Surah Al-Anm in the Holy Quran, like a profound ocean, encompasses the knowledge of monotheism and the critique of polytheism. Verses 137 to 139 of this Surah, articulated with clarity and depth, condemn polytheistic behaviours and religious deviations. These verses, with discerning insight, speak of religious selfishness, financial abuses, and distortions of divine knowledge, inviting humanity to reflect on the reality of monotheism and justice. In this treatise, through an analytical and comprehensive perspective, the meanings of these verses have been elucidated, and by employing analogies and semantic links, an endeavour has been made to convey the spirit and message of these verses to readers in a clear and dignified language.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ زَيَّنَ لِكَثِيرٍ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ قَتْلَ أَوْلَادِهِمْ شُرَكَاؤُهُمْ لِيُرْدُوهُمْ وَلِيَلْبِسُوا عَلَيْهِمْ دِينَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ مَا فَعَلُوهُ ۖ فَذَرْهُمْ وَمَا يَفْتَرُونَ
Thus, for many of the polytheists, their partners adorned the killing of their children to destroy them and to confuse their religion upon them. And if Allah had willed, they would not have done it. So leave them and what they invent.
This verse of the Holy Quran, with incisive expression, criticises the polytheists behaviour in sacrificing their children. Polytheism, like a heavy shadow, has obscured the truth of religion in the eyes of the polytheists and driven them towards cruel acts. Their partners, referring here to idols and priests, by adorning this reprehensible act, have not only led to the physical and spiritual destruction of human beings but also distorted the religion. This distortion, like a mist on the mirror of truth, prevents the comprehension of pure monotheism.
Key Point: Polytheism, by distorting the truth of religion, diverts humanity from the path of monotheism towards oppression and destruction. This verse, by mentioning the sacrifice of children, unveils the depth of the calamity of polytheism.
The verse also alludes to human free will: "And if Allah had willed, they would not have done it." God, like a wise gardener, has left humans free in the garden of choice to select their own path. This freedom is an opportunity to test faith and sincerity, yet the polytheists, by abusing this freedom, have moved towards slander and distortion of religion. Leaving them to their own devices ("So leave them and what they invent.") signifies divine wisdom whereby humans are subjected to the consequences of their deeds.
وَقَالُوا هَٰذِهِ أَنْعَامٌ وَحَرْثٌ حِجْرٌ لَا يَطْعَمُهَا إِلَّا مَنْ نَشَاءُ بِزَعْمِهِمْ وَأَنْعَامٌ حُرِّمَتْ ظُهُورُهَا وَأَنْعَامٌ لَا يَذْكُرُونَ اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا افْتِرَاءً عَلَيْهِ ۚ سَيَجْزِيهِمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَفْتَرُونَ
And they say: These cattle and crops are forbidden, except for whom we will, by their claim; no one shall eat from them. And cattle whose backs have been forbidden, and cattle on which they do not mention the name of Allahfabricating against Him. Soon Allah will recompense them for their fabrications.
Verse 138 of Surah Al-Anm, in a biting tone, criticises the unjust allocation of resources by the polytheists. They, by their fabricated claim ("by their claim"), have dedicated cattle and crops to priests and idols and prohibited others from benefiting from them. This act, like a tall wall, distances justice from society and monopolises resources for a select group. The removal of Allahs name from these resources ("do not mention the name of Allah upon them") signifies distortion of religion and slander against the Divine.
Key Point: Arbitrary allocation of resources under the guise of religion constitutes polytheism and oppression that corrupts the essence of monotheism by erasing Gods name.
The verse, by referencing the prohibition of the backs of some cattle, critiques the irrational and fabricated rulings of the polytheists. These rulings act like chains binding justice, preventing equitable benefit of divine blessings by the community. A comparison of this behaviour with some deviations in religious communities reveals thought-provoking similarities. In some cases, religious scholars, by hoarding financial resources such as Khums (a religious tax), rather than distributing justly, exacerbate wealth concentration. This similarity acts like a mirror, reflecting religious deviations before our eyes.
وَقَالُوا مَا فِي بُطُونِ هَٰذِهِ الْأَنْعَامِ خَالِصَةٌ لِذُكُورِنَا وَمُحَرَّمٌ عَلَىٰ أَزْوَاجِنَا ۖ وَإِنْ يَكُنْ مَيْتَةً فَهُمْ فِيهِ شُرَكَاءُ ۚ سَيَجْزِيهِمْ وَصْفَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ
And they say: What is in the wombs of these cattle is exclusively for our males and forbidden for our wives. And if it is dead, they share in it. Allah will recompense them for their descriptions; indeed, He is Wise and Knowing.
Verse 139 of Surah Al-Anm, with explicit language, critiques gender discrimination in the polytheists rulings. They allocate the contents of the cattle wombs to their males and prohibit them for their wives, trampling justice. This discrimination, like a thorn in the garden of justice, is rooted in selfishness and distortion of religion. However, paradoxically, if the offspring is dead, all share in it, revealing the futility of their fabricated laws.
Key Point: Gender discrimination in the rulings of polytheists is a manifestation of selfishness and deviation from divine justice, opposing the wisdom and knowledge of Allah.
The verse, referring to divine punishment ("Allah will recompense them for their descriptions"), emphasises Gods wisdom and knowledge. Allah, like a just judge, recompenses each according to their deeds and intentions. This verse teaches that the value of deeds depends on sincerity and monotheism, not on fabricated, discriminatory laws.
