of Nokounam, may his sanctity be revered (Session 1225)
The Holy Qur'an, like a luminous beacon, guides humanity towards felicity and salvation. Verses 120 and 121 of Surah Al-An'am, with profound and sagacious expression, invite mankind to abandon overt and covert sins, adhere to divine commandments, and remain vigilant against satanic insinuations. This treatise, by reflecting upon these verses and analysing the content of religious scholars' discourses, endeavours to elucidate, in a clear and dignified manner, the ethical, doctrinal, and practical dimensions of these verses for the readers. This work, through a comprehensive perspective on sin, its consequences, and the role of devils in human misguidance, seeks to provide a deep and practical insight that serves as guidance for conduct and contemplation in daily life.
وَذَرُوا ظَاهِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَبَاطِنَهُ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْسِبُونَ الْإِثْمَ سَيُجْزَوْنَ بِمَا كَانُوا يَقْتَرِفُونَ
Translation: And forsake both the manifest and the hidden sin. Indeed, those who commit sin shall be recompensed for what they used to perpetrate.
In verse 120 of Surah Al-An'am, the Holy Qur'an, employing the term "ذَرُوا" meaning to abandon or forsake, summons humanity to withdraw from both external and internal sins. External sins, such as verbal abuse, are apparent before the public eye and possess outward manifestation, whereas internal sins, like hypocrisy and deceit, remain concealed within the heart's depths. External sins resemble floating chaff upon water, visible to all, while internal sins are akin to the profound darkness of an oceans abyss, deeply rooted in the human soul. This verse, by emphasising the renunciation of both categories of sin, alludes to the comprehensiveness required in combating moral deviations.
In the exegesis of this verse, sins are divided into two categories: Ithm and Isyan. Ithm refers to minor and quotidian sins, such as petty ethical lapses, whereas Isyan denotes major sins and overt rebellions against divine commands. This distinction functions as the rungs of a ladder, where minor sins form the lower steps leading the individual towards more severe sins at the higher levels. Abandoning Ithm equates to uprooting weeds before they spread, thus preventing the descent into Isyan.
The verses phrase "إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْسِبُونَ الْإِثْمَ" refers to those who consciously and persistently acquire minor sins. The verb "يَكْسِبُونَ" implies deliberate acquisition, and "يَقْتَرِفُونَ" denotes the act of committing sin, both entailing inevitable recompense. This pursuit is likened to sowing a seed that first sprouts as a small sapling but eventually grows into a mighty tree of deviation. For instance, hypocrisy in worship, an internal sin, can gradually lead to disbelief and apostasy. This progression resembles the ignition of a matchstick that initially smokes, then bursts into flame, ultimately consuming all.
The punishment for sin, as indicated in "سَيُجْزَوْنَ بِمَا كَانُوا يَقْتَرِفُونَ", is not confined solely to the Hereafter but manifests in this world as well. Minor sins, such as voyeurism, can develop into behavioural addictions and calamity. These effects are like the ripple caused by a small stone thrown into water, gradually encompassing a broad area. For example, one habituated to the minor sin of voyeurism may eventually fall prey to greater addictions, dragging their life into ruin.
Verse 120 of Surah Al-An'am serves as a mirror revealing the reality of external and internal sins to mankind. Abandoning these sins, particularly minor ones, not only prevents larger deviations but also guides the individual towards self-purification and nearness to God. This section emphasises responsibility for ones actions and the gradual effects of sin, inviting reflection on behaviour and vigilance over the heart and soul.
وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا مِمَّا لَمْ يُذْكَرِ اسْمُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَإِنَّهُ لَفِسْقٌ ۗ وَإِنَّ الشَّيَاطِينَ لَيُوحُونَ إِلَىٰ أَوْلِيَائِهِمْ لِيُجَادِلُوكُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ أَطَعْتُمُوهُمْ إِنَّكُمْ لَمُشْرِكُونَ
Translation: And do not consume of that upon which the name of Allah has not been mentioned, for indeed it is disobedience. And indeed, the devils inspire their allies to dispute with you. And if you obey them, surely you will be associators (polytheists).
