the Lectures of Nokounam, May His Soul Rest in Peace (Session 1397)
The Holy Quran, as the Book of Guidance and Salvation, addresses not only spiritual and ethical issues in its verses but also provides a comprehensive framework for organising social life and establishing order within human societies. Verse 193 of Surah Aal-Imran, emphasising the struggle against discord and the creation of a system based on divine rules, stands as one of the most prominent verses elucidating the necessity of social order. This treatise, with a profound examination of this noble verse, explores the concept of social order, legitimate authority, and the role of regulations in governing collective behaviours. Through meticulous analogies and precise analyses, the concepts of this verse are presented in a clear and coherent manner, serving as a guiding light for both social and religious life.
"And fight them until there is no more fitnah and the religion, all of it, is for Allah. But if they desist, then indeed, Allah is Seeing of what they do."
At first glance, the phrase "and fight them" evokes an image of physical combat and warfare. However, deeper reflection reveals a broader horizon. Qital in this verse transcends mere killing or military conflict, signifying the exercise of legitimate authority and the establishment of order within society. This concept acts as a key that unlocks the social chaos, guiding society towards compliance and discipline. From this perspective, qital denotes the use of power to enforce rules and laws, not the annihilation of individuals or groups. Such authority, like a steadfast pillar, preserves social order and prevents the disintegration of collective structures.
From a sociological standpoint, legitimate authority, symbolically represented in the phrase "fight them", is a fundamental element in maintaining social cohesion. Religious scholars emphasise that without authority, society descends into chaos. This concept aligns with modern sociological theories, such as Max Webers views on legitimate authority. Weber argues that authority, when combined with law and regulation, can regulate social behaviours and prevent disorder. Within this framework, "fight them" is an invitation to establish a system in which individuals, regardless of their inner intentions, adhere to social rules.
The concept of qital in the noble verse denotes not only military confrontation but also functions as an instrument for establishing order and rule within society. This authority acts as a dam against the waves of chaos, preserving society from collapse and fostering individuals adherence to social laws. This part of the verse emphasises the importance of legitimate authority in creating order, demonstrating that the objective is not the destruction of individuals but guiding society towards regulation.
The phrase "until there is no more fitnah" in the noble verse means the elimination of any kind of turmoil, corruption, and disorder within society. Fitnah resembles a fire that, if left unchecked, reduces the foundations of society to ashes. In this verse, fitnah refers to any disturbance in social order, which may include corruption, crime, or civil disobedience. The objective of this expression is to establish a society in which social behaviours are governed by a lawful and organised system.
To better understand the concept of fitnah, one may refer to everyday examples. When a traffic accident occurs on the streets or a demonstration is conducted without order, social order is disrupted and fitnah emerges. This chaos acts like a wave that shatters everything and even draws well-intentioned individuals towards improper behaviour. Conversely, the presence of rules and laws functions like a bridge directing people towards orderly conduct and preventing the collapse of order.
From a sociological perspective, fitnah manifests as a deviation from social norms that can increase crime, corruption, and unrest. Criminological theories, such as mile Durkheims theory of anomie, demonstrate that the absence of strong social norms facilitates deviance and disorder. In this context, the noble verse emphasises the necessity of establishing a system that controls fitnah and guides social behaviours towards lawfulness.
Fitnah, as a symbol of chaos and disorder, poses a serious threat to social cohesion. Verse 193 of Surah Aal-Imran, by stressing the removal of fitnah, highlights the significance of establishing rules and laws within society. This portion of the verse, like a light in the darkness, illuminates the path towards a regulated and lawful society and demonstrates that without the control of fitnah, attaining social order is impossible.
The phrase "and the religion, all of it, is for Allah" signifies the complete establishment of a social system wherein divine rules and laws govern society. In this verse, religion does not merely denote religious beliefs but represents a method and set of rules for social life. This system is akin to a garden that, through order and arrangement, blossoms the flowers of social conduct and prevents the growth of the weeds of corruption and disorder.
Religion, as a framework for regulating social behaviour, plays a pivotal role in fostering cohesion and harmony within society. This notion aligns with sociological perspectives, such as mile Durkheims theory regarding the role of religion in social cohesion. Durkheim argues that religion, by offering a set of beliefs and practices, assists social integration. In this verse, religion is depicted as a system that harmonises individuals behaviours and prevents the emergence of corruption and disorder.
One illuminating analogy in this exegesis is that of driving. On the roads, drivers with various skills and intentions coexist, yet traffic laws, like a strong rope, coordinate their behaviour. This order prevents chaos and even compels less skilled drivers to observe the rules. This analogy elegantly demonstrates that the social system regulates outward behaviour regardless of inner intentions.
The phrase "and the religion, all of it, is for Allah" invites the establishment of a social system in which divine rules and laws govern behaviours. This system, like an umbrella, protects society from the storm of disorder and paves the way for a harmonious and orderly life. The emphasis of the verse on religion as a method of social life indicates the depth and comprehensiveness of the Holy Quran in offering solutions for organising society.
One of the prominent points in this exegesis is the emphasis on regulating outward behaviours rather than altering inner intentions. Human hearts, like a deep sea, are filled with waves of various goodness and evil, but the social system concerns itself with external conduct. Even if a person harbours malicious intentions internally, their behaviour must comply with social rules. This principle acts as a mirror reflecting only the outward image and does not concern itself with the depths of the heart.
This viewpoint aligns with behaviourist theories in psychology and sociology, such as Erving Goffmans theory of social dramaturgy. Goffman argues that individuals perform social roles and that their outward behaviours shape social order. Accordingly, the noble verse emphasises the importance of regulating outward behaviours, illustrating that social order is achieved through coordination of behaviours rather than transformation of inner selves.
Examples such as water theft in deserts or stealing wheels from vehicles clearly demonstrate the impact of the absence of a system on social behaviours. In a society without rules, individuals permit themselves to engage in undesirable actions; however, within a lawful system, even those with impure intentions align their conduct with the rules. These examples serve as a mirror reflecting social realities and underscore the importance of systematisation.
The verses emphasis on regulating outward behaviours reveals the profound perspective of the Holy Quran on social issues. This principle acts as a rope guiding individuals towards orderly conduct and preventing chaos. The distinction between appearance and inner self is among the key concepts of this verse, showing that social order is attainable without altering hearts.
For the establishment of order, the presence of legitimate authority and lawfulness is indispensable. Without authority, society plunges into utter chaos and corruption and crime proliferate. Authority acts like a guardian safeguarding the borders of order and preventing the infiltration of turmoil. This principle is clearly articulated in the exegesis of the noble verse.
From the perspective of political theories, such as Michel Foucaults views on power, authority in society is exercised through institutional and legal structures. This authority regulates individuals behaviours and prevents corruption. In advanced societies, robust legal systems, such as traffic regulations, prevent the emergence of anomalies and compel individuals to observe rules.
In a society with a strong legal system, corruption and crime occur covertly, and the society remains outwardly orderly. This situation resembles a cover concealing the internal ugliness and maintaining a polished social appearance. In contrast, societies without systems exhibit overt corruption and crime, resulting in the disintegration of social order.
Authority and law, like two wings, enable society to soar towards order and harmony. This part of the verses exegesis demonstrates that achieving social order is impossible without legitimate authority and firm rules. Emphasis on lawfulness is one of the Qurans key lessons for creating a healthy and righteous society.
