of Nokounam Session 1606
The Holy Quran, like a radiant lamp, illuminates the path of human felicity across the diverse dimensions of individual and social life. Among these, the concepts of family and faith-based society, as two firm pillars, provide a foundation for the realisation of justice and equity. This discourse, by reflecting upon the luminous verses of the Holy Quran and benefiting from the teachings of religious scholars, undertakes an in-depth examination of these two concepts. Its aim is to elucidate, with a comprehensive and precise perspective, the governing principles of the faith-based family and society, so as to serve as a guide for attaining a life replete with piety, benevolence, and reliance on God. The present text, employing eloquent language and an organised structure, presents these concepts within coherent sections, inviting the reader to ponder the profundity of Quranic meanings.
One of the fundamental principles in the faith-based family is the observance of justice and benevolence when confronted with adversities. The Holy Quran states:
And if you punish, then punish with the like of that with which you were harmed. But if you endure patiently, it is better for the patient.
This verse establishes the principle of equitable retribution (Qisas), yet it emphasises the superiority of patience as a means to attain goodness and felicity. Patience here is not passivity or submission but an informed and dignified endurance that restrains one from hasty reactions. Benevolence, akin to a shining jewel, invites beyond mere justice towards kindness and generosity within familial relations. For instance, if a family member suffers injustice, rather than seeking revenge, they may, through patience and benevolence, create an atmosphere of tranquility and affection, as if a cool breeze calms the flames of anger.
In the faith-based family, benevolence may manifest in various forms: from forgiving anothers mistakes to assisting family members in hardships. This principle acts as a bridge that mends the rifts among hearts and directs the family towards unity and peace.
The Holy Quran places the faith-based family under special divine protection and states:
Indeed, Allah is with those who fear Him and those who are doers of good.
Piety acts as a shield that protects the family from the harm of sin and oppression, while benevolence, like a pure stream, flows love and goodwill among family members. These two principles transform the family not only into a sanctuary of tranquillity but also into a foundation for a faith-based society. God, through His promise of accompaniment, assures believing families that they are not alone on the path of righteousness and piety.
One of the maladies of the family is the emergence of violence and oppression in relations among its members. The lectures cite an example of a mystic who, despite apparent benevolence in feeding dogs, in a moment of anger threw a flowerpot at his wife. This behaviour reveals a contradiction between the claim of faith and its actual practice.
The Holy Quran describes the family as a refuge for peace and affection (Surah Ar-Rum, verse 21). Any form of violence, whether physical or psychological, is in contradiction with the spirit of faith. In the faith-based family, all forms of oppression and harm must be avoided, and instead, patience, benevolence, and justice must be promoted. This principle not only strengthens the family but also turns it into a model for society.
For example, if a person, in a moment of anger, refrains from throwing a flowerpot and instead chooses patience and dialogue with affection, it is as if sowing the seed of love whose fruit is familial peace and unity. Such a family, like a sturdy tree, has its roots in faith and yields the fruits of justice and equity.
The faith-based family, like a warm and luminous centre, constitutes the foundation of the faith-based society. Patience in the face of adversities, benevolence in relationships, and avoidance of violence are three fundamental principles that guide the family towards justice and equity. Divine support, like an extensive shade, encompasses these families, protecting them from oppression and division. Reflection upon these principles leads us to the truth that the faith-based family is not only a sanctuary of individual peace but also a ground for the flourishing of a just and exalted society.
The Holy Quran grants the faith-based society special divine assistance and states:
When they cried out to their Lord, He responded to them: Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand angels, following one another.
This verse emphasises the ongoing divine support for a society that advances on the path of justice through faith and reliance upon God. The term following one another (Murdafn) implies a continual stream of divine aid that protects the faith-based society from instability and defeat. This support not only results in apparent victory but also bestows peace and assurance upon the hearts of believers.
The Holy Quran regards divine victory as the key to the triumph of the faith-based society and declares:
And Allah made it only as glad tidings and so that your hearts might be reassured thereby. And victory is not but from Allah. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.
This verse teaches that victory is not the mere result of human effort, but dependent upon divine assistance. The tranquillity emerging from this victory, like a gentle breeze, dispels anxiety and fear from the hearts of the faithful. The faith-based society, by relying on God, is liberated from fruitless and anxiety-ridden efforts and is guided towards a sublime goal.
The Holy Quran speaks of the descent of divine blessings for the purification and consolidation of the faith-based society and states:
When He covers you with a drowsiness, a security from Him, and sends down upon you from the sky, water to purify you thereby and remove from you the defilement of Satan and to firm up your hearts and plant firmly your feet.
The concept of binding upon your hearts is like an invisible thread that unites the hearts of believers, creating a firm unity within the society. This unity acts as an impregnable fortress against the division and dispersion observed in non-faith-based societies. Divine blessings, from the security of restful sleep to the purifying rain, not only result in physical and spiritual purification but also strengthen the societys steps on the path of justice.
The Holy Quran speaks of Gods role in instilling terror in the hearts of the enemies of the faith-based society and states:
When your Lord inspired to the angels: I am with you, so strengthen those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieved, so strike above the necks and strike from them every fingertip.
This verse, according to the lectures, is illustrated by a metaphor where enemies, confronted with the faith-based society, are like birds that lose their ability to resist in the face of an electric current. This metaphor demonstrates Gods power in weakening the enemies such that the faith-based society achieves victory without resorting to unjust force. Reliance on God is the key that opens the doors of divine aid and renders the society independent of material means.
The lectures stress the distinction between the faith-based society and the society of equity. The faith-based society, relying on faith and reliance, is freed from fruitless and anxiety-ridden efforts, whereas a society devoid of faith depends upon weak and unstable structures.
The metaphor of fragile adhesives in the lectures beautifully illustrates the weakness of non-faith-based structures. A society lacking faith-based bonds is like a wall into which water penetrates and which collapses. In contrast, the faith-based society, with united hearts and firm steps, is like a sturdy edifice that withstands storms. This difference reveals the importance of faith in establishing social unity and solidity.
The faith-based society, like a verdant garden, is watered by divine blessings and, with reliance and faith, advances towards justice and equity. Divine support, victory, purification, and consolidationall these serve as steadfast pillars that protect this society from division and weakness. Divine terror cast into the hearts of enemies paves the way for the believers triumph, demonstrating that faith is the key to liberation from anxiety and attainment of felicity. Reflection upon these principles guides us to the truth that the faith-based society, with reliance upon God, can become a paradigm of justice and progress.
The faith-based family and society are like two wings of a bird soaring towards the heavens of justice and equity. The luminous verses of the Holy Quran, emphasising patience, benevolence, reliance, and avoidance of oppression, offer a comprehensive guide for the realisation of this ideal. The faith-based family, through avoidance of violence and promotion of affection, provides a firm foundation for the faith-based society. Likewise, the faith-based society, through reliance on divine victory and the unification of hearts, moves towards a sublime goal. These principles require profound reflection and implementation within social and economic frameworks to shape a society founded upon faith and justice. Religious knowledge, like a blazing torch, can illuminate this path, provided it is applied with diligence and commitment. It is hoped that these reflections constitute a step towards a deeper understanding of the Holy Quran and the realisation of divine aspirations in human life.
Under the Supervision of Sadegh Khademi
