Derived from the scholarly lectures of Nokounam, (Session 1277)
Surah Al-Arf, akin to a radiant gem within the treasury of the Holy Quran, addresses fundamental human issues including the role of Satan, the concept of clothing and adornment, and the position of piety in human life. This treatise, grounded in erudite lectures, elucidates and analyses the verses of this Surah, exploring deeply the Quranic concepts and the pathways for protection against Satans deception and the elevation of the human soul. Employing a lucid and dignified language, this work aims to present the sublime Quranic notions to readers with both comprehensive breadth and a pleasing style.
The Noble Quran in Surah Al-Arf introduces clothing and adornment not merely as necessities for covering the body but as signs of Divine revelation. These verses, inspired by nature and its elements such as tree leaves and bird feathers, have shaped a shared human culture. Piety, as the supreme adornment, guides the individual towards spiritual transcendence.
O children of Adam, We have sent down upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of pietythat is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember.
Clothing, described in this verse by the term anzaln (We have sent down), possesses a Divine and natural origin. This concept refers to cultural diversity in apparel, as the Quran in Surah Ar-Rm (verse 22) also highlights the diversity of colours and languages as signs from Allah. Piety, like a spiritual garment, protects the human being from desires and Satanic deception.
The Holy Quran in Surah Al-Arf presents Satan as a deceiving agent who, through subtle strategies, leads humans toward misguidance. Iblis, a particular being from the jinn, commands a host of devils who perceive humans from a vantage point unseen by humans themselves.
O children of Adam, let not Satan tempt you as he removed your parents from Paradise, stripping them of their clothing to show them their private parts. Indeed, he sees you, he and his tribe, from where you do not see them. Indeed, We have made the devils allies to those who do not believe.
In this verse, the term yanziu (he strips) implies a gentle removal, indicating Satans subtle and deceptive method. Satan did not expel Adam and Eve by force but by temptation and strategy, stripping their garments to expose their nakedness. This deception is also a warning to the descendants of Adam to remain safe from Satans insinuations.
The lecture employs a metaphorical expression to highlight the initial innocence of Adam and Eve. Within Paradise, they were unaware of certain realities; Satan exploited this innocence by stripping their garments, leading them towards false self-awareness. This simplicity, resembling that of an innocent child, represents the primordial purity of mankind which Satan exploited.
The concept of iqtid (predisposition), meaning the facilitation or groundwork for misguidance, is elegantly elucidated in the lecture. Satan does not compel but creates conditions of temptation that incline humans towards sin. Humans, by controlling their desires and carnal predispositions, can resist these deceptions.
The Quran states: And none misleads thereby except the defiantly disobedient. (Al-Baqarah: 26), indicating that misguidance befalls only the wicked. Satan, like a shadow thriving in the darkness of negligence, only overcomes those distanced from the light of faith.
The lecture categorises devils into two groups: those among humans and those among jinn. Human devils are individuals who, through deceptive behaviour such as cunning gestures and superficial display, lead others astray. Jinn devils, possessing shape-shifting abilities, present a more complex deception. This distinction points to the multifaceted nature of Satanic deception.
The lecture introduces dhikr (remembrance) and irz (a potent invocation) as spiritual shields against Satan. The irz acts like an impenetrable armour protecting the individual from the harm of devils. Ordinary remembrance, although valuable, may have varying degrees of effect.
And whoever turns away from the remembrance of the Most Merciful We appoint for him a devil, and he is to him a companion.
This verse (Az-Zukhruf: 36) demonstrates that neglecting remembrance renders a person vulnerable to Satans influence. The irz, like a strong fortress, guards against temptations.
Lawful provision and close association with the Holy Quran, like a pure spring, connect humans to God. The lecture, through a metaphor from the past, emphasises the importance of maintaining chastity and companionship with legitimate relations and warns against solitude in the face of social temptations.
The lecture portrays cleanliness as a shield against nuisance creatures such as flies and cockroaches. Through an engaging metaphor of an experience with melons and flies, it stresses the importance of environmental hygiene which prevents the presence of such creatures.
Eat of the good things We have provided for you.
This verse (Al-Baqarah: 57) highlights the significance of purity in life. Cleanliness purifies not only the body but also the soul from defilements.
