The Holy Quran, like a radiant lamp, illuminates the path of guidance for humanity and, through its enlightening verses, delineates a comprehensive blueprint for human felicity. Verses 165 and 166 of Surah An-Nisa, which are addressed in this treatise, are akin to brilliant gems within this divine treasury, alluding to the role of the prophets, angels, and the wise order of creation in human guidance. These verses, articulated with profound and meaningful language, speak of the divine completion of proof (Itmam al-Hujjah) upon humankind and emphasise mankinds responsibility in relation to this guidance. The present writing, reflecting upon these verses and inspired by the discourses of religious scholars, elucidates the system of divine guidance, the role of the prophets and angels, and the epistemological lessons embedded within creation. The objective of this work is to provide a deep and coherent perspective on these verses, inviting the reader to contemplate the greatness of the divine system and their own responsibility towards it.
The Holy Quran portrays the divine guidance system as an interconnected thread, wherein the prophets, messengers, and adherents of monotheistic religions are linked in a spiritual chain. This continuity is indicative of the unity of purpose in the divine mission, which pursues the guidance of humanity towards monotheism and righteous deeds. The prophets, like stars in the sky of guidance, have illuminated the path for humankind, each fulfilling a portion of this grand design according to time and place. This unity manifests not only in the revealed scriptures but also in the conduct and behaviour of the prophets and their followers. Just as a string of prayer beads connects each bead to another, the divine mission has united all monotheistic religions into a coherent system.
The Holy Quran, in verse 165 of Surah An-Nisa, introduces the role of the prophets as bearers of glad tidings and warners so that no excuse remains for humanity before God. This verse, like a transparent mirror, reflects divine justice by sending messengers who open the way of guidance for all.
رُسُلًا مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنْذِرِينَ لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى اللَّهِ حُجَّةٌ بَعْدَ الرُّسُلِ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا
Messengers bringing glad tidings and warnings, so that mankind would have no argument against God after the messengers have come; and God is Mighty, Wise.
This verse, emphasising the might and wisdom of God, declares that by sending prophets, God has not left any deficiency in the guidance of humanity. The prophets, as instructors of divine wisdom, have shown mankind the paths of felicity and misery by giving glad tidings to the righteous and warnings to the misguided. This completion of proof is a manifestation of Gods infinite justice, which leaves no human being without guidance and entrusts the responsibility of accepting guidance to the individual.
The role of the prophets as bearers of glad tidings and warners, like the firm pillars of the divine guidance system, has illuminated the path for humankind. This mission not only guarantees the completion of divine proof but also emphasises human responsibility towards this guidance. The might and wisdom of God shine like a radiant sun in this flawless system of guidance.
Verse 166 of Surah An-Nisa, expressed with lofty language, refers to Gods testimony to the revelation sent down upon the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him). This testimony is a sign of the certainty and authenticity of revelation, stemming from the infinite knowledge of God.
لَٰكِنِ اللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ بِمَا أَنْزَلَ إِلَيْكَ أَنْزَلَهُ بِعِلْمِهِ ۚ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ يَشْهَدُونَ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ شَهِيدًا
But God bears witness to that which He has sent down to you; He sent it down with His knowledge, and the angels bear witness [as well]. And sufficient is God as a witness.
This verse, by emphasising the descent of revelation through divine knowledge, dispels any doubt or suspicion regarding the revelation. Gods testimony acts as a seal of authenticity upon the Holy Quran, and the angels testimony as divine agents in the process of revelation further strengthens this certainty. God, with His boundless wisdom, has established the system of revelation so firmly that no place remains for doubt.
Angels, as divine agents, play a role in transmitting revelation and executing Gods commands. The Holy Quran introduces them as witnesses to revelation and executors of the divine guidance system. This role indicates the flawless coordination among the components of the divine system, all serving human guidance. Angels, like celestial bridges, have conveyed the divine message from the Throne to the earth and accompanied the prophets on this path.
