the Lectures of Nokounam, (Session 1386)
The Holy Quran, akin to a radiant lamp, illuminates the path of felicity and salvation for mankind, and with a clear and guiding language, warns him against the pitfalls of life. Verse 25 of Surah Al-Imran is one of the luminous verses of this heavenly scripture which, with a profound admonition, invites mankind to avoid a sedition that encompasses not only the oppressors but all members of society. This discourse, through contemplation on this noble verse and by relying on the lectures of religious scholars, examines the concept of sedition, especially hypocrisy, as a pervasive sin and a cause of divine punishment. The present text, with a profound look into the Quranic meanings and employing eloquent and dignified language, endeavours to present these concepts in a coherent framework appropriate to a research context.
وَاتَّقُوا فِتْنَةً لَا تُصِيبَنَّ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مِنْكُمْ خَاصَّةً
"And fear a sedition which will not only strike the wrongdoers among you."
This noble verse, in a clear expression, calls the believers to avoid a sedition whose extent surpasses the oppressors and encompasses all members of society, whether disbelievers or believers. In the Quranic culture, sedition is like a fire that burns both the dry and the green together and, as a divine trial, separates truth from falsehood. This concept aligns with another verse from Surah Al-Imran which states: لِيَمِيزَ اللَّهُ الْخَبِيثَ مِنَ الطَّيِّبِ ("That Allah may distinguish the wicked from the good"). From this perspective, sedition is not only a form of chaos or deviation but also serves as a means to distinguish pure faith from internal impurities.
The lecture text interprets this sedition as hypocrisy; a sin that, like a dark shadow, falls upon both disbelievers and impure believers. Hypocrisy, as a deceitful mask, conceals the truth of faith and drags society towards degeneration. This interpretation emphasises that the sedition of hypocrisy is not limited to enemies but also ensnares believers who lack sincerity in their faith.
Hypocrisy in the Holy Quran is likened to a tree whose roots lie in internal disbelief while its branches grow outwardly as faith. This sin, as mentioned in Surah Al-Munafiqun: إِذَا جَاءَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ قَالُوا نَشْهَدُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ("When the hypocrites come to you, they say, We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah"), refers to the claim of faith outwardly and disbelief inwardly. The lecture stresses that hypocrisy is a sin observable in both disbelievers and impure believers. This characteristic renders hypocrisy a widespread sedition that internally disintegrates society.
Examples of hypocritical behaviours such as flattery, lying, and submission to oppressors illustrate the depth of this sedition. Such behaviours resemble weeds growing in the garden of faith, depriving it of freshness and purity. This perspective highlights the necessity of sincerity in faith and invites believers to avoid behaviours that place a mask of faith upon the face of oppression.
وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ
"And know that Allah is severe in punishment."
This part of the verse, like a celestial warning, emphasises divine justice which acts decisively against sins such as hypocrisy. Divine retribution, like a double-edged sword, encompasses sinners both in this world and the Hereafter. The lecture extends this retribution to worldly punishments such as natural and social calamities, as well as to the torment of the afterlife. For instance, diseases such as the coronavirus or accidents are introduced as manifestations of this punishment rooted in hypocrisy and oppression.
This viewpoint aligns with the Quranic concept of Idhb al-Istidrj a gradual punishment in this world that ensnares sinners, perhaps to lead them towards repentance and reform. Hypocrisy, like a latent fire, consumes society internally and brings down divine punishment upon it.
In the Quranic worldview, oppression means placing something in a place other than its rightful position, encompassing idolatry, sin, and hypocrisy. The lecture asserts that a disbeliever, due to denial of truth, is oppressive, and an impure believer, due to hypocrisy, oppresses himself and society. This view corresponds with a verse from Surah Az-Zumar: وَالَّذِينَ اجْتَنَبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ أَنْ يَعْبُدُوهَا ("And those who avoid worshipping Taghut"). Hypocrisy, as one of the manifestations of Taghut, deprives faith of its purity and leads man toward oppression.
