the lectures of Nokounam, (Session 1412)
The Holy Quran, akin to a boundless ocean, encompasses profound and sublime meanings within itself, before which human intellect, despite its vastness, stands humbled and reaches only the shores of this infinite sea. The opening verses of Surah Ynus, with their exalted and contemplative expression, call humanity towards the recognition of the Lord and submission to His grandeur. These verses, by introducing God as the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the Governor of all existence, and the ultimate destination of all creatures, unveil the divine majesty and invite mankind to reflect upon the unknowability of these sublime concepts and the necessity of worship. This writing, relying upon learned discourses and profound reflections, examines verses three to seven of Surah Ynus. Its aim is to elucidate the meanings of these verses with clear and dignified language so as to facilitate understanding of Divine grandeur and acceptance of Quranic guidance.
Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne; He manages all affairs. No intercessor can intervene except after His permission. That is Allah, your Lord, so worship Him. Will you not then remember?
This verse serves as a gateway to the recognition of the Lord, portraying His boundless grandeur. The creation of the heavens and the earth in six days is not only a sign of divine power but also alludes to the stages of the genesis of existence, which transcend human comprehension. The terms heavens and earth stand as mirrors reflecting divine magnificence and the vastness of creation, yet their quantity and nature remain shrouded in mystery. Does each heaven have its own earth? This question is posed not for precise answer but as an invitation to ponder the greatness of creation.
The concept of six days (sitta ayym) is among the allegorical notions before which human intellect bows in reverence. These days do not correspond to conventional earthly days but rather to phases of creation imbued with divine wisdom. Just as constructing a small hut within six days would be difficult for humans, the creation of the heavens and the earth within this interval manifests infinite divine grandeur.
Establishing Himself above the Throne and managing affairs symbolize Gods absolute sovereignty over existence. The Throne, like an unparalleled divine throne, and the establishment indicate His complete mastery over the universe. The management of affairs, from the movement of planets to the matters of creatures, is exclusively under Gods authority, and no intercessor can intervene except by His permission. This clearly articulates the concept of monotheism in lordship.
The Quranic verses in this lecture are likened to a black pot which, in childhood, evoked fear and awe with its darkness and grandeur. This simile beautifully demonstrates the limitations of human knowledge in the face of the sublime and ambiguous concepts of the Quran. Just as the black pot, from the childs perspective, was merely an unknown grandeur, so too do the Quranic verses, with their ambiguity and majesty, call man to reflection and submission before God. This simile acts as a reminder guiding humanity from arrogance towards humility before the Creator.
This section, focusing on verse three of Surah Ynus, elucidated the grandeur of creation and the unknowability of Quranic concepts. The creation of the heavens and the earth, the establishment above the Throne, and the management of affairs are all signs of divine boundless power, inviting humanity to worship and heed. The simile of the black pot elegantly portrays human epistemic limitations and paves the way for accepting divine guidance.
To Him is the return of you all. The promise of Allah is true. Indeed, He begins the creation and then repeats it that He may recompense those who have believed and done righteous deeds with justice. And those who disbelieved will have a drink of scalding water and a painful punishment because they disbelieved.
This verse, like a luminous torch, illuminates the reality of resurrection and the system of divine recompense. The beginning and reinstatement of creation signify the boundless power of God, who initiates creation and then restores it on the Day of Judgement. This process not only indicates divine omnipotence but also alludes to the just system of reward and punishment. The believers, through faith and righteous deeds, receive their due justice, while the disbelievers face scalding water and painful torment due to their disbelief.
Concepts such as scalding water (sharb amm) and painful punishment (adhb alm) are among the allegorical verses whose precise comprehension surpasses human intellectual capacity. The scalding water is a boiling and burning water with metaphysical qualities, distinct from physical punishments such as blows or wounds. The painful punishment likewise transcends the simple meaning of painful, representing a torment whose intensity and nature will be revealed in the Hereafter. This unknowability directs humanity toward faith and piety.
The concept of justice (qis) in this verse refers to the fair system of divine recompense. However, human beings are incapable of fully grasping this justice. Justice, like a divine scale, weighs human deeds with precision, but the details of this assessment remain concealed. This unknowability calls for submission to divine wisdom and acceptance of Quranic guidance.
This section, concentrating on verse four, elucidated resurrection, the system of divine recompense, and the unknowability of allegorical concepts. The beginning and reinstatement of creation signify God's infinite power, while the scalding water and painful punishment portray the fate of disbelievers. These concepts, with their grandeur and ambiguity, guide humanity toward faith and righteous action.
He it is Who made the sun a shining lamp and the moon a light and determined for it phases that you might know the number of years and the calculation. Allah did not create this except in truth. He explains the signs for a people who know.
This verse, like a beautiful pattern woven into the fabric of creation, depicts the cosmic order. The sun, as a radiant light, and the moon, as an illuminator, are signs of divine wisdom. The determination of the moons phases for the purpose of measuring time reveals the impeccable order of creation. However, humanity comprehends only the exterior of this system, not its profound essence. Counting days and months is like a child drawing lines to count water in a jug, while the reality of this system remains hidden in divine wisdom.
The creation of this system in truth (bi al-aqq) refers to a higher reality beyond mere physical creation, expressing purposefulness and divine wisdom. The verse clarifies these signs for those who possess knowledge, yet full understanding is attainable only through divine insight.
