of Nokoonam (may his sanctity be revered) Session 1052
Surah Al-Maidah, one of the Medinan chapters of the Holy Quran, resembles a radiant gem within the divine corpus, intertwining rulings and ethics to serve as a guide for a faithful life and a just society. Verses eight and nine of this Surah, which form the subject of this treatise, shine like twin stars in the firmament of knowledge, portraying the principles of justice, piety, and divine promises. This text, relying upon the discourses of religious scholars, delves deeply and comprehensively into these verses to provide researchers with insights into the exalted meanings of the Quranic text. The structure of this work, with clear divisions and detailed explanations, endeavours to present the concepts in eloquent and solemn language, as though inviting the reader to reflect upon the mirror of truth and to act upon divine injunctions.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَاءَ بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا ۚ اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
O you who have believed, be steadfast witnesses for Allah in justice, and let not the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to piety. And fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is acquainted with what you do.
وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ ۙ لَهُمْ مَغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ
Allah has promised those who have believed and done righteous deeds forgiveness and a great reward.
Verses eight and nine of Surah Al-Maidah, like a multifaceted prism, present rational and ethical principles to humanity that are binding not only upon the believers but upon all humankind. Unlike ritualistic rulings such as dietary prohibitions, these verses rest upon reason and human nature, thereby possessing universality and comprehensiveness. Verse eight, encompassing five foundational principles, calls for standing up for justice and piety, while verse nine offers a divine promise of reward and forgiveness to believers who proceed on the path of righteous deeds. These principles, akin to sturdy pillars, lay the foundation for a just and spiritual society.
The address "O you who have believed" in verse eight serves as a divine summons, calling the believers to moral and social responsibilities. This address is not merely an invitation to faith but imposes a heavy burden of commitment upon the believers to advance justice and piety. This verse envisions believers as standard-bearers of truth who must remain steadfast and resilient in the face of adversities.
The phrase "be steadfast witnesses for Allah" acts as a blazing torch, inviting a pure and resolute uprising for the sake of Allah. This standing is neither for personal gain nor for the fleeting world, but rather for the actualisation of divine will. "Steadfast" implies firm and sound perseverance, requiring believers to manifest divine character traits within themselves. It is as though this call transforms the human being into a spotless mirror reflecting nothing but the truth of God.
The imperative "be" (كُونُوا) in this verse denotes the practical embodiment and internalisation of divine attributes. This represents a spiritual journey that guides the individual towards acquiring divine character. Religious scholars emphasise that standing for Allah must be free from selfishness and worldly motives to ensure endurance and perpetuity. This embodiment acts like an alchemy purifying the human existence from the rust of self-centeredness.
The plural form in "steadfast witnesses" resonates as a harmonious call, emphasising the necessity of collective action to realise justice. Religious scholars liken this to the Persian proverb "One flower does not bring spring." Justice, like a garden, blossoms and bears fruit only through collective endeavour. This principle invites the community of believers to unity and synergy on the path of Allah.
The phrase "witnesses to justice (bil-qist)" signifies both attesting and actualising tangible justice. Religious scholars interpret "qist" as external and practical justice in contrast to "adl," which is a subjective and theoretical concept. Qist acts as a bridge translating justice from the realm of thought into the field of action, calling upon believers to testify to and embody this justice within society.
The clause "let not the hatred of a people prevent you from being just" serves as a divine warning that hatred and enmity should not lead believers into injustice. "Hatred" here stems from animosity, and this verse cautions believers against falling into the trap of resentment. Justice even in the face of enmity acts as water that quenches the fire of hostility, reducing animosities.
The command "Be just" is a clear directive to implement tangible justice. This order, like a loud call, summons believers to manifest justice through action, not merely through claims. Religious scholars regard this as an invitation to the external existence of justice, indicating that justice must be reflected in the conduct and behaviour of believers, not solely in speech or slogans.
The phrase "that is nearer to piety" introduces justice as the closest path to taqwa (God-consciousness). Piety forms the soil in which justice takes root and bears fruit. Religious scholars stress that practical justice is the foundation for divine piety, and these two together function as wings enabling the human to soar towards perfection.
The injunction "Fear Allah" calls for refraining from disobedience and respecting the sanctity of the divine. This command acts as a guardian, protecting humans from lapses. The statement "Indeed, Allah is acquainted with what you do" highlights Gods awareness of outward deeds, with "Acquainted" (Khabir) being more precise than "All-Knowing" (Alim), as it underscores divine supervision over external actions.
Religious scholars criticise forms of mysticism that lead to moral laxity and irreligion. Such mysticism, seemingly defiled, drives humans to self-degradation and disdain for others. The poem stating "Do not feed the dog's soul" is condemned by scholars as containing impurity, as it leads to enmity and degradation rather than self-improvement. True mysticism resembles a clear stream guiding humanity towards piety and justice.
Religious scholars stress that enmity with oneself fuels hostility towards others. Self-development acts like a mirror preventing self and mutual degradation. This perspective emphasises the necessity of nurturing the soul and avoiding resentment and hatred, as though the individual must root deeply in the soil of piety like a robust tree.
Verse nine, like a springtime promise, grants forgiveness and a great reward to those who have believed and performed righteous deeds. "Forgiveness" implies pardon for sins, and "a great reward" refers to a recompense beyond the grasp of human reason. This promise acts as a beacon illuminating the path of believers amidst the darkness of this world.
Religious scholars view verses eight and nine as differing in spiritual elevation. Verse eight, akin to a lofty summit, points to the supreme ideal of divine justice, whereas verse nine resembles a gentle plain addressing the average believer who holds faith and performs righteous deeds. This difference is like the distance between earth and sky or, metaphorically, a billion light years in the realm of meaning.
Religious scholars wryly refer to verse eight as "decoration," as the full realisation of its perfect justice is difficult in contemporary times. Conversely, verse nine, due to its simplicity and generality, is more practicable for the majority of believers. This viewpoint acts as a reminder for society not to neglect the exalted Quranic ideals.
Scholars criticise religious naivety that promotes uncritical acceptance. They even refer to eminent personalities such as Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him), noting that without direct experience, reliance upon them is untenable. This stance invites reflection and critical thought regarding religious beliefs.
Religious scholars express concern over the neglect of justice principles in society. Although these principles are rational and noble, they have received scant attention. This critique serves as a wake-up call urging society to reconsider its conduct and behaviour.
Scholars respond to accusations of violence in the Quran by highlighting verses eight and nine as exemplars of spiritual ethics and justice incompatible with violence. These verses act as mirrors reflecting the sublime truth of the Quranic message.
Scholars refer to rapid civilisational changes resulting in the decline of religion, perfection, and humanity. It is as if a civilisational quake reverses centuries of progress. This view underscores the necessity of preserving religious and human values.
Verses eight and nine of Surah Al-Maidah, like two shining gems in the treasury of the Holy Quran, present the principles of justice, piety, and divine promises to humanity. Verse eight, by calling for standing for Allah, witnessing to justice, and abstaining from injustice even towards enemies, delineates a lofty ideal closely linked to piety. Verse nine, by promising forgiveness and reward to righteous believers, opens a straightforward path for the broader community of believers. Critiques by religious scholars concerning impure mysticism, lack of justice practice, and decline of civilisational values serve as reminders for society to reconsider its trajectory. These verses, like bright torches, illuminate the way towards a faithful and just existence, inviting the reader to contemplate the profound Quranic meanings.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
