of Nokounam Session 1028
Verse 154 of Surah Al-Imran in the Holy Quran, like a clear mirror, depicts the relationship of the Children of Israel with the Divine Covenants and unveils their rebellions and disobediences. This treatise, relying on the discourses of religious scholars and profound Quranic analyses, explicates this verse and its profound concepts. The objective is to present a comprehensive and coherent perspective on this verse, inviting the reader to contemplate its lofty divine and mystical meanings. The present text, employing clear and dignified language, endeavours to systematically convey all the details and points encompassed in the lectures with a lucid structure.
Text and Translation of the Verse:
وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَهُمُ الطُّورَ بِمِيثَاقِهِمْ
And We raised above them the Mount, by their covenant.
Analysis and Elucidation:
This segment of the verse refers to a remarkable event in which God elevated Mount Sinai over the Children of Israel to compel them to accept a steadfast covenant with their Lord. This covenant is a commitment calling the nation to accompany the Divine Will on the path of knowledge and perfection. The raising of the Mount, as a manifestation of Divine might and grandeur, guides the people towards humility and reverence before the Truth. This event, also mentioned in the Quran and in the Book of Exodus (19:17), symbolises the awe of God that directs hearts towards acceptance of truth.
The covenant in this verse is not merely a legal contract but an existential commitment inviting humans to harmonise with Divine Providence. This pact is like a key that opens the doors to knowledge and perfection. The lectures consider this event a sign of the "clear authority" or manifest Divine power granted to Prophet Moses (peace be upon him). This power is so immense that it calls the people to repentance unparalleled in its magnitude.
Text and Translation of the Verse:
وَقُلْنَا لَهُمُ ادْخُلُوا الْبَابَ سُجَّدًا
And We said to them: Enter the gate prostrating.
Analysis and Elucidation:
This part of the verse calls the Children of Israel to enter humbly, in prostration, through a narrow gatean act symbolising humility and submission before God. The lectures compare this command to a mystical tradition in which seekers, before entering the presence of their spiritual guide, pass through a short corridor bowing their heads. This bowing acts as a prostration that liberates the heart from arrogance and directs the soul towards humility.
Prostration in this verse transcends a mere outward act; it represents complete submission to Divine Will. The lectures mention those who sought to evade this humility by entering from behind, thereby avoiding prostration and reverence. Such behaviour indicates disobedience and attempts to circumvent Divine ordinances, which is also condemned in verse 58 of Surah Al-Baqarah. Prostration acts as a bridge that carries a person from the shores of pride to the safe harbour of humility.
Text and Translation of the Verse:
وَقُلْنَا لَهُمْ لَا تَعْدُوا فِي السَّبْتِ
And We said to them: Do not transgress on the Sabbath.
Analysis and Elucidation:
This portion mandates the Children of Israel to observe the laws of the Sabbath, a day from which activities such as fishing were prohibited. This command served as a test to measure the nations adherence to the Divine covenant. The lectures present this ruling as part of a steadfast covenant whose violation indicates rebellion and disobedience. The Sabbath, as a sacred day, offers an opportunity for returning to God and renouncing worldly affairs.
Theologically, the Sabbath in Jewish tradition signifies sanctity and rest before the Lord. This restriction, also mentioned in the Book of Exodus (20:8-11), calls the people to respect Divine limits in daily life. Transgression of this command, detailed further in verse 163 of Surah Al-Araf, signifies weakness in commitment to the Divine covenant. This ordinance acts like a torch illuminating the path of piety and servitude.
Text and Translation of the Verse:
وَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُمْ مِيثَاقًا غَلِيظًا
And We took from them a firm covenant.
Analysis and Elucidation:
This segment alludes to the taking of a firm covenant from the Children of Israel, encompassing commitments such as acceptance of the covenant on Mount Sinai, entering in prostration, and observing the Sabbath laws. The term firm signifies the covenants strength and seriousness. The lectures regard this covenant as a set of Divine obligations to which the nation ultimately failed to adhere.
