The Holy Qur'an, like a radiant lamp, illuminates the path of truth for humanity and, with exalted speech, guides it towards divine knowledge. Among its verses, the eighteenth verse of Surah Ynus shines like a brilliant gem, speaking of a tremendous injustice rooted in the calumny against the Exalted Divine Essence and the denial of His signs. This verse, expressed with eloquence, invites humankind to contemplate the gravity of the sin of falsehood and distortion of truth and announces the inevitable failure of those who knowingly adopt the path of falsehood and slander. This writing, relying on the lectures of religious scholars, aims to elucidate this verse and its profound concepts. Its purpose is to lead the audience towards a deeper understanding of the Divine Word and abstinence from inner sins, particularly falsehood and calumny, through clear language and coherent structure. Employing traditions and scholarly dialogues, this work endeavours to present the truth as a polished mirror before the readers eyes.
فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِـَٔايَٰتِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُفْلِحُ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ
Then who is more unjust than one who invents a lie against God or denies His signs? Indeed, the criminals shall not prosper.
This verse, following the preceding verses of Surah Ynus which refer to the denial of revelation and demands for altering the Holy Qur'an, speaks of unparalleled injustice. An injustice rooted in calumny against God and denial of His signs, heralding the definitive failure of those who commit it. This Divine Word serves as a warning, cautioning humanity against slipping into the abyss of falsehood and distortion of truth.
Key point: Calumny against God, such as the false claim of encountering the Exalted Divine Essence, is the greatest injustice, because it distorts divine truth and undermines monotheism.
Calumny against God means attributing something untrue to the Exalted Divine Essence, such as the claim of having met God or attributing speech to Him without truthfulness. This act is like a dagger striking the body of monotheism and tarnishing the divine truth in the eyes of creation. Such injustice, due to its severity and depth, is distinguished from other sins and places its perpetrator among the most unjust individuals.
Key point: Denial of Divine signs, such as the false claim of meeting prophets or saints, signifies rejection of divine guidance and is an injustice comparable to calumny against God.
The Divine signs include the Holy Qur'an, the prophets, and the saints who, like guiding stars, illuminate the path of felicity for humanity. Denying these signs or making false claims about them is like denying the sunlight in broad daylight. This act not only distorts the truth but also diverts man from the path of divine guidance, plunging him into the darkness of ignorance and misguidance.
Key point: The phrase Indeed, the criminals shall not prosper emphasises the absolute failure of those who knowingly and obstinately distort or deny divine truth.
The Holy Qur'an explicitly declares that criminalsthose who distort truth through calumny against God or denial of His signsshall not attain salvation. This failure casts a heavy shadow over their existence both in this world and the Hereafter. This statement is a warning to mankind to avoid sinking into sins that corrupt divine truth.
Key point: Calumny against God and denial of His signs, due to their severe injustice, block the path to repentance because these acts are committed knowingly and obstinately.
Unlike sins such as drinking wine or theft, which may be forgiven through repentance and divine mercy, calumny against God and His signs, because they mar divine truth, constitute an injustice that makes return difficult. This sin is like a poison that kills faith in the human heart, depriving the sinner of the grace of divine mercy.
Key point: Sins such as drinking, adultery, and theft, although reprehensible, are minor compared to calumny against God and His signs, which distort divine truth and are unforgivable crimes.
In the lectures of religious scholars, it is emphasised that personal sins such as drinking wine or adultery, though undesirable and harmful, are like drops in the ocean compared to calumny against God and His signs. Due to its profound impact on faith and guidance, calumny is an injustice distinct from other sins and plunges its perpetrator into a deeper abyss of misguidance.
Key point: According to a tradition from Imam diq (peace be upon him), a believer may commit adultery or theft but does not tell lies: "No, by God, no, by God, no, by God."
In a tradition narrated from Imam diq (peace be upon him), when asked if a believer commits adultery, he replied: It may happen. When asked if he steals, he again replied: It may happen. But when asked if he tells lies, he responded three times: No, by God, no, by God, no, by God. This tradition, like a clear mirror, shows the severity of the sin of falsehood and considers it worse than sins such as adultery and theft. Falsehood, especially in divine matters, is like a dagger wounding the heart of faith.
