The Holy Quran, akin to a clear and boundless spring, guides humanity towards truth and perfection. In this treatise, relying upon the second verse of Surah Al-Anfal, the genuine signs of faith within the believers beings are examined. This examination, through a profound consideration of the impact of the remembrance of God and the recitation of Divine verses upon the human heart and soul, elucidates the characteristics of true believers. The objective of this text is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the attributes of faith and the role of the Holy Quran in strengthening spiritual foundations, guiding towards a deeper understanding with a clear and dignified language.
إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
Believers are only those whose hearts tremble when God is mentioned, and when His verses are recited to them, their faith increases, and upon their Lord they rely.
The term إِنَّمَا in this verse, like a golden key, opens the gates of the truth of faith and confines it to certain characteristics. This exclusivity distinguishes believers from others and defines faith in three precious essences: heartfelt humility before the remembrance of God, the increase of faith through the recitation of verses, and reliance upon the Lord. These traits, like shining stars, provide clear criteria for assessing true faith, emphasising the emotional, cognitive, and practical dimensions of faith.
The use of the plural form الْمُؤْمِنُونَ with the definite article, like a transparent mirror, reflects the comprehensiveness of faith among all believers, regardless of gender or age. This inclusiveness demonstrates the unity of the Islamic community in the path of faith and excludes no one from these exalted qualities. Faith, like a widespread stream, encompasses all and guides towards perfection.
The phrase إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ in the passive form indicates that the remembrance of God, whether from the believers own tongue or anothers, like a divine breeze, causes the heart to tremble and become humble. This trembling is not ordinary fear but a spiritual state originating from the manifestation of the Lords greatness within the believers heart. The believers heart, like a polished mirror, is cleansed from the rust of sin by the remembrance of God and adorned with divine light.
The phrase وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا is like a blazing torch, clarifying the role of Quranic recitation in strengthening faith. The recitation of verses directs the believers heart towards knowledge and divine closeness, making faith, like a mighty tree, deeper-rooted and more fruitful. This increase in faith results from continuous intimacy with the Divine Word.
The phrase وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ demonstrates that intimacy with the Holy Quran, like a fertile seed, cultivates reliance within the believer. This reliance, like a solid rock, makes the believer resilient against lifes storms and leads his heart to assurance and tranquillity.
Reciting the Holy Quran, like a lofty act of worship, requires a pure intention free from any material motive. If the recitation is performed for financial gain or ostentation, it is like a flower without fragrance, lacking spiritual value. Sincerity, like a soul in the body of the act, breathes life into the recitation and guides it towards divine acceptance.
Lawful sustenance, like a firm foundation, is an essential condition for the acceptance of acts of worship, including Quranic recitation and performing prayers. Without lawful sustenance, acts of worship collapse like a weak structure and leave no spiritual effect. This principle emphasises the importance of purity in livelihood and its impact on the heart and soul.
In one narrated incident, a person requests the completion of the Quran as charity for his deceased father, but negotiations over the price lead to a financial dispute. This episode serves as a warning against transforming acts of worship into commerce. The recitation of the Holy Quran, as a spiritual jewel, must not be turned into a tool for material profit.
In continuation of the same event, a scholar claims that reading three surahs, including Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad, is equivalent to the complete Qurans conclusion. This assertion, like a veil of naivety, is critically examined and underscores the necessity of adherence to jurisprudential principles and avoidance of distortions in religious acts.
The recitation of the Holy Quran, like a delicate flower, requires observance of both external and internal conditions. Reciting without ablution is like uttering ordinary speech and holds no spiritual value. This point emphasises the necessity of adhering to jurisprudential rulings, including ablution, in engaging with the Divine Word.
In another example, a merchant sells impure oil to a destitute person, who then requests prayers for his father to compensate. The scholar responsible for this task claims that due to the impurity of the oil, his ablution was invalidated and that he had performed all prayers without ablution. This story, conveyed with meaningful humour, stresses the importance of observing jurisprudential rulings and avoiding superficial practices.
The Holy Quran, like a divine army, is accompanied by the close angels of God. These angels, like radiant guardians, accompany the believer during recitation and guide his heart towards peace and divine proximity. This presence signifies the greatness of the Divine Word and its impact upon the believers soul.
The repetition of the remembrance Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim is like training for the body, strengthening the heart and faith. Just as exercise fortifies muscles, frequent remembrance guides the soul towards perfection and divine proximity. This simile emphasises the importance of perseverance in remembrance and its effect on inner transformation.
Repetition of remembrance, like wings for flying towards the Divine Throne, elevates the believers heart to high spiritual ranks. This repetition, like a golden key, opens the gates of heaven and guides man towards knowledge and closeness to God.
Reference to those who misuse religion and tarnish its image serves as a warning to return to the Holy Quran. Such deviations, including distortion of rulings or violent acts in the name of religion, have led to scepticism about divine teachings and underscore the necessity of reforming religious conduct.
Some sources in religious sciences have been criticised for scientific errors. This critique emphasises the need to return to the Holy Quran as the primary source of guidance and cautions against studying unreliable sources.
A narrated experience with a scholar who pretended madness but in truth possessed ijtihad and wisdom is like a jewel in a shell, emphasising the importance of recognising true scholars. This experience reveals the spiritual depth of some individuals who may appear simple outwardly.
The effort to collect and bind religious books, like guarding treasures of knowledge, indicates a commitment to preserving scientific and religious heritage. This endeavour symbolizes valuing authentic sources and dedication to scholarship.
Interaction and debate with a more learned scholar, like a clear stream, lead to intellectual and spiritual growth. This interaction highlights the importance of scholarly dialogue and learning from scholars.
The estrangement of the Islamic community from the Holy Quran, like separation from the spring of life, has resulted in numerous problems. Returning to the Divine Word and practising its teachings is like a key to liberation from misery and attainment of happiness. The Holy Quran, like a blazing torch, illuminates the path of guidance.
This treatise, relying on the second verse of Surah Al-Anfal, explained the genuine signs of faith in the light of the remembrance of God, the recitation of verses, and reliance upon the Lord. Sincerity, lawful sustenance, and observance of jurisprudential rulings, like firm pillars, guide acts of worship towards divine acceptance. Criticism of religious deviations and emphasis on returning to the Holy Quran provide a solution for liberation from problems and nearness to God. It is hoped that this analysis, like a guiding torch, will lead the hearts of believers towards the Divine Word.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
