of Nokounam, may his sacred soul rest in peace (Session 1204)
The Holy Quran, akin to a radiant lamp, opens the path of guidance to humankind and directs the soul and heart towards the truth through its verses. Verses 88 and 89 of Surah Al-Anm, like two brilliant jewels, speak of divine guidance, Gods self-sufficiency, and the continuity of the prophetic mission. This treatise, through a profound contemplation of these verses, endeavours to present their exalted meanings within a scientific and coherent framework, articulated in a clear and solemn language. The objective is to elucidate the position of monotheism, critique traditional concepts such as the finality of prophethood, and explore the dynamism of divine guidance, which flows eternally like a river within the fabric of creation.
Divine guidance, like an endless light, is bestowed by God upon His servants. This guidance is neither confined to a specific group nor restricted within the bounds of time and place. With His boundless wisdom, God directs whomever He deems worthy towards this light.
ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى اللَّهِ يَهْدِي بِهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ۚ وَلَوْ أَشْرَكُوا لَحَبِطَ عَنْهُمْ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
That is the guidance of Allah; He guides with it whom He wills among His servants. And if they had associated others [with Him], then worthless would be for them whatever they were doing.
This verse, like a clear mirror, reflects the reality of divine guidance. By His will, God leads His servants towards the light of guidance, but such guidance flourishes only under the shade of monotheism. Associating partners with God (shirk) is like a dark shadow that nullifies deeds, and even the prophets, hypothetically assuming shirk, would not be exempt from this principle.
The term habt in this verse signifies the nullification or invalidation of deeds, analogous to a building collapsing in an earthquake. Shirk acts as a devastating storm, undermining the foundations of actions and rendering all the efforts of the servant void. This concept emphasises the critical importance of monotheism and demonstrates that even prophets, hypothetically, are not exempt from this divine law.
The verse, by hypothetically assuming the prophets involvement in shirk, underscores Gods self-sufficiency. God, like an infinite ocean, is independent of every servant and does not compel even the prophets to pay tribute. This self-sufficiency signifies divine omnipotence in preserving religion. If the prophets deviate from the path of monotheism, God will safeguard His religion by appointing another people.
Divine guidance, like a star in the firmament of knowledge, illuminates the path for servants. Monotheism is the prerequisite for the perseverance of deeds, and shirk, even hypothetically, annihilates all endeavours. God, with His wisdom and self-sufficiency, grants guidance to the worthy and preserves His religion from all harm.
أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحُكْمَ وَالنُّبُوَّةَ ۚ فَإِنْ يَكْفُرْ بِهَا هَٰؤُلَاءِ فَقَدْ وَكَّلْنَا بِهَا قَوْمًا لَيْسُوا بِهَا بِكَافِرِينَ
Those are the ones to whom We gave the Scripture, the authority, and prophethood; but if they disbelieve in it, then We have entrusted it to a people who will not disbelieve in it.
This verse, like a pearl within its shell, speaks of Gods gift to the prophets. The Scripture is akin to the spring of revelation; wisdom is the instrument of righteous action; and prophethood is the divine mission and tool for the prophets guidance. Yet, God, in His self-sufficiency, warns that if these gifts are denied, another people will be appointed to uphold the religion.
The Scripture, like a divine map, delineates the path of guidance. Wisdom, like a lamp in hand, illuminates the path of righteous deeds. Prophethood, like a bridge between heaven and earth, delivers the divine mission to humanity. These three pillars constitute the foundation of the prophets mission, and God, by bestowing these blessings, directs the prophets toward the guidance of humankind.
If a group denies the Scripture, wisdom, and prophethood, God entrusts His religion to another people who are free from disbelief. This people, like faithful guardians, protect the banner of divine religion. This divine promise attests to the perseverance of religion in the face of ingratitude.
