of Nokounam (May Allah Sanctify His Secret) (Session 1173)
The present book is a rewritten and consolidated lecture that explicates verse 42 of Surah Al-Imran. This writing, with a profound perspective on Quranic concepts, examines the divine guidance system and the position of humanity in the evolutionary process of creation. Employing an exalted and structured language, it endeavours to elucidate the meanings and nuances of this noble verse with deep precision and clarity for the readers. The text before you is arranged with full preservation of all details and core content, so as to meet the scholarly and spiritual needs of readers and to provide a comprehensive image of the relationship between human beings, God, and the system of creation.
The Holy Quran, in verse 42 of Surah Al-Imran, refers to a divine tradition that has been ongoing since the inception of human creation: the sending of prophets for the guidance of nations. This noble verse, in a concise yet profound manner, emphasises the continuity of this tradition and shows that God has always appointed guides for His servants to perfect the proof against them.
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَىٰ أُمَمٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَأَخَذْنَاهُم بِالْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَضَرَّعُونَ
And indeed We sent to nations before you [Prophets], then We seized them with hardship and adversity that they might humble themselves.
The phrase وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا, emphasising certainty and continuity, indicates that the sending of messengers is not a coincidental matter but part of Gods wise system. This tradition has been ongoing from Adam (peace be upon him) to subsequent prophets throughout all eras, with the purpose of offering mankind the path to happiness and salvation. Among this, the number of prophets, which in some narrations is cited as 124,000, holds secondary importance in this interpretation. What matters fundamentally is the principle of sending prophets and their role in human guidance.
The objective of sending prophets is to guide humanity towards monotheism, piety, and righteous deeds. Prophets have been like lamps in the darkness of ignorance, showing the way to mankind. However, guidance is not achieved solely by the presence of a prophet; it requires the acceptance and readiness of the servants. This readiness depends on human free will and the conscious choice of the path of truth.
The noble verse, after mentioning the sending of prophets, refers to a divine trial: فَأَخَذْنَاهُم بِالْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ. بأساء means severe hardship and intense affliction, and ضراء means harm and calamity. These two terms are like the two wings of a divine test, placing humans in the crucible of trial so that their spiritual and inner capacities may be revealed.
Hardships and afflictions are like a furnace that polishes the essence of human existence. God, using these instruments, calls His servants towards humility and supplication. However, the fulfilment of this supplication depends on human will and preparedness. The verse, with the phrase لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَضَرَّعُونَ, indicates that this outcome is not certain but contingent upon human choice.
Supplication, meaning lamentation and humility before God, is the goal God expects from these trials. Yet, as the verse uses the word لعل (perhaps), this supplication is a possibility, not a certainty. This probability reflects human freedom to choose the path of guidance or misguidance. God has opened the doors of guidance to all, but only those whose hearts are prepared respond to this invitation.
This section of the verse depicts the divine system of testing, wherein hardships and afflictions function as tools for awakening and supplication. However, these tools are only effective if a person voluntarily turns back to God. This system demonstrates Gods wisdom in nurturing His servants and manifesting their spiritual capacities.
The Holy Quran describes the general state of humanity in Surah Al-Asr as follows:
وَالْعَصْرِ * إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ * إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ
By time, indeed mankind is in loss, except those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.
This verse categorises humanity into three groups: the majority who are in loss and deprivation; a smaller group who have faith and perform righteous deeds; and a rare group who, beyond faith and good deeds, possess understanding and wisdom, and advise one another to truth and patience.
According to this interpretation, humanity is divided into three levels:
The Quran states in Surah Saba, verse 13:
وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ
And few of My servants are grateful.
This verse highlights the limited number of truly grateful servants. Perfect guidance, accompanied by gratitude to God, is only bestowed upon a small group. This limitation is part of the system of creation wherein the majority remain in loss, and only exceptions find the path to guidance.
This section, relying on Quranic verses, elucidates the levels of guidance. Humanity is divided into three stages: loss, faith with righteous deeds, and understanding with wisdom. This classification demonstrates the diversity of human capacities and Gods wisdom in guiding His servants. The small group of grateful ones are like peaks on the path of evolution, representing the zenith of divine guidance.
The system of creation is designed so that humans progress in an evolutionary path from elementary stages toward perfection. This interpretation, by referring to the movement from Nisnas to Nas, emphasises the gradual nature of this process. Humans are created from a humble sperm and, over time, achieve intellectual and spiritual growth.
خَلَقَ الْإِنسَانَ مِنْ نُطْفَةٍ
He created man from a sperm-drop.
This verse identifies the origin of human creation as a sperm, but portrays the evolutionary journey as lengthy and challenging. Hardships and afflictions are like winds guiding the ship of human existence through this turbulent sea towards the shore.
Hardships and afflictions are divine instruments for testing and nurturing humans. Just as gum or fabric reveals its capacity when stretched, humans reveal their abilities and limitations in facing hardships. Some advance towards guidance in this test, while others fall behind due to lack of capacity.
The system of creation, through gradual human evolution and divine trials, provides a path for spiritual and intellectual growth. Hardships, as a part of this system, play a crucial role in awakening and guiding humans; yet, the realisation of guidance depends on the capacity and preparedness of the servants.
One innovative concept in this interpretation is the emphasis on the recognition of the pair or counterpart in the system of creation. The pair acts like a mirror through which a person knows themselves. This recognition is a prerequisite for understanding the relationship with God (the Lord).
In this view, humans should, through contemplation of nature and creatures, find their counterpart. This pair not only means a material counterpart but may also refer to a spiritual connection with other beings. Recognition of the pair is like a key that opens the doors of divine knowledge.
Spiritual mentors, like prophets, play a crucial role in guiding humans. Through education and training, they direct individuals towards the truth. This interpretation, referring to personal experiences, underscores the importance of the mentor in spiritual awakening.
هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ
Guidance for the people.
This verse introduces the Quran as guidance for mankind. Mentors, as representatives of this guidance, lead humans toward the truth.
Recognition of the pair and the role of mentors are two fundamental elements on the path to guidance
