The Holy Qur'an, like a luminous lamp, guides humanity along the path of righteousness and unveils the secrets of creation and divine wisdom within its verses. Verses 110 and 111 of Surah Al-Imran, which are contemplated herein, delve into the profundity of Divine Will in guidance and misguidance, the obstinacy of disbelievers in the face of miracles, and the wisdom behind the trials of prophets and saints. These verses, akin to a mirror, reflect the truth of the human heart and the intricacies of the cosmic system. In this treatise, through a profound approach grounded in the teachings of religious scholars, these verses are examined with eloquent language and structured analysis to lead the reader toward understanding the unity of divine actions (Tawd al-Afl) and divine wisdom. This study endeavours, employing Qur'anic metaphors and analyses, to elucidate the lofty meanings of these verses.
Verse 110:
وَنُقَلِّبُ أَفْئِدَتَهُمْ وَأَبْصَارَهُمْ كَمَا لَمْ يُؤْمِنُوا بِهِ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَنَذَرُهُمْ فِي طُغْيَانِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ
"And We turn their hearts and their sights just as they did not believe in it the first time, and We leave them wandering in their transgression, blindly."
Verse 111:
وَلَوْ أَنَّنَا نَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةَ وَكَلَّمَهُمُ الْمَوْتَىٰ وَحَشَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ قِبَلًا مَا كَانُوا لِيُؤْمِنُوا إِلَّا أَنْ يَشَاءَ اللَّهُ ۙ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ يَجْهَلُونَ
"And if We had sent down upon them the angels and the dead spoke to them and We gathered together before them all things in array, they would not have believed except if Allah willed. But most of them are ignorant."
Verse 110 of Surah Al-Imran testifies to the absolute dominion of God over human destiny by referring to the overturning of the hearts and sights of the disbelievers. This overturning is not merely a manifestation of God's sovereign will, but also a key that unlocks the doors to the unity of divine actions (Tawd al-Afl). The heart, as the centre of perception and faith, and the eye, as the gateway to outward knowledge, are transformed in obedience to the Divine will like a leaf before the wind. This transformation is the consequence of the disbelievers' prior obstinacy, who have deliberately blinded and deafened themselves to the truth.
Key point: The overturning of hearts and sights is a manifestation of Divine Will in the misguidance of those who have chosen denial themselves.
The phrase "كَمَا لَمْ يُؤْمِنُوا بِهِ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ" in verse 110 refers to the continuity of the disbelievers denial. This continuity is rooted in the psychology of obstinacy, which shackles the heart like a chain. The disbelievers, who turned away from Divine miracles upon first encounter, remain lost in the darkness of their rebellion. This wandering does not stem from Gods inability, but from the voluntary nature of their denial.
This part of the verse clearly demonstrates the Divine sovereignty over guidance and misguidance. The overturning of hearts and sights reflects the obstinacy of the disbelievers like a mirror and teaches humanity that faith blossoms only under the shade of Divine Will.
Verse 111 presents a striking image of the futility of miracles in the face of obstinate disbelievers. The descent of angels, the speaking of the dead, and the resurrection of all things, each of which alone could compel the heart to submission, are powerless against disbelievers who have metaphorically put themselves to sleep. This image, like a painting of the depths of human ignorance, shows that obstinacy acts as an impenetrable wall blocking the path to truth.
Key point: Even great miracles such as the descent of angels and the speech of the dead cannot guide obstinate disbelievers to faith unless Divine Will is fulfilled.
The disbelievers in this verse are likened to those who have feigned sleep. This simile illuminates the darkness of truth like a flame. Just as the sleeping cannot be awakened except by a strong shake, the disbelievers do not awaken from their heedlessness except through the Divine stirring which is God's Will. This metaphor clearly demonstrates that guidance is only possible under the shadow of Divine desire.
Verse 111, by emphasising the willful ignorance of the disbelievers, points to the futility of miracles in the face of obstinacy. This truth invites human reflection on Divine Will and human limitations.
The phrase "إِلَّا أَنْ يَشَاءَ اللَّهُ" in verse 111 stands as a steadfast pillar upholding Tawd al-Afl. Faith, the precious essence of felicity, flourishes only in the shade of Divine Will. This phrase negates any independent role for humans or prophets in guidance and directs the heart towards submission to Gods Will.
The phrase "وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ يَجْهَلُونَ" refers to the willful ignorance of the disbelievers. The verb yajhaln, as opposed to jhiln, stresses the intentional nature of this ignorance. The disbelievers, like those who knowingly close their eyes to the truth, plunge themselves into the darkness of ignorance and remain deprived of guidance.
Key point: The ignorance of the disbelievers is not due to an inability to understand but stems from a conscious choice of ignorance that distances them from Divine guidance.
This section of the verse, emphasising the contingency of guidance upon Divine Will and the willful ignorance of the disbelievers, invites submission to Gods Will and abandonment of obstinacy.
The Holy Qur'an in these verses considers the purpose of the prophets mission to be the guidance of a believing minority whose hearts are prepared to receive the truth. The phrase "ما كَانُوا لِيُؤْمِنُوا" indicates that the majority of disbelievers, due to obstinacy, remain deprived of guidance. The prophets are likened to gardeners who sow the seeds of faith in the fertile soil of receptive hearts.
The world is like a tableau in which good and evil are interwoven. The majority of disbelievers and the minority of believers are parts of this creation system. This relativity acts as a divine balance, manifesting Gods wisdom in creation.
Key point: The prophetic mission aims to guide a minority prepared for faith, not to reform everyone.
This section, emphasising the objective of the prophetic mission, refers to the Divine
