The present book, reflecting upon the luminous verses of the Holy Qur'an, particularly verse 36 of the blessed Surah al-Anm, undertakes a profound examination of the concepts of the acceptance of Divine invitation and spiritual deafness. Inspired by the discourses of religious scholars, this treatise endeavours to elucidate, in a clear and dignified language, profound lessons from the Holy Qur'an for seekers of truth. The central axis of this work is a psychological and sociological analysis of the obstacles to accepting the truth and the role of the Prophets in guiding humanity, enriched with allegories and allusions that deepen its meaning.
The human society has perpetually confronted challenges such as unemployment, inequality, and the exploitation of resources. The Holy Qur'an, as the Book of Guidance, offers practical solutions to these issues. One such proposal involves utilising existing financial resources, especially illicit wealth, for reconstruction and the creation of employment opportunities. Rather than living in confined and narrow dwellings, one can construct vast and functional edifices to fulfil communal needs. This approach not only assists in resolving livelihood difficulties but also contributes to the prosperity of the land and equitable distribution of wealth.
This perspective, akin to a river that irrigates arid lands, emphasises the significance of resource management and directing them towards the common good. The prosperity of the land is tantamount to the revival of the community's spirit, achievable through collective endeavour and the utilisation of available means.
One of the proposed strategies is the use of financial resources to develop extensive infrastructures, such as grand and utilitarian buildings. This action not only reduces unemployment but also assists in alleviating poverty and inequality through fair wealth distribution. Instead of expending funds on non-essential matters, barren lands can be transformed into fruitful gardens, provided necessary toolssuch as a bucket to draw waterare available. This allegory highlights the importance of planning and practical action towards the public good.
35
And if their turning away is hard upon you, then if you can seek a tunnel in the earth or a ladder in the heaven to bring them a sign, [then do so]; and if Allah had willed, He would have gathered them upon guidance. So do not be of the ignorant.
This verse advises the Prophet to accept Divine decree and urges him, instead of succumbing to sorrow, to concentrate on his mission. Like a gardener who cannot bring all trees to fruitfulness, the Prophet must not consider himself responsible for guiding all people.
36
Only those respond who hear; and the dead Allah will resurrect them, then to Him they will be returned.
This verse, akin to a light that pierces the darkness, signifies that only those who possess receptive ears for truth respond to the Divine invitation. The spiritually deaf are likened to the dead, having lost their spiritual vitality, and on the Day of Resurrection, by Divine awakening, they shall confront the truth.
The Holy Qur'an likens those who refuse to accept the truth to the dead. This analogy serves as a mirror reflecting the spiritual death of human beings. Despite outward life, the spiritually deaf are deprived of comprehending the truth and resemble the dead who only awaken on Resurrection Day.
They have eyes but do not see with them, and they have ears but do not hear with them.
This verse is like a key that unlocks the seal of spiritual blockage. Spiritual deafness and blindness are consequences of ignorance and prejudice, which distance humans from the truth.
Humans in response to the Divine invitation are divided into three categories: firstly, the dead who lack life and hearing; secondly, the living deaf who, despite possessing apparent ears, are unable to hear the truth; and thirdly, the living hearers who receive the Divine invitation with the ear of the heart. This classification resembles a map delineating the different paths of humans in relation to the truth.
Humans must examine themselves vis--vis the truth: do they possess ears receptive to the word of truth or not? Hearing the truth is like a seed sown in the soil of the heart that fructifies through righteous deeds. A person who hears the word of truth but does not act upon it is like a soil that accepts the seed but bears no fruit.
Some educated individuals, despite years of acquiring knowledge, remain deaf to the truth. This intellectual blockage is like a wall that obstructs the light of truth. Religious knowledge, which ought to be a pathfinder of guidance, sometimes becomes a barrier to accepting the truth due to prejudice and pride.
Conversely, simple people, such as labourers and those removed from intellectual complexities, sometimes more readily accept the truth. Their pure and unblemished hearts resemble fertile soil in which the seed of truth bears fruit. This point is like a breeze that removes the dust of prejudice from hearts.
Obstinacy and inner deafness are like chains that prevent a person from moving towards the truth. Those who hear the truth but disregard it are trapped in self-conceit and deprived of spiritual transformation.
In a humorous example, a woman complains that her husband does not listen to her words. This story serves as a mirror reflecting deafness in human relationships. Deafness in daily life is a sign of blockage towards the truth.
Prophets employ three tools in guiding humanity: firstly, Divine miracles such as the Holy Qur'an and revelation; secondly, prophetic miracles deriving from their innate capabilities by Divine permission; and thirdly, personal authority manifested in their ethics and conduct. This distinction resembles three branches of a sturdy tree, each assisting in guiding humanity.
The Holy Qur'an, like an inexhaustible treasury, is a multidimensional source whose comprehension requires knowledge in various sciences, including psychology and sociology. Verse 36 of Surah al-Anm exemplifies a scientific analysis addressing the complexities of accepting the truth. Without knowledge, this treasury is akin to a sealed book inaccessible to many.
Some individuals, such as those who perform prayer but whose behaviour remains unchanged, undertake superficial acts devoid of inner transformation. These acts resemble hollow shells containing no fruit. Sincerity is the soul that enlivens deeds.
An anecdote recounts an individual named Akbar Agha who prayed wearing a gold ring and mocked the advice of a scholar. This story is like a mirror reflecting spiritual deafness. Despite attending the mosque, Akbar Agha remained closed to accepting the truth.
While praying on the Night of Power, Akbar Agha gave wine to his child. This contradiction resembles two sides of a coin: on one side, the appearance of religiosity; on the other, moral deviation. Such behaviour is indicative of inner deafness and lack of spiritual coherence.
Those who deem illicit wealth lawful are like people lost in darkness. This deviation is a consequence of spiritual deafness that leads humans to justify sin.
Verse 36 of Surah al-Anm states that the dead (the spiritually deaf) will be resurrected on the Day of Judgement and returned to God. This awakening is like arousing from a deep sleep, confronting humans with the reality of their existence.
Many humans forget religion, the Prophet, and the verses either in the Hereafter or the intermediate state. This forgetfulness resembles a mist that conceals the truth. God dispels this mist through Divine reminder.
Certain human tortures mimic, albeit incorrectly, Divine punishment used as a means of reminding the truth. Divine punishment is like a surgery for rectifying and awakening the soul, whereas human imitation sometimes results in oppression.
And they said, Why has not a sign been sent down upon him from his Lord?
This claim is an excuse by the misguided to justify their spiritual deafness. Divine signs have been revealed in this world, yet the deaf disregard them.
God possesses the power to send down signs; however, the deaf, due to ignorance and heedlessness, refuse to accept them. This Divine power is like the sun shining upon all, yet only those with insightful eyes benefit from its light.
The majority of people, due to their ignorance, reject the acceptance of signs, Prophets, and religion. This ignorance is like a veil concealing the truth from their eyes.
God, on the Day of Judgement, reminds the spiritually deaf of the truth through means such as punishment. This reminder is like a fire that burns away the dust of heedlessness and brings the person back to themselves.
This treatise, through reflection on verse 36 of Surah al-Anm and the discourses of