From a Quranic theological perspective, the strict covenant is a pledge demanded with emphasis and severity, covering devotional, ethical, and social duties. This pact, also referenced in verse 12 of Surah Al-Maidah, acts as a document guiding humanity towards guidance and perfection. Disobedience to this covenant denotes deviation from the path of truth and reality.
Related Text and Translation:
اقْتُلُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ
Kill yourselves.
Analysis and Elucidation:
The lectures reference verse 54 of Surah Al-Baqarah, which records that due to grievous sins such as calf worship, the Children of Israel were commanded to a unique form of repentance through self-killing. This command is a sign of unparalleled Divine power granted to Prophet Moses (peace be upon him). The lectures liken this act to cupping therapy, a procedure that liberates the soul by alleviating the burden of sin.
Interpretively, the command kill yourselves constitutes a punishment for sins that cannot be rectified except by a profound repentance. This order, also noted as a severe punishment in the Torah, reflects the gravity of the sin and the necessity of returning to God. The analogy to cupping therapy offers a mystical interpretation emphasising inner purification and release from the burden of sin.
Analysis and Elucidation:
The lectures draw attention to the disobedience of the Children of Israel to Divine covenants, including their failure to prostrate, transgression of Sabbath laws, and even the unjust killing of prophets. Such disobedience, coupled with disbelief in Divine signs and the closing of hearts, signals a profound deviation of the nation. The Quran states:
فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِمْ مِيثَاقَهُمْ وَكُفْرِهِمْ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَقَتْلِهِمُ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ
Because of their breaking of their covenant and their disbelief in the signs of Allah and their killing of the prophets without right.
This verse portrays the nations disobedience across three dimensions: breach of covenant, denial of Divine signs, and wrongful murder of prophets. The lectures stress that unjustly killing the prophets is a tyrannical act resulting from the hearts closure to Divine guidance. The concept of tuba Allah alayha denotes a self-imposed deprivation from guidance due to persistence in disbelief and enmity.
Text and Translation of the Verse:
فَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
So they believe not except a few.
Analysis and Elucidation:
The lectures, citing this portion of the verse, emphasise the scarcity of genuine faith. This point is complemented by the verse Indeed, mankind is in loss (Surah Al-Asr: 2), which describes humans as being in loss except those who believe and perform righteous deeds. True faith is akin to a rare gem found only in pure and prepared hearts.
From the perspective of philosophy of religion, the rarity of faith results from human free will and inclination towards materialism. The lectures, pointing to the abundance of contentious and deceitful people, depict the contrast between true faith and deviant behaviours. This concept is like a seed that grows in the soil of the believers heart, bearing the fruits of guidance and perfection.
Analysis and Elucidation:
The lectures, surveying human history including the story of Maryam (peace be upon her), highlight the persistence of enmity and disbelief among people. This enmity, accompanied by atheism and dualism, obstructs acceptance of Divine truth. The lectures, invoking the prayer O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, underscore the importance of intercession through the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) for guidance.
Historically and theologically, human enmity against prophets and Divine signs stems from an attachment to materialism and estrangement from spirituality. This notion corresponds with verse 112 of Surah Al-Imran that refers to the rebellion of the Children of Israel. Turning to the Ahl al-Bayt serves as a torch that dispels the darkness of enmity and illuminates the path of guidance.
The interpretation of verse 154 of Surah Al-Imran opens a window to understanding humanitys relationship with Divine covenants, imparting profound lessons on humility, commitment to the pact, and avoidance of disobedience. The raising of Mount Sinai, entering in prostration, and observance of Sabbath laws constitute parts of a firm covenant from which the Children of Israel deviated. These disobediences, coupled with denial of Divine signs and the killing of prophets, are consequences of closed hearts and estrangement from true faith. The lectures, by combining Quranic verses with mystical examples, invite the reader to reflect on the significance of knowledge and perfection. This treatise serves as a torch illuminating the path of guidance before the eyes of seekers of truth.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
