of Nokounam, May His Sanctity be Preserved (Session 1672)
The Holy Quran is a book in which profound and sagacious concepts are embedded within its verses, each serving as a guiding light for humanity on the path of knowledge and guidance. This treatise examines four pivotal concepts: Tadmir, Madmumeh, Balouna, and Dowla, which possess a distinctive manifestation in the verses of Surah Al-Imran and other related surahs. These concepts, each reflecting an aspect of divine authority, wisdom, and management, bear not only contextual meanings within the verses but also profound and practical implications connected to the cosmic order and human behaviour. The objective of this research is to elucidate these concepts in a clear and dignified language, thereby leading the reader towards a deeper understanding of the Divine Word. Through an analytical lens and grounded upon the verses of the Holy Quran, these concepts are presented within a structured framework and with detailed explanation, to reveal the facets of divine wisdom in guiding and reforming humanity.
Tadmir is a term that, lexically, denotes sudden intrusion and destruction of something, resulting in annihilation, chaos, and disruption. In the Holy Quran, this concept is employed as one of the secondary divine names, representing the unparalleled authority of the Lord in confronting disbelief, wickedness, and oppression. Tadmir acts like a wise surgical scalpel that amputates a corrupted organ to preserve the health of the entire cosmic system. This divine action only occurs when disbelief or wickedness surpasses limits and correction becomes impossible. Tadmir is not carried out out of unwarranted anger, but rather from wisdom and for the reformation of the social and spiritual order.
Surah An-Nabi, Ayah 10:
"Have they not travelled through the land and observed the end of those before them? Allah destroyed them, and for the disbelievers is something similar."
This verse states the general rule of tadmir, which strikes the disbelievers suddenly, swiftly, and with intensity. Tadmir here does not merely signify physical destruction, but also denotes the disruption of the natural order of the disbelievers' lives, depriving them of safety and security. This act is like a storm that shatters the foundations of disbelief and establishes divine order.
"That is because Allah is the protector of those who have believed, and the disbelievers have no protector."
The destruction of the disbelievers serves a noble purpose: to strengthen and protect the believers. This divine action is like a shield preserving faith against disbelief and corruption, demonstrating that Allah is the guardian of the faithful, while the disbelievers have no helper. This divine wisdom guarantees social and spiritual order.
"And when We intend to destroy a city, We command its affluent but they defiantly disobey therein; so the word (destruction) becomes due upon it, and We destroy it with complete destruction."
In this verse, tadmir is specifically directed at the mutrafih, the indulgent and sinful elite. This group, due to their excess in wickedness and sin, merits divine punishment. Tadmir here acts as a scalpel eradicating corruption and manifesting the natural consequence of the sins of the affluent.
"And the good word of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel because of their patience, and We destroyed what Pharaoh and his people were producing and what they had been building."
This verse illustrates tadmir in the destruction of Pharaohs and his people's accomplishments. This destruction is not only physical but encompasses the annihilation of their social and political order, carried out with divine authority and speed. Tadmir here is like a storm shattering the foundations of tyranny.
"So We said, Go to the people who denied Our signs. Then We destroyed them with complete destruction."
This verse employs tadmir with respect to a people who rejected divine signs. Denial of the signs is the precondition for tadmir, which is executed fully and decisively, like the fire of divine wrath consuming disbelief.
"Then We destroyed the others."
The destruction of the people of Lot due to their wickedness and sins is an irrevocable and decisive act. This annihilation includes the complete destruction of the people, except for the survivors such as Lot and his family. Tadmir here resembles a flood washing corruption away from the face of time.
Tadmir, as a majestic and secondary name, differs from the emotional kindness of parents. Parental kindness is driven by emotion and often lacks wisdom; however, divine tadmir is administered out of wisdom and for the reformation of the cosmic order. Like a skilled physician who precisely and decisively amputates a corrupted limb to preserve the health of the entire body, Allah with tadmir eradicates corruption.
Tadmir is a manifestation of divine authority, applied with wisdom and for the reformation of the cosmic order. This concept appears decisively and suddenly in multiple Quranic verses, including Surahs An-Nabi, Al-Isra, Al-A'raf, Al-Furqan, and Ash-Shu'ara, confronting disbelief and wickedness. Tadmir entails not only physical destruction but also the disruption of the false order of disbelievers and sinners, thereby establishing divine order. This act, like a scalpel, cuts corruption and strengthens faith.
Madmumeh denotes gradual destruction, in contrast to tadmir which is sudden and decisive. It occurs slowly and with gradual entrapment (istidraj). This concept is like a disease that gradually debilitates the body without the patient initially sensing danger. Madmumeh results from divine stratagem which ensnares the individual or community in the trap of their own sins.
"Then their Lord destroyed them for
