of Nokounam, (Session 1617)
Surah Al-Baqarah, akin to a profound and boundless ocean, encompasses a treasury of divine knowledge, wherein each wave delivers new wisdom and guidance to the shores of eager hearts. Among these, the verses concerning the Holy Spirit, prayer and its acceptance, and usury, shine as radiant stars guiding humanity along the path of perfection and felicity. This treatise, by reflecting upon verses 87, 253, 186, and 278-279 of Surah Al-Baqarah, elucidates these concepts with a profound and coherent perspective, examining the relationship between man, God, and society in the light of these verses. The objective is not merely to comprehend the apparent meanings of the verses, but to uncover their deeper spiritual and social layers, so as to illuminate the path of guidance for seekers of truth like a beacon.
Verses 87 and 253 of Surah Al-Baqarah: The Confirmation of Jesus Son of Mary by the Holy Spirit
And indeed We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of Messengers; and We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear proofs and supported him with the Holy Spirit.
Those are the Messengers. We preferred some of them over others. Among them were those whom Allah spoke to, and He raised some of them in degree. And We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear proofs and supported him with the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit, like a sacred breeze wafting from the Divine Throne upon the pure hearts of the Prophets, is a force characterized by purity and sanctity that confirms the Prophets within the earthly realm. This Spirit is not exclusive to Jesus son of Mary; rather, within the domain of the spiritual perfection of Gods saints, it operates akin to Gabriel or other exalted angels. This sacred force, embodying clarity and purity, guides humanity from the darkness of the material world towards the light of knowledge. In the aforementioned verses, Jesus son of Mary is mentioned as a distinguished example who, with clear proofs and evident signs, was confirmed by the Holy Spirit. This confirmation acts as a key that opens the doors of knowledge and guidance to the saints of God.
The Holy Spirit, as a divine force, possesses attributes that distinguish it from other governing powers in the universe. Unlike directors of affairs who may even guide disbelievers along a superficial path of guidance, the Holy Spirit operates within the realm of Prophets and saints. With the attribute of sanctity, it reflects divine truth like a clear and transparent mirror and, by affirming the Prophets, fortifies them against the challenges of the material world. The role of the Holy Spirit extends beyond bestowing proofs; it strengthens the will and spiritual guidance of the Prophets, leading them towards perfection.
Verses 87 and 253 of Surah Al-Baqarah present the Holy Spirit as the confirming force of the Prophets, which, through sanctity, operates within the sphere of the spiritual perfection of Gods saints. These verses emphasise the guiding and strengthening role of the Holy Spirit, highlighting Jesus son of Mary as a prominent example of this divine affirmation. This concept invites reflection upon the role of sacred forces in the path of perfection and guidance.
Verse 186 of Surah Al-Baqarah: The Nearness of God and the Correlation of Prayer and Acceptance
And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me that they may be guided.
Verse 186 of Surah Al-Baqarah, like a clear spring, heralds the immediate nearness of God to His servants. Addressed to the Prophet Muhammad, it implicitly addresses all servants, establishing a direct and intimate relationship between the Creator and the created by removing intermediaries. Indeed I am near resonates as a celestial voice inviting the servant to trust in the proximity of God, while I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me portrays an inseparable correlation between prayer and acceptance. This verse introduces prayer not only as a means of request but as a bridge towards faith and guidance.
Prayer in this verse acts as a key that opens the doors of divine mercy. However, this prayer is answered only when accompanied by sincerity and urgency. Sincerity, like clear water, purifies prayer from any trace of polytheism or ostentation, while urgency, like a burning fire, prepares the heart of the servant to receive divine mercy. The verse, by emphasising My servants, addresses all servants regardless of faith or disbelief, demonstrating that divine mercy shines universally like an all-encompassing sun. The omission of Say in this verse signals the directness of the relationship between God and the servant, as if God Himself speaks directly to the servant, calling him towards Himself.
The verse, through the phrase So let them respond to Me and believe in Me that they may be guided, regards prayer as the precursor to faith and guidance. Prayer is like a seed planted in the soil of the servants heart, watered by faith to grow into the sapling of guidance. This relationship illustrates the deep bond between prayer, faith, and righteousness. A servant who prays with sincerity not only fulfils his need but steps forward on the path of perfection and guidance.
The acceptance of prayer resembles a fruit that only grows on the branch of pure supplication. Prayer accompanied by polytheism, ostentation, or heedlessness is like a seed sown in rocky soil that fails to bear fruit. Religious scholars emphasise that the problem of acceptance lies not with God but with the deficiency of the prayer itself. A prayer lacking sincerity is like a sound lost in the wind, unheard by the ear of divine mercy. Therefore, the servant must cleanse his heart from any taint and approach the divine threshold with urgency and sincerity.
Verse 186 of Surah Al-Baqarah vividly and intimately portrays the direct relationship between God and the servant. This verse introduces prayer as a key to open the doors of divine mercy and stresses sincerity and urgency as conditions for acceptance. Prayer not only fulfils the servants material needs but guides him towards faith and righteousness. This concept invites contemplation upon the quality of prayer and ones relationship with God.
Verses 278-279 of Surah Al-Baqarah: Prohibition of Usury and the Call to Justice
O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers.
And if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allah and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your principal - [thus] you do no wrong, nor are you wronged.
Usury is like a poison that destroys the life of society and, like a double-edged sword, harms both the oppressor and the oppressed. Verses 278-279 of Surah Al-Baqarah, with unequivocal and decisive wording, regard usury as warfare against God and His Messenger, calling believers to abandon it and return to justice. These verses portray usury not merely as an individual act but as a social affliction that, by sucking the lifeblood of society, distances people from God and weakens faith.
Usury creates discord and conflict within society, disrupting divine order. This act is like a fire that consumes the foundations of justice and spreads oppression throughout the community. Warfare against God signifies the severity of this sin, which not only undermines individual faith but, by causing economic and social rifts, endangers the unity of the Ummah. Religious scholars emphasise that the dust of usury, like a toxic cloud, deprives the heart of the ability to perform righteous deeds and leads man away from the path of guidance.
A unilateral emphasis on the prohibition of usury, without elucidating permissible transactions such as partnership (mushrakah), profit-sharing (murabah), and contracts based on joint investment (musqt), is like a lamp that only shows darkness and conceals the clear path. Religious knowledge must rescue society from confusion by teaching lawful commercial practices and promoting legitimate means of earning. This endeavour not only prevents the misconception that everything is usury but also plants the seeds of justice and compassion within society.
Verses 278-279 of Surah Al-Baqarah categorically forbid usury, identifying it as warfare against God and His Messenger and urging believers to desist and return to justice. These verses underscore the necessity of promoting permissible transactions and avoiding a one-sided interpretation of legal rulings. Usury constitutes an obstacle on the path of faith and guidance, and abandoning it facilitates the realisation of justice and compassion within society.
The concepts of the Holy Spirit, prayer, and usury, like three threads in a cohesive fabric, depict the relationship of man with God and society. The Holy Spirit, like a sacred breeze, confirms the Prophets on the path of guidance and directs prayer towards truth. Prayer, accompanied by sincerity and urgency, brings the servant closer to God and provides the groundwork for faith and guidance. Yet, usury, as a formidable barrier, disrupts this path and, by fostering injustice, distances man from God. Abandoning usury and promoting sincere prayer act as twin wings that enable man to soar towards perfection and justice.