Impure believers, with their hypocritical behaviours, are like those who sow seeds of oppression in the garden of faith. This oppression harms not only themselves but the entire society, paving the way for divine retribution.
The lecture regards hypocrisy as the bitter fruit of the tree of fear. A person who fears other than Allah is like a bird with broken wings, trapped in the snare of hypocrisy. Fear of anything but God, whether earthly masters or apparent powers, drives a person towards hypocritical behaviour. This view corresponds with a verse from Surah Al-Baqarah: لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ("No fear shall be upon them, nor shall they grieve"). The true believer fears only Allah, and this piety protects him from hypocrisy.
A cowardly person is like a ship without an anchor, wandering amidst the waves of the world. Hypocrisy results from this wandering, replacing true faith with apparent faith.
The lecture, with eloquent expression, introduces exercise as pure water that washes the body and soul from the rust of fear and hypocrisy. Physical and spiritual strength makes a person like a steadfast mountain that resists the storms of the world. This view aligns with the Quranic concept: الْمُؤْمِنُ كَالْجَبَلِ الرَّاسِخِ ("The believer is like a firm mountain"). Exercise not only strengthens the body but also frees the soul from weakness and fear, preparing the person for pure faith.
A person whose body and soul are weak is like a tree bending at the first wind, falling into the trap of hypocrisy. Exercise, as training for endurance, frees a person from this trap.
The lecture critically addresses hypocritical behaviours among some devout individuals, which, like a thorn in the rose garden of faith, destroy social trust. Flattery, lying, and submission to oppressors are signs of hypocrisy even among those claiming religiosity. Such behaviours, like a lethal poison, disintegrate society internally and pave the way for moral and social decline.
Religious knowledge, which ought to be a guiding lamp, sometimes falls into the trap of hypocrisy. This critique is directed not at individuals but at behaviours that place a mask of faith over the face of oppression and distance society from sincerity.
The lecture invites believers to honesty and courage; two qualities that, like wings, enable a person to soar towards true faith. Avoiding hypocrisy requires courage that frees a person from fear of anything but Allah. This invitation aligns with a verse from Surah Al-Ahzab: وَالصَّادِقِينَ وَالصَّادِقَاتِ ("And the truthful men and women"). Honesty, like a mirror, reflects the reality of faith, and courage frees a person from the mask of hypocrisy.
The true believer shines like a star in the dark night, radiating honesty and courage and guiding society towards the light.
The lecture distinguishes true faith from apparent faith. True faith, like a precious gem, is free from fear and hypocrisy and is accompanied by righteous deeds and piety. This view corresponds with a verse from Surah Al-Baqarah: لَيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَنْ تُوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ ("Righteousness is not that you turn your faces towards the East or the West"). True faith lies in purity and perseverance, liberating a person from the snares of hypocrisy and fear.
Apparent faith, like a hollow shell, cannot lead a person to felicity. The true believer remains steadfast against the storms of the world with courage and sincerity.
True faith, like a clear spring, is nourished by purity and courage, protecting a person from hypocrisy and fear. The lecture, emphasising this point, invites believers to self-purification and avoidance of hypocritical behaviours. This section, linking Quranic concepts to daily life, introduces the path of felicity through sincerity and perseverance.
The interpretation of verse 25 of Surah Al-Imran, like a clear mirror, portrays the reality of the sedition of hypocrisy and divine retribution. Hypocrisy, as a pervasive plague, encompasses both disbelievers and impure believers and drives society towards degeneration. This sedition has its root in fear and can only be overcome through courage, sincerity, and physical and spiritual strength. Divine retribution, both in this world and the Hereafter, is the natural consequence of this sin that falls like a heavy shadow over the hypocritical society. The lecture, with a profound critique of hypocritical behaviours among the devout, emphasises the necessity of honesty and courage and introduces the path of felicity through pure faith and adherence to Quranic teachings.
These reflections, like a lamp on the path of guidance, call mankind towards self-purification and avoidance of hypocrisy. The true believer, relying on piety and sincerity, remains safe from seditions and leads society towards light and salvation.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
