the Lectures of Nokounam (may his sanctity be preserved) Session 1651
The Holy Quran, like a pure mirror, displays various manifestations of Divine attributes. Among these, the resoluteness and authority of Godmanifest in the sublime oaths and the depiction of the punishment of the disbelieversoccupy a special position. This treatise, by reflecting upon the luminous verses of the Surahs Y-Sn, ajj, qqah, Anfl, Arf, Zukhruf, and Maryam, examines Divine resoluteness and the sublime oaths. The objective is to elucidate the truth that Gods resoluteness does not stem from wrath but from wisdom and justice, revealed in opposition to the disbelief and rebellion of humankind. This study, through a profound understanding of the verses and utilising literary metaphors, endeavours to present the Divine reality as a blazing torch before the intellect and heart of the readers.
Surah Y-Sn, like a brilliant gem at the heart of the Holy Quran, speaks of the state of the disbelievers who are ensnared in arrogance and heedlessness. Verse 8 of this Surah presents a clear image of this spiritual captivity:
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا فِي أَعْنَاقِهِمْ أَغْلَالًا فَهِيَ إِلَى الْأَذْقَانِ فَهُمْ مُقْمَحُونَ
We have put shackles on their necks, reaching up to their chins, so their heads are forced upwards.
This verse likens the disbelievers to captives caught in chains of arrogance and ignorance. The word مُقْمَحُونَmeaning heads held high out of prideindicates the inability of the disbelievers to perceive the truth. These shackles are not made of iron but are of ignorance and self-conceit, which bind the soul. The Divine resoluteness here appears as a spiritual punishment, depriving the disbelievers from comprehending guidance.
Summary: Verse 8 of Surah Y-Sn mirrors the condition of the disbelievers confronting the Divine invitation. Gods resoluteness here arises not from anger but wisdom, placing the disbelievers in spiritual captivity due to their persistence in disbelief.
Surah ajj, through terrifying descriptions, speaks of the punishment of the disbelievers. Verses 19 to 22 display the severity and decisiveness of Divine chastisement:
قُطِعَتْ لَهُمْ ثِيَابٌ مِنْ نَارٍ يُصَبُّ مِنْ فَوْقِ رُءُوسِهِمُ الْحَمِيمُ * يُصْهَرُ بِهِ مَا فِي بُطُونِهِمْ وَالْجُلُودُ * وَلَهُمْ مَقَامِعُ مِنْ حَدِيدٍ * كُلَّمَا أَرَادُوا أَنْ يَخْرُجُوا مِنْهَا مِنْ غَمٍّ أُعِيدُوا فِيهَا وَذُوقُوا عَذَابَ الْحَرِيقِ
For them are garments of fire cut out, poured over their heads is scalding water, which melts what is within their bellies and skins. And for them are iron rods. Whenever they wish to come forth out of it in anguish, they are returned to it and told, Taste the torment of burning.
These verses portray the punishment as a boiling cascade of fire engulfing the entirety of the disbelievers being. The phrase ثِيَابٌ مِنْ نَارٍ depicts a torment that envelops the body like a garment. The حَمِيم, hotter than ordinary fire, penetrates bodily orifices creating a more pervasive punishment. The iron rods (مَقَامِعُ مِنْ حَدِيدٍ) symbolise Gods decisiveness in preventing the disbelievers escape from torment.
Summary: Verses 19 to 22 of Surah ajj depict Divine resoluteness in punishing the disbelievers. This severe torment, expressed through vivid imagery, reflects Gods justice in requiting the disbelievers after delivering the proof.
Surah qqah explicitly speaks of Gods resoluteness on the Day of Judgment. Verses 30 to 32 deliver decisive commands for the punishment of disbelievers:
