of Nokounam Session 1697
The Holy Qur'an, like a pristine and inexhaustible spring, serves as humanitys guide on the path of justice, order, and social cohesion. This celestial scripture, through its illuminating verses, elucidates concepts such as oppression, divine limits, and social resilience in a profound and multilayered manner, each shining like a jewel upon the crown of human knowledge. In this treatise, with a deep contemplation on the verses related to oppression, divine limits, and Hadid, an effort has been made to examine these concepts through the lens of Qur'anic teachings, employing eloquent and lucid language. The aim is to explore these verses in order to propose strategies for constructing a just, enlightened, and stable society where justice, like a radiant sun, dispels the darkness of tyranny and corruption.
Oppression in the Holy Qur'an is defined as a heavy shadow cast over society, denoting transgression beyond divine limits and violation of social justice. This concept refers not only to individual acts but also to unjust structures that plunder wealth, peace, and human dignity. The Qur'an describes oppressors with the collective pronoun أُولَٰئِكَ
(those), indicating the widespread and general nature of this phenomenon in ignorant societies.
تِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّهِ فَلَا تَعْتَدُوهَا ۚ وَمَنْ يَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَ اللَّهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ
"These are the limits set by Allah, so do not transgress them. And whoever transgresses the limits of Allahthose are the wrongdoers."
This verse, like a blazing torch, demonstrates that oppression results from disregarding divine boundaries. The oppressors, by violating these limits, harm not only themselves but the entire community. This harm sometimes manifests as massive financial and economic corruption, which, like a destructive storm, destabilises social foundations.
One of the principal causes of oppression is the lack of awareness within society. The Holy Qur'an conditions the enforcement of divine limits upon an aware and knowledgeable people:
تِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّهِ يُبَيِّنُهَا لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ
"These are the limits of Allah which He makes clear to a people who know."
This verse, like a clear mirror, underscores the necessity of awareness in the application of divine laws. A society deprived of knowledge and insight cannot properly implement divine limits. This ignorance sometimes leads to petty thefts born of poverty; however, the root cause of insecurity and oppression lies in large-scale and structural corruption that plunders societys wealth and tranquility.
Structural oppression, like a silent cancer, destroys society from within. Petty thefts, mostly stemming from poverty and deprivation, are but drops in the ocean compared to large-scale corruption. These corruptions, sometimes involving the displacement of millions in wealth, annihilate public peace and trust. To eradicate this oppression, just infrastructures must be built to eliminate poverty and provide equal opportunities for all. A society where youth are driven towards deviance due to lack of opportunities for marriage and employment cannot claim to implement divine limits.
Oppression is like darkness that can be dispelled by the light of knowledge and justice. The Holy Qur'an, emphasising divine limits and the necessity of awareness, paves the way towards constructing a just society. Reforming social infrastructures, alleviating poverty, and establishing just systems are among the foremost steps to eradicate oppression. Religious knowledge, as the torchbearer of this path, must aid in overcoming these challenges through knowledge production and systemic organisation.
Divine limits, like the steadfast pillars of a grand edifice, guarantee order and justice within society. These limits are laws and boundaries established to preserve human dignity and social order. The Holy Qur'an conditions the implementation of these limits upon awareness and knowledge:
وَالْحَافِظُونَ لِحُدُودِ اللَّهِ
"And those who preserve the limits of Allah."
This verse, like a celestial melody, speaks of the importance of safeguarding divine limits. Protecting these limits requires awareness, knowledge, and strength that guide society towards justice.
Implementing divine limits is like constructing a strong bridge over a raging river, necessitating solid foundations of knowledge and power. A society deprived of awareness cannot properly enforce these limits. The Holy Qur'an considers ignorant societies incapable of comprehending and implementing these laws:
وَأَجْدَرُ أَلَّا يَعْلَمُوا حُدُودَ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِ
"And it is more fitting that they do not know the limits of what Allah has revealed to His Messenger."
This verse clearly demonstrates that ignorance is a major obstacle to the implementation of divine limits. Nomadic or uncultured communities, deprived of knowledge and insight, exemplify this incapacity.
One of the major challenges in contemporary societies is the lack of appropriate opportunities for youth. A young person, diverted from the right path due to lack of marriage and employment prospects, is a victim of unjust systems. This situation, like a deep wound on the body of society, demands remedy. Establishing just systems for marriage and employment can protect youth from social harms and guide them towards constructive endeavours.
Divine limits, like clear lines on the societal map, pave the way for order and justice. Their implementation requires awareness, knowledge, and just infrastructures. Religious knowledge, as the guardian of these limits, must help overcome social challenges by producing knowledge and systematisation. Youth, as the societys assets, should be shielded from social harms by creating appropriate opportunities.
Hadid or iron, in the Holy Qur'an, is likened to a steadfast pillar symbolising firmness, sharpness, and strength within society. This concept is elucidated in a clear and meaningful verse:
لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَنْزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ وَأَنْزَلْنَا الْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ
"Indeed, We sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and We sent down with them the Book and the balance so that people may uphold justice; and We sent down iron, in which is strong material and many benefits for mankind."
This verse introduces iron as both a tool and a symbol for establishing justice and social cohesion. A society whose infrastructures are as steadfast as iron can resist oppression and corruption.
Social cohesion, like a sturdy edifice, demands strong and just infrastructures. Employing fear and bullying to govern society, although possibly effective in the short term, ultimately yields adverse outcomes. This method, like a strong wind, merely sweeps away dust momentarily but cannot fortify the societal foundation.
Science and technology, like tools forged from iron, can reinforce societal infrastructures. A society benefiting from science and technology can stand firm like a resilient structure against challenges. Religious knowledge, through the production of systematic knowledge, can facilitate this path.
Hadid, as a symbol of strength and power, summons society to establish robust and just infrastructures. Ineffective methods such as fear and bullying cannot build a sustainable society. Science and technology, coupled with just systems, are the keys to social cohesion.
The Holy Qur'an, like an endless ocean, elucidates concepts such as oppression, divine limits, and Hadid in a profound and multilayered fashion. Oppression stands as a significant barrier to justice and progress, which can be eradicated through the establishment of just infrastructures and the alleviation of poverty. Divine limits provide a framework for order and justice, the enforcement of which requires awareness and knowledge. Hadid, as a symbol of strength and power, calls society towards harnessing science and technology to establish resilient systems. Religious knowledge, as the torchbearer of this path, must assist in overcoming social challenges through knowledge generation and systematic organisation. A society founded on justice, awareness, and cohesion will, like a fruitful garden, yield the fruits of goodness and blessing.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
