of Nokounam, may his sanctity remain (Session 1261)
Surah Al-Arf, one of the Meccan chapters of the Holy Quran, comprising 206 verses, is a treasury of divine knowledge centred on monotheism, prophethood, and the hereafter. It guides humanity towards the recognition of truth and the avoidance of falsehood. This Surah, with its disjointed letters and obligatory prostration, holds a distinguished status among the Quranic chapters. Its content spans from divine commandments and the narratives of the prophets to the elucidation of good and evil and the role of Iblis in human misguidance, encompassing a vast spectrum of concepts. This writing endeavours, with profound insight and clear, dignified language, to expound its meanings and messages for readers. Like a fruitful garden whose every branch bears fruits of wisdom, this interpretation seeks to present each verse as a radiant jewel before the eyes of seekers of truth.
Surah Al-Arf, with its 206 verses, belongs to the Meccan Surahs and is notable for containing an obligatory prostration in its final verse, which signifies humility before the Divine Majesty. This Surah was revealed at a time when disbelief and polytheism were rampant in Mecca. Therefore, its content focuses on inviting people to monotheism and avoidance of misguidance. Like a bright torch in the darkness, this Surah illuminates the path of guidance for humanity.
The word Al-Arf is the plural of Arf, meaning recognised or elevation. This term, analogous to Arb (the plural of Arab, meaning wild desert dwellers), exemplifies the use of the plural form in Arabic. There are two principal interpretations regarding this term: First, some consider Al-Arf as a station for individuals who stand between good and evil; they are neither wholly righteous nor entirely sinful. These people reside in an intermediate realm, and their fate depends on Divine will. The second view, more consistent with the lexical meaning of Arf, considers Al-Arf to be the abode of the Divine saints, prophets, and Imams who are distinguished and recognised due to their exalted spiritual status.
These two views are like two branches of a single tree, each revealing a part of the truth. However, the second perspective aligns more closely with the concept of recognised, since Divine saints, due to their spiritual guidance and rank, occupy a distinguished position in the hereafter. This station is like a lofty summit upon which the friends of God stand, overseeing both Paradise and Hell.
One prominent point in the exposition of Surah Al-Arf is humanitys ignorance about the precise location and nature of Al-Arf, Paradise, and Hell. This ignorance does not signify denial of their existence but rather constitutes a veil drawn over human epistemology. Just as humans know streets and alleys through sensory experience, Al-Arf, Paradise, and Hell lie beyond the reach of such senses. This limitation invites human beings to accept these concepts with faith and reason, as the Quran states:
Those who believe in the unseen (Al-Baqarah: 3).
This ignorance is like a deep ocean upon whose shore humans stand, observing only its waves. Accepting this limitation encourages humility before Divine Majesty and reliance on revelation.
One of the pivotal verses of Surah Al-Arf is verse 11, which introduces the Surah as a Divine book:
كِتَابٌ أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ فَلَا يَكُنْ فِي صَدْرِكَ حَرَجٌ مِنْهُ لِتُنْذِرَ بِهِ وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
This is a book sent down to you, so let there be no distress in your heart because of it, so that by it you may warn and be a reminder to the believers.
This verse presents Surah Al-Arf as a Divine book revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him). The use of the passive verb أُنْزِلَ (was sent down) signifies Divine grandeur and the unknown origin of the revelation. The word حَرَجٌ means distress and inner hardship, reflecting the difficulty of the Prophets mission in delivering the heavy messages of this Surah, such as punishment and sin. God alleviates the Prophet from this psychological pressure and outlines two objectives for this Surah: first, warning sinners of Divine punishment; and second, reminding believers, who do not require warning but should be conscious of the effects of sin.
This verse is like a beacon illuminating the path of prophethood, inviting the Prophet to continue his mission with a calm and assured heart.
Another verse of significant importance in this Surah is verse 3:
اتَّبِعُوا مَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا مِنْ دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ ۗ قَلِيلًا مَا تَذَكَّرُونَ
Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow other guardians besides Him. Little is it that you remember.
This verse calls humanity to obey Divine revelation and to avoid non-Divine guardians. The word أَوْلِيَاءَ means protectors or leaders who stand against God. The phrase قَلِيلًا مَا تَذَكَّرُونَ indicates human negligence in heeding this Divine command. This verse is like a mirror reflecting human heedlessness towards truth and calls them back to the path of monotheism.
The distinction between اتباع (practical adherence) and اتخاذ (ideological acceptance) is emphasised here. اتباع denotes the practical obedience to Divine commandments or Prophets by Gods command, while اتخاذ refers to the acceptance of non-Divine guardianship, such as idol worship. This distinction draws a precise line demarcating monotheism and polytheism.
A main theme of Surah Al-Arf is the emphasis on reasons role in comprehending unseen realities such as Paradise, Hell, and Al-Arf. These concepts, like stars in the realm of the unseen, are not perceivable by the eye but are grasped through the light of reason. The Quran states in verses such as:
Indeed, in that are signs for a people who reason (Ar-Rum: 24).
Reason is thus the principal instrument for understanding Divine signs. This perspective invites humans to contemplate Divine signs and accept Divine guidance.
Ignorance of the details of Al-Arf, Paradise, and Hell calls humans to humility before Divine Majesty. This ignorance is a veil over the truth of the unseen, and only faith in revelation enables one to approach it.
An important point in this interpretation is the avoidance of interminable debates on matters beyond human capacity. When ignorance is affirmed, sound reason urges acceptance and abstention from fruitless argumentation. This approach, like a gentle breeze, frees the mind from the turmoil of futile disputes and directs it towards righteous action. The Quran states:
And you have not been given of knowledge except a little (Al-Isra: 85).
A noteworthy section of this interpretation recounts an experience of dialogue with a group of communists in Ahvaz. This group ridiculed religion, likening it to a deception that leads sheep to the slaughterhouse with grass. The narrator engaged them with a wise and friendly approach, using the analogy of a tiled pool and lettuce, symbolising the spring of Kawthar, to present religious concepts tangibly. This experience, like a clear stream, demonstrated that rational and amicable dialogue can open hearts to truth.
This approach aligns with the Quranic exhortation:
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good exhortation (An-Nahl: 125).
The narrators acceptance of critique and rational response prepared the ground for acceptance of religious
