْفُوَ (Perhaps Allah will pardon), raises the possibility of mercy towards the oppressed. غفور signifies forgiveness of past faults, and عفو denotes pardoning future sins. These attributes, like a flowing fountain, perpetuate divine mercy across all times and encourage hope for Gods forgiveness.
This section highlighted the features of the oppressed and their differentiation from oppressors, emphasising vast divine mercy. The oppressed, due to their inability, may be forgiven, and this promise inspires efforts to alleviate oppression and hope in divine compassion.
Courage is a synthesis of knowledge, chastity, and power that restrains one from tyranny. The courageous, like a steadfast tree, have no need for injustice because wisdom and will guide them rightly. The example of an individual who refrains from oppressing the weak due to courage makes this reality evident.
Humans divide into three groups: the courageous who attain salvation, those wronging themselves who are destined for Hell, and the oppressed who may be forgiven. This classification acts as a map revealing diverse life paths and invites one to choose the way of salvation.
This section clarified courage and its role in preventing oppression, inviting the cultivation of ethical traits and the selection of the path to salvation. The human categorisation provides valuable lessons for a faithful life.
The interpretation of Verse 97 of Surah An-Nis, like a brilliant gem, imparts profound lessons in ethics, responsibility, and spirituality. This verse, by introducing those who wrong themselves, emphasises the necessity of migration in the face of oppression and calls humanity to accept accountability for their deeds. The critique of the traditional immaterial soul doctrine, supported by scientific evidence, presents the soul as a material yet elevatable entity. The oppressed, due to incapacity, differ from oppressors and may be recipients of divine mercy. The courageous, through wisdom and chastity, achieve salvation. This interpretation offers invaluable guidance for faithful living and rational societal governance, acting as a light illuminating the path to felicity amidst lifes darkness.
