the Lectures of Nekounam, (Session 1433)
The Holy Quran, like a radiant lamp, guides humanity towards felicity and perfection. The verses of Surah Yunus, particularly verses 58 and 59, with profound and sagacious expression, call upon humans to reflect on divine grace and mercy, to give thanks for apparent and hidden blessings, and to avoid the distortion of divine rulings. This treatise, relying on the discourses of religious scholars, interprets these verses and comprehensively examines concepts such as gratitude, acceptance of divine wisdom, and the critique of self-made rulings. The aim of this work is to elucidate the sublime Quranic meanings in a coherent and lucid framework, inviting the reader to contemplate the relationship between man and his Creator.
Qul bifali Allhi wabi-ramatihi fa-bi dhlika falyafra, huwa khayrun mimm yajman.
Say: "By the grace of Allah and by His mercy, in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate."
This verse, like a soul-refreshing breeze, calls man to rejoice under the shadow of divine grace and mercy. Divine grace, like an infinite ocean, encompasses blessings beyond human comprehension; from guidance and knowledge to sustenance and spiritual felicity. Divine mercy, like a life-giving rain, quenches the human heart and liberates it from the darkness of ignorance and misguidance towards the light. Joy in these two is not only superior to the accumulation of material possessions (mimm yajman) but also frees man from the bondage of worldly attachments.
From the perspective of positive psychology, emphasis on divine grace and mercy shifts the human mind from focusing on deficiencies to appreciating existing blessings. This viewpoint enhances psychological tranquillity and inner satisfaction, guiding man towards a purposeful life.
The Holy Quran, in this verse, considers material wealth, which man accumulates with greed and avarice, insignificant compared to divine grace and mercy. These possessions, sometimes likened to "rubbish and trivialities," are like transient shadows that pale before the eternal light of divine grace. In pursuit of material accumulation, man often becomes so engulfed that he forgets the truth of his own existence. This attachment, like a shackle on the soul, prevents him from soaring towards perfection.
From the perspective of Islamic mysticism, this critique is connected to the concept of fan f Allh (annihilation in God), which invites man to free himself from material attachments and return to divine reality. Sociologically, this verse critiques the culture of materialism that drives man to meaningless accumulation and estranges him from spiritual values.
Qul ara'aytum m anzala Allhu lakum min rizqin fa-jaaltum minhu arman waallan. Qul Allhu adhina lakum am al Allhi taftarn.
Say: "Have you considered that which Allah has sent down to you of provision, and you have made [some of it] unlawful and [some] lawful?" Say: "Has Allah permitted you, or do you invent against Allah untruth?"
This verse, like a sharp sword, critiques the behaviour of those who, without divine permission, declare Gods provision unlawful or lawful. This act is not only a distortion of divine rulings but also an explicit blasphemy against the Lord. Man sometimes falls into the trap of ignorance or self-made traditions and considers what God has made lawful as unlawful or vice versa. This verse poses a fundamental question before humanity: are these rulings from God or the product of human desire and imagination?
From a theological standpoint, this behaviour signifies disobedience and ignorance that lead man away from the path of guidance. Sociologically, self-made rulings often have roots in cultural traditions or misunderstandings of religious texts, resulting in moral and social deviations.
Human knowledge about lawful and unlawful rulings is sometimes so incomplete and fragmented that instead of guidance, it leads to misguidance. This deficiency, like dust on the mirror of truth, prevents the correct understanding of divine rulings. Without reference to the Holy Quran and authentic Sunnah, man sometimes fabricates self-made rulings which lack honesty and integrity. These rulings, like a fragile edifice, collapse in the face of divine wisdom.
Theologically, this critique emphasises the necessity of returning to authentic religious sources. The Holy Quran and reliable traditions are like lamps in the darkness, showing the right path. Sociologically, self-made rulings can lead to crime, injustice, and deviation, as history attests.
Wa m annu alladhna yaftarna al Allhi al-kadhiba yawma al-qiymah. Inna Allha la dh falin al al-nsi walkinna aktharahum l yashkurn.
And what is the expectation of those who invent lies against Allah on the Day of Resurrection? Indeed, Allah is full of bounty to the people, but most of them do not give thanks.
This verse, like a clear mirror, depicts the ingratitude of the majority of mankind in the face of boundless divine grace. Man is sometimes so preoccupied with his deficiencies and lacks that he neglects the countless blessings of God. This ingratitude, like a barrier against the flow of divine mercy, deprives man of felicity.
From the perspective of cognitive psychology, focus on deficiencies leads to cognitive distortion that prevents man from perceiving reality. From the standpoint of Islamic mysticism, ingratitude is a sign of distance from the rank of contentment and submission, which lead man to tranquillity and perfection.
True gratitude, like a flower in the garden of existence, blossoms in acceptance of both what God has given and what He has withheld. Man must be content with all that God has given or withheld, for both are out of wisdom and benevolence. This acceptance, like a golden key, opens the doors of felicity and tranquillity to man.
From the viewpoint of Islamic mysticism, this gratitude corresponds to the concept of "contentment with Gods will" (ri bi-ri Allh), inviting man to submission and peace. From the perspective of positive psychology, this outlook strengthens resilience and frees man from anxiety and frustration.
Man sometimes, like a lost traveller, wanders aimlessly in the desert of his deficiencies and neglects the divine blessings that shine like stars in the sky of his existence. This focus on what is lacking, like a lethal poison, contaminates the soul and distances him from gratitude and contentment.
From the perspective of cognitive psychology, this focus leads to cognitive distortion that blinds man to the reality of divine blessings. From the Quranic standpoint, this attitude is a sign of ingratitude and distance from divine wisdom.
Poverty, in the sense of misery and incapacity, is like a heavy burden on the shoulders of man; however, divine grace, like a soul-refreshing breeze, brings good and wisdom both in giving and withholding. Man must give thanks for both what God has given and what He has withheld, as both stem from divine wisdom.
From the perspective of Islamic philosophy, divine grace encompasses everything that leads to the welfare of man. This view invites man to contentment and submission to divine wisdom.
Mans effort, like a flowing river, must proceed in the direction of divine goodness and wisdom. This effort does not conflict with gratitude for what is given and withheld by God; rather, it complements it. Man must, while striving for good, be content with divine wisdom and avoid self-centredness.
From the perspective of motivational psychology, effort for benevolent goals, accompanied by trust and gratitude, propels man towards perfection. From the Quranic viewpoint, this effort, alongside reliance on God, results in righteous deeds.
Verses 58 and 59 of Surah Yunus, like shining gems, invite man to reflect on divine grace and mercy, gratitude for apparent and hidden blessings, and avoidance of self-made rulings. These verses, with sagacious expression, warn man against immersion in materialism and deficiencies and guide him towards acceptance of divine wisdom. True gratitude lies in contentment with both what is given and withheld by God, freeing man from ingratitude and self-centeredness, and leading him to spiritual felicity. The critique of self-made rulings serves as a warning to humanity that no one has the right to declare lawful or unlawful except by divine permission. This treatise, by elucidating these concepts, opens a path to deeper understanding of the Holy Quran and living under the shade of divine wisdom.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
