The Holy Qur'an, like a radiant lamp, guides humanity towards the truth of Tawhid (Divine Unity) and the knowledge of God. Verse 188 of Surah Al-A'raf stands as a brilliant gem within this celestial compilation, delineating the position of mankind vis--vis the boundless will of the Divine. This verse, articulated with eloquence and profundity, introduces the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a servant submissive to Divine decree and calls upon humanity towards humility, trust, and avoidance of self-centredness. In this treatise, through a profound examination of this noble verse, the concepts of Divine Unity, the Prophets human limitations, and its ethical and epistemological lessons are explored. This elucidation employs scholarly discourse and Qur'anic reflections to preserve the spiritual essence of the verse while guiding the reader toward a deeper comprehension of the reality of Tawhid.
قُلْ لَا أَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِي نَفْعًا وَلَا ضَرًّا إِلَّا مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ وَلَوْ كُنْتُ أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ لَاسْتَكْثَرْتُ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ وَمَا مَسَّنِيَ السُّوءُ إِنْ أَنَا إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Say: I possess no power to benefit or harm myself except what Allah wills. And if I knew the unseen, I would have acquired abundant good and no evil would have touched me. I am but a warner and a bringer of glad tidings for a people who believe.
Verse 188 of Surah Al-A'raf reflects the truth of Tawhid like a clear mirror. This verse explicitly and unequivocally denies any independent authority apart from God to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Prophet, as the highest servant of God, submits to Divine will and holds no capacity to generate benefit or avert harm for himself except that which the Almighty ordains. This reality, akin to a revitalising breeze, directs humanity towards humility and detachment from self-centeredness.
This denial of authority is instructive not only for the Prophet but for all human beings. Man, like a tenant in a temporary abode, cannot claim ownership over his possessions, power, or even life itself. This truth safeguards humanity from both overt and covert polytheism and guides them towards submission and reliance upon God.
The phrase إِلَّا مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ (except what Allah wills) serves as a golden key unlocking the door to understanding Tawhid. This phrase demonstrates the absolute sovereignty of Divine will over all affairs, encompassing good and evil, benefit and harm. Humanity, in the face of this infinite will, is but a channel and manifestation of Divine intent. This truth, like a pure stream, cleanses the believers heart from egocentrism and guides them toward accepting Divine decree.
Accordingly, the noble verse cautions mankind against claiming ownership over possessions, power, or destiny. Humans are like travellers in the caravanserai of this world, entrusted temporarily with Divine blessings. Possessions, like delicate birds, may at any moment be lost or entrusted to another. This verse invites man to humility and gratitude, demanding that he does not perceive himself as an owner but as a vigilant trustee.
The verse highlights the Prophets human limitations by stating his lack of knowledge of the unseen. The phrase وَلَوْ كُنْتُ أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ لَاسْتَكْثَرْتُ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ وَمَا مَسَّنِيَ السُّوءُ hypothetically conveys that if the Prophet had access to knowledge of the unseen, he would procure abundant good and be shielded from any evil or calamity. This supposition is not indicative of personal selfishness but illustrates his total dependence on Divine knowledge and will.
This part of the verse, like a mirror, displays Divine grandeur in contrast to human limitations. Despite his exalted station, the Prophet is merely a conduit of Divine will and wields no power beyond what God ordains. This truth invites humanity to humility before Gods boundless knowledge.
The phrase لَاسْتَكْثَرْتُ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ has been mistakenly interpreted by some as indicating the Prophets personal self-interest. However, such an interpretation contradicts the prophetic conduct and exalted rank. The Prophet, like a flowing spring, always prioritised the welfare of his nation over his own benefit. The good referred to in this verse pertains to the welfare of the community and society, not the Prophets personal interests. This interpretation aligns with his role as a warner and bringer of glad tidings, sent solely for the guidance and felicity of the believers.
Some misunderstandings have attributed this phrase to the Prophets selfishness, whereas his biography shines like a radiant sun, testifying to his altruism and benevolence for the ummah. Even amid hardship and adversity, he preferred the good of others over his own. This truth is also clearly evident in the conduct of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), especially Imam Ali (peace be upon him), who refrained from personal use of public funds and consistently preferred the welfare of others, providing a perfect model of practical Tawhid and altruism.
The noble verse, with wise wording, warns humanity against egocentrism and claims of ownership over wealth and power. Those entrusted with authority are akin to custodians who must avoid misuse. The verse strongly condemns selfish behaviours such as theft or exploitation of resources. Humans are like gardeners tending a temporary garden; they cannot unjustly appropriate its fruits for themselves.
Historically, some have appropriated superior resources for themselves and allocated inferior or defective portions to others. Such conduct, like a dust cloud on the mirror of Tawhid, contradicts the spirit of this verse. Humanity must regard itself as trustees and abstain from all forms of egocentrism and misuse.
The conduct of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), especially Imam Ali (peace be upon him), shines as a luminous beacon illustrating the path of practical Tawhid and altruism. They refrained from personal use of public funds and consistently placed the welfare of others above their own, presenting an unparalleled example of humility and benevolence. This conduct harmonises with the benevolent interpretation of the verse and demonstrates that the Prophet and the Ahl al-Bayt always prioritised the communitys good over personal benefit.
Imam Ali (peace be upon him), like a mighty tree rooted in Divine Unity, offered shelter to others under the canopy of his altruism. Even in poverty, he utilised the public treasury only to the extent necessary and distributed its blessings to others. This conduct offers a profound lesson for all humanity to remain humble and benevolent in the face of Divine blessings.
Some erroneous exegeses have attributed the phrase لَاسْتَكْثَرْتُ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ to the Prophets selfishness. This misunderstanding acts as a dark cloud obscuring the truth of the verse. Such an interpretation contradicts the Prophets exalted rank and other Qur'anic verses. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), like a boundless ocean, consistently placed the welfare of the ummah above his own benefit. This verse not only does not depict the Prophets selfishness but highlights his grandeur in submission and humility before Divine will.
The necessity of precise and context-based comprehension of the Qur'an, like a guiding torch, prevents distortion of meanings. Misreading this verse can lead to misconceptions about the Prophets rank. Hence, scientific and exact study of the Holy Qur'an is indispensable for grasping the reality of its Tawhid.
The noble verse guides humanity towards reliance upon God, humility, and submission to Divine will. Accepting that good and evil are solely within Gods control purifies the heart from egocentrism and polytheism. This verse acts as a mirror inviting self-reflection on ones position, urging one to consider oneself a trustee of Divine blessings rather than their owner.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), by denying any independent authority, exemplifies unparalleled humility and submission. This model, like a brilliant star, illuminates the path to felicity. Humans must avoid claims of ownership and egocentrism and submit themselves to Divine will.
Verse 188 of Surah Al-A'raf, like a shining gem in the treasury of the Holy Qur'an, manifests the truth of Divine Unity and humility. This verse, by denying the Prophets independent authority and affirming the sovereignty of Divine will, directs humanity towards reliance, humility, and rejection of egocentrism. The Prophets benevolence for the community, his human limitations, and his role as warner and bringer of glad tidings all provide profound lessons for believers. The conduct of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), particularly Imam Ali (peace be upon him), practically exemplifies this truth. This verse invites humanity to contemplate their position and submit to Divine will, warning against egocentrism and misuse.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
