Preface
The Holy Quran, a fountainhead of wisdom and guidance, unveils in its verses the secrets of existence and the pathways to felicity for humankind. Surah Al-Anm, by elucidating the relationship among the prophets, their communities, and the divine signs, opens a window towards a profound comprehension of the ultimate reality. Verse 33 of this Surah, the focus of this treatise, portrays an intimate dialogue between the Lord and the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). This verse, articulated in a consoling tone, delivers the Prophet from the sorrow of the deniers and invites him towards patience and steadfastness on the divine path. Through reflection upon this verse and related passages, this composition explicates its deep concepts and, employing illuminating allegories, clarifies for the reader the means of drawing near to God and attaining eternal felicity. The objective is to present a comprehensive perspective on this verse and its lessons for all those seeking truth and guidance.
The Holy Quran, in verse 32 of Surah Al-Anm, likens worldly life to a game and pastime, while regarding the Hereafter as the superior good for the pious. The world, like an enclosed house, is confined by the walls of time and place, whereas the Hereafter resembles a boundless orchard, free from any constraint or restriction. This metaphor, akin to a mirror, reveals the essential difference between these two realms. The worldly life, with all its beauties, is like a fleeting river that swiftly reaches its end; however, the abode of the Hereafter is like an infinite sea, eternal and without limit. This distinction invites human beings to ponder the transience of this world and the everlasting value of the Hereafter.
قَدْ نَعْلَمُ إِنَّهُ لَيَحْزُنُكَ الَّذِي يَقُولُونَ ۖ فَإِنَّهُمْ لَا يُكَذِّبُونَكَ وَلَٰكِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ
We are well aware that that which they say grieves you; yet they do not truly deny you, but rather the wrongdoers deny the signs of God.
This verse, like a soothing breeze, consoles the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) against the torment and denial of his opponents. God, aware of the Prophets sorrow, assures him that the deniers are, in reality, opposing the divine signs, not the person of the Prophet. This distinction, like a key, unlocks the sorrow in the Prophets heart and frees him from the heavy burden of denial. The wrongdoers, by repudiating the divine signs, the revelation, the Holy Quran, and prophethood, essentially deny the Lord Himself. This verse invites the Prophet to tranquility and teaches him not to take this denial personally.
God, like a benevolent father, is aware of the Prophets grief and, through this verse, calls him to patience and reliance upon Him. This divine support acts as a steadfast shield protecting the Prophet against hardships. The deniers, by rejecting Gods signs, wrong themselves, and this injustice should not sadden the Prophet. This verse, like a lamp in the darkness, illuminates the path of perseverance for the Prophet and all the believers.
وَلَقَدْ كُذِّبَتْ رُسُلٌ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ فَصَبَرُوا عَلَىٰ مَا كُذِّبُوا وَأُوذُوا حَتَّىٰ أَتَاهُمْ نَصْرُنَا ۚ وَلَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَلَقَدْ جَاءَكَ مِنْ نَبَإِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ
And indeed, messengers before you were denied, so they persevered patiently against the denial and harm until Our help came to them. And none can alter the words of God. And indeed, the news of the messengers has come to you.
This verse, as a narrative from the eternal history of the prophets, recounts their patience and perseverance in the face of denial and affliction. The previous prophets, like stars in the sky of guidance, stood firm against the storms of denial and persecution and, through patience, awaited divine victory. This patience, like a firm root, strengthened their faith and led them towards divine triumph. The Noble Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) is also on this path alongside other prophets, and this verse frees him from feelings of loneliness.
The phrase And none can alter the words of God stands like a steadfast rock, emphasising the permanence and certainty of the divine system. God's words, encompassing decrees, promises, and divine laws, are unchangeable. This truth, like a shining sun, assures humanity that no effort can alter the divine will. Prophets, saints, and believers advance within this stable system towards the divine goal.
The phrase And indeed, the news of the messengers has come to you opens like an unveiled book narrating the stories of the previous prophets. These accounts, like a radiant torch, show the path of patience and perseverance to the Prophet and the believers. The hardships and victories of the prophets are lessons inviting human reflection and prudence.
Prophets, saints, and believers, like travellers in a caravan, share a singular objective: nearness to God. This goal, like the polar star, illuminates the path of all. Differences in rank and details resemble the branches of a tree that do not affect the unity of the root. Whoever takes steps on this path, their hardships are valuable and preserved before God.
Whoever chooses a goal other than God is like one who pursues a mirage instead of the true destination. Idolatry and misguidance are chains preventing human beings from felicity. The Holy Quran calls humanity to sincerity in their aims to be freed from misguidance.
Human agency in the divine path is like a boat propelled by the oars of will and the wind of divine power. The phrase There is no power nor strength except by God beautifully illustrates this dependence. Humans act by their own will, yet their success depends on divine grace.
The path of the prophets, saints, and believers resembles a single river that sometimes flows as a roaring torrent and at times as a tranquil stream. Differences in details do not affect the ultimate destination. The goal is nearness to God, and this path, with all its hardships, leads to eternal felicity.
Worldly life is like a fleeting shadow, sometimes lasting a hundred years, sometimes two hundred, yet in comparison to the eternity of the Hereafter, it is but a moment. This limitation invites humans to contemplate the proper utilisation of this opportunity. The world is like a passing caravan, and only righteous deeds, like an eternal treasure, accompany a person.
Hardship in the way of God is like a seed sown in the soil of suffering which grows into a fruitful tree in the Hereafter. This hardship, whether endured by prophets, saints, or believers, is valuable before God and its reward is assured. God, like a wise gardener, causes these efforts to bear fruit.
The exegesis of verse 33 of Surah Al-Anm shines like a brilliant light, teaching profound lessons on divine consolation, prophetic patience, and the immutability of Gods words. This verse liberates the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) from the sorrow of denial and calls him to patience and reliance upon God. The distinction between worldly life and the Hereafter, the unity of the goal among prophets, saints, and believers, and the value of hardship in the way of God are key lessons of this interpretation. Humans, with sincerity in the divine path and harmony between their will and divine power, attain eternal felicity. Through reflection upon these concepts, this treatise guides the reader towards contemplation and action on the path of nearness to God.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