Verse 89 of Surah Al-Anm speaks of Gods gift to the prophets and the resilience of religion against disbelief. The Scripture, wisdom, and prophethood are instruments of guidance, and God, in His self-sufficiency, entrusts religion to a faithful people who are free from denial. This promise, like a shining torch, heralds the continuity of divine guidance.
Human beings, like travellers in a desert, perpetually require guidance. This guidance is as essential for their spiritual existence as daily sustenance. The Holy Quran, emphasising the continuity of guidance, reveals that humanity in every age is dependent on divine direction.
Revelation, like poetry, is a human attribute that continues until the end of human life. Just as poetry finds new poets in every era, revelation persists through new prophets. This perspective points to the dynamism of divine guidance and shows that prophethood is not confined to any time or place.
The concept of Khatm al-Anbiy (Seal of the Prophets), meaning the cessation of prophethood, is relative and lacks conclusive evidence for its termination. God, like a wise gardener, chooses a prophet whenever humanity requires one. This view refers to the harmony of guidance with the needs of time.
Historically, women were deprived of prophethood due to a lack of security, yet this deprivation is not intrinsic. Fatimah Zahra (peace be upon her), like a brilliant jewel, merited prophethood, but social circumstances were an obstacle. In the future, with the establishment of security, women will also be able to assume this role.
The contemporary world is not yet safe for women to fulfil divine roles. However, in the future, with justice and security, women can also become divine prophets. This perspective points to the spiritual equality of the sexes.
Divine guidance, like an inexhaustible sun, eternally shines upon humanity. Revelation is a human attribute and prophethood aligns with the needs of the time. The critique of finality and emphasis on the possibility of womens prophethood allude to the dynamism of religion and human evolution.
The Holy Quran speaks of a people who are free from disbelief and superior to previous prophets. This people will emerge in the future of humanity like lofty peaks, protected from shirk and denial.
Contemporary humans are in loss, but the future belongs to a righteous majority. This evolution, like the blossoming of a flower in spring, is the purpose of creation and leads humanity towards salvation.
Scientific claims about the destruction of the earth are like transient tales, incompatible with Quranic truth. The Holy Quran speaks of the earths permanence and attributes cosmic transformations to divine qualities.
Superstitions, like dust upon the mirror of truth, hinder the perception of guidance. Unjust judgments and ethnic prejudices are maladies of religious knowledge that must be cleansed by rationality.
Emulation of the prophets means following their soundness and integrity, not their person. Rational and ethical qualities, like guiding stars, illuminate the path of guidance.
The future of humanity advances towards evolution with the emergence of a faithful and disbelief-free people. The critique of superstitions and emphasis on emulating prophetic guidance highlight the necessity of rationality in religion.
The Quranic command Say stresses precision in conveying revelation. The Prophet demonstrated sincerity by not seeking reward. This sincerity, like a rare jewel, is the essence of the mission.
The verse of love for near kin does not appear in this context and should not be conflated with other verses. This point emphasises precision in Quranic exegesis.
The prophets mission, as a reminder for all humanity, offers guidance to the entire world. This mission is devoid of any form of commercialisation.
Prophethood today, due to the danger of claims, remains hidden, yet it exists. This hidden prophethood, like a jewel in a shell, awaits revelation.
The sincerity of the prophets and the dynamism of religion, like two wings, carry guidance towards perfection. Hidden prophethood indicates the continuity of divine guidance in every era.
Verses 88 and 89 of Surah Al-Anm, like two radiant torches, speak of divine guidance, Gods self-sufficiency, and the continuity of prophethood. Monotheism is the condition for salvation, while shirk devastates deeds. God, with His wisdom, entrusts His religion to a faithful people free from disbelief. The critique of finality and emphasis on the dynamism of revelation refer to human evolution and the perpetuation of guidance. The future of religion is bright with the emergence of individuals protected from disbelief. Emulating prophetic guidance means adhering to their rationality and soundness. This exegesis, articulated in a fluent and coherent style, invites readers to contemplate the exalted meanings of the Holy Quran.
