of Nekounam, (Session 1615)
The Holy Quran, the Book of guidance and life, with its luminous verses, directs humanity towards existential truth and divine perfection. Verse 24 of Surah Al-Anfal, addressed with the phrase O you who have believed, opens a window towards understanding the created identity of human beings and the possibility of their existential transformation. This verse, by inviting response to God and His Messenger, calls humanity to true life and, emphasising the direct presence of the Divine between man and his heart, speaks of an infinite love encompassing all particles of existence. This treatise, through reflection on this verse and its connection with the concepts of faith, response, transformation, and divine love, endeavours to shed light on the existential reality of human beings and their relationship with the Creator. Employing analogies and allusions, this text strives to present the profound Quranic meanings in a clear and coherent form to its readers.
The phrase O you who have believed in verse 24 of Surah Al-Anfal refers to a created identity that is defined prior to the attribute of faith or disbelief. Those who (al-ladhina) indicates the human entity capable of receiving diverse attributes, ranging from belief to denial. This identity is like a seed planted in the soil of existence that can grow towards the light of faith or the darkness of disbelief. The Holy Quran introduces man as a being inherently capable of transformation; an identity that is neither masculine nor feminine but rather a vessel receptive to attributes and existential changes.
This concept, when viewed through the lens of modern anthropology, resembles the idea of human identity prior to gender or belief. Just as in psychology, individual identity is defined before gender or social traits, so too in the Quran those who points to this fundamental identity. This identity is like a flowing river that can alter its course towards the sea of faith or the swamp of disbelief. Through this address, the Quran invites humanity to contemplate their existential capacity in order to take steps towards perfection through the choice of faith.
The Holy Quran regards humans as dynamic and capable of transformation. Just as a sperm in the mother's womb can develop into male or female, the created identity of man can shift from disbelief to faith or from ignorance to knowledge. This capacity for transformation is rooted in the existential freedom of the human being. Emphasising this potential, the Quran encourages humanity to respond to the Divine invitation so that they may utilise this capacity to attain true life.
For example, one can refer to a sperm which initially is neither male nor female but a receptacle for these attributes. This vessel, influenced by various factors, tends towards one of these two traits. Likewise, a person in their existential path can, by responding to the Divine call, move towards faith and perfection, or through heedlessness, be led towards disbelief and darkness. This transformability is like a flower planted in the soil of existence that, with the light of faith and water of response, blossoms towards flourishing.
O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. And know that Allah intervenes between a person and his heart and that to Him you will be gathered.
The term response (istijb) in this verse denotes the inner inclination and heartfelt desire to answer the Divine call, whereas compliance (ijbah) refers to an immediate and tangible act. Response is like a breeze that blows within the human heart guiding them towards good and true life, even if it does not culminate in action. This inclination is a sign of faith and elevates the existential worth of man before God.
To better understand, one may liken response to a child who, with a pure heart, wishes for goodness even if unable to perform it. This wish itself is a light shining in the heart, guiding it towards perfection. The Holy Quran, emphasising response, invites man to nurture this inner inclination so that even in the weakness of action, his heart turns towards God.
The phrase that which gives you life (lim yuykm) points to the spiritual and true life attained through responding to the call of God and His Messenger. This life is like a spring gushing forth from the heart of stone, quenching the existence of man. Unlike material life limited to the body, true life leads the human soul towards perfection and immortality.
This call is like a key unlocking the locks of human existence, directing man towards truth. By responding to this call, humanity moves from the darkness of ignorance and negligence towards the light of faith and knowledge. This movement is like the flight of a bird from the cage of the body towards the boundless Divine heavens.
The phrase intervenes between a person and his heart refers to the direct presence of God amidst man and his essence. God, like a compassionate mother, stands as a barrier between man and his existential core to prevent self-harm. This presence is a sign of infinite love encompassing all particles of existence, guiding them on the path of life and perfection.
This concept is akin to a cloth placed between two fragile vessels to prevent collision and breakage. God, by His presence, preserves man from damage to his heart and keeps him on a path leading to true life. This presence flows not only within humans but throughout all beings, from stones to plants and animals.
Contrary to philosophical views that consider God as an agent by will or consent, this interpretation proposes that Divine agency is through love. God is like a gardener who, with boundless affection, nurtures every sapling in the garden of existence. This love manifests in the behaviour of animals towards their offspring, in the movement of stones and plants, and in all realms of existence.
For instance, one may point to the love of a lioness for her cub, who carefully and tenderly embraces and protects it from danger. This affection is a reflection of Divine love flowing through all creatures. The Holy Quran, by inviting mankind to recognise this love, warns against arrogance and self-exaltation and guides towards humility and affection.
The Holy Quran views all beings as in constant transformation and dynamism. Just as humans can move from disbelief to faith, animals too may acquire human traits under human influence. This transformability is like a river carving its course through the heart of a mountain, flowing towards the sea.
For example, an animal living alongside humans gradually exhibits human behaviours. This demonstrates the capacity for transformation in all creatures. By emphasising this capability, the Quran invites humans to reflect on their role in existence and, by responding to the Divine call, advance towards perfection.
Arrogance and self-exaltation are like shadows darkening the light of knowledge within mans heart. Religious knowledge, when accompanied by humility and response instead of fanaticism and self-superiority, can guide humanity towards truth. This knowledge is like a lamp shining in the darkness of ignorance, illuminating the path of perfection.
For instance, humble forefathers, through their sincere deeds, paved the way for the knowledge of subsequent generations. This shows that response and striving for good, even without complete knowledge, leads to existential maturity. Religious knowledge must be accompanied by experimentation, research, and scientific projects to avoid fanaticism and intellectual rigidity.
And We have certainly created man and We know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein.
Verse 16 of Surah Qaf, by emphasising God's nearness to man, complements the concept of intervenes between a person and his heart. God is like a breeze flowing in the veins of human existence and is nearer to him than his jugular vein. This nearness is a sign of love encompassing all particles of existence, guiding them towards perfection.
Verse 24 of Surah Al-Anfal, addressing O you who have believed, calls humanity to respond to the Divine and Prophetic invitation in order to attain true life. The phrase those who points to the created identity of man which is capable of transformation towards faith or disbelief. Response, understood as the inner desire for good, provides the foundation for this life, and the direct Divine presence between man and his heart is a sign of infinite love encompassing all particles of existence. This verse, by emphasising the transformability of creatures and the role of knowledge and action in perfection, invites humanity towards humility and the avoidance of arrogance. Religious knowledge, infused with the spirit of response and humility, can lead society towards unity and love.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
