of Nokounam, (Session 1694)
The Holy Qur'an, like a clear and bubbling spring, is mankinds guide towards truth and perfection. This divine book, with its profound vocabulary and concepts, not only illuminates the path to eternal felicity but also offers dynamic and effective systems for worldly life and the organisation of human society. In this treatise, the key concepts of Sovereignty, Flow, Conquest, and Causes in the Holy Qur'an are examined and interpreted. These concepts, shining like stars in the firmament of divine knowledge, are considered from a systemic and social perspective to facilitate a deeper understanding of the order of creation and the responsibilities of the Islamic community. This work, relying on Qur'anic verses and scholarly analyses, endeavours to elucidate these concepts in a clear and dignified manner for an audience keen on Qur'anic sciences.
The term Sovereignty in the Holy Qur'an, like a light piercing the darkness of ignorance, signifies legitimate power, divine authority, and an organised system. Contrary to common misconceptions that reduce it to tyranny or oppression, in the Qur'an it holds an exalted meaning aligned with justice and truth. The word Sovereignty, especially in connection with the divine prophets, is akin to a mighty tree rooted in divine revelation, whose branches encompass social and governmental systems.
Surah An-Nis, 4:91:
And if Allah had willed, He would have given them power over you, and they would have fought you.
This verse indicates that dominion and power lie solely in the hands of God, who determines who gains authority over others. Such authority is legitimate only within the framework of divine will.
Surah Al-Hijr, 15:42:
Indeed, My servants - you have no authority over them, except those who follow you of the deviators.
This verse underscores the limitation of Satans power, showing that sincere servants of God, through their reliance on Him, are protected from Satans sovereignty.
Surah Al-Arf, 7:71:
Do you argue with Me concerning names which you have named, you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority?
This verse describes idolatry as a fragile and rootless structure devoid of any true power or authority, as it lacks divine backing.
Surah T-H, 20:24:
Indeed, We sent Moses with Our signs and a clear authority.
Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), equipped with divine signs and manifest sovereignty, exemplifies the one who established social and governmental order.
Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), like a sun illuminating the sky of history, is most closely associated with the concept of Sovereignty in the Qur'an. Of the 39 instances of the term, 24 refer to him. This reflects his unparalleled role in establishing a divinely rooted governmental and social system. This system, like a roaring river, originates from divine verses and, with legitimate power, delivered the Children of Israel from Pharaonic oppression.
The sovereignty of Moses (peace be upon him) is manifested not only in his miracles, such as transforming his staff into a serpent, but also in creating a systematic order for guiding his people. This order, like a firm structure, was based on divine signs and clear authority, and its influence persisted even after him, particularly within Abrahamic religions such as Judaism and Christianity.
Regrettably, throughout history, the term Sovereignty has been distorted like a jewel buried in soil, being reduced to meanings of tyranny and oppression. This distortion, rooted in political and colonial abuses, diverges from the Qur'anic truth. In the Qur'an, sovereignty is depicted as a crown upon the heads of divine prophets, adorned with revelation and justice, denoting legitimate authority and oversight.
The concept of Sovereignty in the Holy Qur'an serves as a bridge linking divine revelation to social and governmental systems. Emphasising legitimate power and authority based on divine signs, it calls upon Islamic societies to establish organised and just systems. Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), as the foremost example of manifest sovereignty, is a model for constructing social orders rooted in truth and justice.
The term Flow in the Holy Qur'an, like a rushing river, signifies swift and longitudinal movement, contrasting with stagnation and inertia. This concept, appearing in 64 verses, denotes dynamism and order within the system of creation and society. Flow, like a breeze that sets tree branches dancing, emphasises the necessity of continuous and purposeful movement along the path of progress.
Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:164:
And [the] ships which sail through the sea for the benefit of mankind.
This verse portrays ships as birds flying over the waves, utilising the flow to serve public interests.
Surah Ar-Rad, 13:2:
And He subjected the sun and the moon, each running its course for an appointed term.
This verse depicts the orderly and purposeful movement of the sun and moon, like giant clockwork gears propelling the system of creation.
Surah Ar-Rahmn, 55:5:
The sun and the moon [move] by precise calculation.
This verse emphasises the order and precision of creations flow, as though the universe is a book whose pages are inscribed with exact regularity.
One of the most prominent depictions of flow in the Holy Qur'an is the description of Paradise as Gardens beneath which rivers flow, repeated in 51 verses. This phrase, like a divine painting, depicts a Paradise where rushing rivers flow beneath the trees, illustrating a dynamic and orderly system. This portrayal serves not only as an image of the Hereafter but also as a paradigm for the world, urging Islamic societies to establish dynamic systems to achieve progress.
