This treatise, with a profound perspective on verse 57 of Surah Al-Imran, elucidates the status of pure monotheism, the Prophets dependence on divine revelation, and critiques the erroneous attributions made to him. The central theme emphasises the role of the Prophet as a guided servant who speaks solely through revelation and lacks independent knowledge or knowledge of the unseen. Furthermore, with a critical view towards some prevalent beliefs, it underscores the necessity of returning to pure monotheism and reciting l ilha ill llh as a pathway to infallibility and deliverance from polytheism. This text, structured systematically and drawing upon Quranic verses, aims to convey profound divine messages to its audience with eloquent and dignified language.
قُلْ إِنِّي عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّي وَكَذَّبْتُمْ بِهِ ۚ مَا عِنْدِي مَا تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ بِهِ ۚ إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ ۖ يَقُصُّ الْحَقَّ ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الْفَاصِلِينَ
(Surah Al-Imran, Ayah 57)
Say: Indeed, I am upon clear evidence from my Lord, but you have denied it. What is with me that which you hasten for is not [present]. The judgement is only for Allah. He relates the truth, and He is the best of judges.
Qul and the Prophets RoleThe Noble Quran, through the repeated use of the word qul (say), presents the Prophet as a conduit for conveying divine revelation. This command indicates his complete dependence on divine guidance, such that he utters no word of his own accord and merely conveys what God places in his mouth. This characteristic exempts the Prophet from any independence in knowledge or action and portrays him as an obedient and guided servant.
In Surah Al-Imran, the word qul is repeated eighteen times, emphasising the Prophets role as a messenger who solely executes divine commands. This repetition acts like a thread linking the beads of a rosary, signifying continuity and order in the transmission of Gods message.
qul symbolises the Prophets dependence on revelation, indicating that he utters no statement from himself but is solely an executor of divine commands.
The Prophet, as a purified servant, lacks independent knowledge. The Quran states in another verse:
وَمَا يَنْطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ
(Surah An-Najm, Ayah 3)
Nor does he speak from [his own] desire.
This verse introduces the Prophet as one who follows revelation and denies any claim to independent knowledge. This dependence is like a stream nourished from the pure source of revelation, devoid of any drop of its own.
Attributing knowledge of the unseen to the Prophet is one of the deviations observed in certain beliefs. The Quran explicitly refutes this claim:
قُلْ لَا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ عِنْدِي خَزَائِنُ اللَّهِ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ
(Surah Al-Anm, Ayah 50)
Say: I do not say to you that I have the treasures of Allah, nor do I know the unseen.
This verse absolves the Prophet of any claim to knowledge of the unseen and introduces him solely as the bearer of revelation. This critique serves as a mirror separating truth from illusions.
The Prophet, as a guided servant, is only an executor of divine commands and possesses no knowledge or power of his own. The repetition of qul in the Quran signifies his dependence on revelation, and attributing knowledge of the unseen or unreal characteristics to him conflicts with Quranic verses. This dependence is like a pillar that sustains the edifice of prophethood.
In Ayah 57 of Surah Al-Imran, the Prophet declares that he stands upon clear evidence from his Lord:
قُلْ إِنِّي عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّي
Say: Indeed, I am upon clear evidence from my Lord.
This evidence is the divine revelation that protects the Prophet from error. Yet, the disbelievers deny this evidence:
وَكَذَّبْتُمْ بِهِ
And you have denied it.
This denial acts as a barrier preventing the light of truth from reaching the hearts of the disbelievers. The Quran elsewhere states:
وَكَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا
(Surah Al-Arf, Ayah 72)
And they denied Our signs.
This denial is an injustice that incurs divine punishment.
The Prophet explicitly states that he does not know the time or nature of the divine punishment:
مَا عِنْدِي مَا تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ بِهِ
What you hasten for is not with me.
The disbelievers hasten the punishment as if mocking the Prophets message. The Quran elsewhere says:
وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِالْعَذَابِ
(Surah Al-Ankabt, Ayah 53)
And they hasten you with the punishment.
