The Holy Qur'an is a book that, like a pristine spring, flows with divine knowledge across a vast expanse of wisdom, ethics, and admonition. This treatise delves into the verses of Surah Al-Hijr, focusing on the unparalleled oppression of Prophet Lot (peace be upon him) and the Divine oaths in the Holy Qur'an. This examination, through profound contemplation on the verses and their meanings and implications, aims to illuminate the hidden layers of Qur'anic knowledge for the readers. In this path, verses related to the people of Lot and Divine oaths across various surahs have been utilised to demonstrate the relationship between these verses and the cosmic order, Divine governance, and the invitation to reflect on nature and ethics.
Surah Al-Hijr, by referring to the fate of the people of Lot, presents a depiction of a society submerged in rebellion and moral deviation. This people, censured in the Qur'anic verses due to corruption and disobedience, not only rejected the invitation of their prophet but also barred him from communication with the wider world. This social despotism, rooted in profound moral and cultural deviations, impeded the spread of truth and the call to virtue.
قَالُوا أَلَمْ نَنْهَكَ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ
They said: "Did We not forbid you from [associating with] the people?"
This verse portrays a commanding reaction from the people of Lot who sought to prevent their prophet from interacting with others. This prohibition is indicative of the authoritarian and monopolistic nature of the people who not only suppressed the Divine call but also disallowed guests from entering Lots house. This behaviour epitomises a despotic pattern that restricted all forms of human connection and invitation to goodness.
Within this verse, the oppression of Prophet Lot against the societal pressure of his people becomes evident. He was not only humiliated by his community but was also positioned as a marginalised individual. Nevertheless, his response to this pressure was not marked by anger or rejection, but by an ethical and humane invitation.
قَالَ هَؤُلَاءِ بَنَاتِي إِنْ كُنْتُمْ فَاعِلِينَ
He said: "These are my daughters, if you would be doers [of something]."
Prophet Lot (peace be upon him), at the height of his oppression, instead of reacting harshly or withdrawing, presented an ethical proposal. By referring to his daughters, he invited his people towards lawful marriage and the path of natural disposition and morality. This suggestion was not born out of submission but was an endeavour to guide his people towards reform and a return to human nature. The term "these" (هَؤُلَاءِ) indicates that Lots daughters were publicly known in society, implying a lack of suitors for them due to the corruption of the people.
This response is a manifestation of the courage and steadfastness of Lots faith. Faced with a people immersed in neglect and rebellion, he patiently and wisely proposed a way for guidance. This oppression, unparalleled anywhere else in the Holy Qur'an, acts like a mirror reflecting the spiritual grandeur and faith of the prophet amid the darkness of his people.
لَعَمْرُكَ إِنَّهُمْ لَفِي سَكْرَتِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ
By your life, indeed they are, in their intoxication, wandering blindly.
This verse, with a Divine oath sworn by the Prophets life, depicts the zenith of Prophet Lots oppression. The oath "By your life" (لَعَمْرُكَ) is the only majestic oath in the Qur'an addressed directly to the Prophet and signifies Gods affirmation and solidarity with His prophet against a people immersed in their "intoxication" (spiritual heedlessness). This intoxication reveals the spiritual blindness of the people who lost the capacity to perceive truth and accept the Divine invitation.
This oath shines like a light amidst the darkness of the peoples heedlessness, illuminating the prophets oppression. God, by this oath, not only underscores the peoples rebellion but also displays the spiritual grandeur of Lot (peace be upon him) in the face of this darkness.
فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الصَّيْحَةُ مُشْرِقِينَ
Then the cry overtook them at sunrise.
فَجَعَلْنَا عَالِيَهَا سَافِلَهَا وَأَمْطَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ حِجَارَةً مِنْ سِجِّيلٍ
And We turned the upper part of the city to the lower, and rained upon them stones of baked clay.
