of Nokounam, (Session 1220)
This treatise undertakes a profound examination and analysis of verse 112 from Surah Al-Anm of the Holy Quran, focusing on the role of human and jinn devils in implanting deceptive speech, known as Zukhruf al-Qawl, and its influence upon the hearts of those who lack belief in the Hereafter. This work, through a meticulous study of the content of the lectures and related analyses, endeavours to elucidate the dichotomy between Divine Revelation and satanic insinuations. Employing a refined and dignified language, it seeks to convey the Quranic concepts with depth and comprehensiveness, as if the light emanating from the Revelation confronts the darkness of superstition and deceit.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَا لِكُلِّ نَبِيٍّ عَدُوًّا مِنَ الشَّيَاطِينِ الْإِنْسِ وَالْجِنِّ يُوحِي بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَىٰ بَعْضٍ زُخْرُفَ الْقَوْلِ غُرُورًا ۚ وَلَوْ شَاءَ رَبُّكَ مَا فَعَلُوهُ ۖ فَذَرْهُمْ وَمَا يَفْتَرُونَ
And thus We have appointed for every prophet an enemy from among the devils of mankind and jinn, who inspire one another with adorned speech, delusion; but if your Lord had willed, they would not have done it. So leave them and what they invent.
Verse 112 of Surah Al-Anm explicitly acknowledges the existence of adversaries to the prophets originating from among the devils of humans and jinn. These enemies, through the instillation of deceptive speech, referred to in the Holy Quran as Zukhruf al-Qawl, strive to mislead mankind. Zukhruf al-Qawl is akin to a seemingly brilliant jewel which, in reality, is devoid of true value, drawing the heedless hearts towards itself.
Zukhruf al-Qawl denotes ornate and alluring speech which the devils among humans and jinn instil in one another to direct unbelievers towards misguidance. Although such speech appears beautiful and captivating on the surface, it harbours nothing but deceit and error internally. These utterances resemble a mirage in the desert, beckoning the thirsty seekers of truth, yet resulting solely in ruin and bewilderment.
Key Point: Zukhruf al-Qawl, like a deceptive mask, conceals the truth behind its ornate exterior and lures the hearts of those disbelieving in the Hereafter towards misguidance.
The devils of mankind and jinn, as enemies of the prophets, utilise Zukhruf al-Qawl to attract the hearts of those who lack faith in the Hereafter. These insinuations, positioned in opposition to Divine Revelation, possess a beguiling appearance and a misleading essence. Like a poisonous wind, they contaminate the minds and hearts of the faithless.
وَلِتَصْغَىٰ إِلَيْهِ أَفْئِدَةُ الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ وَلِيَرْضَوْهُ وَلِيَقْتَرِفُوا مَا هُمْ مُقْتَرِفُونَ
And that the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter may incline to it, and that they may be pleased with it and commit what they commit.
This verse indicates the tendency of the hearts of unbelievers in the Hereafter towards Zukhruf al-Qawl. The phrase And that the hearts may incline to it denotes a gradual process by which the heedless hearts are drawn towards deceptive speech. This inclination is like a slow yet destructive current leading man towards the abyss of misguidance.
The inclination towards Zukhruf al-Qawl is rooted in the absence of belief in the Hereafter. Those who lack faith in life after death, owing to spiritual voids, are more vulnerable to deceptive speech. This vulnerability acts as fertile soil for the seeds of misguidance, facilitating the growth of superstitions and deviations.
Key Point: The lack of belief in the Hereafter directs human hearts towards Zukhruf al-Qawl, as though a defenseless heart against the storm of deception.
Divine Revelation, like a clear spring, presents truth to humanity, whereas Zukhruf al-Qawl is akin to poisoned water, seemingly refreshing but ultimately fatal. The devils, claiming to receive revelation, endeavour to mislead mankind by positioning Zukhruf al-Qawl as a deceptive counterfeit opposed to Divine Revelation.
