of Nekounam, (Session 1160)
Surah Al-Anm, one of the Meccan chapters of the Holy Quran, with a profound gaze at the reality of Tawhid (Divine Unity), critique of disbelief and polytheism, and an examination of falsehood as an obstacle to salvation, invites humankind to reflect upon moral and spiritual soundness. This Surah, with clear language and an emphasis on sincerity, guides the heart towards truth and demands steadfastness against the trials of disbelief and falsehood. The present writing aims to revisit and elucidate these concepts by analysing key verses of Surah Al-Anm, utilising deep exegeses to pave the way for a more profound understanding of Quranic meanings. This work, by exploring the semantic interrelations among Tawhid, disbelief, and falsehood, seeks to illuminate a path for seekers of truth.
This verse refers to the tribulation of the polytheists on the Day of Resurrection, where they swear by God, denying their polytheism. This denial is not out of sincerity but stems from self-deception rooted in falsehood. The polytheists, who in this world were deprived of understanding the Divine truth, in the Hereafter close the path to salvation for themselves through self-deception and lying. In this sense, tribulation is a test that reveals the hearts of the misguided, as the Quran introduces tribulation as a divine examination. This concept invites humans to contemplate inner sincerity and avoid self-deception.
Connection with other verses: The concept of tribulation in the Quran is elaborated in verses such as Surah Al-Baqarah (2:191) as a form of test and misguidance. This meaning aligns with Surah Aal Imran (3:7), which discusses the trial of the ambiguous verses, demonstrating the effect of disbelief in creating tribulation. By denying polytheism, the polytheists immerse themselves in a vortex of self-deception resulting in estrangement from truth.
This verse highlights the polytheists self-deception which is the consequence of their fabrications. The term yaftaroon denotes slander and falsehood, indicating the root of their misguidance. Self-lying, like a shattered mirror, distorts truth and diverts a person from the path of guidance. This self-deception leads the individual, not only in this world but also in the Hereafter, into darkness and misguidance.
Connection with other verses: The notion of self-deception is explicitly mentioned in the Quran in verses such as Surah Ghafir (40:34). Also, Surah Aal Imran (3:24) alludes to human justification of sins, paralleling the self-deception of the polytheists in this verse. These verses encourage reflection on inner sincerity and refraining from justifying sin.
Falsehood, in the perspective of the Holy Quran, is a grave sin rooted in oppression, just as disbelief and polytheism originate from oppression. Lying, like a deadly poison, corrupts a persons moral integrity and deprives them of eternal bliss. This sin acts as a key that opens the doors to other sins, yet it is itself a path with a difficult return.
Connection with verses and narrations: In the Quran, lying is condemned as a major sin in verses such as Surah Aal Imran (3:77), which condemns lying against God. Additionally, a narration from Islamic sources states: A believer may commit adultery, may steal, but never lies. This tradition highlights the severity of lying and stresses the necessity of truthfulness.
Disbelief and polytheism both originate from oppression, and falsehood, as a deep-rooted source, nourishes this oppression. The polytheists, by denying their polytheism, committed a great lie that denied not only polytheism but also the existence of God. This denial, like a dark veil, concealed the truth from their sight.
Connection with verses: The relationship between disbelief, polytheism, and oppression is explained in verses such as Surah Az-Zumar (39:3). Surah Aal Imran (3:151) also critiques polytheism and disbelief, emphasising the root of falsehood in oppression. These verses call humans to avoid falsehood and return to Tawhid.
Lying, like a free bird, permits a person to say whatever they wish, yet this freedom acts as a chain that drags them toward misery. Just as one cannot travel without identity documents in this world, a liar, lacking moral integrity, becomes trapped in the whirlpool of destruction.
Connection with verses: The consequences of sin in the Quran are illustrated in verses such as Surah Al-Baqarah (2:81) as divine punishment. Surah Aal
