The Holy Quran, like a radiant lamp, illuminates the path of guidance for mankind and, with a clear and profound language, recounts the secrets of creation and divine wisdom. Verse 99 of Surah Yunus stands as one of the pivotal verses of this celestial scripture, articulating, with remarkable eloquence, the concept of Divine Will and the negation of coercion in faith. This verse, akin to a precious gate, opens a window towards understanding Divine Will and the human position of free will. In this treatise, relying on mystical and exegetical lectures, this verse is examined in a deep and comprehensive manner. The aim is not only to clarify the apparent meaning of the verse but also to explore its mystical and philosophical dimensions, thereby inviting the reader to a profound reflection on the concepts of Divine Will, faith, and guidance. This work, with a systematic structure, presents all details and meanings of the lectures in a scientific and refined format, serving as a bridge between mysticism and the Quran, guiding seekers of truth.
وَلَوْ شَاءَ رَبُّكَ لَآمَنَ مَن فِي الْأَرْضِ كُلُّهُمْ جَمِيعًا ۚ أَفَأَنتَ تُكْرِهُ النَّاسَ حَتَّىٰ يَكُونُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ
And if your Lord had so willed, all those who are on the earth would have believed altogether. Then, would you compel the people until they become believers?
This verse, with a clear expression, refers to the absolute power of God in guiding all people. And if your Lord had so willed is like a key that opens the gate of divine wisdom, indicating that universal faith depends on Divine Will. However, this will has not been fully realised in the present time but is postponed to a sublime future era in which the world attains spiritual perfection.
Divine Will, like a pure and endless stream, encompasses the entire existence. This concept refers to a will that transcends time and place, guiding the universe towards its lofty purpose. In the lecture, this will is attributed to a future era that may arrive billions of years hence; a time when humans, like stars in the sky of faith, will attain infallibility and purity. In this era, faith does not arise from coercion but from an ontological and inner volition. This perspective aligns with Quranic wisdom, which places human free will alongside Divine Will.
This concept corresponds with verse 29 of Surah Al-Kahf: So whoever wills may believe, and whoever wills may disbelieve. This verse emphasises human free will in accepting or rejecting faith, demonstrating that Divine Will presently operates while preserving human freedom of choice. Likewise, verse 105 of Surah At-Tawbah (And say, Work [righteousness]: soon will Allah observe your work, and His Messenger and the believers) refers to the fulfilment of Divine promises in their appointed time, consistent with the era of Divine Will.
Divine Will is like a sun whose light will illuminate the entire universe in a distant future. This section, by elucidating the concept of Divine Will and its place in universal guidance, showed that true faith stems not from coercion but from an inner and divine volition. This perspective invites humans to reflect on divine wisdom and anticipate a sublime future era.
Verse 99 of Surah Yunus, through the rhetorical question Then, would you compel the people until they become believers?, negates any form of compulsion in faith. This phrase serves as a warning to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that guidance is a matter of the heart and choice, not attained by force or coercion. The lecture expands on this concept with a mystical expression, emphasising that coercion, not only in religion but also in everyday life, yields nothing but hypocrisy and misguidance. Faith is like a flower that grows in the soil of free will and withers under compulsion.
لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ ۖ قَد تَبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ
There is no compulsion in religion; verily, the right path is distinctly clear from error.
This verse explicitly negates coercion and considers spiritual growth as a consequence of free will and awareness. The lecture explains this concept with a metaphor: coercion is like clipping the wings of a bird, preventing it from flying. When a person voluntarily embraces faith, growth and guidance blossom within them.
The lecture explicitly criticises coercive behaviours in family and society. Forcing faith or behaviour in familial or social relationships neither leads to guidance nor fosters unity but causes hypocrisy and alienation. This view encourages conduct founded on love, awareness, and volition. Especially, it is emphasised that coercive religion resembles muddy water that cannot quench the thirst of the soul.
The negation of coercion in faith is a fundamental principle in the Holy Quran that guides humans towards a conscious and heartfelt choice. This section, by elucidating this principle and relating it to daily life, demonstrated that true faith flourishes only under the shadow of volition and knowledge.
The lecture describes Divine Will as a sublime state in which humans attain faith and infallibility through an ontological volition. This infallibility does not arise from coercion but from profound knowledge and mystical practice. In the era of Divine Will, human actions, like prayer with ontological volition, originate from the depths of the soul, free of any hypocrisy or ostentation. This state is akin to a peak that the spiritual wayfarer approaches through effort and knowledge.
The lecture cites mystical experiences, such as prolonged fasting and enduring harsh conditions, demonstrating that humans can approach Divine Will even in the present time. These experiences are like mirrors reflecting the grandeur of Divine Will in everyday life. For example, it is narrated that a spiritual wayfarer, relying on Divine Will, has managed to spend days in a spiritual state without the need for food or water. These accounts not only testify to the power of Divine Will but also invite humans to strive for this station.
In mystical literature, Divine Will is introduced as one of the stages of the spiritual journey. This stage unites the wayfarer with the Divine Will and liberates him from the bondage of material appearances. The lecture criticises some erroneous notions in religious sciences, emphasising that Divine Will is a sublime truth transcending formal appearances. This perspective aligns with mystics such as Ibn Arabi, who regard Divine Will as the guiding force of the universe.
Divine Will is an infinite ocean guiding humans toward infallibility and perfection. This section, by clarifying the relationship between Divine Will and infallibility, showed that humans can approach this station through mystical practice in the present era, although its full actualisation is deferred to a sublime future time.
The lecture portrays the universe as progressing evolutionarily towards the era of Divine Will. This evolution is like a journey that begins from the initial stages of creation and advances towards spiritual perfection. Prophets and Divine saints, like torchbearers on this path, have each elevated humanity to a higher rank. In a distant future, with the advent of guides such as Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance), this evolution will culminate.
The lecture, referencing prophets and saints, emphasises that each guide represents a stage of evolution. In the era of Divine Will, guidance will reach its zenith, and the world will blossom like a flourishing garden filled with faith and purity. This perspective invites humans to active anticipation and effort to approach this era.
The evolution of the universe is a continuous flow that began from eternity and proceeds towards eternity. This section, by clarifying the cosmic evolutionary path and the role of Divine guides, invites humans to contemplate their position on this path.
The lecture explicitly criticises some erroneous notions in religious knowledge. These notions, often limited to formal appearances, fail to comprehend the reality of Divine Will. Divine Will, like a rare jewel, requires profound knowledge and practical spiritual conduct that transcends superficiality.
The lecture invites humans to experience Divine Will in the present time. This experience becomes possible through firm faith, abandonment of sin, and sincere action. Mystical narrations, like torches in the darkness, illuminate the path for seekers of truth. This invitation directs humans towards conscious endeavour to reach the station of Divine Will.
Critique of erroneous conceptions and invitation to experience Divine Will are two wings for soaring towards truth. This section, emphasising the necessity of knowledge and practice, calls humans to strive to comprehend and experience Divine Will.
The lecture, invoking the prayer O God, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, emphasises the necessity of reliance on God and seeking guidance. This prayer is like a key that opens the doors of Divine mercy and protects humans from misguidance and coercion. Prayer is a means of connection with Divine Will and attaining a blessed outcome.
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا
Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us.
