Derived from the scholarly lectures of Nokounam, (Session 1168)
The Holy Quran, like a radiant lamp, illuminates the path of guidance for humanity, and its verses, each like a brilliant gem, encompass profound meanings and endless lessons. Verse 35 of Surah Al-Anm, which addresses the dialogue between God and His Prophet concerning the peoples turning away and the role of miracles in prophethood, is among the verses that reflection upon them opens a gateway to deeper understanding of the mission of the Prophets and the complexities of human guidance. This writing, relying on erudite discourses, endeavours to elucidate this verse with a comprehensive and precise perspective, in a coherent and scholarly text. The goal is not merely to reproduce the apparent meanings of the verse, but to explore its deeper layers, including the role of divine miracles and prophethood, the relativity of existential ranks, and the place of divine will in guidance. This text, employing eloquent language and a systematic structure, seeks to invite the reader to contemplate these exalted concepts, as if journeying spiritually from earth to the heavens alongside the Prophet in pursuit of truth.
وَإِنْ كَانَ كَبُرَ عَلَيْكَ إِعْرَاضُهُمْ فَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تَبْتَغِيَ نَفَقًا فِي الْأَرْضِ أَوْ سُلَّمًا فِي السَّمَاءِ فَتَأْتِيهِمْ بِآيَةٍ ۚ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَجَمَعَهُمْ عَلَى الْهُدَىٰ ۚ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْجَاهِلِينَ
And if their turning away from you is grievous, then if you can seek a tunnel in the earth or a ladder in the heaven to bring them a sign, [do so]; and if Allah had willed, He would have gathered them all upon guidance; so do not be of the ignorant.
This verse, like a mirror, reflects the Prophets concern in the face of the people's disregard for his call, and with a comforting tone, urges him to strive to present a miraculous sign. However, simultaneously, emphasising divine will, it reminds that ultimate guidance rests with God. The verse depicts an intimate dialogue between the Creator and His Prophet, as if God, like a compassionate father, invites His child to patience and wisdom.
The people's turning away, meaning their rejection of the Prophets call and neglect of the verses and narrations, was heavy and painful for the Prophet. This sorrow did not stem from weakness, but from profound concern for the guidance of humanity. The Prophet, like a gardener who strives day and night for the blossoming of his saplings, is pained by the fruitlessness of some hearts. This verse alludes to the human aspect of the Messenger of God, who despite the lofty rank of prophethood, suffers from his communitys neglect.
In this verse, God invites the Prophet to strengthen his miracle. This invitation not only means presenting divine signs but also refers to the Prophets active endeavour to prove the truthfulness of his mission. It is as if God says to him: If this turning away has distressed you, bring forth a sign by your own might that softens hardened hearts. This elevates the Prophet from passivity to creative agency.
The verse employs two astonishing images, namely a tunnel in the earth (نَفَقًا فِي الْأَرْضِ) and a ladder in the heaven (سُلَّمًا فِي السَّمَاءِ), inviting the Prophet to perform extraordinary miracles. These two images, like two wings, display the scope of the Prophets capabilities from the depths of the earth to the heights of the heavens. However, this suggestion is more an emphasis on human limitations and dependence on divine will than a literal possibility. It is as if God says: If you can do such great deeds, then do so; but know that ultimate guidance is in My hand.
A salient point in this verse is the distinction between divine miracles and prophetic miracles. Divine miracles, such as the Mirj (Ascension), are granted by God to the Prophet and signify Gods boundless power. However, prophetic miracles derive from the personal capabilities of the Prophet, such as noble ethics, forbearance, and love for enemies. This distinction portrays the Prophet not only as a recipient of revelation but also as a creative agent in his mission.
The belief that the Prophet is merely a messenger who conveys Gods message is an incomplete and simplistic viewpoint. The Prophet is like an architect who not only executes a divine blueprint but also, with creativity and authority, constructs a magnificent edifice of guidance and ethics. He understands miracles, proves them through his conduct, and with his abilities, attracts hearts to the truth.
