of Nokounam, (Session 1206)
The Holy Qur'an, like a radiant lamp, illuminates the path of human guidance and, under the shade of divine speech, imparts monotheistic knowledge to mankind. This treatise, relying on Verse 92 of Surah Al-Anm, elucidates the characteristics of this celestial book and examines its status as a blessed, confirming, and admonishing discourse. Moreover, by a profound contemplation of the concepts of faith, prayer, and respect for prior scriptures, it opens a pathway towards a deeper understanding of Qur'anic teachings. This work, articulated in a clear and dignified language, endeavours to present the exalted Qur'anic concepts as a precious gem to its readers.
Surah Al-Anm, akin to a mirror reflecting the reality of monotheism, centres its theme upon divine knowledge. This Surah, focusing on monotheism, polytheism, and disbelief, establishes firm doctrinal foundations while relegating subsidiary subjects, such as rulings concerning cattle, to the periphery. Monotheistic knowledge flows like a clear stream throughout this chapter, with other discussions serving this supreme objective. This emphasis signifies the pivotal position of monotheism in the Qur'anic intellectual framework, which, like a steadfast pillar, upholds the edifice of religion.
The Holy Qur'an, confronting the claim of the disbelievers who stated, "God has revealed nothing upon any human" (مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ بَشَرٍ مِنْ شَيْءٍ), responds with logical and rational arguments. This divine speech, like a sharp sword, cleaves through doubts and critiques the distortion of certain verses in previous scriptures, such as the Torah and Psalms. This approach demonstrates the supreme rationality of the Qur'an, which, not through bias but through logic and wisdom, reveals the truth.
The Holy Qur'an, unlike the human reasoning of the prophets, is a direct speech from God that, like a shining sun, presents the truth to mankind without mediation. The phrase وَهَٰذَا كِتَابٌ ("And this is a Book") indicates the divinity of this speech and its independence from any human argumentation. This book, like a miraculous discourse, is perfect from every aspect and in no need of validation from others.
Key characteristics of the Holy Qur'an: The Qur'an is a blessed, confirming, and admonishing book which, through divine guidance, illuminates the path to human felicity. These attributes shine like jewels in the crown of this celestial book and transform it into an unparalleled source for spiritual and intellectual growth.
The Holy Qur'an is a blessed book which, like a gushing spring, brings forth goodness and blessing. "Blessed" signifies being abundant in grandeur, joy, and beneficence that directs humanity towards felicity. This attribute, like a blossoming flower, indicates the spiritual beauty and profound influence of this book in human life. The Qur'an, with verses that gently caress the soul like a refreshing breeze, paves a way towards perfection.
The blessing of the Holy Qur'an lies in the fact that conflict and strife are minimal and serve the purpose of guidance. A book filled with violence and oppression, like a fruitless tree, cannot be blessed nor Qur'anic. This criterion, like a precise measuring line, demonstrates that every verse must have been revealed within a vessel of goodness and felicity. Blessing is like rain that quenches the parched land of hearts rather than leading to destruction and devastation.
The blessing of the Holy Qur'an alludes to its rational and moral joy, similar to congratulations uttered at a wedding rather than at a mourning. This characteristic distances the Qur'an from any unfounded violence and places it as a guiding lamp in the path of religion and ethics. This joy, like a melodious song, directs the hearts of the believers towards truth.
وَهَٰذَا كِتَابٌ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ مُصَدِّقُ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَلِتُنْذِرَ أُمَّ الْقُرَىٰ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا ۚ وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَهُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ
Translation: "And this is a Book which We have revealed, a blessed book confirming that which was before it, that you may warn the Mother of Cities and those around it. And those who believe in the Hereafter believe in it, and they maintain their prayers."
The Holy Qur'an confirms the previous heavenly scriptures such as the Torah, Gospel, Psalms, and Scrolls, and does not regard them as null. This attribute acts as a bridge linking the divine religions and demonstrating the unity of the prophets' missions. The Holy Qur'an, like a faithful guardian, confirms the truth of previous scriptures and protects them from distortion and oblivion.
In Islamic history, some previous heavenly scriptures have been disparaged and sidelined, an approach akin to destroying an ancient edifice, which is incompatible with the Qur'anic principle of confirmation (مُصَدِّقُ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ). Such disparagement, rather than strengthening religious unity, fosters division and discord. Respect for heavenly scriptures is like a flower growing in the garden of divine unity, which the Holy Qur'an preserves.
The prohibition of the entrance of heavenly scriptures such as the Torah and the Gospel into certain regions contradicts the Qur'anic principle of confirmation. While non-religious books are freely disseminated, this restriction acts as a barrier against the flow of truth and prevents recognition of the unity of divine religions. This criticism points to the necessity of revising religious policies and respecting celestial heritage.
Some Western psychologists claim that the Holy Qur'an is a translation of previous scriptures. This allegation, like a false breeze, aims to discredit this celestial book. The Holy Qur'an is an independent revelation and a confirmer of previous scriptures which, like a star in the sky of revelation, illuminates the truth with its own light.
The proposal of a scientific comparison between the Holy Qur'an and previous heavenly scriptures to reveal their commonalities and differences is a path toward a deeper understanding of truth. Although this research has not been realised due to limitations, it remains like a seed sown in the soil of knowledge that can further manifest the legitimacy of the Holy Qur'an.
Some religious scholars, through unscientific criticism of heavenly scriptures such as the Torah, have fostered prejudice instead of logical dialogue. This approach is like a dark cloud preventing the light of truth from shining. Scientific and rational dialogue is the path that the Holy Qur'an has indicated for interaction with other religions.
The Holy Qur'an confirms the general principles of previous heavenly scriptures but may differ in detailed rulings due to the exigencies of time. These differences, like branches of a single tree, stem from a monotheistic root and place diversity in rulings at the service of human guidance.
Some accept prophets such as Moses but reject the Prophet of Islam. This prejudice is like a high wall preventing understanding the unity of the prophets' mission. The Holy Qur'an, by confirming all prophets, demolishes this wall and paves the way for the acceptance of truth.
The fatwa of "Kill yourselves" (اقْتُلُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ) is permissible under emergency conditions such as defending the right against oppressors. This ruling acts like a shield against oppression, indicating the value of defending the truth, differing from ordinary suicide, which is forbidden.
In some instances, individuals, based on this fatwa, committed suicide, but some were saved and liberated. This narration, like a tale of perseverance, demonstrates the impact of this ruling in critical conditions. The fatwa sometimes acts like a key that unlocks the lock of tyranny.
Suicide in ordinary conditions is forbidden, but in defence of truth, such as presence at the battlefield or under tyrannical imprisonment, it holds a lofty value like martyrdom. This distinction is like a clear line separating intention and conditions in religious rulings.
The Holy Qur'an was revealed to warn the people of Mecca, called the Mother of Cities, and its surroundings. Mecca, like a beating heart, was the centre of guidance in early Islam, and the admonition, like an awakening bell, was a prelude to guidance.
At the time of revelation, the Qur'ans addressees were Mecca and its vicinity, as the known world was limited to these regions. This limitation, like a small stream at its origin, reflects the historical conditions of the revelation, yet the Qur'ans message soon became universal.
The phrase وَم
