of Nokounam, (Session 1151)
Surah Al-Anm, akin to a radiant gem within the Holy Qur'an, invites humanity to a profound journey into the depths of monotheism and contemplation on the reality of disbelief. This Surah, with verses that resemble a clear mirror reflecting divine signs, guides hearts towards the recognition of the Creator and the avoidance of denial. In this treatise, relying on the lectures of religious scholars, we revisit and elucidate the fundamental concepts of this Surah. The objective is to lead the reader towards a deeper understanding of the verses, employing clear and dignified language along with allegories and semantic connections. This writing, with an organised structure and preserving every detail, examines themes such as Tawhid, disbelief, the fate of the deniers, and the role of religious symbols like the Kabah and the prayer tablet (mohr).
Surah Al-Anm, like a clear spring, presents two fundamental conceptsmonotheism and disbeliefbefore human eyes. Tawhid, like a steadfast pillar, is the core of religion and the guide to felicity, whereas disbelief, like a dark shadow, distances humanity from the light of truth. This Surah, revealed in the cultural context of Mecca among polytheists who denied God and the prophets, calls people to conscious faith with emphasis on monotheism. Tawhid in this Surah encompasses not only belief in the oneness of God but also acceptance of the prophets and divine ordinances. Disbelief, moreover, extends beyond mere denial of God to include verbal and practical rejection of the truth.
Surah Al-Anm has a profound connection with Surahs such as Al-Ikhl which states: Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad
(Say: He is Allah, the One). These verses, like light radiating from a single source, underscore the significance of monotheism and caution humanity against polytheism and disbelief.
Qul sir f al-ari thumma unur kayfa kna qibatu al-mukadhdhibn
Say: Travel through the earth and then observe how was the end of those who denied.
This verse, like a wise command, invites humans to journey through history and nature to contemplate the consequences faced by the deniers of truth. The term "travel" here signifies not only physical movement but also an intellectual and spiritual expedition guiding humanity to study the fate of those who rejected the truth. The deniers are those who, with full awareness, refused to accept God, the prophets, and divine rulings and consequently fell into ruin.
The Holy Qur'an, in other verses such as those in Surah Ar-Rm, encourages contemplation of the works of predecessors. This reflection acts as a key that opens the doors of wisdom and guides humanity to comprehend divine traditions. Studying the history of the deniers offers a lesson that fortifies faith in the hearts.
Many deniers were themselves custodians of religions and temples, yet their religion was devoid of truth. They sometimes denied God and the prophets through hypocrisy and insincerity, and other times by verbal and practical negation. This behaviour acts like a mask concealing the truth and leading humanity towards destruction. The Holy Qur'an, in Surah Al-Munfiqn, vividly describes this hypocrisy and demonstrates how some deny the truth under the guise of religiosity.
Deniers rejected the truth sometimes verbally and other times in action. Some, like the polytheists of Mecca, despite possessing temples, denied God and considered idols as intermediaries to approach God. This behaviour resembles a rootless tree with a beautiful appearance that collapses before the storm of truth.
Wa yabudna min dni Allhi m l yaurruhum wa l yanfauhum wa yaqlna huli shufaun inda Allh
And they worship besides Allah that which neither harms them nor benefits them, and they say: These are our intercessors with Allah.
The polytheists worshipped idols as intermediaries to approach God, believing these idols brought them closer to the Divine. This belief was rooted in ignorance and deviation from Tawhid. In contrast, intercession in Islam functions as a bridge, within the framework of monotheism, guiding humans nearer to God.
Tawassul in Islam, such as seeking intercession through the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), is legitimised by verses like Y ayyuh alladhna man ittaq Allha wabtagh ilayhi al-waslah
(O you who have believed, fear Allah and seek a means to Him). This form of intercession, unlike idol worship, aligns with Tawhid and directs humans towards God.
The Kabah, like a pulsating heart at the centre of the Islamic world, is a tangible symbol of worshipping God. This sacred house, introduced in the Holy Qur'an as Bait Allah (the House of God), assists humans in practically experiencing the concept of Tawhid. Unlike the idols of the polytheists, the Kabah is a symbol that guides humanity from worship of invisible entities to devotion to the One God.
God, aware of humanitys incapacity to worship an invisible entity, established the Kabah as a centre for worship. This symbol, like a shining torch, directs humans to God and perfects religion. Verses such as Wa-idh jaaln al-bayta mathbatan lilnnsi wa-amnan
(And [mention] when We made the House a place of return and security for the people) emphasise this role.
The prayer tablet, like a piece of pure soil, symbolises humility and a return to the origin of creation. This pure earth used in prostration signifies human humility before God. Contrary to some misconceptions that consider the tablet as an idol, this soil acts like a mirror reflecting the reality of prostration and connection with the divine nature.
Prostration upon the earth, as recommended in prophetic traditions, indicates a return to the origin of human creation from soil. The tablet, this pure earth, prevents one from placing the forehead on anything impure and symbolizes purity and proximity to God.
Sociology and psychology, like precise tools, assist in comprehending human behaviour towards the truth. These sciences, by analysing faith-related and disbelief-related behaviours, guide humanity to a deeper understanding of the Qur'anic verses. Without such knowledge, an accurate understanding of the fate of deniers and factors of faith is unattainable.
Religious sociology, by studying collective
