Derived from the lecture series of Nokounam, may his secret be sanctified (Session 1065)
The Holy Qur'an, like a radiant lamp, illuminates the path of guidance for humanity, and its verses, akin to precious gems, encompass profound meanings and endless wisdom. Verse 19 of Surah Al-Ma'idah, in a clear and eloquent manner, introduces the mission of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as both a bearer of glad tidings and a warner, addressing and removing the excuses of the People of the Book in the face of truth. This treatise, through a deep examination of this verse and analyses drawn from previous lectures, elucidates the guiding role of the Prophets, critiques deviations in religious knowledge, and underscores the necessity of rational societal management. Employing a fluent language and a coherent structure, an endeavour has been made to present the Quranic concepts and social critiques in a scientific and lucid form, so as to reflect the truth to readers like a mirror.
يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمْ عَلَىٰ فَتْرَةٍ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ أَنْ تَقُولُوا مَا جَاءَنَا مِنْ بَشِيرٍ وَلَا نَذِيرٍ ۖ فَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ بَشِيرٌ وَنَذِيرٌ ۚ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
O People of the Book! Indeed, Our Messenger has come to you, making clear to you after an interval among the messengers, lest you say, There came to us no bearer of glad tidings nor a warner. So indeed, there has come to you a bearer of glad tidings and a warner. And Allah is over all things competent.
This verse, like a golden key, opens the doors of guidance to the People of the Book and, with eloquent expression, introduces the mission of the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) as the reviver of divine guidance after a period of interruption (Fatrah). The term Fatrah, meaning a break in the succession of prophets, indicates an era during which the light of divine guidance was dimmed. The coming of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was like spring rain that quenched the thirsty souls of truth.
The Fatrah mentioned in the verse refers to a lengthy period after Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them), which according to some narrations, might have lasted hundreds or even thousands of years. Although these numbers may be symbolic, they underscore the historical and spiritual significance of the Prophets (peace be upon him) mission. The Prophet, in his role as bearer of glad tidings and warner, not only invalidated the excuses of the People of the Book but also elucidated divine laws, thereby indicating the path of felicity to humanity. The bearer of glad tidings is akin to a herald who announces the promise of Paradise and divine mercy, while the warner resembles a guardian who warns against punishment and misguidance.
The phrase And Allah is over all things competent serves as a seal of affirmation on the infinite power of God, accompanied by wisdom and justice. This power is manifested not only in sending prophets but also in choosing the appropriate timing for their missions. God, like a wise gardener, sows the seeds of guidance when the soil of hearts is prepared to receive it.
One of the central themes of the lecture is the critique of the misuse of religious concepts such as Wilayah (guardianship), command, and governance. The Holy Qur'an does not employ these concepts to denote political rule but rather emphasizes spiritual and educational guidance. Some have erroneously exploited these concepts to gain power and material benefits, whereas the true role of religious scholars is to provide glad tidings and warnings, not to govern. This deviation, like a dark shadow, has obscured the light of truth and transformed religion into a tool for some to profit.
In the past, the number of religious scholars was limited, and all were endowed with profound knowledge and high piety. However, with the entry of materialistic matters such as bread and ceremonies into the religious domain, the number of scholars has increased, but the quality of guidance has diminished. This growth from around four hundred scholars in the past to hundreds of thousands today is indicative of the commercialisation of religious knowledge, which is incompatible with the mission of bearer of glad tidings and warner. A true pious scholar should be like a shining star guiding the way, not one pursuing material gain.
Some have exploited religious knowledge not for guidance but to misuse public resources. This act is like a pest that damages the roots of public trust in religion. Religious scholars must be like pure springs, devoted solely to bearing glad tidings and warnings, and abstain from involvement in material and political affairs.
Managing society, like steering a ship through a stormy sea, requires expertise, experience, and moral integrity. Religious scholars should limit their roles to those of bearer of glad tidings and warner, leaving social affairs to experienced specialists and administrators. Non-expert interference in governance is like driving without skill on a winding road, leading to calamity. An anecdote of truck driving on Majnoon Island reveals the truth that without expertise, even simple tasks end in failure.
Non-expert religious edicts, like arrows shot blindly, result in misguidance and inefficiency. Only those scholars equipped with knowledge and wisdom can express divine rulings with kindness and moderation in their roles as bearers of glad tidings and warners. This approach aligns with the Quranic principle of best argument (Jidal Ahsan) and avoids harshness and violence.
Society must be governed through freedom, choice, and rational management. Democracy, like a flowing stream, allows people to shape their destiny by electing the worthy. This principle is incompatible with religious scholars involvement in governmental affairs since their role is spiritual guidance, not political authority.
وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِ يَا قَوْمِ اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ جَعَلَ فِيكُمْ أَنْبِيَاءَ وَجَعَلَكُمْ مُلُوكًا وَآتَاكُمْ مَا لَمْ يُؤْتِ أَحَدًا مِنَ الْعَالَمِينَ
And when Moses said to his people, O my people, remember the favour of Allah upon you when He appointed among you prophets and made you kings and gave you that which He had not given to any among the worlds.
This verse, like a shining jewel, points to the divine blessings bestowed upon the Children of Israel. Prophets and kings are two great divine gifts that brought guidance and just governance. The term kings (Mulk) refers not only to monarchs but also to the devotees and companions of the prophets who served the religion.
Monarchy among the Children of Israel functioned as a protective canopy in service of divine guidance. However, with the advent of Islam and democracy, this system was replaced by meritocracy and free election. In Islam, no individual is appointed as a guardian over the people; societal administration is entrusted to collective wisdom and expertise. This transformation is like a cool breeze, infusing freedom and rationality into society.
Some have exploited the ignorance of the people, turning religion into a tool for power. This deviation, like a thorn on the path of truth, has damaged public trust. In opposition to this deviation, a return to Quranic principles is necessary, entrusting societal management to specialists.
Enjoining good and forbidding evil, like two wings of flight towards felicity, must be exercised with wisdom and ethics. However, some have abused this principle, resorting to violence and harassment, which is incompatible with the spirit of the Holy Qur'an. This principle should be a gentle breeze leading to guidance and reform, not a source of division and violence.
After the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), prophethood has ended and no prophet will come thereafter. This finality of prophethood is like a seal on the chain of divine missions. Nevertheless, pious scholars can serve as bearers of glad tidings and warners in a spiritual capacity, provided they act with wisdom and justice. Claims of prophethood after its finality are false, except in the sense of informal and concealed guidance compatible with divine criteria.
This treatise, relying on verse 19 of Surah Al-Ma'idah and analyses derived from preceding lectures, expounded the mission of the bearer of glad tidings and warner, critiqued deviations in religious knowledge, and underscored the necessity of rational societal governance. The Holy Qur'an, like a blazing torch, indicates the path of guidance and calls upon religious scholars to limit their roles to delivering glad tidings and warnings. The management of society demands expertise, experience, and freedom, and any exploitation of religion for power is incongruent with the spirit of the Qur'an. It is hoped that these reflections, like seeds in the hearts of seekers of truth, will bear fruit in societal reform and guidance.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
