This treatise is dedicated to the elucidation and interpretation of verse 138 of Surah An-Nis from the Holy Quran, undertaking a profound examination of the phenomena of disbelief, hypocrisy, and fluctuation in faith. The central focus of this analysis is the study of individuals oscillating between faith and disbelief, deprived of steadfastness in belief and practice. Grounded in the content of religious scholarly discourses and exegetical analyses, this work endeavours to depict the psychological, sociological, and philosophical dimensions of the subject with clarity and solemnity. By utilising Quranic verses and spiritual allegories, it strives to present the profound meanings of this verse in a coherent and lucid framework.
Verse 138 of Surah An-Nis refers to two groups of human beings: those who oscillate between faith and disbelief, and hypocrites who lack stability in their belief and actions. Although these two groups appear distinct on the surface, they share a common essence as both are devoid of perseverance on the path of truth. Fluctuation, like a restless mosquito fluttering between two points, deprives a person of constancy in faith and plunges them into a vortex of doubt and instability.
This verse, by describing individuals who repeatedly believe and then disbelieve, alludes to the gradual process of spiritual decline. After each oscillation, these persons augment their disbelief, ultimately reaching a stage where they are deprived of divine mercy and guidance.
Fluctuation in faith stems from despair and ostentation. A person unstable in their belief lacks self-confidence and, in an attempt to assert independence, resorts to denial of truth. This behaviour resembles a traveller lost in an endless desert, chasing a mirage repeatedly without ever reaching a destination.
لَمْ تُؤْمِنُوا وَلَٰكِنْ قُولُوا أَسْلَمْنَاYou have not believed; rather say, "We have submitted."(Quran, Surah Al-Hujurt, 49:14)
This verse distinguishes apparent faith from genuine faith and demonstrates that fluctuation results from contentment with superficial displays of belief.
Fluctuation also manifests in everyday life. For instance, a person who experiences failure in education or lifes affairs and attributes it to divine will exemplifies unstable faith. This individual is like a boat swayed by every wave, lacking a firm anchor. Such a person turns to disbelief in the face of adversity and abandons their faith.
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِAnd We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger.(Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:155)
This verse presents divine trials as a means to test faith, indicating that steadfastness becomes evident under hardship.
Verse 138 of Surah An-Nis explicitly declares that those who increase in disbelief are deprived of divine forgiveness and guidance. This deprivation results from the incapacity to receive divine mercy, akin to a broken vessel that cannot retain water. Due to their instability, these individuals are denied the light of guidance.
خَتَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْAllah has set a seal upon their hearts.(Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:7)
This seal is the consequence of persistent disbelief and hypocrisy, preventing the heart from receiving the truth.
Fluctuation in faith resembles repeated sin and unstable repentance. One who sins, repents, and returns to sin again is trapped in a vortex of instability. This behaviour is analogous to addiction, where a person initially experiments with sin and eventually becomes immersed in it.
وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُوا فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْAnd those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves.(Quran, Surah l Imrn, 3:135)
This verse calls for genuine repentance and shows that lasting repentance is the path to liberation from sin.
Fluctuation in faith is likened to addiction. Just as an addict initially consumes substances recreationally, then descends into full addiction, a fluctuating person slides from apparent faith into profound disbelief. This process resembles a gradual fall into an abyss, where each step draws the individual closer to darkness.
وَلَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَAnd if you associate others with Allah, your deeds will surely become worthless.(Quran, Surah Az-Zumar, 39:65)
This verse highlights the nullification of deeds due to deviation and regards fluctuation as an obstacle to the fruition of actions.
In this interpretation, humanity is divided into three categories: steadfast believers, persistent disbelievers, and the fluctuators who oscillate between faith and disbelief. The believers stand firm like a mountain against the storms of doubt; the disbelievers are established in their disbelief; whereas the fluctuators resemble leaves blown by the wind unstable and lost.
مُذَبْذَبِينَ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ لَا إِلَىٰ هَٰؤُلَاءِ وَلَا إِلَىٰ هَٰؤُلَاءِFluctuating between that neither with these nor with those.(Quran, Surah An-Nis, 4:143)
This verse indicates that fluctuators lack a fixed position and distinguishes them from both believers and disbelievers.
From a sociological perspective, the majority of people in society fall into the trap of fluctuation. These individuals repent during spiritually significant moments, such as the nights of spiritual revival, but soon revert to sin. Their behaviour resembles the tides of the sea, continuously rising and falling without ever reaching the shore of tranquillity.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْIndeed, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.(Quran, Surah Ar-Rad, 13:11)
This verse attributes change to inner reform and identifies hesitation as an obstacle to positive transformation.
