Excerpt from the lectures of Nokounam Session 1591
The Holy Quran, like a radiant lamp, illuminates the path to felicity and perfection for humanity. Amidst this guidance, the concept of Khair (goodness) shines as a luminous gem throughout its verses. This treatise, through a profound contemplation of the Quranic verses and the concept of Khair, endeavours to elucidate the characteristics of the Yasari society, in which good prevails over evil. Khair, like a revitalising breeze, permeates all dimensions of individual and social life and directs society towards elevation and flourishing. Utilising the Quranic verses and their analytical interpretations, this work seeks to present a clear blueprint of the Divine Best of Systems (nizam ahsan) and the position of Khair in creation. Along this path, metaphors and literary allusions are employed to illuminate the concepts more vividly, inviting the reader to ponder deeply the profound Quranic meanings.
In the Holy Quran, Khair is depicted as a desirable and commendable essence towards which humans naturally incline, while evil (sharr), its antithesis, is something from which they flee. Khair, akin to a pristine waterfall, encompasses wealth, knowledge, life, and righteous offspring, all serving the felicity of humanity. Conversely, evil is like a darkness that distances man from the light of truth. The Quran clarifies this distinction in an enlightening verse:
عَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
Perhaps you dislike something which is good for you, and perhaps you love something which is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you do not know. (Quran)
This verse, like a mirror, places Divine wisdom before human eyes and invites reflection on ones choices. Khair may lie in matters seemingly detested by man, whereas evil may lurk within what appears pleasing. Such Divine wisdom guides humans towards conscious and divinely guided selections.
The Yasari society resembles a garden where the flowers of goodness outnumber the thorns of evil. This society pursues not accumulation and greed but rather the welfare and felicity of its members. The original text emphasises that if the ratio of good to evil in a society is roughly six or seven to one, it qualifies as a Yasari society progressing on the path of perfection. This ratio is not merely statistical but emblematic of Divine wisdom, positioning good as the norm and evil as the exception.
Accumulation, like a raging flood, diverts society from the path of Khair. The text explicitly criticises societys tendency towards accumulationthat is, greed for wealth, status, and knowledge without a Divine intention. This inclination acts like dust obscuring mans vision from the truth of goodness. Wealth, if not accompanied by Divine intent, is akin to a fire that burns its possessor; knowledge, if leading to arrogance, is a burden dragging man towards destruction. A society prioritising accumulation over goodness diverges from the path of ease (yusr) towards hardship (usr) and drifts away from felicity.
From a psychological perspective, the pursuit of accumulation increases anxiety and diminishes life satisfaction. Sociologically, it fosters inequality and weakens social cohesion. The original text, referring to the fact that Khair is embedded in the quality of life and ethical choices, invites society to reflect critically on its selections.
Khair, like a shining star in the firmament of creation, guides the Yasari society. This section demonstrated that Khair in the Holy Quran is introduced as a desirable and Divine reality opposed to evil and accumulation. The Yasari society is one in which Khair prevails and individuals consciously choose the path of felicity. The critique of accumulation alongside emphasis on Khair constitutes an invitation to reconsider social values and priorities.
In the Quran, Khair is profoundly linked with the concept of free will. Khair is the outcome of a conscious choice directed towards God and Divine values. This concept is beautifully reflected in a verse from Surah Al-Araf:
وَاخْتَارَ مُوسَىٰ قَوْمَهُ سَبْعِينَ رَجُلًا لِّمِيقَاتِنَا ۖ فَلَمَّا أَخَذَتْهُمُ الرَّجْفَةُ قَالَ رَبِّ لَوْ شِئْتَ أَهْلَكْتَهُم مِّن قَبْلُ وَإِيَّايَ ۖ أَتُهْلِكُنَا بِمَا فَعَلَ السُّفَهَاءُ مِنَّا
And Moses chose seventy men of his people for Our appointment. Then when the earthquake seized them, he said: My Lord! If You had willed, You could have destroyed them before, and me also. Will You destroy us for what the foolish among us have done? (Quran)
This verse, like a blazing torch, shows that Khair lies in a choice aligned with Divine guidance. Moses (peace be upon him) voluntarily chose his people for the Divine appointment, manifesting Khair. The original text stresses that Khair is voluntary, springing from the selection of the self, and whatever returns to Godsuch as love, worship, and righteous deedsis Khair.
Khair is like a deeply rooted, enduring tree, whereas worldly affairs are like leaves blown away by the breeze. The original text emphasises that whatever is with God is good, but that which remains in the world may become tainted with evil. This concept is clearly expressed in a verse from Surah Al-Muzzammil:
وَمَا تَقَدَّمُوا لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ اللَّهِ هُوَ خَيْرًا وَأَعْظَمَ أَجْرًا
And whatever good you send forth for yourselves, you shall find it with Allah, better and greater in reward. (Quran)
This verse, like a celestial melody, invites man towards actions that remain eternally with God. Khair is manifested in acts such as fasting, prayer, and charity done with Divine intention. The original text critiques charity given with ostentation, considering it devoid of Khair because Khair lies in pure intention and enduring action.
Khair, like a clear stream, originates from conscious free will and flows towards God. This section demonstrated that Khair lies in choices aligned with Divine guidance and stands opposed to transient worldly matters. A society that selects Khair advances towards felicity and elevation and escapes the trap of accumulation.
The Holy Quran, like a meticulously engineered blueprint, guides society towards Khair and felicity. This celestial book is revealed not only for spiritual guidance but also to explain the system of creation and to nurture a society founded on goodness. A verse from Surah Al-Muzzammil articulates this role:
فَاقْرَءُوا مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنَ الْ
