of Nekounam, (Session 1034)
This present book, reflecting upon the luminous verses of Surah An-Nis, elucidates the position of the firm in knowledge, the believers, and the role of Divine revelation in human guidance. This work, with a profound focus on verses 161 and 162 of Surah An-Nis, endeavours to examine the unity of the Divine mission, the characteristics of true faith, and the challenges faced by religious communities in adhering to the teachings of the Prophets. The content of this writing, inspired by the Holy Quran and the contemplations of religious scholars, is structured to establish a connection between Divine knowledge and lived human experience, as though the light emanating from revelation illuminates the path through the dark recesses of the human self.
The Holy Quran in verse 161 of Surah An-Nis introduces the firm in knowledge and believers whose faith extends not only to the revelation sent down to the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) but also to all previous heavenly scriptures. This faith reaches perfection through righteous deeds, including establishing prayer, giving zakat, and belief in God and the Last Day.
لَٰكِنِ الرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ مِنْهُمْ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ وَالْمُقِيمِينَ الصَّلَاةَ وَالْمُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ أُولَٰئِكَ سَنُؤْتِيهِمْ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
But the firm in knowledge among them and the believers believe in what has been revealed to you and what was revealed before you, and they establish prayer and give zakat and believe in God and the Last Day. Those We will give them a great reward.
This verse regards faith not merely as a heartfelt belief but as a profound bond between knowledge, action, and sincerity. The firm in knowledge, possessing steadfast knowledge and firm faith, believe in the unity of the Divine mission and manifest this belief in their deeds, as if they are gardeners who nurture the tree of faith, thereby bearing the fruits of prayer and zakat.
The firm in knowledge and the believers distinguish themselves from other groups by their faith in all heavenly scriptures and commitment to Divine ordinances. These characteristics not only signify true faith but also emphasise the unity of the Divine mission and the spiritual connection among the Prophets.
The Holy Quran in verse 162 of Surah An-Nis stresses the uniformity of Divine revelation to the Prophets. This uniformity is a steadfast principle that has flowed from Noah to the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him), aiming to guide humanity through glad tidings and warnings.
إِنَّا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ كَمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ نُوحٍ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ ۚ وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَعِيسَىٰ وَأَيُّوبَ وَيُونُسَ وَهَارُونَ وَسُلَيْمَانَ ۚ وَآتَيْنَا دَاوُودَ زَبُورًا
Indeed, We have revealed to you as We revealed to Noah and the Prophets after him; and We revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Tribes, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and gave David the Psalms.
This verse, by mentioning Prophets such as Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Tribes, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, emphasises the historical and spiritual continuity of the Divine mission. The granting of the Psalms to David exemplifies this revelation manifested in heavenly scriptures offered to humanity.
The uniformity of Divine revelation indicates the unity of the Prophetic mission and Gods wisdom in human guidance. This principle forms an unbreakable bond among the Prophets and stresses the necessity of belief in all of them.
The Holy Quran in verse 163 of Surah An-Nis refers to two categories of Prophets: those whose stories have been recounted in the Quran and those who have not been mentioned.
وَرُسُلًا قَدْ قَصَصْنَاهُمْ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَرُسُلًا لَمْ نَقْصُصْهُمْ عَلَيْكَ
And [We sent] messengers about whom We have related [their stories] to you before and messengers about whom We have not related to you.
This verse, by alluding to the limited human knowledge regarding the number and details of Prophets, rejects rumours such as the existence of 124,000 Prophets. The Divine wisdom in selecting Quranic narratives aims to complete the proof for humanity, as if God, with a wise choice, has lit torches in history to show the path of guidance.
The division of Prophets into narrated and unnarrated categories highlights Divine wisdom in providing sufficient guidance. This approach reminds of human knowledge limitations and underscores the necessity of faith in the entirety of the Divine mission.
Continuing in verse 163 of Surah An-Nis, the Quran refers to the special station of Moses (peace be upon him) in his direct communication with God.
وَكَلَّمَ اللَّهُ مُوسَىٰ تَكْلِيمًا
And God spoke to Moses directly.
This rank, known as Kalimullah, signifies Moses eminent status among the Prophets. This communication is the highest degree of Prophethood where the Prophet converses directly with the Lord, as though a window to the heavens of knowledge has been opened.
The direct speech of God to Moses illustrates his spiritual superiority and exalted position. This feature exemplifies the zenith of Prophethood, manifesting an unmediated bond with God.
The Holy Quran in verse 164 of Surah An-Nis emphasises the role of the Prophets as bearers of glad tidings and warnings.
رُسُلًا مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنْذِرِينَ لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى اللَّهِ حُجَّةٌ بَعْدَ الرُّسُلِ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا
[God has sent] messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners so that mankind will have no argument against God after the messengers. And ever is God Almighty, All-Wise.
This role guarantees Divine justice in human guidance. The Prophets, by giving glad tidings of felicity and warning of punishment, have paved the way for human conscious choice, as though building a bridge between earth and heaven for mankinds guidance.
The role of glad tidings and warnings by the Prophets manifests Divine wisdom and might, which through completing the proof on humanity, reflect Gods justice in guiding creation.
Divine revelation is a gift bestowed by God upon the Prophets, whereas knowledge is acquired through effort and education. This distinction underscores the difference between Divine cognition and human knowledge.
Revelation is a grant that God favours upon His chosen ones, while knowledge is attained through toil and perseverance. This difference illustrates the limitations of human knowledge compared to the grandeur of Divine revelation, as if the peaks of human cognition humbly bow before the infinite sky of revelation.
The distinction between knowledge and revelation emphasises the exclusivity of Divine cognition to God and the limitations of human knowledge. This difference clarifies the necessity of resorting to revelation for guidance.
Despite the sending of Prophets, human societies have often failed in practising Divine teachings. This failure results from carnal inclinations and estrangement from Divine values.
Humans, due to predominance of dark states and lack of commitment to Divine etiquette, have been unable to benefit from the Prophets teachings. This condition resembles a garden whose fruits do not mature because of the gardeners negligence.
The failure of societies in implementing Prophetic teachings stems from carnal desires and distancing from spirituality. This situation highlights the necessity of reviving Divine values in society.
Religious knowledge, which should be a beacon of guidance, is sometimes led astray due to carnal inclinations and lack of sincerity. These deviations are
