of Nekounam (Session 1503)
This present book, through a profound examination of the Holy Qur'ans verses and a contemplative study of the concepts of magic, sorcery, courage, and ignorance, delves into the spiritual and philosophical dimensions of these topics. Inspired by the verses of the Surahs Al-Imran, Al-A'raf, and Taha, the work endeavours to elucidate the relationship between power, courage, and faith against the backdrop of fear and ignorance with a lucid and dignified language. The core discussion is an exegesis of verse 79 of Surah Al-Imran and related verses, which alongside lexical, mystical, and psychological analyses, provides a comprehensive portrayal of the position of magic and sorcery within religious and human culture. This writing, structured methodically and enriched by metaphors and literary allusions, invites the reader to reflect upon the divine truth and the grandeur of human creation.
And Pharaoh said: Bring me every knowledgeable sorcerer.
(Al-Imran: 79)
Then, when they cast, Moses said: What you have brought is sorcery; indeed, Allah will nullify it. Indeed, Allah does not amend the deeds of the corrupters.
(Al-A'raf: 116)
And cast what is in your right hand; it will swallow up what they have crafted. Indeed, what they have crafted is but the deceit of a sorcerer, and the sorcerer will not succeed wherever he comes.
(Taha: 69)
These verses depict a scene of confrontation between Moses (peace be upon him) and the sorcerers of Pharaoh. Pharaoh, at the height of his thirst for power, summons knowledgeable sorcerers to challenge divine truth through their deception. However, the Holy Qur'an explicitly describes magic as a human trick destined to perish before divine miracles. This confrontation symbolises the battle between truth and deception, faith and ignorance, courage and fear.
In the Qur'anic perspective, magic and sorcery are introduced as deception accompanied by manipulation of perception. Yet, in human culture, these concepts are linked with power and authority. Historically and culturally, the sorcerer has been recognised as a fearless and powerful individual who utilises skill and knowledge to influence others. This characteristic is evident in Pharaohs command to summon knowledgeable sorcerers (sir alm). Linguistically, the letter "J" (ج) in words such as jd (magic), jarm (crime), jh (rank), jawd (generous), and jdah (path) symbolises authority and grandeur. These words, like a flowing stream of meaning, carry power within themselves. The sorcerer, akin to a champion in the battlefield, must be devoid of fear, for fear, like a heavy shadow, deprives human strength.
From a lexical analysis, magic is likened to martial power, akin to a pugilist in the combat arena, whereas sorcery is associated with softer activities such as staying awake at night and reciting invocations. Magic, rooted in saar (dawn), alludes to visual deception and perception manipulation, as stated in the Qur'an: It appeared to him as if the snakes of their magic were crawling
(Al-A'raf: 116). Sorcery, on the other hand, is like a sharp sword, a symbol of power and authority. This distinction is reflected in Persian culture, where the sorcerer is likened to a beautiful and capable deceiver, while the magician captivates the mind like a seductive breeze, and magic conquers the will like a mighty storm.
Magic and sorcery, through the lens of the Qur'an, are introduced as human deceptions doomed to fail against divine miracles. Nevertheless, in human culture, these concepts are entwined with courage and power. The magician, as a fearless hero, utilises knowledge and skill, but this power is as straw against the divine grandeur. Lexical analysis of the letter "J" and its association with authority deepens the understanding of these concepts in Persian language and culture.
Courage, like a brilliant light within faith, blocks the path of fear. The Qur'an presents the Prophets as paradigms of courage who stood firm like unshakable rocks against hardships and threats. Moses (peace be upon him), in opposition to Pharaoh and the sorcerers, is a prominent example of such courage: And cast what is in your right hand; it will swallow up what they have crafted
(Taha: 69). Fear, however, is a chain forged by ignorance that enslaves man. The fearful person is devoid of faith because faith, like an iron shield, dispels fear from the heart. This concept aligns with a Qur'anic verse: O you who have believed, fear Allah and seek means [of nearness] to Him and strive in His cause
(Al-Imran: 35).
Ignorance is like a dark veil that conceals truth from human sight. The Qur'an regards ignorance as a barrier to guidance: And when it is said to them, "Follow what Allah has revealed," they say, "Rather, we will follow that upon which we found our fathers"
(Al-Baqarah: 170). Fear, as a shadow of ignorance, prevents man from confronting truth. Everyday experiences, such as fear of simple creatures like cockroaches or cats, demonstrate ignorance's psychological impact. This fear, like a fragile wall, collapses with recognition of divine truth and power: Indeed, it is Satan who frightens his allies. So fear them not, but fear Me
(Al-Hashr: 13).
Courage, like a radiant gem in the crown of faith, liberates man from the shackles of fear and ignorance. The Qur'an, through exemplars such as Moses (peace be upon him), deems courage a divine and essential attribute of faith. Ignorance, however, acts as a barrier to guidance by planting fear in the heart. Awareness of divine truth and greatness demolishes this barrier and guides man towards courage and faith.
This treatise has illustrated, through Qur'anic verses and linguistic analysis, the complex interplay between magic, courage, ignorance, and faith. Magic and sorcery, while representing human attempts at power and control, are ultimately powerless before divine truth. Courage, born from faith, acts as a shield that dispels fear, itself a byproduct of ignorance. The letter "J", recurrent in Persian and Arabic vocabulary related to power and rank, symbolises the human aspiration towards authority and grandeur.
The journey from ignorance to faith is the path from fear to courage. This transformation is pivotal for the believer, as faith demands courage to confront falsehood and deception. The Qur'ans guidance and the examples of Prophets provide the foundation for this courageous stance. Thus, the study reaffirms that spiritual and intellectual empowerment are inseparable in the human quest for truth and dignity.
