of Nekounam, may his soul rest in peace (Session 1246)
The Holy Quran is a book revealed in the milieu of a rural and agricultural society over two thousand years ago, articulated in a language that responded to the needs and culture of that era. The verses of this divine scripture, referencing Gods blessings such as gardens, trees, and animals, reflect the lives of people whose livelihood depended on animal husbandry and farming. However, in a world where urbanisation, technology, and social transformations have altered human lifestyle and necessities, how can these verses be connected to contemporary life? This discourse, with a critical and historical approach to the verses of Surah Al-Anm, addresses this question and emphasises the necessity of reinterpreting religious exegeses to meet the demands of the present age. Like a tree whose branches require pruning and reorganisation over time, the interpretation of the Holy Quran must harmonise with new needs to preserve its freshness and efficacy.
In the Jahiliyyah society, polytheists propagated beliefs that rendered some of their actions and behaviours permissible before the Lord. These beliefs, which justified polytheism, disbelief, and inaction, were divinely repudiated. The Holy Quran challenges these superstitions by inviting the provision of scientific and logical evidence, emphasising rationality as the criterion for evaluating beliefs.
Key Point: The Holy Quran, by urging polytheists to present scientific evidence (Nabbin bi-ilm in kuntum sdiqn Inform me with knowledge if you are truthful), underscores the necessity of rationality against superstitions, a standard uniformly applied to all groups, whether polytheists or believers.
This invitation to reason is like a light that pierces the darkness of ignorance and paves the way for rational discourse in religion. If the polytheists beliefs are erroneous due to the absence of divine support, similar behaviours among the believers cannot be justified, since the divine standard is fixed and impartial.
The Holy Quran, emphasising the uniformity of divine criteria, rejects any duality in behaviour. If polytheists are criticised for irrational beliefs, believers must also abstain from such behaviours. This principle is akin to a scale that demonstrates divine justice in measuring the deeds of all groups alike.
Polytheists, within a stratified and gendered social structure, believed that males, females, and even carrion belonged exclusively to certain groups, while others, such as women, were deprived of benefiting from them. This belief reflects social inequality in the Jahiliyyah society, which the Holy Quran challenges by affirming the permissibility of divine blessings for all, except where explicitly prohibited.
The verses of Surah Al-Anm, by alluding to the creation of gardens, trees, and animals, depict Gods blessings and call upon polytheists to substantiate their claims regarding the prohibition of some of these blessings. These verses, like a fertile garden, manifest signs of divine power.
وَهُوَ الَّذِي أَنْشَأَ جَنَّاتٍ مَعْرُوشَاتٍ وَغَيْرَ مَعْرُوشَاتٍ وَالنَّخْلَ وَالزَّرْعَ مُخْتَلِفًا أُكُلُهُ وَالزَّيْتُونَ وَالْجَنَّاتِ كُلُوا مِنْ ثَمَرِهِ إِذَا أَثْمَرَ وَآتُوا حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِ
He is the One who created gardens, some trellised and some untrellised, and the palm trees and crops of various kinds, and olives and pomegranates, similar and dissimilar. Eat of their fruit when they bear fruit, and pay their due on the day of harvest.
ثَمَانِيَةَ أَزْوَاجٍ مِنَ الضَّأْنِ اثْنَيْنِ وَمِنَ الْمَعْزِ اثْنَيْنِ قُلْ آلذَّكَرَيْنِ حَرَّمَ أَمِ الْأُنْثَيَيْنِ أَمَّا اشْتَمَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ أَرْحَامُ الْأُنْثَيَيْنِ نَبِّئُونِي بِعِلْمٍ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
Eight pairs: two of sheep and two of goats. Say, "Has He forbidden the two males or the two females? Or that which the wombs of the two females enclose? Inform me with knowledge if you are truthful."
These verses, expressed in language connected to rural life, portray Gods blessings and challenge the polytheists superstitions regarding the prohibition of some of these blessings.
The verses of Surah Al-Anm, by critiquing polytheistic beliefs and inviting rationality, emphasise adherence to divine principles and rejection of superstitions. These verses, like a clear mirror, reveal the inequalities and dualities of the Jahiliyyah society and pave the way for rational discourse in religion.
The verses of Surah Al-Anm, by referencing gardens, date palms, and animals such as sheep, goats, and camels, reflect the rural and agricultural life of the society in which the Holy Quran was revealed. This perspective, like an engraving on stone, is an indication of the historical context of this divine scripture.
Key Point: The verses of Surah Al-Anm, focused on rural life, addressed the needs of an agricultural society; however, in the modern world dominated by urbanisation, adapting these verses to contemporary needs necessitates reconsideration.
In a world where urbanisation and technology have transformed human lifestyles, references to cattle, camels, and sheep may seem less relatable to modern audiences. Like an ancient book whose pages have yellowed over time, the verses of the Holy Quran require new interpretations compatible with the needs of urban societies.
The verses of Surah Al-Anm, emphasising the creation of animals and plants as signs of divine power, were influential in the Jahiliyyah society. However, in the modern world, such divine exhortation may be less appealing to urban audiences accustomed to industrial production. These verses, like an ancient melody in a vast plain, need a new tune harmonious with contemporary ears.
The Holy Quran divides animals into two categories: Hamlah (beasts of burden, such as cattle and donkeys) and Farshah (non-beasts of burden, such as sparrows and pigeons). This classification reflects the daily life of the Jahiliyyah society, where animals played a pivotal role in livelihood. However, in the modern world, where animals hold a marginal role in urban life, this categorisation is less applicable.
The reference to the ostrich, a strong yet unsuitable animal for carrying burdens, signifies the diversity of divine creation. This example, like a gem among blessings,
