of Nekounam (Session 1379)
The Divine Word in the Holy Qur'an flows like a pure spring, conveying knowledge and guidance towards thirsty souls. Verse fifteen of Surah Al-Anfal, like a radiant gem within this boundless ocean, speaks of the role of angels, the accompaniment of the Lord, and ultimately, the conflict with truth. This writing, through contemplation upon this noble verse and related lectures, endeavours to unveil the profound layers of divine meanings with clarity and a coherent structure. Its purpose is to invite the reader to reflect on the reality of the Holy Qur'an and its impact on individual and social life, while approaching this verse through a scientific and spiritual lens.
إِذْ يُوحِي رَبُّكَ إِلَى الْمَلَائِكَةِ أَنِّي مَعَكُمْ فَثَبِّتُوا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ۚ سَأُلْقِي فِي قُلُوبِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا الرُّعْبَ فَاضْرِبُوا فَوْقَ الْأَعْنَاقِ وَاضْرِبُوا مِنْهُمْ كُلَّ بَنَانٍ
Translation: When your Lord revealed to the angels: "Indeed, I am with you, so strengthen those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve, so strike above the necks and strike from them every fingertip."
This noble verse portrays a dynamic image of divine intervention in the battlefield of faith and disbelief. The divine revelation to the angels, the accompaniment of God with them, the strengthening of the believers, the instillation of fear in the hearts of the disbelievers, and the command to destroy the enemy's power all testify to the irresistible will of the Lord in supporting the truth and suppressing falsehood.
The verse commences with the phrase إِذْ يُوحِي رَبُّكَ إِلَى الْمَلَائِكَةِ أَنِّي مَعَكُمْ, referring to the divine revelation to the angels. This revelation is not merely a message of spiritual support but also a sign of God's active and overpowering presence in the field of action. The angels, as the agents of the Lord, carry out the divine mission, and God, by emphasising أَنِّي مَعَكُمْ, assures them that they are not alone on this path. This accompaniment, like a breeze that stabilises the branches of faith, also strengthens the hearts of the believers.
Key Point: Divine accompaniment with the angels is a manifestation of the Lords boundless power and a guarantee of the triumph of truth. This presence liberates the believers from feelings of loneliness in the face of adversaries.
The command فَثَبِّتُوا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا directed to the angels signifies the consolidation of the believers spiritually, psychologically, and in faith. This strengthening is like a root that stabilises a mighty tree against a storm, making the believers steadfast against the hardships of battle. This corresponds with the aid of angels in the Battle of Badr (cf. verses 124-125 of Surah Aal Imran) and indicates the intermediary role of angels in the implementation of divine will.
The strengthening of the believers is a prerequisite for ultimate victory. It not only implies the reinforcement of morale but also the creation of inner tranquillity and confidence in divine support. The believers heart, like fertile soil, becomes ready to receive divine grace through this strengthening.
The phrase سَأُلْقِي فِي قُلُوبِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا الرُّعْبَ denotes the casting of fear and terror into the hearts of the disbelievers. Terror acts like a heavy shadow, depriving the enemy of the capacity to resist. This divine strategy undermines the enemy from within, even without direct confrontation.
Key Point: The instillation of terror is a sign of divine power in influencing the psychology of adversaries. This indirect intervention facilitates the victory of the believers and diminishes the enemys strength.
The explicit command فَاضْرِبُوا فَوْقَ الْأَعْنَاقِ وَاضْرِبُوا مِنْهُمْ كُلَّ بَنَانٍ directed at the angels means to strike above the necks and to cut off the fingers of the enemies. "Above the necks" refers to striking the neck and head region, and "every fingertip" implies cutting the fingers or generally destroying the operational capacity of the enemy. This command, like a sharp blade, annihilates the physical and operational power of the enemy.
This act serves as a divine punishment for those who oppose God and His Messenger. The neck, being the centre of life, and the fingers, being the instruments of action, symbolise the enemys strength that is eradicated by this divine injunction.
