Preface
The Holy Qur'an, akin to an immense ocean of knowledge and wisdom, conceals within each of its verses gems of truth, whose contemplation directs the soul and spirit towards divine understandings. This composition, focusing on Qur'anic verses that refer to Divine Attributes and celestial wisdoms, constitutes an endeavour to represent the profound meanings of these verses through a clear, dignified language commensurate with an academic and scholarly atmosphere. Within this trajectory, topics such as seeking guidance (Istikhrah), testimony, vision, perception, and wisdom are examined, so that, through a deep and systematic outlook, a path towards comprehending the exalted meanings of the Holy Qur'an may be opened. Inspired by erudite lectures, this study aspires to present Qur'anic knowledge with scientific precision and a captivating literary style to its readers.
Seeking guidance through the Holy Qur'an is a spiritual act wherein the seeker, relying on Divine guidance, refers to this celestial Book to seek goodness and welfare in lifes affairs. This act is not merely a decision-making tool but serves as a bridge connecting the believers heart to the fountainhead of Divine wisdom.
Seeking guidance with the Holy Qur'an is beneficial only when the seekers intention is pure and benevolent. If the intention is devoid of goodness or harbours deceit and trickery, this act not only fails to provide a way forward but may lead to misguidance and loss.
And We send down of the Qur'an that which is a healing and a mercy to the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss (Al-Isra: 82)
This verse, like a radiant lamp, illuminates the truth of the Qur'ans role in the life of believers. The Holy Qur'an is a healing for believers that soothes the wounds of the soul and a mercy that paves the path of guidance before them. However, for the wrongdoers, whose intentions lack goodness, it brings nothing but loss and harm. Therefore, seeking guidance through the Holy Qur'an is contingent upon the sincerity of intention and benevolence. A seeker who approaches this Book with impure intention not only fails to benefit from its guidance but may also fall into the darkness of misguidance.
From the spiritual perspective, seeking guidance is an act that inclines the heart towards trust and reliance on Divine wisdom. This act restrains the seeker from clinging to carnal desires and invites them to accept Divine will. Just as a flower blossoms under the shade of sunlight, the believers heart attains perfection in the radiance of Qur'anic guidance.
The attribute Ash-Shhid (The Witness) and Ash-Shahd (The Witnessing) are sublime Divine Names that are manifested distinctly in a prominent verse of the Holy Qur'an. This verse, like a shining jewel among the Qur'anic verses, opens a path towards the knowledge of Divine Unity and nearness to God.
The verse Shahida Allahu annahu la ilaha illa huwa as the greatest testimony, guides the seeker towards the proximity of Divine Unity, the removal of doubts, and direct witnessing. Reciting this verse frees the heart from carnal anxieties and directs it towards experiential knowledge.
Allah bears witness that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those endowed with knowledge - maintaining [creation] in justice (Al-Imran: 18)
This verse recounts the truth of Divine testimony in three exalted clauses. The first clause, Allah bears witness that there is no deity except Him, is a direct and present testimony of God to His Oneness, which, like a key, opens the doors to knowledge of Divine Unity. The second clause, and the angels and those endowed with knowledge, indicates the participation of angels and the possessors of knowledge in this testimony; those whose knowledge is direct and certain. The third clause, maintaining [creation] in justice, describes the justice-centred nature of the witnesses, signifying the alignment of their testimony with Divine justice.
From a spiritual viewpoint, this verse, for seekers pursuing proximity to the Truth and the removal of carnal doubts, is like clear water that purifies the heart. The explicit and implicit mention of the first clause guides the seeker towards intrinsic witnessing and the removal of carnal anxieties. The third clause, especially for those prone to lapses in practice, serves as a guide to return towards justice and piety.
The attribute An-Nir (The Observer), one of the active Divine Names, refers to the gradual and testing supervision of the Exalted Truth over the deeds of servants. This attribute, like a vigilant gaze, places human actions under the magnifying glass of Divine wisdom.
The attribute An-Nir, unlike witnessing which is intrinsic and immediate, refers to gradual and testing supervision. This attribute invites the seeker to awareness of the perpetual Divine presence over their deeds.
