The Holy Quran, like a radiant lamp, opens the path of guidance before mankind and, through lawfully structured, systematic, and connected verses, directs humanity towards truth and felicity. Surah An-Nisa, which resembles a fruitful garden of divine rulings and knowledge, elaborates in verses 167 to 171 on the governing laws concerning faith, disbelief, oppression, and guidance. These verses, with eloquent and profound expression, on the one hand, remind humans of their responsibility regarding the choice between the path of faith or disbelief, and on the other, manifest the wisdom and boundless power of God in guidance and justice. In this writing, by a deep examination of these verses, an endeavour has been made to elucidate their meanings and concepts with clear and dignified language, within a scientific and systematic framework, so as to open a bridge between Quranic knowledge and the inquisitive mind of the reader towards a deeper understanding of divine realities.
The Holy Quran, like a harmonious constellation, comprises verses which, despite apparent differences, all serve a unified and coherent purpose. Surah An-Nisa, especially in the discussed verses, vividly illustrates this lawfulness. This surah, resembling a book of divine laws, presents various rulings and knowledge within the domains of creed, ethics, and society. These verses, notwithstanding their thematic diversity, all advance in the direction of guiding humanity towards truth and reality, as if each verse were a thread within an immense fabric which ultimately portrays the role of human felicity upon the canvas of existence.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَصَدُّوا عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ قَدْ ضَلُّوا ضَلَالًا بَعِيدًا
Translation: Indeed, those who disbelieve and hinder from the way of Allah have certainly gone far astray.
This verse, with resolute wording, speaks of those who not only have embraced disbelief themselves but also obstruct others from the path of divine guidance. Disbelief, which seems like a dark veil descending upon the human heart, and the hindrance from the path of God, like a dam against the pure flow of guidance, plunge man into a deep misguidance far from the truth. This misguidance is the outcome of a conscious choice that not only deprives the individual of the light of faith but, by preventing others from the path of truth, expands the realm of deviation. From the perspective of Islamic ethics, such action constitutes a grave sin that drives society towards darkness and destruction.
Verse 167 of Surah An-Nisa, by emphasising the consequences of disbelief and obstruction from Gods path, serves as a warning to mankind to refrain from choosing this route. This verse, like a mirror, depicts the reality of misguidance and invites humans to contemplate their choices.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَظَلَمُوا لَمْ يَكُنِ اللَّهُ لِيَغْفِرَ لَهُمْ وَلَا لِيَهْدِيَهُمْ طَرِيقًا
Translation: Indeed, those who disbelieve and do wrong Allah does not forgive them, nor does He guide them to a way.
This verse introduces disbelief and oppression as two heavy chains that deprive man of divine mercy and guidance. Disbelief is the denial of the divine truth, and oppression is the violation of others rights; both close the heart from accepting the light of guidance. This deprivation is not due to any limitation in divine power but is the result of mans conscious choice, which, by means of disbelief and injustice, blocks the way to forgiveness and guidance. The verse functions as a warning urging humanity to avoid these two great sins.
Verse 168, with clear expression, speaks of the principal obstacles to human felicity and stresses human responsibility in avoiding disbelief and injustice. This verse invites mankind to select a path that keeps the heart open to divine mercy.
إِلَّا طَرِيقَ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ۚ وَكَانَ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرًا
Translation: Except the path of Hell; they will abide therein eternally. And that is easy for Allah.
This verse plainly states the ultimate fate of disbelievers and oppressors as the path to Hell, where they will remain eternally. This perpetuity is the consequence of their persistence in disbelief and injustice, which deprives man of all goodness and felicity. The phrase And that is easy for Allah signifies, as a mark of Gods absolute power, the ease of executing divine justice. This verse functions as an awakening bell, calling mankind to reconsider their lifes direction.
Verse 169, by explicating the fate of disbelievers and oppressors, emphasises the inevitability of divine justice and human responsibility in selecting the correct path. This verse invites repentance and return to the truth.
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَكُمُ الرَّسُولُ بِالْحَقِّ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ فَآمِنُوا خَيْرًا لَكُمْ ۚ وَإِنْ تَكْفُرُوا فَإِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
Translation: O mankind, the Messenger has come to you with the truth from your Lord; so believe it is better for you. But if you disbelieve, then indeed, to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. And ever is Allah Knowing and Wise.
This verse, addressing all humanity, emphasises the truthful mission of the Prophet sent by God. The invitation to faith is like a key that opens the doors of felicity for mankind, while disbelief is akin to a lock that bars the path to goodness and blessing. The term with the truth signifies the authenticity and validity of the revelation, compatible with human needs, and this call was revealed in accordance with temporal and spatial human conditions. The verse resembles a gentle breeze inviting mankind towards the garden of faith and salvation.
Verse 170, by inviting faith, stresses divine mercy and human responsibility in accepting this invitation. It calls humans to choose a path that leads to worldly and eternal good.
The Holy Quran, in verse 170, by emphasising Gods absolute ownership over the heavens and the earth, alongside His infinite knowledge and wisdom, portrays Gods self-sufficiency from human faith. This ownership is a symbol of divine grandeur, and His knowledge and wisdom are like a lamp that illuminates the system of guidance and justice. These attributes form the basis of all divine laws that lead humans towards felicity.
This section of verse 170, by elucidating divine ownership and attributes, emphasises Gods grandeur and human responsibility before Him. These concepts invite humans to submit to truth and accept divine guidance.
Surah An-Nisa, as a comprehensive book of divine laws, expounds rulings and knowledge in the realms of creed, ethics, and society. Although the surah pays attention to womens issues, essentially it presents a collection of divine laws, each resembling a branch of the tree of guidance, leading mankind towards felicity. These laws, by their diversity and comprehensiveness, pave the way for a deeper understanding of the divine system.
Surah An-Nisa, with its lawful structure, invites mankind to a deeper comprehension and adherence to divine rulings. This surah functions like a map clearly delineating the path to felicity.
Faith is like a bridge connecting man to the divine truth, whereas disbelief is like a precipice leading him towards darkness and destruction. The Holy Quran, by clarifying these two paths, calls mankind to consciously choose faith. Faith is the way of attachment to truth that leads man to felicity in this world and the hereafter, whereas disbelief directs him towards Hell and deprivation of the good of guidance.
This section, by emphasising the contrast between faith and disbelief, invites man to choose a path that culminates in felicity and salvation. Faith is the key to felicity that opens the doors of truth to humans.
Verse 171 of Surah An-Nisa, with a particular address to the People of the Book, calls them to believe in the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and to correct their distorted beliefs. This verse is like an invitation that, as if from the depths of history, conveys the voice of the truth-seeker to the People of the Book. The concluding prayer, O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, acts as a spiritual melody, emphasising the intercession of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) for obtaining guidance.
Verse 171, by calling for faith and emphasising the role of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), invites mankind towards a deeper understanding of truth and divine guidance. This verse is a sign of divine mercy in guiding all humanity.
Verses 167 to 171 of Surah An-Nisa, like a clear mirror, depict the system of divine guidance. These verses, by explaining the lawfulness of revelation, the consequences of disbelief and injustice, and the call to faith through the Prophet, invite mankind to choose a path leading to felicity and salvation. Surah An-Nisa, as the surah of laws, with its diverse rulings and knowledge, facilitates a deeper understanding of the divine system. These verses, like a lamp in darkness, guide humanity towards the light of faith and truth and, by emphasising the role of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), pave the way for spiritual elevation.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
