Excerpted from the Lectures of Nokounam, (Session 1257)
The Holy Qur'an, like a radiant lamp, illuminates the path of guidance for humanity and, with clear and blessed discourse, reveals mans responsibility in relation to the divine verses. This treatise, through reflection upon the concluding verses of Surah Al-Anm and the story of Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him), delves deeply into the concepts of guidance, responsibility, and the critique of human excuses. Its objective is to present the Quranic messages in a coherent framework and in language that befits a scholarly environment, inviting the reader to contemplate the essence of religion and the practical commitment to it.
And this is a Book We have sent down, blessed, so follow it and fear Allah that you may receive mercy.
The Holy Qur'an, as a shining jewel, is introduced in this verse as a blessed book which opens the path to happiness and mercy for humanity. The term blessed denotes the abundant goodness and dynamism of this divine scripture, which not only guides but, with its adaptability to the needs of all eras, leads man towards perfection. The command follow it is an invitation to practical adherence to divine commands, and fear is a call to abstain from prohibitions. Together, these form the two wings of human guidance. This verse, like a clear mirror, demonstrates the comprehensiveness of the Holy Qur'an vis--vis the Torah and the Gospel and emphasises the continuity of the Abrahamic religions.
From the perspective of comparative theology, this attribute renders the Qur'an a dynamic and universal source that shares with the Torah and Gospel the common goals of guidance and mercy. This shared foundation nullifies any human excuses for neglecting religious commitment.
So that you do not say, "The Scripture was only sent down to two groups before us, and we were indeed unaware of their study."
This verse, like a golden key, invalidates the human pretexts claiming that had a divine book been revealed to them, they would have acted better than previous peoples. The claim we would have been more rightly guided than them
, when divorced from practical obedience to divine guidance, is a hollow bubble that bursts with the slightest breeze. The Holy Qur'an, by providing a clear proof, removes any justification for disobedience. From the viewpoint of philosophy of religion, this verse emphasises divine justice, whereby no people are forsaken without guidance, thus highlighting human responsibility regarding adherence to divine signs.
One of the salient points in this interpretation is the critique of prejudiced and discriminatory religious behaviours prevalent in various societies, including among adherents of Abrahamic religions. Such prejudices, which sometimes lead to the persecution of followers of other faiths or sects, originate in hypocrisy and deviation from monotheistic principles. For instance, differing treatments of followers of various religions within one society is an indication of inconsistency in adhering to the divine verses. From a sociological perspective, these behaviours stem from cultural and historical factors that have caused division among religious communities and contradict the unifying message of the Holy Qur'an.
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, like a thunderbolt, condemns the oppression of those who deny the divine verses or turn away from them. Denial and turning away do not merely signify overt rejection but also include hypocrisy and failure to practically adhere to divine commands. The term We will recompense indicates divine justice that returns the consequences of human deeds without haste but with precision. This verse invites humans to reflect on their responsibility and warns that turning away from the signs is akin to stepping onto a dark path leading to severe punishment.
From an ethical philosophy perspective, this verse stresses responsibility and demonstrates that every action bears a proportional outcome. Man is like a farmer who harvests what he sows.
One of the central concepts in this interpretation is the emphasis on voluntary (willing) faith as opposed to compelled (forced) faith. True faith is like a flower that grows from the heart of awareness and free will, not from fear of punishment or social pressure. The verse The Day when some of the signs of your Lord will come, no soul will benefit from its faith then
indicates that faith at the moment of confronting conclusive divine signs holds no value. This view invites humans to an informed and sincere choice of faith.
The relationship between good and evil is like two wings of a bird that enable human flight on lifes journey. Every good may be followed by evil, and every evil can be a precursor to good. This perspective is verse So whoever does an atoms weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atoms weight of evil will see it
(Az-Zalzalah: 7-8), which demonstrates the orderliness of the universe. Man must, like a vigilant farmer, appreciate divine blessings and be patient in affliction, since every good and evil is the fruit of his actions.
A notable point in this interpretation is the redefinition of the concept of infallibility. Infallibility is a relative light that exists in varying degrees among all humans, including the prophets. Only God possesses absolute infallibility, while the prophets and saints enjoy relative infallibility within their own ranks. This notion is reinforced by the story of Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) and his confession of error Indeed, I was of the wrongdoers
. This concept invites humility and acceptance of human fallibility.
From a theological standpoint, this view assists in a realistic understanding of the prophets role in guidance and dispels unrealistic notions of absolute infallibility.
And he called out in the darkness, "There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers."
The story of Prophet Yunus, like a blazing torch, teaches the lesson of faith and repentance. In the depths of darkness, with confession of his fault and faith in Gods power, he was saved. This narrative invites humans to trust in divine mercy and accept their errors. From the perspective of religious psychology, this story illustrates the return to God in times of crisis and highlights the importance of sincere faith.
Hypocrisy and pretentiousness, like a dark shadow, have appeared among various communities, from Jews and Christians to Muslims. These behaviours, rooted in lack of practical adherence to divine verses, yield no outcome other than harm. The Holy Qur'an, by referring to Indeed, mankind is in loss
(Al-Asr: 2), calls humans to avoid hypocrisy and commit to action. From a sociological viewpoint, this highlights the necessity for profound religious education and promotion of a culture of sincerity.
The Holy Qur'an, with the phrase Say, Wait. Indeed, we are waiting.
demonstrates divine patience in response to human actions. God, as a just observer, has granted humans freedom to act according to their will; however, the outcomes of their deeds, whether good or evil, are inevitable. This mutual anticipation acts like a mirror, revealing human responsibility for their deeds.
The world is like a canvas on which every human act paints a colour. Good and evil, like two wings, propel man along lifes path. Should man fail to appreciate divine blessings, like a farmer wasting good seed, evil will befall him. This lawfulness invites gratitude for blessings and patience during trials.
This interpretation, reflecting upon the verses of Surah Al-Anm and the story of Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him), invites humans to reflect upon their responsibility towards divine guidance. The Holy Qur'an, as a guiding lamp, invalidates human excuses and, by emphasising voluntary faith, relative infallibility, and the relationship between good and evil, points the way to perfection. The critique of hypocrisy and religious prejudices serves as an invitation to unity and sincerity in adherence to divine verses. This treatise, with profound insight and eloquent language, endeavours to present the message of the Holy Qur'an in a scientific and spiritual framework.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
