of Nokounam, (Session 1669)
The Holy Quran, akin to an endless sea of divine knowledge, presents profound concepts through its words and verses to humanity, each like a radiant jewel guiding man towards truth and felicity. Two such concepts, Affection (Alfat) and Refuge (Mw), are among these divine insights, portrayed in the luminous verses of the Holy Quran with unparalleled subtlety and depth. Affection is a divine bond that brings hearts and beings closer, establishing a celestial unity in the realm of creation. Refuge signifies a sanctuary where a person seeks shelter ir deeds; sometimes it is a paradise full of tranquility, and at other times a hell overwhelmed with torment. This treatise, relying on Quranic verses and reflection upon their meanings, examines these two key concepts and explores their connection with the Divine Names and the system of creation through a profound lens. The purpose of this work is to provide a comprehensive and clear analysis of these two concepts to lead the reader towards a deeper understanding of Quranic teachings.
Affection in the Holy Quran is described as a divine light that unites scattered hearts and establishes a spiritual unity among humans and creatures. This concept is introduced in multiple verses as a divine act originating solely from God as the true agent. The Holy Quran eloquently reveals that even the divine Prophet, despite the grandeur of his status, is powerless to create affection among hearts except by Gods permission and will.
And He united their hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allah united them. Indeed, He is Exalted in Might and Wise.
(Quran 8:63, Surah Al-Anfal)
This verse from Surah Al-Anfal explicitly declares that affection is an attribute uniquely ascribed to God. Even if the Prophet were to expend all the wealth on earth, he could not unite hearts. This exclusivity of affection to God indicates that true union among hearts originates solely from the divine fountain of grace. Just as the sun bestows light upon the earth, God grants affection to hearts; it is this divine light that transforms discord into unity.
In this regard, created affection, such as the bond between parents and children or the composition of a book, is merely a manifestation of divine affection. Just as the branches of a tree draw nourishment from a single root, every bond in the realm of creation stems from divine will and act. This truth is corroborated by the luminous phrase, There is no power and no strength except with Allah, affirming that every movement and bond in existence depends on Gods permission and power.
Affection manifests not only in the bond of hearts but also with unique brilliance in the system of creation and nature. The Holy Quran depicts this divine bond beautifully in the movement of clouds and the descent of rain.
Have you not seen that Allah drives the clouds? Then He unites them, then He makes them into a mass, and you see the rain emerge from within it.
(Quran 24:43, Surah An-Nur)
This verse, with an invitation to reflection (Have you not seen), calls man to observe divine affection in nature. God drives the clouds (yuzj saban) and unites them (yuallifu baynahu), combining natural elements such as water, wind, and heat to bring down rain, the divine mercy. The collective noun sab refers to the mass and softness of clouds, as if God, like a master painter, blends scattered elements on the canvas of creation to form a scene of unity and mercy.
This natural bond exemplifies divine unity which, unlike mere co-existence, results in true unity. Just as rivers merge into the sea, natural elements, under divine affection, move towards a single purpose. This verse invites man to contemplate the system of creation and perceive in the movement of clouds and rainfall a sign of Gods power and wisdom.
Affection in the social dimension, like a pure spring, quells human difficulties and guides society towards unity and security. The Holy Quran, in Surah Quraysh, expresses this reality with subtle eloquence.
For the accustomed security of the Quraysh Their accustomed security [in] the caravan of winter and summer Let them worship the Lord of this House, Who has fed them, [saving them] from hunger and made them safe, [saving them] from fear.
(Quran 106:1-4, Surah Quraysh)
These verses present affection as a divine blessing that united Quraysh during their winter and summer trade journeys and thereby resolved two fundamental human problems: poverty (j) and fear. The use of the conjunction wa (and) rather than fa (so) in wa mannahum min khawf indicates a spiritual expansion, as if the removal of fear is a natural consequence of the removal of poverty, like a flower blooming in fertile soil. This affection invites Quraysh to worship the Lord of the Kaaba, for the blessing of affection stems from the divine grace.
A society endowed with divine affection is like a towering tree, nourished by the roots of unity, bearing the fruits of security and prosperity. This verse introduces affection as a fundamental solution to social problems and calls humans to gratitude for this divine blessing.
A question arises: affection appears as a general attribute and all beings, from humans to plants, can form bonds, so why does the Holy Quran restrict it to God? The answer is that created affection is merely a manifestation of divine affection. Just as a shadow arises from the suns light, every bond in the universe, from book composition to plant relations, depends on divine will and power. God is the true agent who places desire and love in nature and beings; without His will, no bond is possible.
For instance, the bond between an apple and a pear, though established by a gardener, is rooted in a natural harmony implanted by Gods creation. Just as a pen cannot write on paper without the authors will, creation cannot establish affection without divine will. This truth is confirmed by the verse but Allah united them, which declares that even the Prophet is incapable of creating affection without divine permission.
Therefore, created affection, like knowledge or created acts, occurs only within the context of divine revelation and permission. This exclusivity of affection to God highlights the primacy of divine action and the manifestation nature of created acts; creation, like a mirror, only reflects divine light.
Refuge (Mw) in the Holy Quran means sanctuary and is specifically used for believers. God, as the refuge-giver, provides a secure sanctuary for the faithful, akin to a compassionate mother embracing her servants.
And remember when you were few and oppressed in the land, fearing that people might abduct you, but He sheltered you, supported you with His victory, and provided you with good things, perhaps you would be grateful.
(Quran 8:26, Surah Al-Anfal)
This verse from Surah Al-Anfal refers to the early days of Islam when the believers were few, weak, and afraid of being seized by their enemies. God encompassed them as a firm refuge (fkum), supported them with His victory, and provided them with pure sustenance. This divine refuge, accompanied by help and wholesome provision, likens God to a compassionate gardener watering the sapling of faith and protecting it from storms.
In another verse,