The testimony of God and the angels to revelation, like a shining light, clarifies the authenticity and certainty of the Holy Quran. This testimony not only indicates Gods infinite knowledge but also highlights the role of angels as the agents of truth in the guidance system. This system, with divine wisdom and might, paves the way for human acceptance of truth.
The system of creation, like an open book, is replete with lessons of wisdom and knowledge. Even animals, which in popular perception are associated with ignorancesuch as the donkeybear signs of divine wisdom in their behaviour. The careful gaze of the donkey, observing its surroundings with prudence and knowledge, and its purposeful rolling for body flexibility are examples of this wisdom. These behaviours, like a mirror, reflect the order and wisdom of God in creation and invite human contemplation on divine signs.
These lessons, derived from careful observation of nature, demonstrate that all creatures, from the smallest to the largest, are under the divine system of guidance. The donkey, with its attentive gaze and purposeful behaviour, acts as a wise teacher, imparting lessons of precision and attentiveness to mankind. This gaze, accompanied by insight and knowledge, calls humans to contemplate the grandeur of creation and learn from it.
An experience from childhood, in which observing the behaviour of a donkey led to educational insight, is a clear example of natures capacity to teach wisdom. The donkeys attentive gaze, coupled with prudence and knowledge, and its gentle rolling for relaxation, taught lessons about precision and attentiveness to the observer. This experience, like a gem within natures heart, demonstrates that divine creation is an inexhaustible source for learning and knowledge. By reflecting on these signs, humans can advance toward wisdom and guidance.
The system of creation, like a transparent mirror, reflects divine wisdom and knowledge. Animals, through their purposeful behaviour, teach lessons of attentiveness to humans. These lessons, derived from contemplation of nature, guide humans toward recognising divine grandeur and accepting guidance.
Humans, despite all divine blessings, are limited in their knowledge. This limitation does not arise from any deficiency in the divine guidance system, but from human negligence and arrogance. Religious knowledge, emphasising humility before divine knowledge, calls humans to recognise their own limits and strive for the acquisition of knowledge. This limitation, like a shadow upon the sun of knowledge, can only be removed through humility and attention to divine guidance.
The Holy Quran, in verse 167 of Surah An-Nisa, speaks of those who, through disbelief and obstruction of Gods path, fall into deep misguidance.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَصَدُّوا عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ قَدْ ضَلُّوا ضَلَالًا بَعِيدًا
Indeed, those who disbelieve and obstruct [others] from the way of God have gone far astray.
This verse regards misguidance as the consequence of a conscious choice by humans who not only deprive themselves of guidance but also hinder others from it. This obstruction acts like a barrier against the flood of divine guidance, closing the path of felicity to mankind.
A childhood experience, wherein refraining from gambling was made possible through correct upbringing, serves as an example of the impact of environment and education in guiding humans. In this experience, a child living amidst social deviations was steered away from misguidance by the guidance of an elder. This experience, like a flower amidst thorns, demonstrates the role of upbringing in preserving humans from deviations.
The limitations of human knowledge and misguidance are consequences of negligence and arrogance. The Holy Quran, by warning those who obstruct Gods path, emphasises human responsibility towards guidance. Lived experiences demonstrate the role of upbringing and environment in preserving humans from deviations and invite them towards acceptance of divine guidance.
Divine guidance, like a clear stream, encompasses all creatures. From the smallest to the largest animals, as well as rural and urban humans, all are within Gods educational system. This guidance is presented to humans through nature, angels, prophets, and human instructors. Nevertheless, acceptance of this guidance depends upon human choice and divine favour. The invocation O God, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad at the conclusion of the lecture acts like a golden key, emphasising intercession through the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) for attaining guidance.
The divine guidance system, like an extensive network, embraces all creatures and, through diverse meansfrom nature to prophetshas shown the path of felicity to humans. This system, imbued with infinite divine wisdom, invites humans toward acceptance of guidance and spiritual elevation.
Verses 165
