the Lectures of Nokounam, (Session 1132)
Surah Al-Midah, a Medinan chapter of the Holy Quran, addresses social, ethical, and theological issues of human societies with profound and guiding discourse. Verse 104 of this surah, through a critical perspective on ignorant prejudices and blind adherence to ancestral traditions, summons humanity towards rationality and divine guidance. This treatise, grounded in exegetical lectures, seeks to elucidate the meanings of this verse and its connection with foundational concepts of monotheism, prophethood, and guidance. Employing eloquent language and a structured framework, the content of this verse is meticulously clarified for readers with a scholarly and deep perspective.
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا إِلَىٰ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ وَإِلَى الرَّسُولِ قَالُوا حَسْبُنَا مَا وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهِ آبَاءَنَا ۚ أَوَلَوْ كَانَ آبَاؤُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَهْتَدُونَ
And when it is said to them: Come to what Allah has revealed and to the Messenger, they say: Sufficient for us is that upon which we found our forefathers. Even though their forefathers knew nothing and were not guided?
Verse 103 of Surah Al-Midah rejects pre-Islamic pagan customs such as Bahirah, Sibah, Waslah, and m, and criticises irrational and superstitious behaviours, accusing disbelievers of fabricating falsehoods against God and lacking rationality. Verse 104 continues this critique, specifically censuring blind allegiance to ancestral traditions. This linkage, like a thread of light, demonstrates the Quranic discourses continuity in eradicating ignorance and superstition from human society.
The verse issues a clear command, calling disbelievers to accept what God has revealed and to follow the Messenger. This invitation, like a lantern in darkness, summons humanity towards two fundamental pillars of guidancedivine revelation and prophetic mission. Revelation is the word sent from the origin of existence to the heart of the Prophet, and the Messenger is the human embodiment of this guidance who paves the way to truth.
The disbelievers, in a stubborn reply, state: Sufficient for us is that upon which we found our forefathers. This response, like a fortress of prejudice, manifests resistance against truth and adherence to rootless traditions. Such an approach stems not from reason but from blind fanaticism that prevents a person from dynamism and truth-seeking.
The Holy Quran, through a thought-provoking question, states: Even though their forefathers knew nothing and were not guided? This question, like a sharp sword, severs the roots of prejudice and reveals the invalidity of traditions devoid of knowledge and guidance. Following ancestors is justified only when grounded in knowledge and guidance; otherwise, it is akin to walking in darkness.
This portion of the verse, through a profound critique of ignorant prejudice, calls humanity towards rationality and acceptance of divine guidance. The invitation to revelation and the Messenger is the path to liberation from the shackles of ignorance, while the disbelievers response indicates captivity in rootless traditions. This confrontation, like a battle between light and darkness, highlights the significance of reason and guidance against prejudice and ignorance.
The disbelievers openly declare their adherence to the traditions of their forefathers. This sincerity, although on a false path, is preferable to hypocrisy and duplicity. The Holy Quran highlights this frankness as a positive trait, albeit insufficient. A sincere disbeliever is like a traveller on an erroneous path who proceeds honestly, whereas a hypocrite, like a deceptive shadow, conceals the truth.
A narration from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) states: A believer does not lie. This hadith, like a pure mirror, emphasises the incompatibility of falsehood with the essence of faith. A believer, whose heart is illuminated by the light of faith, cannot tarnish this light with lies. Falsehood, like a lethal poison, destroys faith from within.
In an example, an individual critiques a countrys political system without awareness. This ignorance is like walking in a dense fog, leading to erroneous judgments and misguidance. Such a person, without understanding complex political structures, makes unfounded claims that lead only to deviation.
Non-divine political systems, with their complexities and chaos, are likened to a dense and turbulent forest. These systems, devoid of divine guidance, result in disorder and anarchy. Leadership selection in such systems often falls to the wealthy or unworthy individuals, reflecting the absence of divine criteria in societal governance.
