Derived from the scholarly lectures of Nokounam, (Session 1269)
Surah Al-A'raf, one of the Meccan chapters of the Holy Qur'an, articulates with profound and meaningful expression the narrative of the expulsion of Iblis, his temptation against Adam and Eve, and the consequences of disobedience. This Surah, through lucid and contemplative verses, addresses fundamental theological and philosophical issues, inviting humanity to reflect upon divine wisdom and the role of free will in ones destiny. In this treatise, by an in-depth examination of verses 18 to 21 of Surah Al-A'raf, key concepts such as divine self-sufficiency, human trial, and the role of Ibliss whisperings are elucidated. Inspired by erudite lectures, this text strives to explicate these verses in clear and dignified language for readers interested in Quranic knowledge.
قَالَ اخْرُجْ مِنْهَا مَذْءُومًا مَدْحُورًا ۖ لَمَنْ تَبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنْكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ (الأعراف: 18)
He said: "Depart from it, despised and expelled. Whoever follows you among them I will surely fill Hell with you all."
This verse, with explicitness and firmness, declares the divine command to Iblis to forsake his exalted position. Iblis, who refused to prostrate before Adam out of pride and disobedience, faced divine condemnation and expulsion. This rejection encompasses not only himself but also all his followers. The divine wisdom in this command functions like a sharp sword, negating any attachment or dependence on the created beings from the Essence of the Almighty. As a Persian poet eloquently wrote: "If all creatures were to become unbelievers / No dust would settle on His exalted garment." This couplet beautifully illustrates the absolute self-sufficiency of God, whereby no creature, even if all turn unbelievers, can diminish His majesty and grandeur.
A key point: Divine self-sufficiency signifies the absolute independence of the Essence of the Exalted Creator from any need towards creation. This self-sufficiency invites humans to contemplate the sanctified domain of the Lord and His freedom from any form of dependency.
Divine self-sufficiency, also manifest in the verse "And Allah is the Free of need, while you are the poor" (Muhammad: 38), indicates Gods lack of need for any created being. This concept, like a boundless ocean, drowns any imagination of divine dependence. The lecture draws on an allegory from Iranian history, referencing Ya'qub-e-Lais Saffari who, when offered power and position by the Caliph, replied with independence and contentment: "I live on bread and cheese and fight with you." This metaphor elegantly portrays human self-sufficiency against apparent powers and likens it to divine self-sufficiency. The self-sufficient human, even in apparent poverty, by relying on inner independence, liberates himself from attachments.
Verse 18 of Surah Al-A'raf, with resolute diction, portrays the expulsion of Iblis and the rejection of his followers. This rejection not only signifies divine justice but also reflects Gods absolute self-sufficiency, which no creature can impair. The allegory of Ya'qub-e-Lais exemplifies human independence, making the concept tangible for the reader.
وَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنْتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ (البقرة: 35)
And We said: "O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat therefrom in abundance wherever you wish, but do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers."
This verse, with gentle and commanding expression, conveys the divine command to Adam and his spouse to settle in Paradise. Here, Paradise is depicted as a terrestrial garden, not necessarily the afterlife Paradise, whose precise location remains unknown to humankind. God permitted Adam and Eve to enjoy the bounties of this garden abundantly, except for one specific tree from which they were forbidden to approach. This prohibition functions as a red line testing human free will against divine wisdom.
A crucial point: The nature of the forbidden tree in the Qur'an is not explicitly stated. Speculations about wheat, grapes, or apples lack Quranic substantiation, with the text only referring to a tree, indicating divine wisdom in withholding detailed information.
The lecture, with a tone of light-hearted refutation, dismisses common speculations regarding the forbidden trees nature. The Quran, with unparalleled wisdom, only mentions the tree and refrains from explicit description. This ambiguity serves as a veil illustrating the limits of human knowledge, as also referenced in the verse "And you have not been given of knowledge except a little" (Al-Isra: 85). Wheat, grape, or apple hypotheses fade before the clarity of the Qur'anic text.
The settlement of Adam and Eve in Paradise manifests divine grace and the test of human free will. The prohibition from approaching the forbidden tree marks divine wisdom in testing the servants. The ambiguity concerning the trees nature and Paradises location invites humility before the unknown.
وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ (الأعراف: 19)
And do not approach this tree, lest you become among the wrongdoers."
The phrase "lest you become among the wrongdoers" in this verse indicates the existence of a group of wrongdoers before Adam. This concept, implying Adam and Eve would join the ranks of wrongdoers if disobedient, raises philosophical questions about beings preceding humanity. The lecture humorously mentions entities like Nesnas (a mythical creature) to suggest that before Adam, there were beings who disobeyed divine wisdom.
A key point: The existence of wrongdoers before Adam signifies the vastness of divine creation and the presence of creatures with free will prior to humans. This perspective highlights divine wisdom in creating diverse beings