Verse 121 of Surah Al-An'am, by emphasising the mention of Gods name during nourishment, particularly in animal slaughter, deems adherence to divine injunctions a condition for sanctifying the act. This verse contrasts with the disbelief of those who deny eating meat upon the mention of Gods name, urging believers to pronounce Bismillah in all deeds, including fruit consumption. The invocation of Gods name serves as a key unlocking the doors of blessing and spirituality for the individual. Neglecting this command in slaughter not only renders the meat unlawful but also leads to wastefulness and forfeiture of divine wisdom.
The Holy Qur'an terms the consumption of meat without invoking Gods name as "فسق", implying disobedience and deviation from the right path. This disobedience is akin to squandering a precious gem, thereby undermining divine wisdom. Slaughter without Bismillah not only makes the meat unlawful but constitutes a double sin, as it engenders waste of divine blessings. This act resembles cutting a branch bearing valuable fruit and letting it perish.
Verse 121 highlights the distinction between believers and disbelievers concerning nourishment. Believers, by uttering Bismillah, connect their action to God, while disbelievers abstain from this mention. This differentiation is like a line separating faith from disbelief. Even in eating fruit, saying Bismillah confers spiritual blessing, though its omission does not incur legal prohibition but diminishes the spiritual value of the act.
Verse 121 of Surah Al-An'am, by emphasising the commitment to mention Gods name in nourishment, invites mankind to sanctify daily deeds and link them to monotheism. This section expounds on the concept of disobedience and wastefulness in breaching divine laws, stressing meticulous observance of Shariah and its impact on lifes spirituality. Adherence to Bismillah acts as a bridge guiding humans from the material realm towards the spiritual world.
Verse 121, through the phrase "وَإِنَّ الشَّيَاطِينَ لَيُوحُونَ إِلَىٰ أَوْلِيَائِهِمْ", points to the devils role in misleading humanity via whispering and creating illusions. Devils, both jinn and humans, employ various instruments such as speech, media, or presence to divert individuals towards deviation. These insinuations resemble a wind stirring dust, obscuring human vision. The devils aim is to engender dispute and destroy truth, whereas believers endeavour to propagate it.
The lectures cite an example of social destruction whereby an individual, through media, forbids people from eating fruit or meat. Such wrongful propagation is akin to sowing poisoned seeds that yield devastation rather than growth. Conversely, promoting truth is like watering a garden that bears the fruits of faith and ethics. Erroneous promotion is sometimes more detrimental than overt destruction, as it results in widespread misguidance.
The Qur'an in verse 121, with the phrase "وَإِنْ أَطَعْتُمُوهُمْ إِنَّكُمْ لَمُشْرِكُونَ", designates obedience to devils as polytheism. This polytheism entails weakening of faith and deviation from monotheism. Following satanic insinuations is like falling into a spiders web whose threads gradually entangle the person. This peril distances humanity from the path of truth, leading to corruption and ruin.
The lectures emphasise the necessity of rationality in admonitions, warning against illogical advice such as forbidding consumption of stews or medicine. Advice lacking evidential and rational basis is a double-edged sword, injuring both the adviser and the advised. For example, recommending honey for wound treatment without scientific backing is not only futile but potentially harmful. In contrast, personal experience of wound healing without unscientific intervention underscores the importance of rationality.
This section, by elucidating the devils role in misleading humanity, stresses the imperative of vigilance against whisperings and destructive propaganda. Verse 121 of Surah Al-An'am, by warning about polytheism arising from obedience to devils, calls for preservation of faith and commitment to rationality in preaching and admonition. This section serves as a wake-up call, rousing mankind from heedlessness towards the light of truth.
Verses 120 and 121 of Surah Al-An'am, like two radiant gems within the treasury of the Holy Qur'an, guide humanity towards self-purification, adherence to divine injunctions, and alertness against misguidance. Abstaining from external and internal sins is akin to cleansing a garden, preparing it for sowing seeds of faith. Commitment to mentioning Gods name in acts manifests practical monotheism, transitioning life from the darkness of disobedience to the illumination of piety. Ultimately, vigilance against satanic whisperings serves as a protective shield preventing descent into polytheism and deviation. This treatise, by reflecting on these verses and the lectures of religious scholars, extends an invitation to contemplate divine wisdom, exercise behavioural precision, and engage in responsible propagation for the construction of a society imbued with faith and ethics.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
