This treatise is dedicated to the elucidation and exegesis of Verse 172 of Surah An-Nis, which, centred on pure monotheism, the servitude of creation, and the negation of any deity besides God, delineates the path of human felicity. This verse, expressed with clarity and profundity, clarifies the station of Jesus (peace be upon him) and the nearest angels in relation to divine servitude and warns against the consequences of arrogance and refusal to worship God. The present writing, adopting a deep perspective on monotheism and the rejection of polytheism, endeavours to convey Quranic concepts with a lucid and dignified language for audiences interested in divine knowledge. The structure of this text employs organised headings and subheadings to present concepts coherently and continuously.
Monotheism, as the luminous essence of Quranic knowledge, is manifest in Verse 172 of Surah An-Nis through the emphasis on "there is no deity but Him". This fundamental principle repudiates all worship other than God and calls humanity towards pure theism. The universe, with all its apparent multiplicity, is nothing but manifestations of the Divine, and no being possesses an independent reality apart from God. This viewpoint, akin to a light dispelling the darkness of polytheism, guides humans towards ontological unity.
Critique of Non-Monotheistic Beliefs
Certain traditional beliefs, such as the phrase "One was, One was not; besides God there was no one", are critiqued from the perspective of monotheism. These expressions, implying a separation between God and creation, are incompatible with the reality of monotheism. God, as the Most Generous Essence and the Necessary Existent, has always been concomitant with His creatures. A God endowed with infinite intellect, power, and generosity cannot be independent of creation, for creation is an expression of His perfect attributes. Just as the sun cannot withhold its light from shining, God does not exist without manifesting Himself in His creation.
Creation as Divine Manifestations
The cosmos, from towering trees to the smallest flowers, from the prophets and imams to other beings, are all manifestations and creatures of God. This apparent multiplicity, like the diverse colours in a magnificent painting, merely reveals the unity of the Divine. No being, from the exalted rank of the prophets to the humility of an ant, has an independent existence apart from God. This truth invites humanity to a viewpoint where God alone is perceived in every phenomenon.
The Straight Path is the only way to God, and attributing this path to anything other than God, even to exalted religious figures, constitutes a deviation from monotheism. Just as a compass indicates only one direction, the Straight Path guides exclusively to God. This perspective permits respect for the Divine saints only insofar as it aligns with pure theism.
Critique of Deviations in Religious Beliefs
Some beliefs that ascribe guidance to others than God, such as excessive attachment to religious personalities, resemble the doctrine of the Trinity in other religions, which contaminates the worship of God with polytheism. These deviations, like dust settling on the mirror of the heart, deprive man of perceiving the truth of monotheism. Religious knowledge should lead humans to pure worship of God rather than emphasizing multiplicity and diverting them from Divine unity.
"The Messiah would never disdain to be a servant of God, nor would the angels nearest [to Him]. And whoever disdains His worship and is arrogant He will gather them all together to Himself."
Servitude of Jesus (peace be upon him) and the Nearest Angels
Verse 172 of Surah An-Nis emphasises the servitude of Jesus (peace be upon him) and the nearest angels, indicating the exalted station of these beings before God. Jesus (peace be upon him), like a brilliant star in the sky of guidance, and the nearest angels, as guardians of divine light, never disdain servitude to God. This servitude signifies perfection and closeness to the Divine Essence.
Refusal and Arrogance as Obstacles to Worship
Refusal (istinkf) denotes the explicit rejection of worshipping God, and arrogance (istikbr) refers to the internal pride which may not be outwardly manifest but prevents humility before God. These two constitute the primary barriers on the path of worship. Refusal acts like a wall separating man from God, and arrogance, like a hidden root, deprives the heart of humility before God. Both lead man towards divine punishment.
From the Quranic viewpoint, the universe is divided into two categories: God and His obedient servants, and God and His disobedient servants. The obedient are like rivers flowing to the sea, advancing on the path of monotheism, whereas the arrogant and recusant are like withered trees deprived of divine life. This division forms the foundation of human felicity or misery.
A Mystical Account
One devout religious scholar, known as Darvish Malek, who lived sixty years ago, with profound insight into monotheism, refused to see anything other than God and turned his eyes towards the sun so as to behold none but God. Although this act might appear unusual on the surface, inwardly it indicated sincerity and devotion. Like a bird that spreads its wings towards the sky, he recognised no deity but God alone.
The Holy Quran, following Verse 172 and subsequent verses, promises complete and abundant divine favour to believers who perform righteous deeds. This reward is like rain that revitalises dry earth and breathes new life into it. Faith and righteous deeds constitute the two wings by which humans soar towards felicity.
Punishment of the Refusants and Absence of Supporters
Those who refuse to worship God and harbour arrogance will suffer a painful punishment and find no helper or protector other than God. This punishment is like a storm smashing a ship without an anchor. The absence of a helper signifies Gods self-sufficiency and the worthlessness of non-divine attachments.
Verse 172 of Surah An-Nis, with clear and profound expression, introduces pure monotheism as the axis of human felicity. This verse, emphasising the servitude of Jesus (peace be upon him) and the nearest angels, invites humanity to pure worship of God and cautions against all forms of polytheism and arrogance. The Straight Path is solely Gods way, and any attachment to anything other than God leads humans away from this path. The universe, despite its apparent multiplicity, is a manifestation of Divine unity, and by perceiving God in every phenomenon, man attains eternal felicity. This exegesis, through a deep contemplation of monotheism and servitude, provides lessons in sincerity, humility, and commitment to the worship of God.
Under the Supervision of Sadegh Khademi
