Surah l Imrn, one of the Madinan chapters of the Holy Qur'an, encompasses a profound ocean of multilayered meanings and concepts, each akin to a radiant gem guiding humanity on the path to spiritual elevation. This Surah elucidates fundamental principles such as the fulfilment of rights, enemy recognition, and the value of righteous deeds, directing mankind towards reflection on the essence of existence and the ultimate purpose of life. In this treatise, focusing on verses 185, 118-119, and 195, an attempt has been made to explore the epistemological layers of these verses through a jurisprudential and psychological approach. The analysis employs clear and dignified language, using allegories and references to illuminate the concepts for the esteemed audience.
Arabic Text and Translation of the Verse:
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۖ فَمَنْ زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ
Every soul shall taste death, and only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your full recompense. Whoever is spared from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. And the life of this world is nothing but the enjoyment of deception.
This verse, like a clear mirror, reflects the truth of human life and calls humanity, in an eloquent manner, to contemplate the temporality of this world and the hereafters ultimate purpose. The key points of this verse are elucidated as follows:
1. The Inevitability of Death as a Shared Destiny: The phrase كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ emphasises the undeniable truth that death is an inescapable fate for every living being. This principle constitutes a significant jurisprudential and philosophical foundation, urging mankind to prepare for the afterlife. Death is not an end, but a gateway to the fulfilment of true rights.
From a jurisprudential perspective, this verse invites reflection on the essence of existence and the necessity of readiness for Resurrection. This world is like a transient caravan, merely a segment of the journey of life, with the ultimate destination determined on the Day of Judgement. This outlook detaches man from material attachments and underscores utilitarian use of the world.
2. Fulfilment of Rights on the Day of Resurrection: The phrase وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ signifies that this world is not the place for full compensation of rights. Just as a worker receives an advance during the month but the full wage at months end, worldly pleasures and facilities are temporary advances, while true rights are fulfilled on the Day of Resurrection.
This metaphor, derived from the statements of religious scholars, demonstrates that the world, with all its allurements, is merely a means, not an end. Psychologically, this verse liberates man from anxiety born of material attachment and provides tranquillity through focus on the hereafter.
3. The Deceptiveness of the World: The phrase وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ portrays the world as a deceptive commodity not to be trusted. This viewpoint delineates the Islamic economic policy, which emphasises sufficiency and modesty and discourages extravagance and ostentation.
The world is like a dazzling garden whose flowers are ephemeral and fruits temporary. The wise person takes only as much as necessary from this garden and does not attach their heart to its immortality. This principle in Islamic jurisprudence leads to simplicity, and in psychology, it contributes to mental health by distancing from materialism.
4. Salvation through Avoidance of the Fire and Admission to Paradise: The phrase فَمَنْ زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ defines the criterion for salvation. Avoiding sin and performing righteous deeds is the path guiding man towards Paradise.
This verse invites steadfastness against severe trials. Just as a traveller in a difficult mountainous path reaches his destination by passing perilous passes, man must cross the stages of Barzakh (intermediate realm) and Hellfire to attain heavenly bliss.
5. Stages of Life after Death: Implicitly, the verse alludes to the sequence of life stages after death: this world, Barzakh, Hellfire, and then Paradise. This order summons man to vigilance against worldly temptations and preparedness for the hereafter.
From a psychological standpoint, this verse warns that Hellfire, like a nearby shadow, is always lurking, and only through piety and self-purification can one pass beyond it. This outlook motivates man to resist fleeting worldly temptations.
Summary of Part One:
Verse 185 of Surah l Imrn, like an illuminating lamp, invites man to reflect on the truth of life and its ultimate purpose. Emphasising the inevitability of death, fulfilment of rights in the hereafter, the deceptiveness of the world, and the criterion for salvation, this verse detaches man from material attachments and directs him towards the ultimate goal. Jurisprudentially, it stresses simplicity and avoidance of extravagance; psychologically, it offers peace and purpose through faith.
