Interpretation: Profound Reflections on Surah Al-Anm, Verses 1 and 2
of Nokounam, may his secret be sanctified (Session 1146)
Preface
Surah Al-Anm, one of the fundamental chapters of the Holy Quran, centred on monotheism and the critique of disbelief, opens a gateway towards understanding the essence of existence and the relationship of humanity with the Creator. The opening verses of this Surah, by referencing divine praise, the creation of the heavens and the earth, the formation of man from clay, and the decree of the appointed term, lay down epistemological and existential foundations before humankind. This writing, through a profound contemplation of the first and second verses of Surah Al-Anm, elucidates the monotheistic, mystical, and philosophical concepts embedded in these verses. Its objective is to invite the reader, through a clear and dignified language, employing allegories and spiritual allusions, to reflect upon the mysteries of creation and the divine path of spiritual conduct.
Section One: Praise and Disbelief, Two Facets of Human Existence
Text and Translation of Verse One
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ الظُّلُمَاتِ وَالنُّورَ ۖ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ يَعْدِلُونَ
Praise be to Allah, who created the heavens and the earth and made the darkness and the light. Then those who disbelieve equate [others] with their Lord.
Contrast between Praise and Disbelief
Praise and disbelief represent two antithetical concepts within the Quranic epistemic system, manifesting two conflicting paths in human spiritual journey. Praise signifies gratitude and submission before divine lordship, guiding humanity towards monotheism, whereas disbelief denotes ingratitude and denial of this reality, leading to separation from the origin of existence. This opposition, akin to the crossroads of light and darkness, summons man to choose between unity and multiplicity.
Key Point: Praise is the exclusive gratitude directed solely to God, inherently linked to monotheism, while disbelief is ingratitude towards divine blessings that results in spiritual degradation.
Exclusivity of Praise to God
The phrase الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ explicitly confines all praise to God, as if all commendations before His grandeur are but a drop compared to the ocean. Disbelief, in contrast, is not merely denial of God but also ingratitude for His boundless favours. Such ingratitude draws man from the light of monotheism into the darkness of polytheism and division.
Section Two: The Creation of Man and Existential Hierarchies
Text and Translation of Verse Two
هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ مِنْ طِينٍ ثُمَّ قَضَىٰ أَجَلًا ۖ وَأَجَلٌ مُسَمًّى عِنْدَهُ ۖ ثُمَّ أَنْتُمْ تَمْتَرُونَ
He is the One who created you from clay, then decreed a term [for you]; and a term is appointed with Him. Yet you doubt.
Creation from Clay and the Nast Level
Verse two emphasises the creation of man from clay, pointing to the lowest existential tier within the realm of nast (material existence). Clay, a substance rooted in the earth, signifies mans dependence on the material world. Nast, as the final station of the descending cosmic order, is the point where man becomes consorted with dust; however, this dust marks the beginning of an ascending journey towards divine perfection.
Key Point: Mans creation from clay indicates his attachment to the material and nast realms, yet this station is the inception of the spiritual ascent towards God.
Descending and Ascending Journey
The descending course of creation, from the divine essence to the earth, occurs under the absolute will of the Lord, devoid of human volition. Conversely, the ascending pathfrom earth towards Godis shaped by human will and choice. This movement resembles a ball dropping from the zenith of the heavens to the earth, which, through the seekers effort, returns again to its origin. This metaphor reflects the dynamism of human existence within the cosmic order.
Distinction between Creation (Khalaq) and Formation (Jal)
Creation denotes the initial origination that transpires independently of creatures will, whereas formation (jal) refers to the shaping of existence across different degrees influenced by environmental and human factors such as sperm, nourishment, and volition. The phrase وَجَعَلَ الظُّلُمَاتِ وَالنُّورَ (and made the darkness and the light) indicates formation, implying the establishment of dual systems under various influences.
Key Point: Creation is the manifestation of the essence of existence, and formation is its structuring within existential layers under the influence of environmental and human factors.
Factors of Formation
In the process of formation, elements such as sperm, nourishment, parents, and the lawful and unlawful dictate the quality of human existence. Lawful nourishment acts as a light guiding man towards divine illumination, whereas unlawful nourishment generates darkness and deviation. These factors allude to the impact of heredity and environment on human destiny.
Section Three: Limitations of Matter and Human Knowledge
Limitations of Clay and Difficulty in Penetrating the Earth
Clay, as the lowest substance of creation, and the earth as its foundation, reveal the limitations inherent in human knowledge. The Holy Quran elsewhere states: If you are able to pass beyond the regions of the heavens and the earth, then pass beyond. This verse hints at the difficulty of penetrating the earth, which unlike the heavens, demands instruments and sovereignty beyond human reach.
