of Nokounam, (Session 1012)
The Holy Quran, like a pristine spring, flows divine knowledge into souls thirsty for truth. Verses 122 to 124 of Surah Al-Imran, with profound and illuminating expression, speak of faith, righteous deeds, and the sublime degrees of human perfection. These verses serve as guides on the path of felicity by elucidating the conditions for entering Paradise, differentiating between ordinary and select deeds, as well as critiquing heedlessness and the absence of insight. In this treatise, through an in-depth examination of these verses, the concepts of faith, righteous action, divine justice, and the equality of men and women in obtaining divine reward are explored and articulated with clarity and gravity. This work, structured methodically and composed in eloquent language, endeavours to present the spirit of Quranic knowledge in a fitting form to its readers.
This verse introduces faith and righteous deeds as the two wings by which one soars towards Paradise. Faith, like a steadfast root, connects the heart to the light of monotheism, and righteous deeds, like fruitful branches, manifest the fruits of this faith in life. The phrase We will admit them indicates divine guidance that leads the believers towards Paradise. However, this guidance for ordinary believers is likened to a flock led by a merciful shepherd to their destination. This seemingly simple simile carries a profound message: ordinary believers, though admitted to Paradise, hold a different rank than the friends of God who, with awareness and sincerity, proceed towards divine pleasure independently.
This concept aligns with another Quranic verse stating: And those who believe and do righteous deedsthey will have the Gardens of Paradise as a lodging (Az-Zumar 39:9), which underscores the inseparable bond between faith and righteous action.
The analogy of ordinary believers as sheep, although it may initially appear simplistic, conveys a profound message. It alludes to the distinction between levels of faith and deed. Ordinary believers, through faith and good deeds, gain access to Paradise, yet their entry depends on divine facilitation. In contrast, the friends of God, endowed with knowledge and sincerity, find their own way to Paradise without needing such collective guidance. This difference is like that between a traveller who reaches the destination with a guide and a wayfarer who journeys with insight and resolve.
This view corresponds with another Quranic verse: And whoever obeys Allah and the Messengerthose will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favour (An-Nisa 4:69), which situates the friends of God in a lofty position.
This verse acts as a clear mirror, separating the reality of faith and righteous deeds from heedlessness and baseless desires. The phrase It is not [their] wishes serves as a warning that Paradise is not attained through personal whims or desires, but through faith and righteous deeds. Acts of worship devoid of insight and sincerity are like an empty shell, possessing no value in the sight of God. Furthermore, the emphasis on Whoever does wrong will be recompensed highlights divine justice, wherein every individual is rewarded or punished according to their deeds.
This notion resonates with another Quranic verse: And among them are unlettered ones who do not know the Scripture except in wishful thinking (Al-Baqarah 2:78), which emphasises the futility of unfounded desires.
Acts of worship such as prayer, Dua Kumayl, or Salat al-Samaat, if performed solely for personal pleasure or habit, lack genuine value. These deeds are like a flower without fragranceexternally attractive but devoid of perfection and insight. Righteous deeds require a will enlightened by the light of insight and accompanied by sincerity. This perspective is supported by another Quranic verse: They say with their mouths what is not within their hearts (Al-Munafiqun 63:14), which warns against hypocrisy and lack of sincerity.
The phrase Whoever does wrong will be recompensed functions as a precise scale, displaying divine justice. The wrongdoer finds no ally or helper besides God, as by following their whims, they have strayed from the path of monotheism. This concept aligns with another verse: And they have no protector besides Allah (Al-Anam 6:51), which regards sinners as lacking any defender.
A narration attributed to religious scholars states: The best deeds are the most arduous. This hadith, like a blazing torch, illuminates the path towards perfection. Difficult acts such as waking at night for worship, giving wealth to others, or self-sacrifice against base desires are examples of such challenging deeds that elevate the individual to higher degrees of perfection.
This view is in harmony with the Quranic verse: And the remembrance of Allah is greater (Al-Ankabut 29:45), emphasising the value of arduous and spiritual acts.
Staying awake for study or worship, giving wealth to others, or refraining from sleep when needed, are steadfast steps in the struggle against the ego. Such deeds raise a person from the level of ordinary righteous deeds to a more sublime degree. This concept corresponds to the Quranic verse: And they give preference over themselves, even though they are in privation (Al-Baqarah 2:177), which introduces altruism as a valuable practice.
This verse shines like a radiant sun, casting light on the equality of men and women in obtaining divine reward. The phrase whether male or female denotes the spiritual equality of men and women before God. The term righteous deeds refers to select and challenging actions performed with awareness and sincerity. Unlike the phrase We will admit them in verse 122, which suggests collective guidance of ordinary believers, the verb they will enter in this verse indicates the conscious and voluntary entry of those who have attained perfection through select deeds.
This notion aligns with another Quranic verse: Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believerwe will surely cause him to live a good life (An-Nahl 16:97), which stresses gender equality in reward.
The difference between We will admit them and They will enter is like the distinction between two travellers: one who reaches the destination led by a guide and another who, with insight and willpower, walks the path independently. Ordinary believers enter Paradise through divine guidance, but those who perform select deeds proceed consciously and sincerely towards Paradise. This distinction aligns with the verse: And those who feared their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups (Az-Zumar 39:73), illustrating different ranks of admission to Paradise.
The phrase and will not be wronged, [even as much as] the speck on a date seed serves as a scale, ensuring that not even the smallest particle of the believers rights is diminished. This expression reveals the vastness of Gods mercy and justice, emphasising His meticulousness in rewarding. This concept corresponds with the verse: And they will not be wronged in the least (Yunus 10:21), which underscores the absence of injustice towards servants.
The Quranic emphasis on whether male or female reflects Gods wisdom in creation, placing men and women as complements to one another. Female passivity is not a sign of deficiency but part
