the Lectures of Nokounam (, Session 1419)
Verse eighteen of Surah Yunus in the Holy Quran, like a clear mirror, reflects the reality of the great injustice of calumny against the Exalted God and the denial of His divine signs. This verse, with eloquent language and sublime expression, invites humanity to contemplate the inner sins, particularly hypocrisy and arrogance, and speaks of the inevitable failure of those who knowingly and obstinately distort or deny the truth. The present lecture, with a profound examination of this verse, elucidates the concepts of calumny and denial, distinguishing between them, emphasising the severity of the injustice of calumny and its consequences. This writing, employing the refined Persian language and a coherent structure, endeavours to present the lofty meanings of this verse in a clear and dignified manner, to serve as a guiding light for seekers of truth.
فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِـَٔايَٰتِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُفْلِحُ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ
Then who is more unjust than one who invents a lie against Allah or denies His signs? Indeed, the criminals shall not prosper.
The Holy Quran in verse eighteen of Surah Yunus, by posing a rhetorical question, speaks of an injustice beyond which none exists: calumny against the Exalted God. Calumny, meaning the attribution of falsehood to the Divine Essence, strikes the heart of monotheism like a venomous arrow. This act, emphasised by the term lie (kadhiban), denotes awareness and intention in fabricating falsehood against God. For instance, the false claim of encountering God or attributing an untrue statement to Him is a clear example of this great injustice. This sin not only distorts the divine reality but also leads man away from the path of salvation.
Although both calumny and denial are great injustices, they differ fundamentally. Denial is the explicit rejection of the divine signs or the existence of God, predominantly arising from disbelievers and atheists. Calumny, however, is a hypocritical act in which an individual, while feigning faith, attributes falsehood to God or His signs. For example, someone who claims to have seen God or met a prophet without having such an experience commits calumny. This hypocrisy is considered a graver injustice than denial because it involves deception and pretense.
Calumny most prominently manifests in the behaviour of hypocrites. A hypocrite is one who, by professing faith, attributes falsehood to God or His signs. This act, like a deceptive mask, conceals the truth and empties the heart of genuine faith. For example, the false claim of meeting God or the saints not only indicates arrogance but also attempts to deceive others and distort the divine truth. Because of its association with hypocrisy, this behaviour is a sin that makes repentance difficult for the perpetrator.
Denial of divine signs, expressed in the verse as or denies His signs (aw kazzaba bi-ytih), means the outright rejection of Gods guidance. Divine signs, including the Holy Quran, prophets, and saints, are like bright lamps illuminating the path of felicity for mankind. Denying these signs is akin to extinguishing these lamps, plunging humanity into the darkness of ignorance and misguidance. For example, one who labels the Quran or the Prophet as false has effectively rejected divine guidance and barred himself from salvation.
The sin of denial intensifies when accompanied by hypocrisy. A hypocrite who denies divine signs while professing faith not only rejects the truth but also misleads others through deceit. This act resembles sowing poisoned seed in the hearts, yielding nothing but failure and loss. Such a person, due to their awareness of the truth and intentional denial, falls within the category of criminals whose success is denied.
The Holy Quran in the conclusion of the verse emphatically states: Indeed, the criminals shall not prosper (innahu l yufliu al-mujrimn). This statement is an irrevocable judgement declaring the definitive failure of those who knowingly and stubbornly distort or deny divine truth. The term criminals here refers to those who deliberately and obstinately commit calumny or denial. This crime burns the roots of faith and blocks the way back to Gods mercy.
The difficulty of repentance for criminals stems from the severity of their injustice. Calumny and denial, because they undermine divine truth and are entwined with hypocrisy, strip the heart of the light of faith. These sins are like deep wounds on the soul that make return arduous. The Holy Qurans use of the phrase shall not prosper emphasises the certainty of this deprivation and warns that such individuals will face loss both in this world and the Hereafter.
The lecture, by employing a clear metaphor, distinguishes between outward sins (such as wine-drinking or theft) and inward sins (such as calumny and denial). Outward sins, though reprehensible, may sometimes stem from ignorance and can be forgiven through repentance and divine mercy. Inward sins, like calumny, because of their association with hypocrisy and knowledge, constitute a great injustice that blocks the way to salvation. This distinction is like a clear line dividing two paths, showing that inward sins, due to their profound impact on the soul and faith, are more perilous.
One of the roots of calumny is arrogance. Someone who, out of pride and conceit, makes false claims in matters of the divine falls into the trap of calumny. This arrogance is like a fire that burns the harvest of humility and drives man towards a sin from which salvation is difficult. The lecture, emphasising this point, warns that arrogance paves the way for sins that distance man from divine proximity.
The lecture critically examines the difference between the ignorance of materialists and the hypocrisy of hypocrites. Materialists, who are incapable of comprehending divine truth, may be ignorant but not culpable. They resemble travellers lost in an endless desert, deprived of understanding God but without enmity towards the truth. Hypocrites, however, who distort the truth under the guise of faith, are the real criminals. This distinction, like a clear line between ignorance and obstinacy, shows that hypocrisy is a far graver sin than ignorance.
Some materialists, despite acknowledging the order and regularity of the universe, still deny Gods existence. They are like those who see the order of a garden yet deny the gardener. The lecture regards this attitude as ignorance but stresses that this ignorance is lighter than hypocrisy. The hypocrite, aware of the truth yet denying it, commits a great injustice that blocks the path to salvation.
The lecture profoundly invites humanity to seek refuge in the Exalted God. This seeking refuge is like a lifeboat that guides man from the storm of inward sins, especially calumny and denial, to a safe shore. The Holy Quran, by warning of the failure of criminals, demonstrates that the path to salvation lies in humility, intimacy with divine signs, and asking Gods mercy. This invitation, like a celestial melody, directs the heart towards truth.
Intimacy with the Holy Quran is like a key that unlocks the hearts seals and guides man toward the light of guidance. The lecture emphasises the necessity of reading and reflecting on divine verses, inviting man to avoid false claims and arrogance. This intimacy not only protects from inward sins but also leads towards divine proximity and eternal salvation.
Verse eighteen of Surah Yunus, with eloquent and sublime wording, speaks of the great injustice of calumny against God and denial of divine signs and declares the definite failure of the criminals. The present lecture, by precisely elucidating the concepts of calumny and denial, stresses the severity of these sins and their consequences and by distinguishing between outward and inward sins, warns against hypocrisy and arrogance. This verse, like a clear mirror, invites man to reflect upon his sins and seek refuge in divine mercy. The path of salvation lies in humility, intimacy with the Holy Quran, and avoidance of false claims. This writing, employing refined language and a coherent structure, endeavours to convey the message of this verse clearly and profoundly, to illuminate the path of truth like a radiant torch.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
