of Nekounam, may his secret be sanctified (Session 1572)
The Holy Quran, akin to an infinite ocean of knowledge, is the fountainhead of guidance and mercy, within the depths of whose verses the answers to humanitys fundamental questions are concealed. This treatise, focusing on the subjects of boundless divine mercy, apostasy as a spiritual attribute, and self-murder as a grievous sin, seeks to elucidate these concepts from a Quranic perspective. By referencing verses from Surahs An-Nis, Al-Midah, l Imrn, and other chapters, and employing precise and interpretive analyses, an effort has been made to present the jurisprudential, ethical, and epistemological dimensions of these matters clearly and comprehensively. This work, considering the necessity of re-examining the verses under the light of divine mercy and avoiding restrictive interpretations, endeavours to pave a path toward a deeper understanding of the Holy Quran.
The Holy Quran introduces God as Arham ar-Rimn (the Most Merciful of the merciful) and regards His mercy as an endless current flowing through all aspects of creation. This celestial book mentions derivatives of the root Ramah (mercy, compassionate, merciful, etc.) over three hundred and thirty-nine times, highlighting mercy as one of the most fundamental Divine attributes. This emphasis illustrates the centrality of mercy in the system of creation and divine guidance.
One prominent verse in this regard breathes hope into the hearts of sinners:
Say: "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, despair not of the mercy of Allah; surely Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
(Quran 39:53)
This verse, like a golden key, opens the doors of hope to sinners who assume their sinfulness lies beyond the scope of divine forgiveness. The emphasis on the pardon of all sins, even those such as apostasy, demonstrates that no transgression is greater than divine mercy, provided the servant returns to repentance within their life.
Some interpretations, relying on narrations weak in both chain and meaning, have restricted divine mercy and deemed repentance for apostates impossible. This perspective contradicts the spirit of the Holy Quran, which accentuates mercy and forgiveness. The aforementioned verse (Surah Az-Zumar, 39:53) explicitly affirms the acceptance of repentance for all sins and negates any despair-inducing interpretations. Such restrictive exegeses propagate despair within the community rather than guidance and are distant from the Quranic merciful spirit.
Divine mercy not only does not augment sin but, like a gentle breeze, directs the sinners heart towards repentance and reformation. Contrary to the misconception that mercy emboldens sinning, the Holy Quran demonstrates that mercy, by instilling feelings of shame and love, prevents sinners from becoming audacious. Despairing of divine mercy itself constitutes a greater sin that leads to increased transgression.
Divine mercy, like a clear flowing stream, permeates the entire Holy Quran and considers no sin greater than the extent of its forgiveness. This section, based on Quranic verses and interpretive analyses, has demonstrated that divine mercy is the central axis of the system of creation, and any restrictive or despair-inducing interpretation contradicts the spirit of this celestial book.
Apostasy, unlike crimes such as warfare against God or theft that rely on external actions, is an internal and spiritual condition tied to doubt and uncertainty in faith. This condition does not necessarily manifest in external behaviour, and its negative consequences become definitive only if death occurs in a state of disbelief.
And whoever of you reverts from his religion [to disbelief] and dies while he is a disbeliever for those, their deeds have become worthless in this world and the Hereafter.
(Quran 2:217)
This verse presents apostasy as an inner state whose effects become certain only with death in disbelief. Doubt, especially among scholars and researchers, is a natural phenomenon and should not be hastily interpreted as apostasy.
Doubt, like a spark in an active mind, signals intellectual vitality. The Holy Quran, by inviting reflection and contemplation, acknowledges doubt as part of the epistemological process. Even the Prophets, such as Abraham (peace be upon him), sought reassurance from God:
"That my heart may be at ease."
(Quran 6:76)
This supplication indicates that doubt in the course of investigation is not only not reprehensible but can lead to intellectual growth, provided it is accompanied by seeking refuge in God and continuous repentance.
