the Lectures of Nokounam, (Session 1668)
The concept of affection (ulfat) in the Holy Quran, like a radiant light in the firmament of knowledge, directs hearts and souls towards connection, cohesion, and intimacy. This concept, rooted in divine love and affection, encompasses not only the bond among humans but also the unity among all creatures of creation. Affection, like a gentle breeze, softens dry and barren hearts and guides them from division and violence towards brotherhood and faith. In this treatise, by reflecting upon the luminous verses of the Holy Quran, this profound concept is explored in its various dimensionsfrom spiritual and heartfelt bonds to unity within the cosmic systemand is presented in a clear, coherent, scientific, and systematic manner.
Affection in the Holy Quran is a divine blessing that guides scattered and hostile hearts towards unity and brotherhood. This concept, manifested in numerous verses through words such as أَلَّفَ and یُؤَلِّفُ, indicates the unparalleled power of God in creating intimacy and love among His servants.
وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا ۚ وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنْتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُمْ بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنْتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِنَ النَّارِ فَأَنْقَذَكُمْ مِنْهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ
"And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favour of Allah upon youwhen you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favour, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided."
This verse introduces affection as a divine blessing that guides hostile hearts towards brotherhood and fraternity. God, by the verb أَلَّفَ (from the form II verb pattern), assumes an active role in uniting hearts, and this bond occurs within the vessel of faith and love. Dry and barren hearts, devoid of love and gentleness, cannot harbour faith; however, divine affection, like pure water, softens these hearts and prepares them for the acceptance of truth. The outcome of this affection is brotherhood, which is a subset of the spiritual bond of faith.
Unlike superficial or formal bonds that may form within the confines of time or place, affection is a genuine and heartfelt connection. This bond rescues humans from the abyss of fire of enmity and division and directs them towards unity and peace. Just as a gentle breeze causes dried branches to sway gracefully, divine affection guides hardened hearts towards tenderness and love.
One of the distinguished features of affection in the Holy Quran is its transcendence beyond material and worldly means. This concept, exclusive to a divine act, manifests the unmatched power of God in creating bonds among hearts.
وَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ ۚ لَوْ أَنْفَقْتَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا مَا أَلَّفْتَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ أَلَّفَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
"And He brought their hearts together. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have brought their hearts together; but Allah brought them together. Indeed, He is Exalted in Might and Wise."
This verse, emphasising the verb أَلَّفَ, demonstrates that affection is a divine matter, and even the Prophet, with all earthly resources, cannot establish it. God, as the sole agent of this bond, through approximation, encouragement, and softening of hearts, establishes intimacy and love among people. The verse particularly refers to the hardened and dry hearts of some Jahiliyyah Arabs, who were guided to affection and unity solely by divine power.
Affection is like an invisible thread that stitches hearts together and leads them from dispersion towards unity. This bond forms not by material tools but through divine gentleness and love, guiding humans to peace and faith. Just as the suns rays melt the ice, divine affection transitions barren hearts from hardness to tenderness.
One of the eminent functions of affection in the Holy Quran is its role in addressing two fundamental human problems, namely poverty and fear. This concept, by creating social and economic bonds, provides the groundwork for security and tranquility in society.
لِإِيلَافِ قُرَيْشٍ إِيلَافِهِمْ رِحْلَةَ الشِّتَاءِ وَالصَّيْفِ فَلْيَعْبُدُوا رَبَّ هَٰذَا الْبَيْتِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَهُمْ مِنْ جُوعٍ وَآمَنَهُمْ مِنْ خَوْفٍ
"For the accustomed security of the QurayshTheir accustomed security [in] the caravan of winter and summerLet them worship the Lord of this House, Who has fed them, [saving them] from hunger and made them safe, [saving them] from fear."
These verses depict affection in the social and economic bond of Quraysh during the winter and summer trading journeys. God, by creating this affection, saved Quraysh from hunger and insecurity and guided them towards the
