the lectures of Nekounam, may his sanctity be preserved (Session 1508)
Knowledge, like a precious gate in the boundless ocean of truth, opens the path towards understanding existence. The Noble Quran, this heavenly scripture, is not only a guide for action but also an unparalleled source for contemplating the essence of knowledge and the manner of attaining it. This treatise, inspired by the luminous verses of the Holy Quran, endeavours to elucidate the epistemological dimensions of these verses with a profound and methodical perspective. Along this path, the reflections of religious scholars serve as a guiding light, illuminating the way so that our comprehension of knowledge, both in theoretical and practical realms, may deepen.
Knowledge, in the linguistic sense, denotes recognition and awareness; yet, within the Quranic paradigm, this concept transcends superficial awareness, alluding to a profound and intuitive understanding that unites the heart and intellect. The Noble Quran regards knowledge as a light kindled by God in the hearts of the believers, guiding them towards the truth. This knowledge is not merely the cognition of objects and phenomena but an apprehension that draws humankind closer to the Creator of existence.
Key point: Knowledge in the Quran is a bridge between intellect and heart, leading humans from the darkness of ignorance to the light of awareness.
The Noble Quran, in numerous verses including verse 282 of Surah Al-Baqarah, emphasises the significance of knowledge and its influence on human guidance. This verse, known as the Verse of Debt, addresses not only the rulings of transactions but also the necessity of awareness and precision in life matters.
وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۖ وَیُعَلِّمُکُمُ اللَّهُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِکُلِّ شَیْءٍ عَلِیمٌ
And fear Allah; and Allah teaches you. And Allah is Knowing of all things.
This verse beautifully demonstrates that piety is the foundation of divine knowledge. God-consciousness acts as a key that opens the doors of wisdom and insight to humans. The divine teaching promised in this verse encompasses not only apparent rulings but also includes an inner and intuitive comprehension.
The first part of this treatise elucidated the essence of knowledge and its position within the Quranic system. Knowledge, like a clear flowing current, originates from the divine source of revelation and guides humans towards the understanding of truth. The Quranic verses, particularly verse 282 of Surah Al-Baqarah, underscore the role of piety in attaining such knowledge.
Piety, in the Noble Quran, means abstaining from disobedience to God and safeguarding oneself from sin, serving as a fertile ground for the blossoming of knowledge. Religious scholars have likened this relationship to a tree whose roots are in piety and whose branches extend into knowledge. Verse 282 of Surah Al-Baqarah clearly illustrates this connection, where God states: And fear Allah; and Allah teaches you. This divine teaching is a direct outcome of God-fearingness.
The Noble Quran considers intellect and heart as the two wings by which humans soar towards divine knowledge. Intellect is the instrument for analysis and discernment, while the heart is the locus for receiving divine light. In harmony, these two lead humans to a profound comprehension of the verses. For example, in verse 179 of Surah Al-Arf, God severely reprimands those who do not employ their intellect:
وَلَقَدْ ذَرَأْنَا لِجَهَنَّمَ کَثِیرًا مِّنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنسِ ۖ لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌ لَّا یَفْقَهُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمْ أَعْیُنٌ لَّا یُبْصِرُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمْ آذَانٌ لَّا یَسْمَعُونَ بِهَا ۚ أُولَٰئِکَ کَالْأَنْعَامِ بَلْ هُمْ أَضَلُّ ۚ أُولَٰئِکَ هُمُ الْغَافِلُونَ
And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, and they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless.
This verse serves as a warning to those who neglect to employ the faculties of knowledge intellect and heart. Heedlessness acts as a thick veil that prevents the light of knowledge from penetrating the human heart.
Key point: Intellect and heart, like two wings, enable humans to ascend towards understanding the divine verses and attain true knowledge.
This section examined the interrelation between piety, intellect, and heart in the comprehension of Quranic verses. Piety acts as fertile soil wherein the seed of knowledge grows, while intellect and heart are the tools that bring this knowledge to fruition. The Quranic verses, emphasising the roles of these elements, pave the way for accessing divine knowledge.
One of the principal challenges in the path of religious knowledge is heedlessness towards the divine verses and entrapment in worldly appearances. Religious knowledge sometimes becomes limited due to excessive focus on outward forms, neglecting the inner depth of the verses. Such neglect acts as a barrier that halts the flow of clear knowledge. For instance, certain superficial analyses of the verses restrict understanding merely to apparent rulings instead of guiding towards the inner meaning.
To surmount these obstacles, deep contemplation of the verses and utilisation of both intellect and heart are imperative. Religious scholars, relying on piety and profound reflection on the verses, can clear the way for deeper understanding. This necessitates that religious knowledge moves beyond superficialities towards the inner essence of the verses, employing precise exegetical methodologies to unveil latent meanings.
This section addressed the barriers to religious knowledge and the strategies to overcome them. Heedlessness and focus on outward forms are among the main challenges that can be surmounted through deep reflection and utilisation of epistemological tools.
This treatise, inspired by the luminous verses of the Noble Quran, sought to provide an introduction to Quranic epistemology. Knowledge, like a precious jewel, blossoms in the light of piety, intellect, and heart. The Quranic verses, notably verse 282 of Surah Al-Baqarah and verse 179 of Surah Al-Arf, facilitate the understanding of this reality. It is hoped that these reflections serve as a guiding light for researchers and seekers of truth on the path of divine knowledge.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
