of Nekounam (may his sanctity be preserved) Session 1774
Surah Luqman, one of the Meccan chapters of the Holy Qur'an, centred on wisdom and knowledge, guides humanity towards a profound understanding of existence and the attainment of existential authority. This Surah, relying upon the sagacious teachings of Luqman, offers methodologies for transcending negligence and progressing along the paths of existential realms. The present discourse, grounded in invaluable lectures, endeavours to elucidate comprehensively and profoundly the concepts related to human authority in the light of overcoming negligence and traversing existential realms. This work, structured meticulously and articulated in an elevated and refined style, examines the key points of this subject with precision and employs Qur'anic verses, narrations, and profound analyses to provide a comprehensive guide for understanding these concepts.
Negligence acts as a heavy veil, preventing human awareness from grasping the truth of existence and the connection to Divine Lordship. This negligence, which partitions all agonies and ignorances, manifests in three principal domains: negligence concerning the corporeal realm (Nasut), negligence of the created realms, and negligence of the Divine Lordship of the universe. This veil is so intricate and extensive that it submerges the individual within itself, necessitating immense effort and profound knowledge to remove it. Contrary to common misconception, negligence is not confined solely to sin and transgression but also encompasses ignorance of the existential structure of the world and humanity's position therein.
Surah Luqman, emphasising Luqman's wisdom, invites humanity to contemplate these realms. Wisdom acts as a lamp that dispels the darkness of negligence and guides the individual towards knowledge. This Surah, with verses such as وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ بِأَيِّ أَرْضٍ تَمُوتُ (Luqman: 34)
, underscores human unawareness regarding the existential trajectory.
وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ بِأَيِّ أَرْضٍ تَمُوتُ
No soul knows in which land it will die.
Educational systems, particularly in scientific domains, due to structural and content deficiencies, have not only failed to eradicate negligence but have at times become factors exacerbating it. These systems, instead of cultivating profound knowledge and morphological understanding of existence, have settled for superficiality and rote memorisation. This shortcoming stems from the absence of teachings that acquaint humans with the fundamental structures of the cosmos, including the corporeal realm.
Religious science, which ought to serve as a bridge guiding humans towards Divine knowledge, has occasionally fallen into the trap of generalities and detachment from truth. This deficit has deprived humans of deep understanding of existential realms and kept them in negligence.
Negligence, like a steadfast barrier, prevents humans from attaining existential authority. This obstacle, rooted in ignorance of existential realms and the weaknesses of educational systems, demands considerable effort for removal. Surah Luqman, by calling for wisdom and reflection, offers methods to overcome this negligence.
The world, like an external shell, is the outward manifestation of Nasut, whereas Nasut is the spiritual and existential essence of the world. This relationship is akin to that between Huwa (He) and Allah: Huwa is the inner aspect of Allah and Allah is the outer aspect of Huwa. To attain existential authority, humans must journey from the world to Nasut, then to the connected example, the disconnected example, and ultimately to Barzakh (the intermediate realm). This progression requires profound comprehension of existential structures.
In their journey, humans advance from the material exterior of the world towards the spiritual interior of Nasut. This movement is not horizontal or lateral but vertical and profound, as exemplified in the tradition: Whoever dies, his Resurrection has already begun. This hadith emphasises the deep progression of humans towards the grave and Barzakh.
Morphology serves as a key that unlocks the doors of knowledge. The instruction of shapes from childhood to adulthood prepares the human mind to grasp the complex structures of the cosmos. Without this education, even in simple sciences such as mathematics, deficiencies arise. Religious science, which should guide humans towards understanding existential realms, has sometimes neglected this crucial element and contented itself with mere memorisation of concepts instead of teaching forms.
Fear of morphology, due to historical concerns about idolatry, represents another obstacle. However, educational forms, contrary to this belief, do not lead to idolatry but constitute a tool for comprehending truth. Surah Luqman, by stressing wisdom, invites humans to understand forms and meanings.
The distinction between the world and Nasut resembles that between the exterior and interior of one reality. To achieve existential authority, humans must progress from the material exterior of the world to the spiritual interior of Nasut. This movement requires morphology and profound understanding of existential structures, which religious science must promote.
Contemporary geographical and urban systems, due to the absence of mathematically based structures and the use of unscientific nomenclature, have led to confusion and ignorance. Numbering systems, akin to precise maps, can assist humans in understanding geographical and existential locations. This structure is effective not only in the world but also in comprehending Nasut and higher realms.
Religious science, which should guide humans towards precise understanding, has sometimes faltered here, resorting to names and generalities instead of numbering and organised systems.
Recognition of creatures, including jinn, angels, and other unseen beings, is essential for human ascension towards truth. Religious science should prioritise this understanding over bureaucratic formalities and rote memorisation. Such recognition liberates humans from negligence and guides them towards epistemic authority.
The Holy Qur'an, in verses such as إِنَّا خَلَقْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ مِنْ نُطْفَةٍ أَمْشَاجٍ نَبْتَلِيهِ فَجَعَلْنَاهُ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا (Insan: 2)
, emphasises the complexity of human creation and the necessity of its understanding.
إِنَّا خَلَقْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ مِنْ نُطْفَةٍ أَمْشَاجٍ نَبْتَلِيهِ فَجَعَلْنَاهُ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا
We created man from a mixed drop, testing him, and made him hearing and seeing.
Prayer and supplication, like healing medicines, free the human soul from the burdens of Nasut. These acts guide humans towards knowledge and authority and extricate them from negligence. Surah Luqman, by emphasising wisdom and prayer, introduces these tools for attaining existential authority.
Epistemological obstacles, including weak geographical systems, lack of knowledge about creatures, and emphasis on bureaucracy, have maintained humans in negligence. Prayer, supplication, and recognition of realms are strategies to overcome these barriers and achieve existential authority.
Existential authority requires practical exercise, much like an athlete strengthens the body through continuous training. Religious science must incorporate such exercises into its programmes to extricate humans from negligence. Without practice, humans remain entrapped in Nasut and cannot ascend to higher realms.
Practical exercise functions as wings enabling humans to soar towards the heavens of knowledge. These exercises begin in childhood and continue through adulthood.
Intercession and affection towards God and the saints act as searchlights guiding humans through the darkness of existential realms. Intercession is not nepotism but the illumination of the lights of knowledge during the agonies of death. The verse يَوْمَئِذٍ لَا تَنْفَعُ الشَّفَاعَةُ إِلَّا مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ الرَّحْمَٰنُ وَرَضِيَ لَهُ قَوْلًا (Taha: 109)
affirms this reality.
يَوْمَئِذٍ لَا تَنْفَعُ الشَّفَاعَةُ إِلَّا مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ الرَّحْمَٰنُ وَرَضِيَ لَهُ قَوْلًا
On that Day, intercession will not benefit except those whom the Most Merciful permits and is pleased with their words.
Practical exercise and intercession constitute the two wings for human ascension to higher realms. Religious science must promote these tools to extricate humans from negligence and guide them towards existential authority.
Surah Luqman, relying on wisdom and knowledge, guides humanity to overcome negligence and attain existential authority. Negligence, like a steadfast barrier, prevents humans from understanding existential realms. The deep journey from the world to Nasut, example, and Barzakh requires morphology, practical exercise, prayer, and intercession. Religious science must revive human epistemic authority through returning to the lineage of the prophets and focusing on the knowledge of realms and creatures. This discourse, by elucidating these concepts, provides a comprehensive guide for understanding this path.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