Key point: In popular culture, the sin of falsehood is underestimated, whereas other sins like drinking are magnified.
One of the cultural harms in Islamic societies is the trivialisation of the sin of falsehood. This deviation, like a fog upon the mirror of truth, prevents comprehension of the gravity of this sin. While sins such as drinking or adultery appear significant due to their outward manifestations, falsehood, because of its prevalence and concealment, appears insignificant to many. This perspective prevents humans from understanding the magnitude of the sin of falsehood and its impact on faith.
Falsehood is a plague that infiltrates not only human relations but also the connection with God. A person may lie to a spouse, child, or even to the Exalted Divine Essence, as if playing with the root of truth. This act, like a dark shadow, darkens faith and distances man from the light of guidance. Religious scholars emphasise that falsehood, even in everyday matters, can gradually lead one towards greater sins such as calumny against God.
Key point: Calumny means attributing something false to God or His signs, whereas falsehood refers to lying in general. The combination calumny against God with falsehood emphasises deliberate and conscious falsehood.
In scholarly dialogues, a profound question is posed: what is the difference between calumny and falsehood? Calumny, like a poisoned arrow, means attributing something false to another, especially to God and His signs. Falsehood is a general lie which may occur in any context. The phrase calumny against God with falsehood in the Holy Qur'an stresses intentional and conscious lying aimed at distorting divine truth. This combination doubles the severity of the sin and places the perpetrator among the most unjust.
Key point: Accurate understanding of Quranic verses requires study of reliable commentaries, such as Al-Mzn, and reflection on their concepts.
To gain a more precise understanding of Quranic concepts, religious scholars emphasise the study of reliable exegeses such as Al-Mzn. This study acts as a key unlocking the doors of knowledge and prevents superficial and incorrect interpretations. The question regarding the difference between calumny and falsehood invites deep reflection upon the Divine Word and cautions against hasty judgments.
Key point: False claims of meeting God or saints are manifestations of arrogance and lead to calumny and sin.
Arrogance is like a fire that drives a person towards baseless claims in divine matters. False claims of meeting God or saints not only indicate a lack of divine knowledge but are a clear example of calumny that plunges the individual into the abyss of misguidance. This act is akin to creating an idol of oneself that distances man from humility and proximity to God.
To demonstrate the gravity of falsehood, religious scholars have used tangible examples. For instance, in a dialogue with a student, a master known for his knowledge of wine was mentioned. The master claimed to have sensed its taste without real experience, which was a form of arrogance close to falsehood. This example acts like a mirror showing that even seemingly simple claims may lead to greater sins. Falsehood, even in non-divine matters, is a seed that germinates in the human heart and draws him towards graver sins.
Key point: Intimacy with the Holy Quran and studying reliable commentaries is the path to deep understanding of the Divine Word and avoiding distortion and misguidance.
The Holy Quran is like an immeasurable ocean in which the deeper one dives, the more precious gems are found. The invitation to study commentaries and reflect upon verses guides man towards a deeper comprehension of the Divine Word. This intimacy acts as a light dispelling the darkness of ignorance and protects man from the dangers of calumny and denial of Divine signs.
This section emphasises the necessity of intimacy with the Holy Quran and the study of exegeses. Precise understanding of the Divine Word not only steers man away from inner sins such as falsehood and calumny but also leads him towards knowledge and proximity to God. This invitation is like a gentle breeze carrying the human spirit towards the gardens of truth.
The eighteenth verse of Surah Ynus, as a divine warning, speaks of the great injustice of calumny against God and denial of His signs and promises the absolute failure of those who commit this crime. The lectures of religious scholars, elucidating the concepts of this verse and referencing traditions, emphasise the severity of the sin of falsehood and calumny, particularly in divine matters. This Divine Word invites man to reflect on the gravity of falsehood and to avoid arrogance. The distinction between calumny and falsehood, the critique of the cultural trivialisation of lies, and the emphasis on studying reliable exegeses all indicate the depth and profundity of this verse. This work, with lofty language and coherent structure, endeavours to present the truth of the Divine Word as a shining gem before the reader and to guide him towards humility, intimacy with the Holy Quran, and avoidance of inner sins.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
