Surah Al-Anm, like a profound ocean, contains divine knowledge and, through illuminating verses, opens the path of guidance for humankind. This Surah, with emphasis on the unity of Abrahamic religions and the inclusivity of the divine message, calls for contemplation on the shared monotheistic principles and avoidance of division and bigotry. In this treatise, relying on the concluding verses of the Surah (154157), the deep Quranic concepts, critique of hatred and violence among religions, and the necessity for re-examining the understanding of religious texts are examined. This exegesis, with a novel perspective on the continuity of revelation and the role of women in the future of religion, strives to convey the message of the Holy Quran like a clear spring to the minds and hearts of its readers.
The Holy Quran in verse 154 of Surah Al-Anm describes the Torah as a complete and comprehensive book, sent down for guidance and mercy. This verse, like a mirror, reflects the inclusivity of the religion of Moses (peace be upon him) and negates any notion of deficiency within it.
ثُمَّ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ تَمَامًا عَلَى الَّذِي أَحْسَنَ وَتَفْصِيلًا لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لَعَلَّهُمْ بِلِقَاءِ رَبِّهِمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ
"Then We gave Moses the Book complete for him who does good and as an explanation of all things and as guidance and mercy, that they might believe in the meeting with their Lord."
This verse attributes to the Torah characteristics such as Tammn (quantitative perfection), Al alladh asan (qualitative perfection), Tafslan likulli shay (comprehensive elucidation), Hud (guidance), and Ramah (mercy). These attributes indicate that the Torah, in its time, was a complete guide for humanity akin to the Quran. The Qurans emphasis on these qualities invites reconsideration of erroneous perceptions that regard prior religions as incomplete. The Torah, like a radiant jewel, was the seal of religions in its era, showing the path to felicity for its followers.
The Holy Quran, in verse 155 of Surah Al-Anm, introduces itself as a blessed book revealed for guidance and mercy. This verse portrays the dynamism and freshness of the Holy Quran like a refreshing breeze.
وَهَذَا كِتَابٌ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَاتَّقُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
"And this is a Book which We have revealed as a blessed thing; so follow it and fear Allah that you may receive mercy."
The term Mubrakmeaning filled with good and blessingindicates the novelty and attractiveness of the Holy Quran. The command to Follow it and Fear (God) highlights both the positive and prohibitive aspects of guidance. The Quran, like a pure spring, not only brings guidance but also nourishes the hearts of the believers with its mercy. This verse emphasises the continuity and perfection of divine religions, presenting the Quran as the continuation of the path of the Torah and other heavenly scriptures.
Verse 156 of Surah Al-Anm states the purpose of the revelation of the Holy Quran as the removal of human excuses. This verse, like a bright torch, illuminates the path for accepting responsibility for guidance.
أَنْ تَقُولُوا إِنَّمَا أُنْزِلَ الْكِتَابُ عَلَى طَائِفَتَيْنِ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا وَإِنْ كُنَّا عَنْ دِرَاسَتِهِمْ لَغَافِلِينَ
"That you should not say, The Scripture was only sent down to two groups before us, and we were unaware of their study."
This verse negates the excuse of those who claim that had a divine book been revealed to them, they would have acted better. The Holy Quran, by providing Bayyina (clear evidence), calls humans to accept responsibility in relation to divine guidance. This invitation functions as a key unlocking the lock of heedlessness and facilitating adherence to divine verses.
Verse 157 of Surah Al-Anm warns those who turn away from divine verses. This verse acts like a wake-up call, inviting humans to reflect on the consequences of disobedience.
فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ كَذَّبَ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَصَدَّ عَنْهَا ۗ سَنَجْزِي الَّذِينَ يَصْدِفُونَ عَنْ آيَاتِنَا سُوءَ الْعَذَابِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَصْدِفُونَ
"So who is more unjust than one who denies the signs of Allah and turns away from them? We will recompense those who turn away from Our signs with a severe punishment for what they used to reject."
This verse regards turning away from divine verses as a great injustice and warns that such behaviour entails severe consequences. However, the admonitory tone of this verse, appropriate for the early Islamic context and its audience, requires an interpretation compatible with modern values such as mercy and tolerance. This exegesis, like a gentle breeze, should emphasize divine mercy and guidance to attract contemporary hearts towards faith.
One of the key themes in the lectures is the critique of religious bigotry and violence prevalent among the followers of the Abrahamic religions. Such prejudices, which label Jews, Christians, and other religious groups with terms like infidel or enemy, are akin to thorns in the foot of monotheistic unity. This critique calls for reconsideration of approaches that foster division instead of reinforcing commonalities.
The Holy Quran, like a clear mirror, reflects the unity of the message of the Abrahamic religions. The religions of Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them) all draw from the same divine source, and their apparent differences should not serve as a pretext for enmity. If religious communities, like the branches of a mighty tree, stand together, they can withstand cultural and colonial storms.
If religious communities unite upon shared monotheistic principles, they can form a sturdy shield defending divine values against global challenges. Division acts like a deadly poison, weakening the strength of religious societies and making them vulnerable to the infiltration of destructive cultures. Unity, like a roaring stream, can guide societies towards prosperity and advancement.
One of the innovative views presented in the lectures is the emphasis on the continuity of revelation as a human institution. Revelation, like a poet rising from the depths of human soul, is inexhaustible and will continue flowing as long as humanity exists. This perspective challenges the traditional notion of the finality of prophethood and regards revelation as a human capacity that can manifest at any time and place.
The analogy of revelation to poetry, like a delightful melody, indicates the dynamism and creativity inherent in this phenomenon. Just as poets in every era can compose new poems, revelation can appear in new forms suitable for the needs of the time. This viewpoint, like a golden key, opens new doors towards understanding religion in the modern world.
One of the novel predictions in the lectures is the possibility of women emerging as divine messengers in the future. This view, stressing the necessity of social security, posits that women, like stars in the sky of religion, can attain the station of prophethood under appropriate conditions. This prediction, like a promising breeze, opens new horizons in theology and gender philosophy.
The reference to the injustices inflicted upon a lady such as Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her) highlights historical and social obstacles to womens roles in religion. However, a future wherein women enjoy social security and equal opportunities could witness the emergence of messengers greater than predecessors. This perspective, like a flower blooming in spring, heralds profound transformations in religious understanding.
The lectures point to moral deviations in modern societies, viewing them as consequences of estrangement from religious values. Historically, societies, despite their simplicity and lack of scientific knowledge, suffered less corruption and decay. Today, with the rise of knowledge and technology, mischief and corruption have rooted in society like invasive weeds. This
