of Nokounam Session 1372
The Holy Quran, akin to an inexhaustible treasury of divine knowledge, serves as humanitys guide on the path of transcendence and the pursuit of truth. This celestial book, with its sagacious structure and profound content, directs mankind towards understanding the realities of existence and uncovering the mysteries of being. In this treatise, through reflection on the long surahs, particularly Surah l Imrn and Surah Al-Anfl, an endeavour has been made to unveil the deep epistemic layers of these surahs. This examination, inspired by the discourses of religious scholars, explores the tripartite structure of the Holy Quran, the gradual revelation of the verses, and the special status of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) in comprehending the Quranic knowledge. The objective is to reveal, in clear and dignified language, the hidden treasures within the long surahs to the readers, as though holding an ancient map to excavate a divine relic from the depths of existence.
The Holy Quran, by divine wisdom, is categorised into three groups: long, medium, and short surahs. This classification is not number of verses, but rather on the epistemic depth and the intended audience of each category. The long surahs, like lofty peaks of knowledge, contain fundamental truths and divine mysteries revealed for the people of truth and seekers of exalted knowledge. The medium surahs, akin to flowing rivers in the plains of life, address the characteristics and stratagems of the worldly realm and provide practical guidance for members of society pursuing direction in daily affairs. The short surahs, resembling simple and delightful flowers of the garden of knowledge, are designed for ordinary people and children, with clear language and comprehensible meanings, serving as gateways to the Holy Quran.
In traditional maktabs, the teaching of the Holy Quran began with the short surahs, known as the Umm al-Juz. These surahs, due to their simplicity in wording and meaning, were suitable for children and individuals with lesser cognitive capacity. This method, like planting a seed in the fertile soil of novice minds, aided easier comprehension and memorisation of the verses. Surahs such as Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad, which contain profound spiritual treasure, are recognised not only for elementary education but also as fundamental slogans of the Holy Quran.
Unlike the short surahs, which were often revealed all at once, the long surahs were revealed gradually and piece by piece to the heart of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). This approach, resembling small morsels of knowledge gradually offered to humanity, facilitates deeper digestion and comprehension of the truths. This gradual revelation, like a gentle rain softly moistening the dry earth, provides humans with the opportunity for contemplation and profound reflection on the verses.
The long surahs resemble divine treasures concealed deep within the soil of knowledge. Uncovering these treasures requires a precise map, epistemic tools, and companionship of spiritual beings such as the ruling angels. Just as a treasure seeker diligently searches for hidden signs, comprehending the long surahs demands deep contemplation and divine guidance. For instance, in Surah l Imrn, a verse alludes to the assistance of angels:
This verse indicates the role of angels in guiding and assisting the believers, as though divine accompaniment is essential on the path of understanding the epistemic insights.
The verses of the long surahs, such as Surah Al-Anfl and l Imrn, at first glance appear scattered and unrelated. For example, Surah Al-Anfl mentions spoils of war, the heart, prayer, and paradise as if they were puzzle pieces initially disorganised. Yet, this dispersion is part of divine wisdom whose comprehension requires a holistic view and profound contemplation.
This verse refers to the just distribution of resources, while subsequent verses address spiritual matters, demonstrating the comprehensiveness of the Holy Quran in guiding humanity across both material and spiritual dimensions.
The long surahs resemble treasures whose fragments are scattered across different lands. Discovering these treasures requires a precise map and sometimes the companionship of spiritual entities. Just as a treasure seeker finds parts of a map in one city and other parts in distant regions, comprehending the verses of the long surahs necessitates connecting these dispersed epistemic pieces.
Lady Fatimah Zahra (peace be upon her), as one of the spiritual custodians of the Holy Quran, holds an unparalleled role in understanding and elucidating the epistemic knowledge of the long surahs. She is akin to the keyholder who unlocks the doors of divine treasures. This status is rooted in Shiite narrations that introduce her as an intermediary for profound comprehension of the Quranic truths.
This verse demonstrates the exalted status of the Ahl al-Bayt in divine guidance, among whom Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her) occupies a pivotal position.
Some verses of the long surahs have been deliberately or inadvertently displaced, complicating their comprehension. These displacements resemble fragments of a treasure scattered from their original locations, requiring precise reconstruction and deep reflection. For example, Surah Al-Ftiah, although categorised among the short surahs, holds a special place in the Quranic structure.
Religious and academic sciences, although valuable in their own right, appear like dim candles before the blazing sun when compared to the knowledge of the Holy Quran. These sciences, due to their focus on details and inability to grasp holistic truths, cannot alone guide humanity to the ultimate goal. For instance, in mathematics, the phrase two times two equals four is regarded as a simple principle, but philosophically, this phrase cannot elucidate the truth of existence, since numbers themselves are divine manifestations, not merely material concepts.
The Islamic community, due to neglecting Quranic knowledge and focusing on incomplete sciences, has inflicted spiritual self-harm. This self-injury is like burying a precious treasure in the soil of oblivion, leading to the weakening of religious and cultural identity. Examples of this self-harm include disregard for scholars and the burial of talents in unsuitable places.
Surah Al-Anfl addresses the management and just distribution of resources. This surah likens government budgets to a treasure that must be allocated to the poor and needy but is often controlled by unqualified individuals, resulting in corruption and inequality.
This verse provides a criterion for equitable resource management, yet deviation in distribution has led to social problems.
The continuous recitation of the long surahs acts like a key that unlocks the locks of the mind. This process, without the need for mere study, results in a deeper understanding of divine truths. Each verse appears as a cipher that opens a gateway to knowledge.
The long surahs of the Holy Quran, as inexhaustible treasures of divine knowledge, serve as guides for humanity on the path of truth-seeking. These surahs, with their complex structure and profound content, require contemplation, continuous recitation, and spiritual companionship. The role of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), particularly Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her), in understanding these unparalleled insights is essential. For liberation from spiritual self-harm and a return to religious identity, the Islamic community must engage in re-reading and pondering these surahs. The Holy Quran, like a radiant lamp, illuminates the path to eternal felicity.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
