of Nokounam, May His Sanctity Be Preserved (Session 1576)
The Holy Qur'an, akin to a pristine and boundless spring, encompasses knowledge and rulings that guide humanity on the path to felicity and perfection. This celestial scripture, with a sagacious and educational discourse, addresses subjects such as jurisprudence, wine, and the principle of ease in religion, employing a language that appeals equally to intellect and heart, thereby leading mankind towards profound understanding. This treatise, through contemplation on the Divine verses and utilisation of traditions, endeavours to elucidate these concepts so that, with a novel perspective, the dimensions of religious studies, the wisdom behind the prohibition of wine, and the facilitation in religious rulings are illuminated. What lies before you is an attempt to represent these teachings in a coherent form compatible with the academic milieu, so that, like a polished mirror, it may reflect truth to the reader.
Jurisprudence in the Holy Qur'an transcends subsidiary rulings such as purification, usurpation, or commerce; it denotes a profound understanding of the Divine purpose and religious knowledge. This concept, like a key to unlocking the doors of cognition, directs humanity towards comprehending the reality of existence and Divine indications. The Holy Qur'an, in numerous verses, speaks of the deficiency of this deep understanding and invites humanity to reflect upon Divine signs.
This verse, like a beacon in darkness, indicates that jurisprudence is the understanding of the purpose and wisdom behind the glorification of creation, not merely hearing their sound. The term "لَا تَفْقَهُونَ" ("you do not understand") used here and in about fifteen other instances in the negative form, alludes to a deficiency in profound religious understanding. Only once, in Surah At-Tawbah, verse 122, is jurisprudence used positively as "لِيَتَفَقَّهُوا فِي الدِّينِ" ("that they might gain deep understanding in religion"), emphasising religious knowledge and deep comprehension. This distinction acts as a sign separating Qur'anic jurisprudence from subsidiary rulings and directs it towards grasping the truth of religion.
The Holy Qur'an, in several verses including "لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌ لَا يَفْقَهُونَ بِهَا" (Al-A'raf: 179) and "ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَا يَفْقَهُونَ" (Al-Hashr: 13), stresses the absence of jurisprudence in the sense of understanding indications. These verses act like a mirror reflecting mankinds inability to comprehend the Divine purpose. In a narration from Imam Hasan al-Askari (peace be upon him), cited in Sheikh Ansari's Risalahs, certain religious scholars who neglect self-purification and religion are deemed more harmful to the faithful than Yazids forces. This statement serves as a clarion call urging religious scholars to reassess their understanding and practice.
Contemporary religious knowledge, in its present form, at times fails to address new societal issues due to its preoccupation with subsidiary rulings and neglect of contemporary needs. This limitation acts as a burden on the faithful and impedes the dynamism and efficacy of religion in resolving social problems.
This verse, like a guiding map, defines jurisprudence in the framework of religious knowledge and warning ones people. The understanding here is not limited to the deduction of subsidiary rulings, but encompasses profound religious comprehension and societal guidance towards good and welfare. Religious knowledge requires redefinition to respond to societal needs dynamically, akin to a pure stream resolving contemporary problems.
Jurisprudence in the Holy Qur'an, like a precious gem, signifies religious knowledge and understanding Divine wisdom. Numerous verses speak of the deficiency of such comprehension and invite humanity to contemplate Divine signs. Contemporary religious knowledge, due to its focus on subsidiary rulings, requires reassessment to address present-day needs. This redefinition, like a fresh breeze, can revitalise religion in society to become dynamic and effective.
The Holy Qur'an, in articulating the prohibition of wine, employs an educational and gradual method which, like a skilful gardener, guides the intellect and heart of the addressee towards truth. This approach, by inviting reflection and refraining from direct prohibition, distinguishes wine from lawful sustenance and expresses its prohibition in a manner that engages the rational faculties of the audience.
This verse, like a watermark, places wine alongside good provision so that the audience, reflecting on their distinction, may be guided to the truth. "Intoxicant" and "good provision" may be read either as an idafa (annexation) or as correlative expressions; that is, either the wine itself is considered good provision or contrasted with it. Subsequent verses, such as "They ask you about wine and gambling. Say: 'In them is great sin'" (Al-Baqarah: 219) and "So avoid it" (Al-Ma'idah: 90), gradually clarify the prohibition of wine, demonstrating the Qur'an's sagacious avoidance of direct confrontation and reliance on rational faculties.
The prohibition of wine is common across all Divine religions, yet the Holy Qur'an distinguishes it from good provision through an educational discourse. This method, like a gentle breeze shaking the branches, directs the intellect and heart towards the truth. An experience in Zahedan involving both Shia and Sunni communities, where terms of respect such as Janab and Hazrat were used for Imams without confrontation and unity was established, demonstrates the success of this approach. This experience, like a bright torch, underscores the necessity of cultural formation and avoidance of confrontation in religious discourse.
The Holy Qur'an, through a gradual and educational method, articulates the prohibition of wine and, by inviting reflection, leads the audience towards understanding the truth. This approach, avoiding direct confrontation and engaging reason, may serve as a model for religious expression in contemporary society. Inspired by this method, religious knowledge can, through cultural formation and avoidance of division, become a solution for societal problems.
Islamic religion, like a pure flowing stream, is founded upon ease and avoidance of hardship. This principle, emphasised in multiple verses of the Holy Qur'an, negates obligations beyond capacity or equal to capacity and guides humanity towards a balanced and blissful life.
This verse, like a star in the guidance sky, underscores the ease of religion. Other verses such as "Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear" (Al-Baqarah: 286) and "He has not placed upon you in the religion any hardship" (Al-Hajj: 78) corroborate this principle. Unwarranted rigidity in religious knowledge acts like a heavy burden, distancing people from religion and indicating the need to reconsider this approach.
Unwarranted strictness in religious knowledge, sometimes imposed by scholars, acts as a towering wall separating people from religion. This strictness, conflicting with the principle of ease, causes hardship and distress in society and diminishes religion's efficacy in resolving problems. Numerous traditions rejecting hardship in religion emphasise the necessity to reassess this stance.
The principle of ease in religion, like a refreshing breeze, guides humanity towards a balanced and spiritual life. The Holy Qur'an, by emphasising ease and avoidance of hardship, negates obligations beyond capacity and depicts religion as a smooth path to human felicity. Religious knowledge, inspired by this principle, must eschew unwarranted rigidity and adopt a dynamic perspective responsive to societal needs.
Religious discourse, like a soft and flowing current, must be accompanied by gentleness with friends and forbearance with adversaries to prevent division and confrontation. This approach, exemplified in the conduct of the Prophet Muhammad, may strengthen unity and solidarity in society.
This verse, like a glowing torch, illustrates the Prophet Muhammads manner in gentleness and forbearance with the people. An experience in Zahedan, where Shia and Sunni were united respectfully and without confrontation, evidences the efficacy of this approach. This experience, like a flower in the garden of unity, demonstrates the necessity to avoid unnecessary dissimulation and to emphasise honesty and transparency in religious discourse.
Inspired by the Prophet
