This writing, with a profound focus on the luminous verses of Surah l Imrn, particularly verse 72 and the related verse 73, endeavours to elucidate the exalted concepts of divine guidance, submission to the Lord, the establishment of prayer (alh), and piety (taqw). These reflections, drawing upon the discourses of religious scholars, aim to illustrate the connection between spiritual well-being, worship, and progression towards the divine resurrection (ashr). The present text, organised systematically and grounded in Qurnic principles, serves as a guide for seekers of truth who pursue a deeper understanding of the relationship between mankind and the Creator as well as the cosmic order.
The Holy Qurn confines guidance exclusively to the Divine will and considers it the path that leads mankind towards well-being and submission before the Lord of the Worlds. This guidance is not merely directional but a current that connects the human spirit with divine truth.
Key Point: Divine guidance, like a lamp in the darkness, illuminates the path of submission and well-being, guiding the human being from existential dispersion towards unity with the Lord.
This principle invites man into a loving relationship with God, a relationship in which the heart returns purified and serene to the Lord. Divine guidance, like a crystal-clear stream, cleanses the spirit from material defilements and directs it towards a sublime destination.
The Holy Qurn states:
وَأَمَرْنَا لِنُسْلِمَ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
And We were commanded to submit to the Lord of the Worlds.
Submission in this verse is not mere blind obedience but a conscious state suffused with love and peace. This submission, like surrendering oneself to the calm waves of the sea, leads the human being to the secure shore of the Divine. Man is commanded to be in a state of well-being and peace with the Lord, a state in which the heart is freed from internal and external conflicts and attains divine tranquility.
Linsu-lim here signifies an active and aware submission that guides mankind towards peace with God and His creation. This submission acts as a key that opens the doors of Divine mercy, freeing man from the shackles of selfishness and arrogance. The concept portrays a profound relationship between man and the Lord, in which man consciously and lovingly entrusts himself to the Divine will.
The Holy Qurn in verse 72 of Surah l Imrn states:
وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَاتَّقُوا ۚ وَهُوَ الَّذِي إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ
And establish prayer and be conscious of God. And He it is to whom you shall be gathered.
Establishing prayer transcends the mere external performance of alh; it denotes its firm establishment with presence of heart and earnestness. This act, like a steadfast pillar, strengthens the believers faith and preserves him from lapses. Prayer, under conditions of spiritual well-being, is akin to a mirror reflecting the truth of human existence and guiding him towards the Lord.
Key Point: Establishing prayer, like a firm edifice, preserves faith from instability and reaches its perfection only in the shadow of spiritual health.
Prayer is effective only when the person is in a state of spiritual well-being and submission before God. Without well-being, prayer becomes mere lip service, like words not rising from the depth of the heart and leaving no effect. This reciprocal relationship forms a cycle in which spiritual health imparts meaning to the establishment of prayer, and prayer reinforces spiritual well-being. Man, through prayer, is like a bird spreading its wings towards the sky, soaring towards his Lord.
Piety, mentioned in the verse as complementing prayer, acts like a shield that protects man from sin and evil. Righteous deeds, the fruit of piety, keep man away from defilements and strengthen him on the path of divine guidance. Piety, like a vigilant guardian, protects the spirit from lapses and, together with prayer, guides man towards perfection.
Piety, meaning avoidance of sin and performance of righteous acts, maintains a close relationship with faith and action. This concept calls man towards self-awareness and self-restraint, preventing him from falling into the snares of the nafs (ego). Piety is like a light that illuminates the path of guidance and keeps man away from the darkness of sin.
The verses emphasis on إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ invites man to contemplate his ultimate destination. Gathering towards God is akin to returning to the source of existence, which summons man to accountability for his deeds. This return acts like a mirror reflecting the truth of mans actions, confronting him with shame or pride before the Lord.
Tusharn signifies the assembling before the Divine presence for judgement. This principle invites man to reflect on the transient nature of this world and prepare for the Hereafter. Gathering is the destination to which every step brings man closer, compelling him to review his deeds.
This section, by elucidating the concepts of divine guidance, submission, establishment of prayer, and piety, highlights their profound connection with spiritual well-being and the progression towards divine gathering. Prayer and piety, like two wings, elevate man towards his Lord, and spiritual health forms the basis for the efficacy of these two pillars. These concepts invite man towards a life in which the heart is at peace and in harmony with the Lord.
The Holy Qurn in verse 73 of Surah l Imrn states:
وَهُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ بِالْحَقِّ ۖ وَيَوْمَ يَقُولُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ ۚ قَوْلُهُ الْحَقُّ ۚ وَلَهُ الْمُلْكُ يَوْمَ يُنْفَخُ فِي الصُّورِ ۚ عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ ۚ وَهُوَ الْحَكِيمُ الْخَبِيرُ
And He it is Who created the heavens and the earth with truth; and on the Day He says, Be, and it is. His word is the truth, and His is the dominion on the Day when the trumpet is blown. He is the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed; and He is the Wise, the Aware.
The creation of the heavens and the earth with truth signifies divine wisdom and purposefulness. This creation, like a grand tableau, displays the order and beauty of the cosmos and invites man to contemplate the grandeur of the Creator.
Key Point: The creation of the heavens and the earth acts like a mirror reflecting divine wisdom and power, summoning man to submission before this majesty.
Bil-aqq in this verse denotes a creation based on truth and wisdom. This creation not only manifests the order and purpose of the universe but also guides mankind towards faith and piety. The heavens and the earth, like an open book, reveal divine secrets to man and call him to praise the Creator.
