of Nokounam, (Session 1011)
The Holy Quran, like a radiant lamp, illuminates the path of guidance for humanity and, with profound and wise discourse, warns against the snares of misguidance and deceit. Verses 120 to 122 of Surah Al-Imran elucidate the insinuations of Satan and his deceptive promises as opposed to the true divine reward, inviting man to reflect upon the reality of his existence and choose the path of felicity. This treatise, with a deep examination of these verses, analyses the mechanisms of Satans deception, the role of carnal desires in human deviation, and the place of faith and righteous deeds in deliverance from such deceptions. Employing the lofty Persian language and a structured format, this text endeavours to present Quranic concepts with due precision and eloquence to its readers.
يَعِدُهُمْ وَيُمَنِّيهِمْ ۖ وَمَا يَعِدُهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ إِلَّا غُرُورًا
Translation: He promises them and instils vain hopes in them, but Satan promises them nothing except deceit.
The Holy Quran, in this verse, explicitly refers to the stratagems of Satan in leading man astray. Satan, like a cunning architect, with precise knowledge of human weaknesses, enters through the avenues of desires and aspirations. By means of alluring promises such as wealth, power, and transient pleasures, he directs man towards arrogance and pride. These promises, like a mirage in the desert, culminate solely in loss and ruin. Satan, by embellishing reprehensible deeds, convinces man that the chosen path is one of felicity, whereas in truth, this path leads only to the abyss.
Satan, in isolation, possesses no independent power to misguide; rather, like a wire connected to an electric current, he is effective only when a fertile ground exists within man. This ground is the carnal desires, akin to fertile soil nurturing the seeds of Satans whispers. He accompanies the self by planting false hopes within, promising life in lofty towers or the acquisition of great wealth, thereby drawing man towards deviation. This reality invites man to self-reflection in order to recognise his weaknesses and resist such temptations.
To clarify this concept, one may refer to an experience wherein the allure of living on the upper floors of a building captivates the mind as a deceptive spectacle. The narrator, describing a visit to the tenth floor of a building in Qom, points out the difficulties of access and the incongruity of this lifestyle with reality. This experience serves as a mirror illustrating how Satans promises estrange man from the truth of a simple and genuine life. This example reminds us of the Quranic truth that carnal lusts lead man to choices which are superficially enticing but inwardly detrimental.
أُولَٰئِكَ مَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ وَلَا يَجِدُونَ عَنْهَا مَحِيصًا
Translation: Their abode is Hell, and from it they shall find no escape.
The Holy Quran unequivocally designates Hell as the final destiny of those who have succumbed to Satans deceptive promises. The term مَحِيصًا emphasises the absence of any refuge or escape from Divine punishment. This verse serves as a stern warning, urging man to refrain from following Satans insinuations. Acceptance of Satans dominion inevitably leads man to a helpless torment where neither intercession nor escape is possible.
Satan, alone, does not possess the power to mislead. He is akin to a spark that ignites a flame only when combustible material is available. This material comprises the human souls weaknesses which Satan, with precise knowledge, exploits to create the grounds for deviation. This truth highlights the significance of free will and personal responsibility. Faith and righteous deeds serve as a robust shield that protect man from Satans influence.
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ سَنُدْخِلُهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ۖ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقًّا ۚ وَمَنْ أَصْدَقُ مِنَ اللَّهِ قِيلًا
Translation: And those who have believed and done righteous deeds, We will surely admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they shall abide eternally. This is the true promise of Allah; and who is more truthful than Allah in statement?
In contrast to Satans deceptions, the Holy Quran offers a true and divine promise to the righteous believers. Paradise, with its flowing rivers and eternal abode, is the reward for those who, through faith and righteous deeds, resist Satans whispers. The term حَقًّا stresses the veracity and certainty of Allahs promise. This promise, like a light in darkness, guides man towards eternal felicity.
Believers, according to the Holy Quran, are categorised into two groups: ordinary believers who enter Paradise through faith and righteous deeds, and the Awliy (saints) of Allah, including prophets, martyrs, and eminent pious individuals who occupy a special station. The phrase سَنُدْخِلُهُمْ refers to the entry of ordinary believers into Paradise, while the Awliy, due to their sincerity and elevated status, differ in this collective admission. They resemble shining stars in the firmament of faith and hold a distinguished place before the Lord.
This section, by elucidating the reward of the righteous believers, underscores the significance of faith and righteous deeds in deliverance from Satans deceptions. The divine promise, unlike Satans deceitful promises, is true and everlasting. The distinction between ordinary believers and the Awliy reflects varying degrees of faith and sincerity, each enjoying divine blessings commensurate with their efforts.
The concept of Rajat, in certain narrations, denotes the return of some Awliy of Allah to this world. However, in its common interpretation, it has occasionally led to irrational beliefs incompatible with contemporary societal conditions. Should Rajat be realised, it must occur in another realm and under different circumstances wherein humanity has attained a level of perfection. This perspective emphasises the necessity to avoid superstitious beliefs and rely on rationality in understanding religious concepts.
One of the afflictions of the age is the exploitation of religious concepts to deceive people and attain wealth and power. These deviations, rooted in Satans influence, distort true beliefs and divert people from the path of monotheism and sincerity. For example, promises of material benefits in the service of religion sometimes lead to deception and misguidance. These deviations, like a poison in the body of society, erode trust and sincerity.
The narrator, referring to a personal experience of entering the city of Qom in youth and facing unconventional criticisms, stresses the importance of sincerity and avoidance of superficial judgments. This experience acts as a mirror demonstrating how preoccupation with material appearances distances man from the truth of sincerity and righteous deeds. Religious knowledge must transcend superficial judgments and be guided towards the truth and inner essence of actions.
Contemporary society at times witnesses deviations such as violence, takfr (excommunication), and the misuse of religious concepts. These phenomena stem from distancing oneself from monotheism and the infiltration of Satans insinuations into the fabric of society. Religious knowledge, as the guardian of truth, must stand against these deviations and, through promoting rationality and sincerity, guide society towards reform.
This section, by critiquing irrational beliefs and social deviations, emphasises the necessity of returning to monotheism and sincerity. Religious knowledge, as a guiding light, must avoid superstition and exploitation, relying on rationality to steer society towards felicity. Personal experiences and Quranic reflections invite man to avoid deceptive appearances and attend to the truth.
Verses 120 to 122 of Surah Al-Imran, like a clear mirror, depict the reality of Satans misguidance and Divine guidance. Satan, with deceptive promises and exploiting human carnal desires, leads man to loss and Hell, whereas faith and righteous deeds guide man to Paradise and Divine mercy. The distinction between ordinary believers and the Awliy of Allah indicates varying levels of faith and sincerity. The critique of irrational beliefs and social deviations invites reflection upon the truth of religion and avoidance of Satans deceptions. This interpretation, employing an exalted style and systematic structure, endeavours to present these concepts to readers with due precision. It is hoped that these reflections will illuminate the path to felicity and salvation.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
