The Holy Quran, as an ever-illuminating light, serves as humanitys guide on the path to understanding truth and attaining salvation. This divine scripture, with its profound verses and multilayered meanings, invites mankind to contemplate the essence of existence, ethics, and responsibilities toward the Creator and creation. In this treatise, with a focus on verse 39 of Surah Ynus, the subject of the denial of divine verses and the repercussions of oppression is examined. These reflections, inspired by the lectures of religious scholars, endeavour to open a window towards a deeper comprehension of Quranic concepts and their connection to human life. The present discourse, organised systematically and expressed with clarity, analyses both the apparent and inner meanings of the verse, human behaviours in confronting truth, and the imperative to avoid injustice.
بَلْ كَذَّبُوا بِمَا لَمْ يُحِيطُوا بِعِلْمِهِ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِهِمْ تَأْوِيلُهُ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كَذَّبَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَانْظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الظَّالِمِينَ
Rather, they denied that which they had no knowledge of, and whose interpretation had not yet come to them. Likewise, those before them also denied. So behold how the end of the wrongdoers was.
The Holy Quran in this verse points to one of the most fundamental human errors: the denial of truth due to ignorance. When confronted with a reality beyond their comprehension, humans sometimes resort to rejecting the truth instead of accepting the limits of their knowledge. This behaviour, like a dark shadow, originates from ignorance and arrogance. The phrase بِمَا لَمْ يُحِيطُوا بِعِلْمِهِ clearly demonstrates that the deniers, due to their inability to grasp the truth, regard it as falsehood. This cognitive error, recognised in epistemology as a cognitive bias, prevents acceptance of the truth and drives one towards denial.
The verse, by referencing وَلَمَّا يَأْتِهِمْ تَأْوِيلُهُ, emphasises that the inner meanings of the verses or the outcomes of divine promises have not yet been revealed to the deniers. Interpretation functions as a key that unlocks the hidden meanings and reveals truth in its due time. This concept invites patience and contemplation, discouraging hasty judgement regarding the unknown. Theologically, interpretation represents Gods justice by ultimately unveiling the truth and confronting deniers with the consequences of their deeds.
The Holy Quran, with the phrase كَذَٰلِكَ كَذَّبَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ, underscores a perpetual pattern in human conduct. The denial of divine verses is not a novel phenomenon but a recurring behaviour throughout history. This repetition, like an endless cycle, reveals humanitys tendency to resist truth. From a social-psychological perspective, this behaviour can be attributed to fear of the unknown and resistance to change. Sometimes, instead of accepting guidance, humans resort to denial, and this pattern has been observed among previous nations as well.
To elucidate this repetition, human behaviours can be likened to daily habits. Just as humans respond daily to their biological needs, wrongful behaviours such as denial and oppression become ingrained parts of their behavioural patterns. This analogy serves as a mirror reflecting the repetitive nature of human conduct and invites reflection on ones deeds. Behavioural psychology interprets this repetition as habit formation, embedding wrongful actions within the human psyche.
The Holy Quran, by the phrase فَانْظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الظَّالِمِينَ, warns humanity that oppression does not lead to felicity. Oppressors, due to denial of truth and injustice towards others, are deprived of goodness and salvation. This warning resonates like a cry echoing through history, urging humans to abstain from injustice. From a sociological standpoint, oppression leads to social instability and the collapse of communities, as evidenced by the histories of peoples such as Shaddad and Nimrod.
Humans must continually beseech God to keep them away from oppression, for the oppressor sees no good and has no happy outcome. Such supplication acts as a shield protecting one from the temptations of the self. Psychologically, this request signifies self-control and the endeavour to adhere to moral values. Pietywhich in Islam connotes self-restraint and avoidance of singuides humans towards salvation.
Oppression, even in its smallest forms, such as harming a living creature, is reprehensible. Humans must abstain from any form of oppression, even towards creatures like ants or mosquitoes. This principle acts like a flame that illuminates the human heart towards mercy and justice. From an environmental ethics perspective, this viewpoint emphasises respect for all creation and obligates humans to observe the rights of every living being.
The earth has never been devoid of the presence of prophets. Divine guidance, like a pure stream, flows through all ages to lead humanity towards truth. This view aligns with the concept of universal prophethood in Islamic philosophy and reflects the dynamism of the system of creation. History testifies that societies without divine guidance head towards degeneration, while prophets, like torchbearers, show mankind the path to felicity.
The traditional notion of resurrection as a final event is incompatible with the dynamism of the system of creation. Creation, like a flowing river, continues in ongoing cycles of divine guidance and accountability. This perspective corresponds with the concept of renewal of creation in Islamic philosophy and emphasises the truth that God, with His infinite wisdom, directs the system of existence through different eras. Humans must hasten and strive on this path towards truth.
The interpretation of verse 39 of Surah Ynus opens a gateway to a deeper understanding of truth, ethics, and human responsibilities. This verse elucidates the roots of denial in ignorance, inviting humanity to humility before the truth. The recurrence of wrongful behaviours, such as denial and oppression, throughout history indicates humanitys continuous need for divine guidance. Oppression, as the greatest human error, deprives individuals of felicity and leads them towards a dire end. Supplication to avoid injustice and respect for all creatures constitute a path towards piety and salvation. The dynamism of creation and the necessity of prophets highlight the unparalleled role of divine guidance in human life. These reflections summon mankind to a life replete with justice, truth, and piety.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
