the Lectures of Nokounam (May his secret be sanctified) Session 1355
Surah Al-Arf, as a radiant gem within the treasury of the Holy Quran, encompasses verses that, like guiding lights, reveal the wisdom of creation and the lawfulness of the Divine system to humankind. These verses, expressed in a profound and deep manner, invite human beings to reflect on their own conduct and its consequences. The present writing, aiming to elucidate these verses and extract their lofty meanings, examines key concepts such as guidance, denial of the verses, gradual retribution (istidraj), and human responsibility towards the rights of God (aqq Allh) and the rights of people (aqq al-ns). This work, with a deep approach to the Quranic lectures, endeavours to pave the way for understanding the truth and acting upon it with clear and dignified language.
The verses of Surah Al-Arf, like a clear mirror, reflect the Divine wisdom in the system of creation. These verses, by clarifying the various paths of human behaviourfrom guidance to denial, and from hastening to delaydirect the human being towards comprehending the consequences of their deeds. Divine wisdom, like an established law, demonstrates the causal relationship of behaviours; as though every choice is a seed that bears fruit corresponding to itself. If a human follows the right path, felicity will be their portion, and if they deviate, ruin awaits them. This lawfulness, like an invisible thread, connects all aspects of creation and invites man to make a conscious choice.
The Divine system of creation, unlike human constructions which are sometimes defective and incomplete, possesses unparalleled perfection. By way of metaphorical expression, "Every knife that God makes has a handle," meaning Divine creation is organised with precise and calculated order, without any flaw or deficiency. This perfection is manifest not only in the creation of beings but also in the Divine system of behaviour towards humans. Every individual is subject to Divine judgement ir deeds; as if God, like a masterful architect, has established a world in which every part is placed with astonishing order.
وَالَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُمْ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
And those who denied Our verses We will gradually lead them to destruction from where they do not know.
Istidraj is like an invisible trap which guides the deniers of the Divine verses towards their ruin. This process is not hurried or rushed but occurs with calculated and surprising precision. God, with boundless power, places the human being on a path unknown to them. This process reveals Divine wisdom and patience, which administer justice at the appropriate time without hastened pursuit. It is as if God, like a sagacious hunter, waits until the denier is caught in the snare of their own choices.
وَأُمْلِي لَهُمْ إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ
And I grant them respite; indeed, My plan is firm.
Divine forbearance is like an opportunity that God grants to humans to return towards the truth. Yet, this respite, upon persistent denial, leads to the execution of Divine justice. The firm Divine plan is like a solid and calculated scheme that, with patience and wisdom, leads to the fulfilment of Gods will. Unlike humans, who respond to error with hasty pursuit, God, with tranquillity and authority, executes justice at the proper time. A beautiful metaphor clarifies this concept: If someone steals anothers hat and flees, humans shout and chase after them, but God, like a wise king, needs no pursuit; for His plan is so firm that it captures the sinner at the appointed time.
Humans, due to emotional and cognitive limitations, tend to respond to error with rash reactions. Whereas God, with infinite wisdom, requires no such behaviour. Metaphorically, God is like a sagacious scholar who calmly and serenely executes justice. This distinction invites humans to reflect on their own behaviour and avoid rashness.
The verses of Surah Al-Arf call humans to submit to Divine wisdom. This submission is not out of fear but arises from knowledge and awareness. The wise human, recognising the grandeur of God, avoids any conflict with Him and surrenders to His will. It is as if a traveller before a boundless ocean has no choice but submission to its majesty.
Ignorance is one of the main roots of sin. Even those who believe in God may commit sins due to a lack of deep understanding of Divine verses. This ignorance acts as a veil over the humans discerning eyes, preventing them from the path of guidance. Hence, the necessity of religious education and enhancing knowledge is like a lamp in darkness, directing humans towards truth.
أَوَلَمْ يَتَفَكَّرُوا مَا بِصَاحِبِهِمْ مِنْ جِنَّةٍ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ مُبِينٌ
Have they not considered that their companion is not mad? He is but a clear warner.
This verse responds to the doubts of the deniers and, by comparing the Prophet with earlier Prophets such as David and Solomon, emphasises his rationality and manifest mission. The Prophet, like a clear warning, invites humans to truth. This verse calls the audience to rational reflection and comprehension of the truth of prophethood.
Denying Divine verses is not limited to denying the Quran alone but encompasses any disregard of Divine signs in the universe, including injustice, falsehood, and theft. Divine verses, as signs throughout creation, call humans to uphold the moral system. Every immoral act is akin to denying these signs and contradicts Divine lawfulness.
One of the key principles of Islamic ethics is the distinction between essential sins, which concern only the individual, such as neglecting prayer or fasting, and are remediable by repentance and seeking forgiveness, and transgressive sins, which violate the rights of others, such as injustice or theft, and require practical compensation and obtaining the injured partys consent. This distinction, like a precise dividing line, clarifies human responsibility regarding their actions.
Repentance in transgressive sins is valid only after compensation and obtaining the injured partys consent. This principle is rooted in Divine justice. Repentance without compensation is akin to violating others rights and is inconsistent with Divine wisdom. By way of metaphor, a transgressive sin is like a debt that, until repaid, leaves the creditor unsatisfied.
Some views in religious science consider repentance valid without compensation of injustice, which contradicts Divine justice. Repentance, as a key to liberation from sin, is effective only when justice towards others is established. This critique calls for reconsideration of religious understanding and attention to the rights of others (aqq al-ns).
A parable narrated from religious scholars tells of a man who, after mistreating his wife, faces punishment to assume responsibility for his deeds. This parable acts as a mirror demonstrating the necessity of injustice compensation prior to genuine repentance. The sinner cannot achieve true repentance without witnessing the recompense for their actions.