An unbeliever who is steadfast in their belief is superior to one who is hesitant and lacks stability. This unbeliever is akin to a tree rooted firmly in the soil, albeit bearing bitter fruit. They are sincere in their conviction, and this authenticity distinguishes them from the hypocrite and the hesitant.
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِي حَاجَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فِي رَبِّهِ
Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:258
Have you not seen the one who disputed with Abraham about his Lord?
This verse refers to the discourse between an unbeliever and the faithful, demonstrating that the steadfast unbeliever possesses authenticity in their belief.
An experience involving interaction with an unbeliever who respects their idols exemplifies their authenticity in conviction. This unbeliever, with an orderly life and adherence to their beliefs, is distinct from the hesitant individual who wavers daily. This experience serves as a mirror reflecting the difference between steadfastness and hesitation.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَالَّذِينَ هَادُوا
Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:62
Indeed, those who have believed and those who were Jews.
This verse points to sincerity in belief, indicating that authenticity is valuable even in disbelief.
A satirical story of an unbeliever who fashions an idol out of a man sleeping in a tree alludes to the futility of idol worship while simultaneously acknowledging the unbelievers authenticity in their belief. This story resembles a painting that depicts futility through the hues of humour.
وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُوا لِلَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا
Quran, Surah Ibrahim, 14:21
And those who were oppressed said to those who were arrogant.
This verse highlights the futility of idol worship and distinguishes the steadfast disbelief from hesitation.
بَشِّرِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ بِأَنَّ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
Quran, Surah At-Tawbah, 9:68
Give tidings to the hypocrites that there is for them a painful punishment.
This glad tidings, expressed with bitter irony, pronounces that hypocrites deserve punishment for their duplicity and instability. Like the hesitant, hypocrites wander between faith and disbelief, deprived of a fixed position.
Hypocrites and the hesitant share instability. They are like birds fluttering between two branches without a nest. This similarity prevents their guidance and forgiveness.
إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ
Quran, Surah At-Tawbah, 9:63
Indeed, the hypocrites are the defiantly disobedient.
This verse links hypocrisy to defiance and identifies instability as the defining feature of hypocrites.
Hesitation manifests not only in faith but also in social conduct. Those who constantly change their stance and shift from one group to another exemplify this instability. Such behaviour is like a kite swayed by every breeze.
وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ
Quran, Surah At-Tawbah, 9:71
The believing men and believing women are allies of one another.
This verse refers to stability in allegiance and unity among believers, identifying hesitation as an obstacle to such bonds.
Rising prices and greed for wealth accumulation are signs of hesitation in values. Social problems such as water shortages or natural disasters result from mismanagement and lack of understanding, which hesitation exacerbates. These issues serve as mirrors reflecting societal weaknesses.
وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا
Quran, Surah Al-Isra, 17:36
Do not walk upon the earth arrogantly.
This verse calls for avoidance of arrogance and greed, viewing materialism as a barrier to stability.
To escape hesitation, one must focus on understanding and discerning right from wrong. Rationality acts as a lamp illuminating the path of truth and rescuing humanity from confusion.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقُولُوا رَاعِنَا
Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:104
O you who have believed, do not say [to Allah's Messenger], 'Ra'ina'.
This verse invites carefulness in behaviour and speech, considering rationality a prerequisite for faith.
The prayer اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ symbolises invocation of the Ahl al-Bayt for attaining stability in faith and knowledge. This supplication serves as a key opening the doors of wisdom and guidance.
إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنْكُمُ الرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ
Quran, Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:33
Indeed, Allah desires to remove impurity from you, O people of the [Prophet's] household.
This verse regards the Ahl al-Bayt as paragons of purity and knowledge, presenting supplication as a means of nearness to them.
This composition, relying on verse 138 of Surah An-Nisa, elucidates the phenomena of hesitation and hypocrisy, portraying them as obstacles to faith and guidance. Hesitation, owing to the absence of stability and authenticity, deprives individuals of divine forgiveness and guidance. In contrast, believers and even steadfast unbelievers distinguish themselves from the hesitant by their adherence to conviction. The social and ethical critiques within this exegesis emphasise the necessity of rationality and comprehension against instability. The call to knowledge and invocation of the Ahl al-Bayt represent a path for liberation from hesitation and attainment of enduring faith.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
