the Lectures of Nokounam, (Session 1340)
The Holy Qur'an is a book that, like a pure spring, has flowed with divine knowledge throughout history and, with its illuminating verses, guides humanity towards truth and justice. In this writing, we reflect upon verses 159 and 160 of Surah Al-Imran, which present a profound narrative about the people of Bani Israel, the miracles of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), and human inclinations towards injustice and ingratitude. These verses, like a mirror, reveal a multifaceted nation that, despite receiving abundant divine blessings, became ensnared in self-oppression due to their rebellious nature. The present discourse, with a deep and structured approach, analyses these verses, interprets their meanings, and extracts lessons to shed light on the path of guidance and justice.
The Holy Qur'an in verse 159 of Surah Al-Imran, after mentioning the universal invitation of the Seal of the Prophets (peace be upon him), returns to the people of Moses (peace be upon him) and speaks of a righteous group among them. This group, like stars in the dark sky of the Children of Israel, illuminated the path for others through guidance to truth and adherence to justice.
And among the people of Moses is a community who guide by the truth and thereby practise justice.
This verse, like a precious gem among the verses, emphasises the existence of a righteous faction within the people of Bani Israel distinguished by two salient characteristics: firstly, guiding others towards truth, akin to a radiant torch that lights the way for the misguided; and secondly, practising justice based on truth, like a precise scale that establishes balance within society. This group, amidst a nation inclined towards calf-worship and deviation, stood as a luminous minorityan indication of the boundless mercy of God that sustains guidance even in the darkest eras.
From a theological perspective, this verse demonstrates that God Almighty plants the seeds of guidance and righteousness even within a nation with a history of disobedience. This righteous group, like an oasis in a desert, is life-giving and inspiring, showing that reform and guidance remain possible under the most challenging circumstances.
Verse 159 of Surah Al-Imran presents an image of hope and divine mercy. The presence of a guided and just community within the people of Bani Israel testifies that no nation is deprived of God's mercy. This group, by adhering to truth and justice, serves as a paradigm for human societies that can pave the way for guidance through faith and righteous deeds.
The Holy Qur'an, in verse 160 of Surah Al-Imran, refers to the division of the people of Bani Israel into twelve tribes, each constituting an independent nation. This division, like a thread that mends a torn fabric, was an effort to bring order to a diverse and scattered people.
And We divided them into twelve tribes, nations.
The phrase "اثْنَتَيْ عَشْرَةَ أَسْبَاطًا أُمَمًا" (twelve tribes, nations) points to the multiplicity within the people of Bani Israel, which, due to internal discord and an inability to coexist peacefully, were divided into twelve tribes or clans. Here, the distinction between "tribe" and "nation" becomes clear: a tribe refers to lineage and family structure associated with Bani Israel's tribal organisation, whereas a nation denotes a group with a shared identity that may encompass multiple tribes. This division was like a precise map designed to prevent chaos and tribal conflicts.
The lecture text compares this diversity with Islamic sects, some well-known and others obscure. Just as Islam speaks of seventy-two sects, only a few of which are recognised, similarly, detailed information about the tribes of Bani Israel is scarce, other than their division into twelve tribes intended to maintain social order.
The division of the people of Bani Israel into twelve tribes signifies divine wisdom in managing diverse societies. This structure, like sturdy pillars, established order amid tribal differences and demonstrated that even amidst dispersion, guidance and organisation are achievable.
The Holy Qur'an continues in verse 160 of Surah Al-Imran by referring to the miracles of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) and God's blessings upon the people of Bani Israel. These verses, like a cool breeze in a scorched desert, speak of Gods boundless mercy meeting the essential needs of the nation.
And We revealed to Moses when his people asked him for water, Strike the rock with your staff. Then twelve springs gushed forth from it, so that each people knew their drinking place. And We shaded them with clouds and sent down upon them manna and quails, Eat from the good things We have provided for you.