Then We made you successors upon the earth after them so that We may observe how you will act (Yunus: 14)
So that He may see how you act (Al-A'raf: 129)
These verses clarify the attribute An-Nir in the sense of Divine supervision over the deeds of servants. In contrast to the attribute Ash-Shhid, which connotes intrinsic and immediate Divine witnessing, An-Nir implies a gradual and testing observation that subjects human actions to scrutiny. Raghib Isfahani defines Nazr (observation) as the exercise of sight and insight to perceive and behold an object, encompassing meanings such as contemplation, benevolence, expectation, and granting respite. Nevertheless, the fundamental meaning of Nazr is profound vision and the seeking of the manifestation of a thing, which is counted among Divine scientific attributes.
From a spiritual perspective, the invocation O Observer invites the seeker to reflect upon their deeds and to be aware of Divine supervision. This attribute, like a mirror, compels the individual to reassess their behaviour and prevents heedlessness.
The attribute Ar-R (The All-Seeing) refers to the absolute Divine vision, which transcends knowledge and observation. This attribute, like an infinite light, encompasses all existence and grants knowledge to the elect of God.
The attribute Ar-R denotes the absolute Divine vision, which in an intransitive sense refers to God and the Messengers seeing of actions, and in a transitive sense refers to the granting of knowledge to the elect of God.
Does He not know that Allah sees? (Al-'Alaq: 14)
This verse, with a simple yet profound expression, summons humans to the awareness of the absolute Divine vision. The attribute Ar-R is mentioned thirty-five times in the Qur'an (seven times intransitively and twenty-eight times transitively). In the intransitive usage, such as And Allah will see your deeds, and [so will] His Messenger (At-Tawbah: 94), it refers to the seeing of deeds by God and His Messenger. In the transitive usage, such as And thus We showed Abraham the kingdom of the heavens and the earth (Al-An'am: 75), it indicates the granting of celestial and spiritual vision to Abraham (peace be upon him).
From a mystical perspective, Divine vision is an immediate and profound perception that surpasses physical sight and insight. Reciting this verse in solitude and prostration, for the removal of doctrinal doubts and strengthening of Divine Unity knowledge, serves as a key unlocking the seals of the heart.
The attribute Al-Mudrik (The All-Encompassing), among Divine scientific Names, refers to the descending and encompassing reach of the Exalted Truth. This attribute, as a sign of Divine grandeur, reveals the limitation of creation in the face of the boundlessness of God.
The attribute Al-Mudrik denotes the descending Divine reach which, due to Gods subtlety and awareness, encompasses the sights of creatures, while creation itself is incapable of comprehending Him.
Vision perceives Him not, but He perceives [all] vision; and He is the Subtle, the Acquainted (Al-An'am: 103)
This verse, in a remarkable expression, refers to the limitation of creation in perceiving the Truth and to the complete Divine encompassing of the sights of creatures. The attribute Al-Mudrik, mentioned only once in the Qur'an, alludes to Divine descending reach and encompassing. Unlike the levels of Paradise that indicate ascension, perception refers to descent and the depths (such as the layers of Hellfire). The subsequent verse, There have come to you insights from your Lord (Al-An'am: 104), complements this meaning and shows that although creation is incapable of comprehending God, it receives insights from Him which bring scientific and practical knowledge.
From a philosophical standpoint, Divine perception is an encompassing reach that, due to Gods subtlety and awareness, embraces all beings. This attribute guides the seeker towards recognising their own limitations and the grandeur of God.
The attribute Al-akam (The Judge) refers to Divine wisdom and judgement, which are manifested in the adjudications of the Prophets, such as David and Solomon (peace be upon them). This attribute, like a shining torch, illuminates the path of justice and wisdom in Divine rulings.
Divine wisdom forms the basis of the Prophets judgements, and Divine supervision (as witnesses) guarantees justice in their rulings.
And We were witnesses over their judgement (Al-Anbiya: 78)
And We taught Solomon the understanding thereof; and to each [of them] We gave judgement and knowledge (Al-Anbiya: 79)
These verses refer to an incident where the sheep of a certain people damaged the fields of another, and David and Solomon (peace be upon them) adjudicated the matter. The verse And We taught Solomon the understanding thereof indicates that God granted Solomon deeper comprehension but did not criticise David; rather, both were endowed with judgement and knowledge. Divine supervision (And We were witnesses over their judgement) guarantees justice in their verdicts. The divergence in judgement does not signify contradiction but rather differences in methods of compensation.
From a spiritual perspective, this verse
