This book represents a profound reflection on verses 93 and 99 of Surah Yunus from the Holy Qur'an, approaching the concepts of Divine Will, human free will, and the gradual evolution of the universe from a novel perspective. Relying on the scholarly lectures of religious authorities, this work aims to elucidate the deep layers of Quranic meanings for researchers and seekers of truth with a clear and dignified language. The central axis of this writing is the explication of the relationship between Divine Will and human guidance, portrayed within the framework of the gradual evolution of the universe and the negation of any coercion in faith. Utilizing Quranic verses and narrations, this text seeks to guide the reader towards a renewed understanding of Divine wisdom and the role of humanity within this path.
And We certainly settled the Children of Israel in an excellent settlement and provided them with good things. They did not differ until knowledge came to them. Indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.
This verse of the Holy Quran refers to the destiny of the Children of Israel who, despite receiving countless Divine blessings including an honourable station and pure provisions fell into discord and division only after the arrival of knowledge and awareness. This discord was not due to ignorance but was intentional, born of envy and rebellion, as corroborated by another Quranic verse: They only differed after knowledge had come to them, out of envy among themselves (Al-Ma'idah: 63). Thus, knowledge, which ought to have been a source of guidance and unity, was transformed by misused free will into a tool of division. Instead of benefiting from Divine guidance, this people embarked on a path of ingratitude, and ultimately, the final judgment concerning them is deferred to the Day of Resurrection.
This verse is akin to a mirror reflecting the truth of humanity before their eyes. Just as a skilled gardener plants good seeds in fertile soil, God bestowed His blessings upon the Children of Israel, but these seeds failed to bear fruit in the soil of ingratitude. Divine judgment on the Day of Resurrection will act as a precise scale, separating truth from falsehood.
Verse 93 of Surah Yunus, by referring to the fate of the Children of Israel, emphasises the reality that Divine blessings, if not accompanied by gratitude and guidance, result in discord and misguidance. This verse warns all humans that knowledge and awareness, without piety and faith, not only fail to lead to salvation but, due to misused free will, become instruments of division. Divine final judgment on the Day of Resurrection will reveal the consequences of such misconduct.
And if your Lord had willed, all who are on the earth would have believed altogether. So, will you compel the people until they become believers?
This verse of the Holy Quran illuminates the truth of Divine Will like a radiant torch. God, with His absolute power, is capable of guiding all beings to faith; however, His wisdom requires that this faith emerge from free will and awareness, not coercion or compulsion. The phrase So, will you compel the people?, framed as a rhetorical question, negates any form of compulsion in faith and underscores that true faith is only realised through Divine Will combined with human free choice. This verse addresses the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), indicating that even he, with all his grandeur and mission, cannot and should not force people into belief.
This verse, like a refreshing breeze, reminds humans that faith is a gem that blossoms within the heart, not through pressure and coercion, but through the light of Divine guidance and free will. Just as a flower grows freely in a garden, faith matures within the human heart by means of choice and awareness.
The concept of Divine Will, as the axis of the cosmic wheel, holds a central position in this verse. The universe, in its evolutionary course, progresses toward an exalted epoch in which all beings, by Divine decree, attain faith. This era, termed the Epoch of Will in the lectures, is characterised by humans living with faith and purity, free from coercion or compulsion. This epoch is not realised in the present but in a distant future when the universe reaches its spiritual perfection.
In this context, the universe is likened to a book, each page recounting a period of creation. Each epoch, accompanied by its particular prophets and guides, is a step along the path of evolution. This progression, like a flowing river, began with the time of Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) and continued with the appearance of prophets and saints such as Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them). In this journey, each prophet has been a lamp in the darkness, illuminating the path for their people; however, the ultimate perfection is achieved in the Epoch of Will with the advent of a supreme guide, such as Imam al-Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance).
One profound concept in the lectures is the distinction between Muzhir (the Manifesting) and Mazhar (the Manifested). God, as the Muzhir, is the Creator and Guide of the universe, while humans, as the Mazhar, are the embodiments of Divine attributes. In the Epoch of Will, these manifestations reach their spiritual perfection, and their faith reflects Divine light like a clear mirror. This distinction acts as a key unlocking the doors to understanding creation. God, as the Muzhir, creates the universe with His wisdom, and humans, as the Mazhar, manifest this wisdom through free will and faith.
Verse 99 of Surah Yunus, emphasising Divine Will and the rejection of coercion in faith, guides humanity towards conscious and heartfelt choice. This verse demonstrates Divine wisdom in preserving human free will and gradually leading the universe towards perfection. The Epoch of Will, as the zenith of this evolutionary process, is the time when universal faith, free from compulsion, manifests throughout creation. The distinction between Muzhir and Mazhar reveals the truth that humans, as manifestations of Divine attributes, achieve spiritual perfection through faith and free will.
One of the salient points in the lectures is the critique of erroneous perceptions of prophets and saints. Some, out of ignorance, regard prophets as inferior and measure them by material tools such as the sword and power. However, the truth is that prophets are like brilliant stars, guides whose spiritual light illuminates the path for humanity. In the Epoch of Will, Divine guides, free from material instruments, direct the universe towards perfection with wisdom and spirituality.
The lectures, with a critical outlook, consider coercion and hypocrisy throughout the history of prophets as meaningless. True faith is only possible through free will and awareness, and any compulsion contradicts the spirit of religion. This perspective aligns with the verse There is no compulsion in religion (Al-Baqarah: 256), which negates coercion in faith. The history of the prophets, like an open book, shows that Divine guides have directed humanity towards truth through invitation and supplication rather than compulsion and violence.
The Epoch of Will, as a lofty peak in the evolutionary path of the universe, is the time when humans live with faith and purity. In this era, Divine guides, such as Imam al-Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance), steer the universe towards spiritual perfection without recourse to material instruments. This epoch, like an eternal spring, liberates the universe from coercion and hypocrisy and leads humans toward a pure and unadulterated faith.
This section, by critiquing misconceptions about prophets and saints, emphasises the spiritual role of Divine guides. Coercion and hypocrisy are contrary to the spirit of religion, and true faith is only attainable through free will and awareness. The Epoch of Will, as the summit of the universes evolutionary path, is when humanity attains pure and sincere faith under Divine guidance.
The lectures conclude with the prayer O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, which, like a golden key, opens the doors to guidance and salvation. This prayer protects humans from misguidance and erroneous perceptions and leads them toward a profound understanding of Divine wisdom. In this path, humans must seek guidance and well-being through reliance on God and supplication.
Prayer, as a means of communication with God, supports humans on the path of guidance and salvation. This section highlights the necessity of reliance on God and seeking guidance, inviting humans toward a deep comprehension of Divine wisdom.
This book, by reflecting upon verses 93 and 99 of Surah Yunus from the Holy Quran, explicates the profound concepts of Divine Will, human free will, and the evolutionary course of the universe. Verse 93, by referring to the fate of the Children of Israel, warns humanity that knowledge without faith and piety leads to division and misguidance. Verse 99, emphasising the negation of compulsion in faith, reveals Divine wisdom in preserving human free will. The Epoch of Will, as the pinnacle of this evolutionary path, is when the universe, under Divine guidance, attains pure and sincere faith. This work, drawing upon scholarly religious lectures, aims to guide readers toward a renewed understanding of the relationship between God and humanity. Just as a river flows toward the sea, the universe advances along the path of Divine wisdom toward perfection.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
