Interpretation: Profound Reflections on Surah An-Naml with a Scientific and Theological Approach

of Nokounam, (Session 1757)

Preface

Surah An-Naml, one of the Meccan chapters of the Holy Quran, serves as a window to profound theological, mystical, and ethical knowledge. With its illuminating verses, it invites humanity to reflect upon the mysteries of existence and divine guidance. This Surah, through narrations of the stories of the Prophets and the saints of God, including Solomon and Moses (peace be upon them), and by addressing concepts such as certainty, honour, and governmental authority, offers timeless lessons for human societies. In this treatise, with a scientific and precise approach, the key verses of Surah An-Naml are examined and its themes articulated in clear and dignified language for audiences interested in Quranic knowledge. The purpose of this work is not only to analyse the content of the verses but also to provide semantic links between Quranic concepts and contemporary issues, especially in the fields of theology and religious wisdom.

Section One: The Apparent Contradiction between Certainty and Denial in Verse Fourteen

وَجَحَدُوا بِهَا وَاسْتَيْقَنَتْهَا أَنْفُسُهُمْ ظُلْمًا وَعُلُوًّا ۚ فَانْظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُفْسِدِينَ

And they denied it while their souls were certain of it, out of injustice and arrogance. So behold how was the end of the corrupters.

Analysis and Explanation

Verse fourteen of Surah An-Naml refers to one of the most complex theological and psychological issues: the contradiction between inner certainty and apparent denial. This verse describes the behaviour of a group of people who, despite full awareness of the truth of the Divine verses, deliberately ignore it due to injustice and arrogance. The word jhad in this verse signifies deliberate and conscious denial, which contrasts with istayqanatha anfusuhum (their souls were certain). Certainty, as the highest level of cognition, indicates profound awareness of the truth; however, moral obstacles such as injustice (oppression upon oneself or others) and uluww (self-exaltation) prevent acceptance of this truth.

From a psychological perspective, this contradiction can be interpreted as self-deception or cognitive dissonance, where a person, due to selfish attachments or personal interests, denies a truth they internally believe in. This situation resembles a lamp whose light is hidden behind the curtains of arrogance and selfishness. From a theological viewpoint, the verse emphasises the necessity of harmony between knowledge and action, indicating that acceptance of truth depends not only on awareness but also requires spiritual purification and avoidance of moral impediments.

Key Point: The contradiction between certainty and denial indicates that knowledge without spiritual purification does not lead to acceptance of truth. This verse serves as a warning that arrogance and injustice, even in the face of inner certainty, can lead a person towards corruption and destruction.

Section Two: The Role of Honour and Miracle in Divine Persuasion

Conceptual Analysis

Prophets and the saints of God, due to their possession of honour, miracles, and esoteric knowledge, had powerful instruments for attracting attention and convincing their audiences. These attributes, introduced in the Holy Quran as verses and clear signs, not only proved the veracity of the Divine message but also served as means for guiding hearts toward the truth. In Surah An-Naml, these characteristics are clearly observed in figures such as Solomon and David (peace be upon them). However, in the contemporary era, the absence of such signs in some claimants of religious invitation has led to diminished impact of the Divine message.

A beautiful metaphor in this regard is that of a chandelier which, without light, is merely a lifeless glass object. Although this chandelier may have an attractive appearance, without the Divine light (honour and perfection), it lacks allure for guidance. This point emphasises the necessity of reconstructing persuasive models within religious societies, where religious sciences must be accompanied by inner knowledge and divine realities to exert the required influence.

Key Point: Miracle and honour, like a lamp in the darkness, illuminate the path of guidance. Without this Divine light, religious invitation turns into a lifeless glass incapable of attracting hearts toward the truth.

Section Three: Distinction between the Beloved and the Lovers in Surah An-Naml

وَإِنَّكَ لَتُلَقَّى الْقُرْآنَ مِنْ لَدُنْ حَكِيمٍ عَلِيمٍ

And indeed, you receive the Quran from a Wise, All-Knowing [Source].

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا دَاوُودَ وَسُلَيْمَانَ عِلْمًا ۖ وَقَالَا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي فَضَّلَنَا عَلَىٰ كَثِيرٍ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

And indeed We gave David and Solomon knowledge, and they said, Praise be to Allah, who has preferred us over many of His believing servants.

Analysis and Explanation

Surah An-Naml, with unparalleled subtlety, distinguishes between two groups among the saints of God: the Beloved (al-Mahbbn) and the Lovers (al-Muibbn). The Beloved are those who directly and without apparent effort receive Divine gifts and knowledge. David and Solomon (peace be upon them) are prominent examples of this group, distinguished by their Divine knowledge and wisdom. In contrast, the Lovers, such as Moses (peace be upon him), attain spiritual ranks through struggle and enduring hardships. This distinction resembles two different paths to the summit of perfection: one a smooth path derived from special Divine grace, the other a strenuous road paved by human will and effort.

The Beloved, owing to direct reception of esoteric knowledge, occupy a rank that precedes material creation or is granted in their early existence. Verse fifteen of Surah An-Naml highlights this feature through reference to the gift of knowledge bestowed upon David and Solomon. The Lovers, however, gradually attain these ranks by passing through trials such as the ordeal of fire or receiving the staff. This difference illustrates the diversity within the Divine guidance system, which is tailored according to individuals capacities and talents.

Key Point: The distinction between the Beloved and the Lovers, like two branches of the same tree, reflects the diversity in Divine guidance. Each individual benefits from Divine grace according to their capacity, whether through direct grace or through effort and struggle.

Section Four: The Ranks of the Beloved and the Lovers

Analysis and Explanation

Both the Beloved and the Lovers are categorised into various ranks intensity of Divine proximity and the nature of receiving Divine gifts. The Beloved are divided into three levels: apparent, hidden, and combined. The apparent Beloved, such as Solomon (peace be upon him), excel in governmental authority and material sciences. The hidden Beloved, like the recipient of the Quran in verse six, possess esoteric knowledge granted prior to material creation. The combined Beloved, representing the perfect human, attain perfection in both the apparent and hidden domains.

The Lovers likewise have different levels defined by their effort and struggle. This classification resembles a ladder, each rung representing a degree of Divine proximity. This hierarchy demonstrates the complexity and diversity of Divine guidance, which directs each individual toward perfection ir aptitude and capacity.

Key Point: The ranks of the Beloved and the Lovers, like the layers of the earth, each contain veins of truth. These ranks illustrate the diversity in receiving Divine gifts and the complexity of Gods guidance system.

Section Five: The Authority of Solomon and His Governmental Characteristics

وَحُشِرَ لِسُلَيْمَانَ جُنُودُهُ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنْسِ وَالطَّيْرِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ

And Solomons hosts of jinn, men and birds were gathered together, and they were arranged in ranks.

Analysis and Explanation

Solomon (peace be upon him), as both prophet and ruler, possessed unparalleled authority manifesting not only in the material realm but also in the spiritual domain. His dominion over the jinn