This book, centred on the interpretation of the noble verse 66 of Surah Al-Ma'idah, elucidates the prophetic mission and the responsibility of religious scholars in conveying divine revelation and manifesting knowledge. This work, with a profound perspective on the duty of divine trustworthiness, God's protection of the Prophet, and the role of scholars against satanic temptations and social challenges, provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the divine mission and spiritual responsibilities. The present text, employing eloquent and dignified language, endeavours to transmit Quranic concepts to readers with scientific precision and spiritual insight. This composition, arranged in a systematic and coherent structure, examines various dimensions of this verse and its connection to social and ethical duties.
يَا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ رَبِّكَ ۖ وَإِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ النَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ
O Prophet! Convey what has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do not, then you have not conveyed His message. And Allah will protect you from the people. Indeed, Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.
This address, commencing with the phrase "O Messenger," signifies the grandeur of the prophetic station. It is as if God, through this address, elevates the Prophet like a jewel among creation and summons him to a magnificent mission. This verse mandates the Prophet to fully convey what has been revealed from the Lord, a duty placed upon him as a precious trust.
The phrase "Convey what has been revealed to you from your Lord" underscores the grave responsibility of the Prophet in delivering the revelation. The term "convey" signifies transmission and proclamation, while "what has been revealed" encompasses all that God has sent down to the Prophet. This phrase acts as a key emphasising the comprehensiveness of the mission and obliges the Prophet not to omit any part of the revelation. The revelation is akin to a clear river flowing from a divine source, and the Prophet, as a trustworthy cupbearer, must deliver it to the seekers of truth.
The phrase "from your Lord" stresses the divine authenticity of the revelation and negates any possibility of non-divine descent such as confused dreams or satanic whispers. This emphasis, like a strong shield, protects the revelation from any suspicion or contamination. However, the Prophet faced the reality of satanic harassment and delusions, not due to his weakness but because of his spiritual attraction and repulsion that drew devils towards him.
The first part, by explaining the divine address and the duty to convey revelation, underscores the exalted status of the Prophet and the importance of trustworthiness in the mission. This verse introduces the mission as a precious trust that must be conveyed intact to creation. The authenticity of the revelation and the repulsion of delusions form other axes of this section, emphasising the purity of the mission and its protection from satanic suspicions.
The Quran, continuing in this verse, refers to Gods protection of the Prophet: "And Allah will protect you from the people." This phrase promises that God shields the Prophet from the harm of people. Yet, the afflictions endured by the Prophet were not solely from humans. The noble hadith "No prophet was ever afflicted as I have been afflicted" testifies to the severity of the hardships he faced. These afflictions predominantly arose from devils, sorcerers, and illusions. It is as if the Prophet, like a shining sun, attracted devils not due to weakness but because of his spiritual magnetism and repulsion against falsehood.
In popular culture, a proverb states: "Whoever is closer in this door, receives more cup of affliction." Some erroneously interpret this to mean that God punishes the righteous more. Such an understanding is false and contrary to divine wisdom. God is neither unjust nor sadistic to torment His close servants without reason. These afflictions originate from devils and enemies who target the righteous due to their spiritual influence. The righteous, like torches in darkness, become targets of falsehoods arrows.
The phrase "And Allah will protect you from the people" offers the promise of divine protection to the Prophet against enemies, including hypocrites and disbelievers. This protection is like a divine shield, safeguarding the Prophet from human harm. This promise inspires not only the Prophet but also religious scholars to fear no threat in the path of conveying the truth. A true scholar, like a star at night, must stand firm against the darkness of ignorance and falsehood, illuminating the environment with the light of knowledge and truth.
This section, by reviewing the Prophets afflictions and divine protection, stresses that the mission is accompanied by numerous challenges, yet God is the true supporter of Prophets and scholars. The afflictions do not originate from divine will but from the envy of devils and enemies. Divine protection, like a firm umbrella, preserves the Prophet and his sincere followers against these harms.
The noble verse addresses not only the Prophet but also serves as a lesson for religious scholars. The true scholar is one who delivers their knowledge as a divine trust to creation. The Quran, by emphasising "and if you do not, then you have not conveyed His message", also addresses scholars, implying that if they do not manifest their knowledge, they have failed in their mission. A scholar who hides knowledge in their chest, like a jewel buried in a shell, not only benefits no one but incurs divine curse: "Then upon him is the curse of Allah."
Scholars who seek personal benefit and refrain from proclaiming knowledge for Gods sake are described as worthless beings who squander the divine trust. Religious knowledge is a divine capital to be employed for guiding creation. A scholar pursuing personal comfort and refraining from serving religion is distant from the truth of religious knowledge. Such scholars resemble birds without wings, unable to soar in the sky of truth.
The true scholar must manifest knowledge even in the most difficult conditions. They are like a steadfast mountain against the storms of falsehood, transforming the environment into a paradise of truth. This courage is necessary not only against enemies but also against the temptations of the self and Satan. The scholar must, like a glowing torch, scatter the light of truth even in the darkest moments.
The third part, emphasising the responsibility of religious scholars, insists that knowledge is a divine trust to be conveyed without deficiency. Passive scholars are far from the truth of religious knowledge, while the true scholar must proceed with courage and sincerity for the sake of God.
Some attribute a specific reason of revelation (such as matters of guardianship or rulings) to this noble verse. However, this view is invalid due to the absence of reliable evidence and the secretive nature of revelation between God and the Prophet. Revelation, like a divine secret between the lover and the beloved, requires no special contextual explanation. It is as if this secret, like a jewel in a shell, resides solely within the heart of the Prophet without the need for public disclosure.
The verb "أُنْزِلَ" (has been revealed) in the verse appears in the passive form, which indicates the secretive relationship between God and the Prophet. This passivity acts like a veil, hiding divine secrets from the eyes of creation. The Prophet is only obliged to convey what has been revealed by God, without the necessity of revealing the details of this relationship to everyone.
This part, by critiquing the concept of specific reasons of revelation and emphasising the unknown nature of revelation, insists that the Prophets mission lies in conveying the revelation without exposing its details. This underlines the purity and authenticity of the mission.
The Sayyids, as the Prophets descendants, constitute a historical miracle that has preserved the prophetic identity throughout history. Unlike figures such as Socrates or Hippocrates, whose existence in history is sometimes questioned, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him