The lecture emphasises that these commands are given to the angels, and the believers are not required to take direct action. The angels, as armies of light, execute this mission, which assures the believers that victory is from God and mediated through the angels.
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ شَاقُّوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۚ وَمَنْ يُشَاقِقِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ
Translation: This is because they opposed God and His Messenger; and whoever opposes God and His Messenger, then indeed, God is severe in punishment.
Hostility towards God and His Messenger signifies an active opposition against divine laws and prophetic mission. This hostility, whether in the form of overt disbelief or corruption and injustice, entails a severe punishment. This penalty is not limited to the striking of necks and fingertips but encompasses all types of retribution proportionate to the offence.
Key Point: Hostility with God and the Messenger incurs comprehensive punishment, which manifests not only in the battlefield but in all aspects of life.
The phrase فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ underscores the intensity of divine punishment. This severity is apparent not only in corporal penalties but also in psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions. God, as the just Judge who does not leave any injustice unpunished, chastises those who oppose the truth.
This severe punishment serves as a warning to all who defy divine laws and prophetic mission. Divine justice, like a consuming fire, engulfs all that stands against truth.
Divine punishment is not confined to striking necks and fingertips. Any form of hostility against God and His Messenger attracts a specific retribution that may manifest in poverty, misery, hunger, and other social and individual calamities. This principle, like an immutable law, applies across all ages and societies.
The lecture refers to the deplorable conditions in certain Islamic societies such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Lebanon, and Yemen. Poverty, hunger, and misery in these communities are regarded as consequences of estrangement from the Holy Qur'an and hostility towards divine laws. Young children suffering from hunger, people living in deprivation and hardship, and societies engulfed in the whirlpool of corruption and injustice all exemplify the consequential effects of sin.
This situation is like a mirror reflecting the truth of alienation from divine guidance. Sin acts as a lethal poison that destroys the social and spiritual life of communities.
Key Point: The consequential effects of sin, like a divine law, bring misery and misfortune upon any society that distances itself from the Holy Qur'an.
The lecture critiques certain religious sciences that have become detached from the Holy Qur'an. Traditional sciences, if separated from the primary source of guidancethe Holy Qur'ancannot guarantee felicity and salvation. These sciences, like rootless branches, are deprived of spiritual vitality.
The Holy Qur'an, like a brilliant sun, can illuminate souls only if accompanied by purity and lawful sustenance. Unlawful sustenance acts as a veil between man and the comprehension of the Qur'an. This point aligns with the verse لَا يَمَسُّهُ إِلَّا الْمُطَهَّرُونَ (Al-Waqiah: 79), which stresses the necessity of purity for connecting with the Holy Qur'an.
Key Point: The Holy Qur'an reveals its guiding quality only through purity and lawful sustenance. Disregarding this principle deprives communities of divine grace.
The lecture emphasises the necessity of repentance and behavioural reform but notes that for certain sinsespecially oppression and injusticerepentance may not eliminate the worldly consequential effects of sin. This serves as a warning urging man to prevent sin and adhere to divine laws.
Repentance, like a key to divine mercy, opens the doors of forgiveness; however, the consequential effects of sin remain like a persistent shadow in this world.
The exegesis of verse fifteen of Surah Al-Anfal presents profound lessons in theology, ethics, and society. This verse not only refers to the historical event of the Battle of Badr but also encompasses universal principles applicable to all ages and societies. Hostility towards God and His Messenger brings severe punishment in this world and the Hereafter, and estrangement from the Holy Qur'an, like separation from the fountain of life, leads to misery and wretchedness.
This exegesis invites the reader to reassess behaviour and return to divine laws. The final supplication of the lecture, like a mystical whisper, expresses humility and the human need for divine mercy and guidance. Man, before the grandeur of the Lord, is like a trembling leaf before the wind, requiring submission and entreaty.
O Lord, by the truth of the Holy Qur'an, guide us towards righteousness and protect us from sin and its consequential effects. Place us among the purified so that with a pure soul we may reach the reality of Your Word.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
