of Nokounam, May His Sanctity Be Preserved (Session 1314)
The Holy Qur'an, like a radiant lamp, illuminates the path of human guidance and, by narrating the histories of previous nations, provides profound lessons for reflection and admonition. This writing, focusing on the verses of Surah Al-'Imran and the story of Prophet Shuayb (peace be upon him) and his people, examines the deep concepts of divine guidance, the denial of prophets, and the wisdom behind divine tests. The objective is to elucidate Qur'anic meanings with clear and dignified language, guiding the reader towards a deeper understanding of divine wisdom and the path of human evolution. This work, adopting a multifaceted perspective ranging from theology and philosophy to sociology, analyses these verses and, by employing similes and allusions, cultivates concepts in a manner that is both heartening and intellectually stimulating.
The Holy Qur'an, in Surah Al-'Imran, vividly portrays the ultimate fate of the people of Shuayb (peace be upon him). This people, who rejected the call of their prophet, suffered immense loss.
الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا شُعَيْبًا كَانُوا هُمُ الْخَاسِرِينَ
"Those who denied Shuayb, they were indeed the losers."
This verse acts as a mirror reflecting the bitter truth of denying the prophets. Denying Shuayb was not merely a rejection of his speech but a negation of monotheism, justice, and social reform which he advocated. By disregarding this call, the people of Shuayb chose the path of ruin and were afflicted with a destruction as if they had never existed in their own land.
The Holy Qur'an in another verse describes the severity of divine punishment upon the deniers as follows:
الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا شُعَيْبًا كَأَن لَّمْ يَغْنَوْا فِيهَا
"Those who denied Shuayb, it was as though they had never dwelt therein."
This expression, like thunder and lightning in the sky of history, indicates the complete annihilation of the people from the realm of existence. It is as if the earth and time have consigned their presence to oblivion. This eradication is not merely physical destruction but the spiritual and moral extinction of a community that stood against the truth. From a philosophical standpoint, this verse points to the perishability of those who deny truth; historically, it signifies the extinction of civilisations that have turned away from divine principles.
The first section, relying on Qur'anic verses, portrays the grim fate of those who denied Shuayb. This people, by disregarding the call to monotheism and justice, fell into loss that erased not only their material existence but also their spiritual being. This lesson serves as a warning to all societies to submit to the truth, thereby avoiding eternal ruin.
Prophet Shuayb (peace be upon him), after encountering the denial of his people, fulfilled his duty with sincerity and honesty and then turned away from them.
فَتَوَلَّىٰ عَنْهُمْ وَقَالَ يَا قَوْمِ لَقَدْ أَبْلَغْتُكُمْ رِسَالَاتِ رَبِّي وَنَصَحْتُ لَكُمْ ۖ فَكَيْفَ آسَىٰ عَلَىٰ قَوْمٍ كَافِرِينَ
"So he turned away from them and said: O my people, I have indeed delivered the messages of my Lord to you and given you sincere advice; so how can I grieve for a disbelieving people?"
This verse, like a melody of sincerity and trustworthiness, testifies that Shuayb (peace be upon him) fulfilled his duty of conveying the message and benevolence completely. He, like a caring shepherd, invited his people towards the pastures of guidance, yet they chose the path of disbelief and ingratitude of their own free will. The phrase "So how can I grieve for a disbelieving people?" indicates the acceptance of the fact that the prophet cannot lament the free choice of the people since they themselves have chosen the way of loss.
This section, emphasizing the role of Shuayb as a benevolent prophet, demonstrates that divine mission was fulfilled despite the denial of the people. The verse teaches a balance between divine duty and respect for human free will and reminds us that guidance bears fruit only through the heartfelt acceptance of humans.
The Holy Qur'an elucidates divine wisdom in sending prophets and human trials as follows:
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا فِي قَرْيَةٍ مِّن نَّبِيٍّ إِلَّا أَخَذْنَا أَهْلَهَا بِالْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَضَرَّعُونَ
"And We did not send any prophet to a town except that We seized its people with suffering and hardship that they might humble themselves."
This verse, like a golden key, unlocks the secret of divine wisdom behind human trials. God, by imposing material hardships (basa) and spiritual difficulties (darra), tests man so that he may be guided toward supplication and returning to his true self. Supplication acts as a bridge leading man from the darkness of ignorance to the light of faith.
The content of the lecture highlights the scarcity of believers in contrast to the multitude who resisted the call of the prophets and perished. This scarcity does not stem from the weakness of the prophets' message but from humans unreadiness to accept the truth. Man, like a young sapling, has not yet reached maturity and often fails divine tests. These failures result from pride, injustice, and estrangement from God due to worldly indulgences.
From a sociological perspective, this scarcity may point to the isolation of reformers in societies resistant to change. Philosophically, it refers to the epistemological and ethical limitations of humans facing divine truth, necessitating gradual effort and development. Man, like a traveller on a winding path, must repeatedly overcome trials to reach the summit of perfection.
This section, relying on divine wisdom in human trials, shows that hardships and difficulties are tools for awakening and guiding man towards God. However, the scarcity of believers and the abundance of those who resist the truth signify the arduousness of the human path to perfection. Supplication is the way of salvation from these hardships, but only those who open their hearts to the truth can attain this station.
The lecture content stresses human ignorance in the face of infinite divine wisdom. Man, like a child before an endless ocean, is incapable of fully comprehending God's plan for his own evolution. Only God is aware of the path of each individual's development, and supplication is like a ladder guiding man towards this wisdom.
From an epistemological standpoint, this section underscores human knowledge limitations relative to divine science. Despite all advancements, man remains powerless before the mysteries of creation and can only advance toward perfection through reliance on God. Theologically, supplication is a spiritual act connecting man to the source of divine wisdom and power.
Supplication, meaning seeking God and drawing near to Him, is a path out of ignorance towards perfection. The Holy Qur'an invites man to this spiritual act to avoid pride and arrogance. Although worldly means are divine blessings, they sometimes lead man into the pit of pride and divert him from the path of faith. Religious scholars, relying on this truth, exhort man towards humility and supplication to avoid oppression and injustice, which are consequences of pride.
Man is like a bird whose wings are bound by pride. Supplication is the key that unlocks these bonds and enables him to soar towards the sky of faith. This lesson reminds us that religious knowledge, despite its grandeur, must serve guidance and nearness to God, not become a tool for self-exaltation.
This section, emphasizing human ignorance and boundless divine wisdom, introduces supplication as the means of salvation from ignorance and pride. Man, by accepting his limitations and turning to God, can take steps towards perfection. This lesson is an invitation to humility and proximity so that man may be guided from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge.
This writing, relying on the verses of Surah Al-'Imran and the story of Shuayb (peace be upon him), offered profound lessons on divine wisdom, human trials, and the fate of those who deny truth. Denying Shuayb was not merely rejecting his speech but a repudiation of monotheism and justice, leading to the ruin and erasure of his people. Shuayb fulfilled his mission and benevolence completely; however, the people's free choice in rejecting the truth sealed their dire fate. Divine wisdom in human tests presents opportunities for supplication and return to God, yet the scarcity of believers and abundance of the lost reveal the difficulty of embracing truth. Human ignorance relative to divine wisdom requires supplication and resort to God to be guided from the darkness of ignorance to the light of faith.
This interpretation, like a lamp on the path of truth-seekers, invites contemplation on the verses of the Holy Qur'an and learning from the history of predecessors. May we, through supplication and humility, proceed towards human perfection.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