This verse details three great miracles of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him): first, receiving divine revelation that, like a living stream, connected him directly with God Almighty. Unlike tablets containing written commandments, the revelation here is dynamic and immediate. Second, the miracle of twelve springs gushing from a rock, like life-giving fountains responding to the thirst of the people. The phrase each people knew their drinking place indicates a divine order wherein each tribe had a designated spring, preventing disputes. Third, the descent of cloud shade and the provision of manna and quails, like a heavenly table fulfilling the people's needs for shelter and sustenance.
In the lecture, manna and quails are likened to bread and stew, without emphasis on specifics. Some conjectures attribute them to honey, quail, or other foods, but the Qur'an refrains from detailed description, highlighting their blessed nature. These blessings, like rains of mercy, were bestowed upon the people so they might partake in the purest sustenance.
The miracles of Moses (peace be upon him), like a mirror of divine power and mercy, met the essential needs of the people of Bani Israel. Revelation, flowing springs, cloud shade, and the provision of manna and quails are signs of Gods infinite grace inviting the people towards gratitude and obedience.
The Holy Qur'an at the end of verse 160 draws attention to the ingratitude of the people of Bani Israel and their oppression of themselves. This section, like a striking warning, speaks of human tendencies towards disobedience and self-inflicted harm.
And they did not wrong Us, but they were wronging themselves.
Despite innumerable divine blessings, the people of Bani Israel persisted in oppressing themselves. The phrase and they did not wrong Us indicates that wrongdoing against God is impossible, for He is free from any defect or harm. Yet they were wronging themselves expresses that their injustice manifested both in transgressions against one another and in the resultant self-harm. The lecture attributes this oppression to major sins such as theft, aggression, and violation committed among themselves.
Philosophically, human nature is likened in the lecture to a scorpion whose sting is not borne of malice but inherent nature. This metaphor reveals the innate human propensity toward injustice and ingratitude, which only faith and righteous action can overcome. The Qur'anic phrase "As you sow, so shall you reap." also echoes here, indicating that the consequences of oppression return upon the oppressor as a poisonous seed.
The lecture, through profound contemplation of human nature, asserts that humans are intrinsically inclined toward harm and injustice. This tendency, like a dark shadow, was manifest in the behaviour of the people of Bani Israel who, despite receiving revelation, miracles, and blessings, continued to harm one another and disobey God. This viewpoint aligns with the verse "Indeed, mankind is in loss." (Surah Al-Asr: 2) which describes humanity as being in loss unless redeemed by faith and righteous deeds.
From a psychological perspective, this tendency to injustice roots itself in selfishness and ingratitude, which, in the absence of divine guidance, leads to corruption and ruin. The lecture, with a cautionary tone, calls humanity to self-purification and a return to the principles of divine guidance to escape the snares of their rebellious nature.
The oppression of the people of Bani Israel against themselves is a warning for all humanity to appreciate divine blessings and avoid tendencies toward injustice and ingratitude. This section, like a mirror, reveals the true face of human nature and underscores the necessity of faith and righteous action for deliverance from loss.
Verses 159 and 160 of Surah Al-Imran, like a jewel in the crown of the Holy Qur'an, present profound lessons on guidance, justice, divine mercy, and human nature. The existence of a guided and just community among the people of Bani Israel is a sign of Gods boundless mercy that plants seeds of righteousness even amid misguidance. The division of the nation into twelve tribes was an effort to organise a dispersed society, and the miracles of Moses (peace be upon him), like flowing springs, fulfilled the needs of the people. Nevertheless, their ingratitude and self-oppression, like a dark shadow, reveal the inherent human tendency toward loss.
These verses invite reflection on divine blessings and human responsibility towards them. Humanity is like a farmer who reaps what they sow. Faith, righteous deeds, and adherence to justice are the sole means to escape the traps of injustice and ingratitude. This writing, through contemplation on these verses, aspires to guide the reader towards self-purification and divine guidance.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