Unrealistic claims, such as conquering distant lands or dominating certain individuals, signify ignorance and arrogance. These claims are like a balloon inflated with airseemingly grand but fragile and worthless against reality. Realism, like a torch in darkness, rescues humanity from arrogance.
This section, by elucidating the contrast between sincerity and hypocrisy, underscores the importance of sincerity in faith. Critiques of ignorance and unrealistic ambitions direct humanity towards realism and humility before truth. These concepts, like stars in the sky of knowledge, illuminate the path for believers.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْفُسَكُمْ ۖ لَا يَضُرُّكُمْ مَنْ ضَلَّ إِذَا اهْتَدَيْتُمْ ۚ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
O you who have believed, upon you is [responsibility for] yourselves. Those who have gone astray will not harm you when you have been guided. To Allah is your return all together; then He will inform you of what you used to do.
This verse, like a heavenly command, calls believers to self-care and preservation of their faith. This address, like a golden key, opens the doors of individual responsibility for the believer.
The verse emphasises that the misguidance of others does not harm a believer who has been guided. This principle, like a steadfast shield, protects the believer from the negative influences of their environment. Personal guidance, like a pure spring, cleanses a person from the contaminations of others misguidance.
A question arises concerning the apparent contradiction between this verse and those commanding enjoining good and forbidding evil. This question, like a wave in the sea of knowledge, reveals the complexity in comprehending the relationship between individual and social responsibility. The answer is that prioritising personal guidance does not negate enjoining good; rather, it complements it.
Guidance in this verse signifies movement towards God. This guidance, like a clear path, directs humanity towards the origin of existence. Monotheism, like a radiant sun, is the axis of all religious principles, to which all returns.
A narration states: Say There is no god but Allah so that you may be successful. This hadith, like a shining gem, illustrates the unity of religious principles. Monotheism, prophethood, and all components of religion revolve around God as the central axis.
This section, emphasising individual responsibility and guidance towards God, calls believers to self-preservation and firmness on the path of truth. Others misguidance cannot divert a guided believer from their course. The unity of religious principles, like a strong thread, connects all elements of faith.
Prophets and Imams are righteous servants of God whose infallibility is relative, whereas absolute infallibility belongs solely to God. The Prophet, like a clear mirror, is merely the conveyor of revelation and possesses no authority except by Gods permission.
The narrator adorns his life with salutations to God and the righteous servants, such as Peace be upon you, O Allah and Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah. This conduct, like a fragrant flower, symbolizes submission and devotion to God.
Everything except God is false. Even the Prophet has no authority except by Gods permission. This principle, like a cool breeze, eradicates pride and arrogance from the human heart.
The verse states: To God is the return of all of you. This return, like a stream joining the ocean, signifies divine justice. Everyone, from the believer to the disbeliever, is accountable before God.
God, with full knowledge of His servants deeds, informs them of their actions. This awareness, like light in darkness, is both a warning and a guide.
The narrator recounts, with self-critical humour, a meeting with an exiled scholar who could not answer his question about the verse. This memory, like a mirror, reflects the complexity of understanding the Holy Quran and the necessity of humility.
This section, by elucidating the status of prophets and emphasising the return of all to God, guides humanity towards monotheism and humility. Salutation to God and the righteous servants is a sign of practical faith, and divine awareness is a guide to human felicity.
The exegesis of verse 104 of Surah Al-Midah, like a shining jewel, calls humanity towards rationality, divine guidance, and monotheism. The critique of ignorant prejudice, the invitation to revelation and the Messenger, and the emphasis on individual responsibility act as firm pillars reinforcing the edifice of faith. Sincerity, even on the wrong path, surpasses hypocrisy, yet only divine guidance leads humanity to felicity. The unity of religious principles, return to God, and divine awareness direct humanity to a life abundant with meaning and truth. This exegesis, through profound insight and eloquent language, is an endeavour to clarify the path of guidance for seekers of truth.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