The Holy Quran keeps the doors of repentance open for apostates until the time of death and only regards repentance as impossible in the moments of death or the Day of Resurrection:
Indeed, those who disbelieved after their belief and then increased in disbelief never will their [claimed] repentance be accepted, and they are the ones astray.
(Quran 3:90)
The phrase "then increased in disbelief" indicates that repentance is not accepted if disbelief persists; however, if the individual repents before death, divine mercy will encompass them.
Some narrations, such as the one attributed to Muhammad ibn Muslim from Imam Baqir (peace be upon him), declare the repentance of apostates impossible:
"Whoever turns away from Islam and disbelieves in what was revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) after Islam, his repentance is not accepted; killing him is obligatory; his wife is divorced from him; and his property is divided among his children."
These narrations are weak both in chain and meaning and contradict the mercy-centred verses of the Holy Quran, such as verse 39:53 of Surah Az-Zumar. The Holy Quran, by emphasising the acceptance of repentance, negates narrations that restrict divine forgiveness.
Apostasy is a spiritual attribute accompanied by doubt and should not be hastily equated with external actions or harsh rulings. The Holy Quran, by affirming the possibility of repentance during life, leaves the door open for return to faith and rejects any restrictive interpretation. Doubt, as part of the epistemological process, is not reprehensible and may lead to intellectual growth.
Self-murder is the gravest sin in the Holy Quran, accompanied by severe worldly and otherworldly punishments:
And whoever kills a believer intentionally his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally, and Allah has become angry with him and has cursed him and has prepared for him a great punishment.
(Quran 4:93)
This verse, by enumerating five punishments (Hell, eternal abode, divine anger, curse, and a severe torment), illustrates the unparalleled gravity of intentional self-murder. Even accidental killing entails serious consequences:
It is not for a believer to kill a believer except by mistake.
(Quran 4:92)
This verse considers even unintentional killing of a believer incompatible with faith and emphasises the necessity of compensation and repentance.
Some jurisprudential rulings, such as permitting beating or killing in cases like apostasy or disciplining a spouse, originate from incorrect interpretations or political influences and conflict with the merciful spirit of the Holy Quran:
"Then admonish them and abandon them in bed and strike them. But if they obey you, do not seek a way against them."
(Quran 4:34)
This verse presents striking as a last resort and conditional on not being oppressive; any striking leading to death is negated. Violent rulings, such as killing apostates or severe punishment, often stem from governmental influences and are incompatible with the Quranic merciful ethos.
Self-murder, as the gravest sin, is met with severe punishments both in this world and the hereafter. The Holy Quran considers even accidental killing incompatible with faith and stresses the necessity of restitution and repentance. Violent jurisprudential rulings rooted in misinterpretations or political influence contradict the merciful spirit of the Holy Quran.
The Holy Quran, in comparison with other heavenly books (Torah, Gospel, Psalms), holds superiority in terms of scientific, emotional, and merciful dimensions. A comparative study of these texts not only strengthens faith but also reveals the Qurans superiority in comprehensiveness and mercy. Preventing the study of these books in religious academic circles hinders a deeper understanding and dissemination of the Holy Quran globally.
Religious sciences must, through comparative teaching and promotion of divine mercy, distance themselves from violent and despair-inducing interpretations. This approach not only aids in a deeper understanding of the Holy Quran but also facilitates its global propagation.
Religious sciences, relying on comparative study and promotion of divine mercy, can present the Holy Quran as a merciful and guiding source to the world. This approach distances itself from restrictive and violent interpretations and paves the way for a deeper comprehension of this celestial book.
The Holy Quran, like a shining gem, introduces divine mercy as the axis of the system of creation. Apostasy, as a spiritual attribute, is erased by repentance during life, and self-murder, as the greatest sin, entails severe punishments in both worlds. Religious sciences, relying on comparative study and promotion of divine mercy, can facilitate a profound understanding of the Holy Quran. This treatise, emphasising Quranic verses and critiquing restrictive interpretations, seeks to indicate the path back to the boundless divine mercy.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