The Holy Quran states in another verse: We preferred some of them over others (Al-Baqarah: 253), indicating the differences among the Prophets in terms of knowledge, authority, and miracles. Each Prophet had particular miracles appropriate to the time and needs of his community. Abraham in the fire, Joseph in his deliverance from the well, and Solomon in his dominion over the jinn and wind each displayed miracles derived from their knowledge and authority over divine names. This diversity, like the various colours on a divine canvas, exhibits the beauty of different missions.
Some Prophets, such as Hud and Jonah, despite a long lifespan (nine hundred and fifty years), had limited influence on their peoples, whereas the Prophet of Islam transformed the world in twenty-three years of prophethood. This difference is akin to the contrast between a small river and a boundless ocean, indicating the superiority of the Prophet of Islam in authority and influence. His success was the result of the combination of divine miracles (such as the Quran) and prophetic miracles (such as ethics and forbearance).
Prophetic miracles are not limited to extraordinary occurrences. Acts such as visiting a sick enemy, showing love to adversaries, and exhibiting nobility in the face of hardship are themselves miracles emanating from the Prophets exalted spirit. These deeds, like a gentle breeze, soften hardened hearts and signify the Prophets spiritual authority.
The verses emphasis on and if Allah had willed, He would have gathered them all upon guidance elucidates that universal guidance depends on Gods will. This concept is like a key that unlocks the enigma of guidance. Although the Prophet strives through miracles and effort, the final result rests with God. This prevents insistence on compulsory guidance and invites patience and wisdom.
The phrase so do not be of the ignorant is a caution to the Prophet that excessive sorrow over peoples turning away is a sign of ignorance. This warning acts as a reminder urging the Prophet towards realism and acceptance of divine will. It is as if God says: You have fulfilled your duty; leave the rest to Me and keep away from ignorance.
Contrary to some beliefs, the infallibility of the Prophets is not absolute; only God possesses absolute infallibility. Prophets have relative infallibility proportionate to their rank and mission. Even among ordinary people, varying degrees of relative infallibility exist, such as an individual who refrains from improper conduct in public. This relativity, like chiaroscuro in a painting of existence, depicts diverse levels among human beings.
Our knowledge of God is limited to the beautiful names such as the Merciful, the Compassionate, and the Generous, while the divine essence, like an infinite ocean, transcends our comprehension. This limitation invites humility before divine grandeur and reminds that our understanding is but a drop in His boundless sea.
Requested miracles, i.e. miracles performed upon the demand of the people, were seldom employed by the Prophets because the people responded better to ordinary and ethical miracles. This approach resembles a gardener who, instead of displaying unnatural wonders, captivates hearts by nurturing simple flowers.
In the modern era, some achievements such as medical advancements or space exploration are mistakenly termed miracles. However, unlike the Prophetic miracles performed without instruments and by divine authority, these are outcomes of human science and experience. A miracle is like a flame rising from the unseen, not a fire kindled by human tools.
Islam, compared to other religions, is more meritocratic and emphasises coexistence and justice instead of the destruction of other faiths. This characteristic is like a tree whose branches provide shade for all humanity without discrimination or exclusion.
With human progress, the need arises for Prophets endowed with greater authority. This forecast is like a promise guiding humanity towards a brighter future where new missions respond to the rational and spiritual needs of advanced humans.
The impact of some Prophets, such as Jesus and Moses, has diminished over time, and possibly the name and works of the Prophet of Islam may likewise fade in the future. Yet, divine truth, like a fixed star, continually shines in the sky of humanity.
Verse 35 of Surah Al-Anm, like a luminous gem in the treasury of the Holy Quran, offers countless lessons for reflection on the Prophets mission and the complexities of human guidance. This verse invites the Prophet to endeavour to present prophetic miracles but, by emphasising divine will, deters insistence on compulsory guidance. The distinction between divine miracles, prophetic miracles, and personal capabilities depicts the active role of Prophets in guidance. The critique of simplistic views, such as the perception of the Prophet merely as a messenger, and the emphasis on the relativity of infallibility and existential ranks, invite the reader to contemplate the purpose of the mission and acceptance of divine will. This writing, by exploring these concepts, strives to provide guidance for a deeper understanding of the mission and eternal felicity, as if leading the reader on a journey from earth to the heavens towards the truth.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