This haste is like throwing a stone skyward, which eventually returns to the ground, harming those who cast it.
The Prophet emphasises that judgement belongs solely to God:
إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ ۖ يَقُصُّ الْحَقَّ ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الْفَاصِلِينَ
The judgement is only for Allah. He relates the truth, and He is the best of judges.
This principle reflects monotheism in sovereignty, portraying God as the supreme arbiter who distinguishes truth from falsehood. This judgement is like a scale that admits no error.
Relying on divine revelation, the Prophet possesses clear evidence from his Lord, yet the disbelievers deny it. He is unaware of the details of the punishment, recognising God alone as sovereign and judge. These principles, like shining stars in the sky of monotheism, illuminate the path towards truth.
The text introduces three levels of dhikr (mention):
The mention l ilha ill llh is so profound that, like a mighty storm, it eradicates all that is other than God from the heart and mind. This mention is infallibility-inducing as it guides the individual to perceive God in everything.
l ilha ill llh is the weightiest mention, negating all except God and leading the individual to infallibility.
If l ilha ill llh is only a verbal utterance without emptying the mind of all but God, it is ineffective. The Quran says:
وَمَا أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ
(Surah Ysuf, Ayah 103)
And how many of the people, even if you strive [for it], will not believe.
This verse rejects superficial faith and stresses sincerity in monotheism.
Attributing independent power, such as healing, to the Prophet or Imams is polytheism. They are merely intermediaries, not possessing independent power. The Quran states:
وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ
(Surah Ash-Shuar, Ayah 80)
And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.
This verse attributes healing solely to God and rejects any claim of independent power attributed to others.
The mention l ilha ill llh, as the most complete mention, negates all besides God and leads the individual to infallibility. However, if this mention is merely verbal or if intercession with belief in independent power of others occurs, it constitutes polytheism. These principles act like a torch illuminating the path of monotheism.
The Prophet, Imams, the heavens, the earth, and all creatures are manifestations of the Divine, yet placing them alongside God is polytheism. The Quran says:
كُلُّ شَيْءٍ هَالِكٌ إِلَّا وَجْهَهُ
(Surah Al-Qasas, Ayah 88)
Everything will perish except His Face.
This verse regards all as transient and God as everlasting, akin to branches growing from the trunk of the divine tree of life.
According to religious scholars, the knowledge of Gods essence and meaning is criticised. Gods essence is incomprehensible, and His names are His manifestations. This perspective is like a door opening towards the infinite divine truth.
Divine names frequently mentioned in the Quran (such as Allah) or mentioned rarely (such as As-Samad) each carry special significance. The name As-Samad appears only once in the Quran:
اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ
(Surah Al-Ikhl, Ayah 2)
Allah, the Eternal Refuge.
This attribute presents God as complete and self-sufficient, like a peak without any summit before it.
Overemphasis on intermediaries, such as the Imams, has distanced God from human life. This ignorance acts like a curtain covering the sunlight of truth. The Quran says:
وَمَا يَتَّبِعُ أَكْثَرُهُمْ إِلَّا ظَنًّا
(Surah Ynus, Ayah 36)
And most of them follow nothing but assumption.
This verse identifies ignorance as the root of polytheism and stresses the necessity of returning to monotheism.
All creatures are manifestations of the Divine, but attributing independent power to them is polytheism. Religious knowledge must guide towards pure monotheism and avoid ignorance that distances God from human life. These principles act as keys that unlock the locks of polytheism.
The exegesis of Ayah 57 of Surah Al-Imran, like a radiant torch, illuminates the path of pure monotheism. The Prophet is a guided servant who speaks only through revelation and is devoid of knowledge of the unseen or independent power. The disbelievers, by denying divine verses, commit injustice that entails punishment, but God is the best judge. The mention l ilha ill llh leads humanity to infallibility and liberation from polytheism. Ignorance and improper emphasis on intermediaries have distanced God from human life. This exegesis, through linking Quranic verses and critiquing erroneous beliefs, invites a return to pure monotheism and deliverance from all but God.