Practices such as sorcery, divination by sand, and the astrolabe, which have proliferated in societies like Iran and Afghanistan, exemplify manifestations of Zukhruf al-Qawl that stand in opposition to Divine Revelation. These superstitions cast a dark shadow over the light of Revelation, having usurped its place by exploiting the concept of Revelation.
In an account from the city of Qazvin, the vicinity of a shrine was filled with sorcerers and diviners who extorted money from the people through baseless claims. These individuals, devoid of genuine knowledge, exploited religious beliefs for monetary gain. This scene, resembling a bustling market lacking truth, illustrates the deviations arising from Zukhruf al-Qawl.
Key Point: Sorcerers and diviners, by exploiting religious beliefs, engage in commerce as if donning a veil of sanctity to plunder truth.
In societies such as Iran and Afghanistan, superstitions like sorcery and spirit possession have gained prevalence, leading people towards misguidance. These deviations, rooted in Zukhruf al-Qawl, have infiltrated the populace due to ignorance and weak faith in the Hereafter.
Sorcerers, through unfounded claims such as curing spirit possession, collect money from the people and reinforce false beliefs through diversionary tactics. These acts resemble traps in which greed and ignorance enslave individuals.
Those who engage in commerce under the pretext of communication with jinn or occult sciences abuse the Divine trust. A story of an old man who earned a living through prayer-writing and exorcism, only to be ultimately afflicted with illness and disgrace, signifies Divine punishment for such exploitation. This narrative serves as a warning that commerce with religion, like fire, is destructive.
Key Point: Exploitation of occult sciences for commerce invites Divine retribution, as God retrieves His trust from the exploiters.
Occult sciences, examined in works titled Perspectives on Occult Sciences (five volumes encompassing 35 sciences), possess greater complexity compared to Islamic sciences (three volumes including 16 sciences). Due to their specialised and challenging nature, these sciences are inaccessible to the general public and require precise and expert instruction.
Teaching occult sciences such as magic and music was historically conditional upon non-commercialisation; however, students exploited this knowledge for financial gain. This experience is akin to a tree whose fruits, instead of nourishing, became toxic.
The works Perspectives on Islamic Sciences and Perspectives on Occult Sciences represent efforts to illuminate the truth against superstitions. These texts function as torches that illuminate the path of truth amid the darkness of ignorance.
Key Point: Scientific treatises act as torches in the darkness of superstition, guiding seekers towards truth.
Traditional religious education, predominantly focused on sciences such as morphology and syntax, has been ineffective in confronting superstitions and occult sciences. This weakness constitutes a vacuum in which superstitions have taken root.
Everyday engagements such as family visitations and social ceremonies hinder the progress of scientific endeavours. These challenges resemble stones obstructing the river of knowledge.
Conducting marriage contracts via WhatsApp exemplifies flexibility in fulfilling religious duties through technology. This flexibility acts as a bridge connecting religion with contemporary needs.
Despite abundant capacities, Iran remains underdeveloped due to infrastructural weaknesses and lack of planning. This situation resembles fertile land left barren due to neglect, producing no yield.
Global powers, active in financial and political domains, remain devoid of occult sciences. Superstition is predominantly a local phenomenon flourishing in societies with weak awareness.
Key Point: Superstition, like weeds, grows in fields of ignorance and subjugates underdeveloped societies.
This treatise, through an examination of verse 112 of Surah Al-Anm, has elucidated the role of Zukhruf al-Qawl in the misguidance of those who disbelieve in the Hereafter. Zukhruf al-Qawl, akin to a deceptive mirage, draws heedless hearts towards itself, opposing Divine Revelation which is like a clear spring. Superstitions such as sorcery and divination, rooted in the exploitation of the concept of Revelation, have spread in societies due to material allure and feeble faith. Scientific writings and correct religious education represent pathways towards enlightenment and purification of religion from these deviations. This work, by inviting reflection upon pure Revelation and renunciation of superstition, emphasises the necessity of strengthening faith in the Hereafter.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