Key Point: The material limitation of clay and the difficulty in traversing the earth underscore humanitys incapacity to uncover the mysteries of creation and the fragility of human science compared to divine knowledge.
Section Four: The Appointed Term and Levels of Life
The General and Specified Term
Verse two of Surah Al-Anm mentions two kinds of appointed terms: ثُمَّ قَضَىٰ أَجَلًا ۖ وَأَجَلٌ مُسَمًّى عِنْدَهُ. The general term refers to the age of the earth, which spans billions of years until transformation into another state. The specified term refers to the limited lifespan of creatureshumans, animals, and plantsdetermined by God.
Key Point: The general term of the earth points to the grand cosmic transformations, while the specified term indicates the finite lifespan of creatures, fixed by the Divine.
Critique of Attachment to Nast
Attachment to nast and its limited lifespan is a sign of ignorance. Man is akin to a traveller who only momentarily rests in the caravanserai of earth. Attachment to this transient abode diverts him from the primary purpose of creation: nearness to God.
Section Five: Death, Transformation, and Infinite Realms
Death as Transformation
Death is not an end, but a moment-to-moment transformation of human existence. Every cell, at every instant, transmutes into another being, as if man continuously becomes estranged from his former self. This dynamism indicates perpetual motion within the cosmic system.
Key Point: Death is a continuous transformation, transferring man from one existential level to another.
Critique of Reincarnation
The concept of reincarnation, emerging from misunderstanding, contradicts Quranic truth. The human soul journeys through countless realms, not repetitive material cycles. These realms resemble infinite oceans through which the soul voyages towards the Infinite.
Limitations of Small Numbers
Small numbers (1 to 9) are tools of the limited human mind and are insufficient to enumerate divine realms. The great numbers, uncountable, signify the vastness of creation. This limitation is like a mirror reflecting human incapacity against divine grandeur.
Section Six: Mysticism and the Divine Path
Three Axes of Mysticism
Mysticism is founded upon three axes: the apparent (conduct towards oneself), the inward (relation with God and creatures), and the acquisition (actions and deeds). These three stand as pillars supporting the edifice of the mystical path. Man must continually examine all three to attain divine knowledge.
Key Point: Mysticism rests on the triad of outward, inward, and acquisition, serving as tools for self-knowledge and the spiritual journey towards God.
Cutting Off Covetousness and Selfless Love
Severance of desire from all but God is fundamental to mysticism. True love for God burns like a flame without greed for paradise or worldly blessings. Remembrances such as Subbun Quddsun Rabbul-malikati war-r express this love, not carnal requests.
The Subtle Remembrance and the States of Huwa
The subtle remembrance Huwa Allh Tal is the sole fitting invocation for the seeker, liberating him from the multiplicity of divine names. In higher states, the seeker reaches Huwa, where even Allh becomes multiplicity. This remembrance acts as a key that unlocks the soul and connects it to the boundless ocean of divinity.
Key Point: The remembrance Huwa leads the seeker from multiplicity to unity and frees the soul from material fetters.
Love for God
Love for God is pure affection devoid of hatred towards others and free from egoistic desires. This love is a jewel shining in the seekers heart, liberating him from all attachments.
Section Seven: Critique and Reappraisal of Concepts
Critique of Traditional Exegeses
Some traditional commentaries on the verses concerning the appointed term have overlooked the profound Quranic meanings and have settled for insufficient explanations. These limitations expose the necessity of re-examination with a deeper and more scientific approach.
Critique of Materialistic Conceptions of Paradise
The materialistic view of paradise, restricting it to material pleasures, conflicts with monotheistic truth. True paradise lies in divine proximity and pleasure, not in ephemeral blessings. The closeness of paradise to hell resembles neighbourhood with insecurity, diminishing the material value of paradise.
Critique of the Numerical and Literary System
Historically, the absence of numbering in literary texts resulted in disorder in knowledge organisation. This limitation is indicative of scientific shortcomings, which the Quran transcends by emphasising divine knowledge.
Conclusion
The interpretation of the first and second verses of Surah Al-Anm invites humanity to contemplate the reality of creation, monotheism, and the divine spiritual journey. Praise signifies exclusive gratitude to God, and disbelief, ingratitude towards Him. Mans creation from clay indicates attachment to nast and the starting point of the spiritual ascent to God. The general term of the earth and the specified term of creatures point to the divine order in creation. Mysticism, centred on outward, inward, and acquisition, emphasises cutting off desire and the remembrance Huwa, guiding man to pure love for God. This interpretation, with a profound perspective on the Quranic verses, calls the reader towards detachment from the world and journey towards the divine essence.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
