Excerpted from the Lectures of Nokounam, (Session 1203)
The Holy Quran is a pristine fountain of divine knowledge that illuminates the path of guidance for humanity amid the turbulent sea of worldly existence. Verses 89 and 90 of Surah Al-Anm shine like resplendent gems, delineating the position of the Prophets as bearers of the Book, wisdom, and prophecy, serving as paradigms of guidance. This treatise, through contemplative reflection on these verses, elucidates the role of the Prophets as fresh water amidst the salty sea of corruption and misguidance, and critically addresses historical distortions, emphasising the necessity of returning to the monotheistic truth and Quranic justice. The present text, structured systematically and articulated in clear language, strives to present profound Quranic concepts with due precision and eloquence to seekers of truth.
Despite its apparent title referring to cattle, Surah Al-Anm fundamentally centres on the doctrine of monotheism and the critique of polytheism and disbelief. This Surah, like a radiant beacon, distinguishes the path from deviation and guides humanity toward the singular divine truth. Its emphasis on Tawd not only repudiates overt polytheism but also counters any intellectual or practical deviation that distances humans from the path of guidance. With clear and articulate discourse, this Surah invites reflection on the divine signs and exhorts avoidance of misguidance.
In Surah Al-Anm, the Prophets are introduced not based on lineage or kinship but through spiritual and divine ranks. These ranks, irrespective of being prior or subsequent to one another, signify the exalted station of the Prophets in humanitys guidance. Whether before Abraham the Friend of God or after him, the Prophets resemble stars in the sky of guidance, each occupying a specific position and radiating divine light to mankind. This approach underscores the comprehensiveness of divine guidance and indicates that the Prophets mission transcends generational or temporal constraints, offering an eternal model for all humanity.
The Holy Quran likens the Prophets to fresh water amidst the salty sea of the world, indicating that by their purity and chastity, they remain immune to contamination and misguidance. This simile beautifully portrays the position of the Prophets as pure and guiding beings in an environment rife with corruption and polytheism. Just as fresh water preserves its identity amid the salty ocean waves, so too do the Prophets maintain their innocence and sincerity, safeguarding themselves from mingling with worldly misguidance.
From a scientific standpoint, fresh water, due to its higher density and intrinsic properties, does not readily mix with the salty sea water unless external pressures or forces disrupt this boundary. This phenomenon is elegantly described in the Quran in the verse
He released the two seas, converging together
(Ar-Rahmn: 19). Similarly, the Prophets, like fresh water, preserve their purity against social pressures and worldly misguidance, directing humanity toward guidance.
To comprehend how purity is maintained amid corruption, acquiring knowledge is imperative. Just as a scientist understands the characteristics and reasons behind the non-mixing of fresh and salty water, a believer must acquire insight to learn how to safeguard faith against misguidance. Knowledge acts as a shield that protects one from falling into the traps of corruption and deviation. This emphasis highlights the importance of rationality and inquiry in religious life.
Religious knowledge must not be confined to specialists alone. Every believer is obligated to attain the necessary insight to preserve their purity in a corrupt society. Just as fresh water, by virtue of its intrinsic properties, remains uncontaminated by salt water, a person, by knowledge and adherence to divine commandments, can withstand misguidance. This principle underscores a collective responsibility in knowledge acquisition and practice.
Those are the ones to whom We gave the Book, the wisdom, and the Prophethood; but if they disbelieve therein, then We have entrusted it to a people who are not disbelievers in it. (6:89)
Those are the ones whom Allah guided, so follow their guidance. Say: I do not ask you for any reward for it; it is but a reminder for the worlds. (6:90)
The Quran in verse 89 of Surah Al-Anm speaks of three divine gifts bestowed upon the Prophets: the Book, wisdom, and prophethood. The Book refers to the revealed divine scripture, which, like a pure spring, presents divine knowledge to humanity. Wisdom encompasses the firm religious ordinances granted not only to the Prophets but also to the saints of God. Prophethood, however, is a unique station reserved exclusively for the messengers, marking their exalted role in humanitys guidance.
The Book pertains to the written and divine revelation directly sent from God. Wisdom refers to the religious laws and knowledge which can also be bestowed upon non-prophetic saints. Prophethood, however, is a rank that only the messengers possess, bearing the responsibility of direct guidance for mankind. This differentiation reflects the breadth of divine guidance and its various degrees among servants.
Verse 90 of Surah Al-Anm, emphasising the guidance of the Prophets, commands adherence to their example. Such adherence involves not only belief in Tawd but also practice in justice, steadfastness, and sincerity. The Prophets, like blazing torches, illuminate the path through the darkness of misguidance and lead humanity toward a pure and just life.
The Quran, in verse 89, speaks of disbelief toward divine gifts as an expression of ingratitude and denial of Gods blessings, which may result in weak faith or laxity in practice. Should a group disbelieve in these gifts, God entrusts the religion to another group faithful to these blessings. This promise indicates the perseverance of divine religion against disbelief and ingratitude.
Disbelief in divine gifts carries grave consequences. God, as retribution, allows other peoples to dominate the disbelievers, afflicting them with hardship and calamity. This principle underscores human responsibility in faith. Weakness in faith harms not only the individual but also the community, obstructing the realisation of divine objectives.
The weakness of the Prophets adherents was a principal factor in historical calamities such as the martyrdom of Gods saints. Had steadfast and faithful followers supported the Prophets, history might have been altered. This critique calls attention to the necessity of active support alongside heartfelt belief. Faith without action resembles a rootless tree unable to withstand storms of misguidance.
Mourning the hardships faced by
