the lectures of Nokounam, may his sanctity be preserved (Session 1653)
The Holy Quran is a book that, through the language of wisdom and grandeur, guides humanity towards the truth. This divine book, with verses that shine like stars in the firmament of knowledge, is not merely a guide for action but also a mirror for contemplation on the attributes of God and human behaviour. In this treatise, with a profound look at the verses of Surah Al-Anbiya and the concept of "Justice" (Qist) in the Holy Quran, two prominent manifestations of Divine attributes are examined: the Crusher of the Tyrants (Qasim al-Jabbarin), which signifies Gods decisiveness against oppressors, and Justice (Qist), which represents the practical implementation of justice in human life. This examination, relying on the luminous verses of the Holy Quran, elucidates these concepts within a scientific and coherent framework to open a new window towards a deeper understanding of the Divine Word.
The term "Qasim" in the Holy Quran means one who shatters decisively that which is hard and firm. This Divine attribute is manifested in verses 11 to 16 of Surah Al-Anbiya in such a way that it appears as if God, with an iron hand, crushes tyrannical societies that have stood against the truth. The Crusher of the Tyrants is an aspect of Divine Majesty wherein mercy recedes before oppression and arrogance, and justice is enforced decisively. This concept refers not only to the disbelievers but to any society that takes steps along the path of oppression and arrogance. It is as if God, like a gardener who prunes the withered branches from the tree of life, eradicates oppressive communities from the page of time so that the earth may be purified from injustice.
"And how many a city which was unjust We have shattered, and after them We produced another people. So when they perceived Our punishment, behold, they fled from it.
Do not flee, but return to that which you were given luxury in and to your dwellings, perhaps you will be asked.
They said: Alas for us! Indeed we were wrongdoers.
And that declaration of theirs did not cease until We made them harvest [dead] laid low."
These verses narrate how many cities that were oppressive were shattered by God, and other peoples were raised in their stead. When these communities sensed the Divine punishment, they fled suddenly like straw before the wind. They were told not to run away but to return to the pleasures and homes they had been indulging in, perhaps to be held accountable. They lamented their wrongdoing, and their cries continued until they were reaped and silenced.
In these verses, the word "Qasamna" is employed to mean the crushing and shattering of something hard and firm. Unlike "Kasara", which may imply breaking something soft or brittle, "Qasamna" connotes decisiveness and severity of action. God likens oppressive communities who have deviated from the path of truth due to arrogance and injustice to a hard stone that is shattered by a decisive blow. This decisiveness, like a sharp sword, not only annihilates the oppressors but prepares the earth for the growth of another people.
These verses, like a clear mirror, reflect Gods decisiveness against oppressors. Those immersed in luxury and indulgence flee like terrified birds at the moment of Divine punishment, yet God mockingly calls them back to the same life of extravagance, as if this return only results in further disgrace and accountability. This Divine mockery, like a bitter irony, displays the impotence of the oppressors before Gods power.
Verses 11 to 16 of Surah Al-Anbiya depict Divine decisiveness as a rock steadfast against fierce winds, confronting oppressors and arrogant tyrants. The Crusher of the Tyrants is an attribute by which God shatters oppressive communities and prepares the earth for another people. These verses warn not only the disbelievers but every group treading the path of oppression and arrogance that Divine punishment, like a raging flood, will overwhelm them. This section, by elucidating the concept of the Crusher of the Tyrants, teaches that Divine justice never remains silent in the face of oppression and decisively brings the oppressors to account.
Justice (Qist) in the Holy Quran is like a light radiating from the heart of fairness, signifying the practical application of justice in daily life. Unlike Adl (equity), which is a general and theoretical concept, Qist refers to the enactment of justice in tangible and concrete situations. This concept, like a pure spring, is consistently used in fifteen Quranic instances to denote goodness and the restoration of rights, never implying injustice or oppression. Qist is akin to a bridge that conveys justice from the celestial realm of thought to the terrestrial realm of action, inviting humanity to stand against oppression and uphold truth.
"God bears witness that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those endowed with knowledge maintaining justice." (Surah Aal-Imran)
This verse from Surah Aal-Imran presents Qist as an external and tangible act in which God, angels, and the learned stand firm. Justice is portrayed as a steadfast pillar manifesting itself through action, calling humanity not merely to contemplate justice but to implement it in conduct and behaviour.
"Judge between them with justice. Indeed, God loves those who act justly." (Surah Al-Maidah)
In this verse from Surah Al-Maidah, Al-Muqsitun are introduced as those who execute justice in practice, and thus are beloved by God. This love is like rain nourishing the parched land of justice.
Qist is like a hand that holds the scales of justice with precision, delivering rights to their rightful owners. This concept, found in verses such as Give full measure and weight with justice (Surah Al-Anam: 152), signifies fair weighing and fulfillment of rights in everyday transactions. Such practice is a thread connecting scattered beads of justice and rescuing society from the abyss of oppression.
Opposite to Qist, which is the enactment of justice, the Qasitun are those who have deviated from this luminous path and tread towards oppression and injustice. In Surah Al-Jinn, verse 15, Qasitun stand opposed to the Muslims, and their grim fate is to become fuel for Hellfire.
"But as for the unjust, they will be fuel for Hellfire." (Surah Al-Jinn: 15)
This verse, sounding like a warning echoing in the night, teaches humanity that deviation from justice leads to darkness and torment. The Qasitun are those who, instead of practising justice, have implemented injustice, and this deviation directs them towards a painful punishment.
The Qasitun are like travellers who have diverged from the bright path of justice towards the darkness of oppression. This deviation not only distances them from Divine mercy but binds their fate to painful chastisement. The Holy Quran thus cautions humanity against straying from justice and invites them to stand for Qist.
The concept of Qist in the Holy Quran is like a jewel shining within the shell of Divine verses. It refers to the practical implementation of justice and in all Quranic instances is associated with goodness and the fulfilment of rights. Conversely, the Qasitun are those who deviate from this luminous path and step into oppression and injustice. This section, by clarifying these two concepts, teaches that justice must flow not only in thought but also in practice, and deviation from it leads humanity to painful torment.
The Holy Quran is like a mirror reflecting the truth of humanity and God. In the verses of Surah Al-Anbiya and the concept of Qist, two prominent attributes of God appear: The Crusher of the Tyrants, who decisively shatters oppressors, and Justice, which demands the practical implementation of justice in human life. These two concepts, like two wings, guide humanity towards a deeper understanding of the Divine Word and its enactment. The Crusher of the Tyrants is a warning to oppressors that no power can withstand Divine grandeur, and Justice is an invitation to humanity to manifest justice in daily life. This treatise, relying on the luminous verses of the Holy Quran, endeavoured to elucidate these concepts with a lofty and scientific style and to pave the way for deeper research in this field.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
