the Lectures of Nokounam, (Session 1180)
The Holy Quran, like a radiant lamp, illuminates the path to human felicity and, with its wise verses, guides mankind towards contemplation, knowledge, and guidance. In this writing, verse 50 of Surah Al-Imran, which addresses the Prophets role as the messenger of divine revelation and the invitation to reflect on the distinction between the ignorant and the knowledgeable, is examined. This verse, with eloquent and profound expression, reveals the human limitations of the Prophet and emphasises the importance of reason and awareness against ignorance and misguidance. What follows is a redaction and compilation presenting the core content in a polished language and a structured format to facilitate reflection on the lofty Quranic meanings for readers.
The Holy Quran introduces the Prophet as an intermediary in conveying grace, knowledge, and awareness to humanity. This role is realised not through material or supernatural power but through divine revelation. The Prophet, like a clear mirror, merely reflects the light of revelation and claims no ownership thereof. This characteristic distances him from any form of arrogance or pride and accentuates his mission as the conveyor of the divine message.
Accordingly, verse 50 of Surah Al-Imran clearly mandates the Prophet to declare his position to the people. This verse, by stressing the Prophets complete dependence on revelation, negates any illusion of supernatural power.
The Holy Quran, with utmost clarity in this verse, presents the Prophet as an ordinary human being who is distinguished only by divine selection for prophethood. He lacks the treasures of God, i.e., material resources and worldly facilities. Additionally, knowledge of the unseen is denied to him, as the unseen is solely with the Almighty God. The Prophet explicitly states that he is not an angel and possesses no independent supernatural power. These denials emphasise the Prophets humanity and his dependence on revelation.
The Prophet, like a pure stream, is merely a conduit for transmitting revelation. He has no independent initiative in guidance and adheres solely to what is revealed to him. This dependence renders him a human exemplar and one worthy of emulation by mankind.
In this verse, the Prophet declares: "I only follow that which is revealed to me." This statement demonstrates that revelation is the unique source of the Prophets guidance and knowledge. He neither speaks on his own accord nor benefits from personal knowledge. Revelation, like a divine light, illuminates his path and guides him towards leading the community.
This dependence on revelation absolves the Prophet from any self-made claims and identifies him as the messenger of Gods message. He is, like a steadfast bridge, the transmitter of divine grace to society and holds no ownership over this grace.
The verses question, "Are the blind and the seeing equal?", alludes to the distinction between the ignorant and the knowledgeable. This question, like a spark to the human mind, invites reflection on the value of knowledge and awareness. The term blind here metaphorically signifies epistemic blindness, while seeing symbolises an aware and knowledgeable individual. This metaphor tangibly portrays the contrast between ignorance and wisdom.
The original text elucidates this concept with an example of physical blindness. A blind person, even with modern aids such as a cane or advanced devices, remains limited in movement. They must tread cautiously, accompanied by their fears. This limitation metaphorically represents ignorance, which prevents a person from traversing the correct path.
The text references industrial advances that have provided tools for the blind but stresses that these devices can never replace true sight. Even if artificial eyes were constructed in the future, they would still not substitute reason and divine knowledge. This critique highlights the supremacy of religious knowledge over material science. Knowledge, like a divine light, enlightens the heart and mind, liberating a person from the darkness of ignorance.
This viewpoint, employing a beautiful simile, likens ignorance to blindness and knowledge to vision. The ignorant individual resembles a blind person walking with a cane, perpetually anxious, while the knowledgeable person walks confidently like one who sees the path clearly.
Ignorance, portrayed as humanitys greatest challenge, is emphasised throughout the text. This ignorance leads a person toward misguidance, loss of faith and morality, and destruction of life. The text alludes to contemporary proxy wars wherein individuals, driven by material need and unawareness, are led to slaughter and violence. These wars are the product of a lack of reason and knowledge and plunge humanity into a vortex of ruin.
An example of cemeteries filled with migrant victims of such wars poignantly depicts this harsh reality. These individuals, compelled by ignorance and societal pressures, march towards death, gaining no benefit for themselves or their families.
The text considers violence and harm as signs of the absence of reason and faith. A wise and faithful person neither harms themselves nor others. This principle, like a beacon in darkness, points to the correct way of life. The text emphasises, through a humorous example of a person clipping their nails to avoid harming others in a fight, the importance of controlling anger and refraining from violence. This simple act symbolises the effort to disarm the self and avoid inflicting harm.
The contemporary world, due to the spread of violence and slaughter, is in an unprecedented state. The text regards this condition as the consequence of ignorance and lack of rationality. Instead of resorting to reason and faith, humans have fallen into the trap of violence and misguidance.
The text refers to political figures who, instead of governing, fuel violence and massacre. This behaviour signifies a lack of competence and rationality. Such leaders, rather than guiding society toward felicity, lead it toward ruin. This critique, employing a delicate metaphor, likens the world to a pit in which victims are buried, leaving no trace of life and happiness.
In a turbulent world, the only way to establish a safe haven is to seek refuge in God and pray for His benevolence. Prayer, like a golden key, opens the doors to tranquillity and guidance. One must, with trust and faith, ask God to smooth their path and protect them from the ravages of chaos. This solution reflects humanitys complete dependence on God and its incapacity to confront vast worldly challenges alone.
The text highlights prayer as a manifestation of faith. A faithful person, upon the appointed time for prayer, experiences an inner necessity, akin to a heartbeat in the heart, for communion with God. This sensation, described in the text metaphorically as a restless fluttering, signifies spiritual vitality. However, a prayer performed mechanically without presence of heart is likened to a lifeless bending and rising that leaves no impact on the soul.
This critique, employing a beautiful simile, compares a spiritless prayer to theatrical movements that produce no change in the human essence. Conversely, prayer recited with humility and heartfelt presence quenches and nourishes the heart and soul like a flowing torrent.
The text emphasises that the heirs of the Prophets must follow the Prophets conduct and abstain from harshness, violence, and arrogance. Claims of superiority over the Prophet are false and divert a person from the path of guidance. This concept is reinforced by the noble hadith: "The scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets." This inheritance is conditional upon adherence to the Prophets conduct and avoidance of pride.
The text metaphorically critiques those who consider themselves superior to the Prophet and stresses the importance of humility and modesty before God.
Verse 50 of Surah Al-Imran, like a brilliant gem, portrays the role of the Prophet as the messenger of revelation and the inviter to reflection. This verse, by underscoring the Prophets human limitations, absolves him from any claims of transcendence and confines his mission to following revelation. The invitation to reflection, through the questions "Are the blind and the seeing equal?" and "Will you not then reflect?", calls humanity to contemplate the difference between ignorance and knowledge. The text, through criticism of ignorance, violence, and arrogance in the contemporary world, identifies refuge in God, prayer, and righteous action as the solution. Combining concrete examples, social critiques, and emphasis on reason and faith, this writing offers a comprehensive perspective on the Prophets mission and human responsibility.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