After the completion of the Divine argument and the persistence of the people in heedlessness and rebellion, Divine punishment descended upon them. The overturning of the city and the raining of stones of baked clay illustrate Gods justice and wisdom, manifest under the title "Disposer over the mighty." This punishment was not out of wrath but was based on Divine wisdom after God despaired of guiding the people.
The verse "In that are signs for those who discern" (فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِلْمُتَوَسِّمِينَ) indicates that this punishment serves as a mirror for the insightful, that is, those who, with insight and prudence, learn lessons from the consequences of rebellion. This lesson, like a lamp, illuminates the path of guidance for future generations.
The oppression of Prophet Lot (peace be upon him) in Surah Al-Hijr shines like a brilliant jewel among the verses of the Holy Qur'an. This oppression is manifest not only against the despotism and rebellion of the people but also in his wise and patient invitation towards reform and human nature. The Divine oath "By your life" and the descent of punishment are two sides of the coin of Divine wisdom and justice that invite humanity to contemplate the consequences of heedlessness and rebellion.
Divine oaths in the Holy Qur'an, like stars in the firmament of knowledge, guide humanity towards contemplation of the cosmic order. These oaths are categorised into two types: majestic oaths (Jalali), which refer to punishment and rebellion, and non-majestic oaths, which emphasise the truthfulness of Divine promises and the governance of the universe. Each oath is like a key that opens a door of knowledge and invites man to explore the truth.
Majestic oaths, such as the oath "By your life" (لَعَمْرُكَ) in Surah Al-Hijr, refer to the oppression of the prophets and the heedlessness of their peoples. These oaths, like a double-edged sword, reveal both the grandeur of the prophet and the darkness of the peoples heedlessness. Among these, the oath by the life of Prophet Lot is unique, being the sole majestic oath directly addressed to a prophet, portraying his utmost oppression before a rebellious people.
وَالذَّارِيَاتِ ذَرْوًا * فَالْحَامِلَاتِ وِقْرًا * فَالْجَارِيَاتِ يُسْرًا * فَالْمُقَسِّمَاتِ أَمْرًا * إِنَّمَا تُوعَدُونَ لَصَادِقٌ * وَإِنَّ الدِّينَ لَوَاقِعٌ
"By those [winds] that scatter [dust] abroad, and those that carry a load, and those that move swiftly, and those that distribute [the affair], indeed, what you are promised is true, and indeed, the recompense is to occur."
The non-majestic oaths in Surahs Adh-Dhariyat, Ar-Rum, An-Nazi'at, and As-Saffat refer to the role of angels in the governance of the universe. These oaths, all appearing in surahs named after angels, emphasize the purity and sanctity of these beings. Angels, as systematic agents, bear responsibilities of scattering, carrying, moving, and distributing affairs.
Unlike the majestic oaths, these do not pertain to sin or punishment but invite humans to reflect on the cosmic order and the truthfulness of Divine promises. The angels appear collectively, not individually, indicating coordination and systematic Divine governance.
وَالسَّمَاءِ ذَاتِ الْحُبُكِ
By the sky with its woven texture.
وَالسَّمَاءِ وَالطَّارِقِ
By the sky and the night comer (bright star).
Divine oaths to natural phenomena such as the sky, earth, sun, moon, night, and day serve as mirrors inviting humans to contemplate the cosmic system. These oaths are not merely affirmations but encourage exploration of natures properties and detailed understanding. Terms such as "with its woven texture" (ذَاتِ الْحُبُكِ) or "with its returning water" (ذَاتِ الرَّجْعِ) summon reflection on the structure and order of the cosmos.
These oaths act like bubbling springs, directing human intellect towards research and inquiry in nature. The term "oath" in the Qur'an signifies division and dissection, encouraging analytical examination of the natural world. However, the historical neglect of these oaths in religious science has impeded scientific advancement. Had these oaths been explored meticulously, they could have sown seeds of scientific and spiritual growth.
لَا أُقْسِمُ بِيَوْمِ الْقِيَامَة
