of Nokounam, (Session 1217)
The Holy Quran, like a radiant lamp, opens the path of guidance for humanity and, with profound and wise discourse, invites the reformation of conduct and thought. Verses 108 and 109 of Surah Al-Imran, by emphasising religious tolerance and elucidating the position of the Prophet in relation to Divine will, open a gateway towards the understanding of pure monotheism and the avoidance of polytheism. This treatise, with a deep perspective on these verses, seeks to present the sublime Quranic concepts in a coherent and lucid manner using an eloquent and dignified language. The objective is to explore the meanings of these verses and their connection with social, ethical, and religious issues so as to reflect the truth of monotheism and tolerance as a mirror before the readers eyes.
لَا تَسُبُّوا الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ فَيَسُبُّوا اللَّهَ عَدْوًا بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ زَيَّنَّا لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ عَمَلَهُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ مَرْجِعُهُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
Do not insult those who call upon other than Allah, lest they insult Allah out of hostility without knowledge. Thus We have made attractive to every community their deeds. Then to their Lord is their return, and He will inform them about what they used to do.
The Holy Quran, in verse 108 of Surah Al-Imran, with a clear command, forbids the believers from insulting the deities other than Allah. This prohibition is not merely a call to refrain from insulting the beliefs of others, but an invitation to religious tolerance and restraint towards those who follow different paths, whether Bahais, Armenians, Zoroastrians, or followers of any other creed. This command, like a breeze that calms anger, teaches the believers to avoid the cycle of hostility and resentment by using gentle language and generous behaviour.
This verse, by pointing to the consequences of insult, warns that insulting the deities of others may provoke reciprocal reactions and, out of ignorance, lead to disrespect against Allah. This cycle, like fire beneath ashes, can fuel deeper enmities. The Holy Quran, through this prohibition, teaches believers to wield their tongue like a sharp blade with caution so as to avoid wounding human unity.
In this context, some political slogans used throughout contemporary history, such as those chanted against other nations, are criticised from the perspective of this verse. These slogans, which sometimes stem from foreign provocations, not only harm human unity but are incompatible with the Quranic spirit of tolerance. Instead of insults, the Holy Quran calls for wise dialogue and just conduct so that hearts incline towards understanding and friendship rather than hatred.
Verse 108 of Surah Al-Imran, like a radiant torch, illuminates the path of religious tolerance. This verse, by forbidding insults, invites believers to self-restraint and respect for others and warns that offending the beliefs of others leads to ignorant hostility towards Allah. This message, in a world full of division, acts as a bridge that connects hearts and requires believers to safeguard human unity through their language and conduct.
وَأَقْسَمُوا بِاللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَانِهِمْ لَئِنْ جَاءَتْهُمْ آيَةٌ لَيُؤْمِنُنَّ بِهَا ۖ قُلْ إِنَّمَا الْآيَاتُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ ۖ وَمَا يُشْعِرُكُمْ أَنَّهَا إِذَا جَاءَتْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
And they have sworn by Allah their strongest oaths that if a sign came to them, they would surely believe in it. Say: The signs are only with Allah. And what makes you know that when it comes, they will not believe?
Verse 109 of Surah Al-Imran, with a clear expression, refers to the oath of the disbelievers who claim that if a miracle were to be presented to them, they would certainly believe. This claim, accompanied by their strongest oaths, is in fact a pretext for denying the truth. The Holy Quran explicitly considers this oath false and commands the Prophet to say: The signs are only with Allah. This command acts as a mirror that clarifies the position of the Prophet as the conveyor of revelation and denies any independence in miracle-working from him.
This verse, through the phrase "And what makes you know that when it comes, they will not believe?", points to the stubbornness of the disbelievers who will not believe even upon the manifestation of miracles. This denial is rooted in hypocrisy and insincerity, as history also bears witness. Groups such as the Umayyads, Abbasids, and extremist movements, despite confronting Divine signs, refused to accept the truth. This obstinacy is like a hard stone against the breeze of guidance, obstructing inclination towards the truth.
The Holy Quran, by emphasising that the signs are with Allah, absolves the Prophet from any claim of independence in miracle-working. This message is instructive not only for the disbelievers but also for the believers to regard the Prophet and the saints merely as righteous servants of Allah. Belief in the independence of saints in healing or intercession acts as a veil over the mirror of monotheism, obscuring the truth. This view, sometimes rooted in certain popular beliefs, is incompatible with the principle of Divine action monotheism and leads to polytheism.
The analogy of the Prophet to a physician who is helpless without medicine beautifully clarifies his role in this text. Just as a physician without tools is only a mediator of treatment, the Prophet without Divine signs is nothing but the conveyor of revelation. This analogy, like a light upon the darkness of polytheism, reveals the truth of monotheism and invites believers to return to the One God.
Verse 109 of Surah Al-Imran, by clarifying the limitation of the Prophets role and the denial of the disbelievers, emphasises the monotheism of actions. This verse negates the independence of the Prophet in miracle-working and presents him as a righteous servant who acts solely by Allahs command. The denial of the disbelievers, rooted in stubbornness and hypocrisy, serves as a warning to all humanity to accept the truth with an open heart and avoid pretext.
One of the prominent points in this interpretation is the criticism of the belief in the independence of saints in healing or intercession. Some popular notions, which sometimes attribute independent powers to saints apart from Allah, are incompatible with the principle of monotheism. These beliefs, which reach their peak in some extremist currents, obscure the truth like a shadow over the sun of monotheism. The Holy Quran, emphasising There is no power and no strength except with Allah, negates any independent power from servants, even righteous saints.
This criticism is especially significant against beliefs that regard the intercession of saints as absolute and unlimited. Such notions, which sometimes consider great sins as pardonable through the intercession of saints, are incompatible not only with the Holy Quran but also with reason and logic. Intercession, although acceptable in its place, is only possible by Divine permission and within the framework of His wisdom, not as an independent power.
The original text, by referencing the story of Mulla Nasreddin and the ashdadan (serving soup), beautifully criticises religious superstitions. This story acts as a mirror to show how baseless beliefs take root among people through false propaganda. Such superstitions, sometimes accompanied by financial exploitations, are far from the spirit of true religion and lead to misguidance instead of guidance.
Examples of financial exploitations, such as opaque tuition fees in some religious institutions or the purchase of expensive items in the name of religion, are criticised in this text. These actions, like a thorn in the foot of religion, diminish its credibility and invite believers to reconsider their beliefs.
This section, by criticising polytheism in belief in the independence of saints and religious superstitions, calls for a return to pure monotheism and rationality. The Holy Quran, emphasising the servitude of all creatures, from the Prophet to the saints, closes the door on all forms of polytheism. The criticism of superstitions and financial exploitations, like a pure breeze, clears the minds of believers from the dust of false imaginations and guides them towards a religion free from deviation.
