The Holy Quran, like a pure and boundless spring, presents divine knowledge to humanity in the form of illuminating verses. Among these, Surah Al-Anm, centred upon Tawhid and the rejection of Shirk, appears as a mirror reflecting the truth of faith against the darkness of disbelief and polytheism. Verse 81 of this Surah, which is the focus of this treatise, conveys the wise discourse of the Prophet Abraham, peace be upon him, with his polytheistic people. This verse, employing rational and argumentative language, reveals the supremacy of Tawhid over Shirk and introduces pure faith as a shield against the fears of falsehood. In this writing, by deeply contemplating this verse and related verses, an attempt has been made to present the lofty Quranic meanings in clear and dignified language to readers, so that it may serve as a guiding light for seekers of truth.
وَكَيْفَ أَخَافُ مَا أَشْرَكْتُمْ وَلَا تَخَافُونَ أَنَّكُمْ أَشْرَكْتُمْ بِاللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِ عَلَيْكُمْ سُلْطَانًا ۚ فَأَيُّ الْفَرِيقَيْنِ أَحَقُّ بِالْأَمْنِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
And how should I fear that which you have associated as partners with Allah, while you do not fear that you have associated with Allah that for which He has not sent down any authority? So which of the two parties is more deserving of security, if you should know?
Surah Al-Anm, which ostensibly refers to cattle, is inwardly a treasury of monotheistic knowledge. The naming of this Surah as Al-Anm cannot fully reflect the depth and scope of its themes, since the primary focus of the Surah is the divine discourse concerning Tawhid, disbelief, and Shirk. This critique acts as an invitation to reconsider the names chosen for sacred texts so that the truth of their content is manifested in the mirror of the title.
Surah Al-Anm, like a celestial book, elucidates the principles of Tawhid and critiques Shirk. With the central theme of Prophet Abrahams dialogue with his polytheistic people, it serves as a map that delineates the path of faith amid the darkness of Shirk and disbelief. Tawhid shines like a brilliant star throughout the verses of this Surah, guiding the reader towards the truth.
The Holy Quran applies diverse wisdoms in its interaction with the prophets. God, addressing the Final Prophet, peace be upon him and his progeny, speaks as though to a child requiring step-by-step guidance. The word Qul (Say) in the verses acts like gentle hands guiding the Prophet in the conveyance of revelation. Conversely, Prophet Abraham, peace be upon him, appears as a dignified and independent figure who embarks upon disputation with his people without the need for explicit instructions. This difference represents two educational methods reflecting divine wisdom in the nurturing of prophets.
Prophet Abraham, peace be upon him, led the discourse with his people without requiring the explicit command Qul. This independence testifies to the greatness of his spirit and insight, as he, the chief of the prophets, utilised reason and wisdom to criticise Shirk. His disputation, like a sharp sword, exposed the futility of Shirk and paved the way for true faith.
Prophet Abraham, peace be upon him, challenges his people in verse 81 with a wise question: How should I fear that which you have associated as partners with Allah? This question serves as a mirror reflecting the futility of Shirk. Idols, the moon, the sun, and the stars, which Abrahams people deemed partners of God, are ineffectual shadows in the face of his monotheistic faith. The believer, whose heart is illuminated by the light of Tawhid, harbours no fear of these creatures, for divine truth is a shield protecting him from all falsehood.
Abraham, peace be upon him, reproaches his people for their lack of fear concerning their association of partners with God: While you do not fear that you have associated with Allah that for which He has not sent down any authority? This rebuke acts as a wake-up call revealing the ignorance of the polytheists before divine punishment. Shirk is a great injustice that distances humanity from truth and immerses it in the darkness of ignorance.
Abraham considers the polytheists Shirk devoid of any authority or valid reason. This absence of foundation acts as a curtain lifting to expose the nullity of Shirk. The idols, moon, sun, and other creatures that the people regarded as Gods partners possess neither rational nor revelatory justification and, like superstition, fade before the reality of Tawhid.
Abraham, peace be upon him, through a profound comparison, demonstrates the superiority of Tawhid over Shirk. Shirk, confined to idols and creatures, is harmless and ineffective, whereas Tawhid is like a bridge connecting humanity to divine reality. This comparison invites contemplation on truth and the avoidance of falsehood.
Abraham, peace be upon him, poses a rational question: So which of the two parties is more deserving of security? This question acts as a torch illuminating the path to truth. The believer, who relies on God, is situated in existential and spiritual security, whereas the polytheist, lacking divine support, remains trapped in the darkness of ignorance.
True security originates from faith in God. The believer, whose heart is lit by divine light, is freed from worldly and otherworldly fears. This security acts as a shield protecting him from the storms of falsehood.
Fear of anything other than God is a sign of loss and estrangement from faith. A true believer places no hope or fear in any entity besides God. This principle is like a pillar upon which the edifice of Tawhid is firmly built.
The Holy Quran considers true believers those who have not adulterated their faith with injustice (Shirk, hypocrisy, duplicity): Those who have believed and have not mixed their faith with injustice. This pure faith is like a precious gem, free from any falsehood and connecting the individual to God.
Pure faith precedes righteous deeds. One may perform righteous acts while his faith is contaminated by injustice. Faith is the essence constituting the truth of religion, whereas righteous deeds serve as means for its realisation.
Have not mixed their faith with injustice means faith is free from any covering of falsehood. Injustice is like a garment that covers faith and detracts from its purity. A true believer preserves his faith from such coverings.
Believers whose faith is untainted by injustice enjoy divine security and guidance: Those for them is security, and they are [rightly] guided. This promise acts as a divine glad tidings, displaying the reward for pure faith.
Taqiyya, or acts such as lying by divine permission, is compatible with pure faith because it does not contradict the essence of faith. Taqiyya serves as a shield preserving the religion under difficult conditions without contaminating faith.
God may permit believers to perform acts such as consuming carrion in special circumstances, yet this permission safeguards their faith from injustice. This permission acts as a key opening the doors of divine wisdom in the Shariah.
Groups that propagate injustice and disbelief under the banner of faith lack true faith. Though they may consider themselves believers, in reality, they are distant from the truth of faith and trapped in the darkness of disbelief.
Those who adulterate faith with injustice suffer eternal loss, even if they possess an apparent faith. This loss acts as a heavy shadow resulting from estrangement from the truth of Tawhid.
Verse 81 of Surah Al-Anm shines as a brilliant torch, exhibiting Abrahams divine wisdom in disputation with the polytheistic people. This verse elucidates the futility of Shirk and the superiority of Tawhid, guiding humanity toward pure faith. The emphasis on the avoidance of injustice within faith highlights the importance of sincerity against Shirk, hypocrisy, and duplicity. The distinction between faith and outward deeds, the permissibility of Taqiyya by divine leave, and the critique of pseudo-faith unveil the complexities of faith and human responsibility. Through profound contemplation of these meanings, this treatise endeavours to present the Quranic truth as a radiant gem to readers.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
