the Lectures of Nekounam, may his sacred spirit be sanctified (Session 1777)
The Surahs Luqman and As-Sajdah, like two brilliant jewels in the treasury of the Holy Quran, serve as guides for humanity towards the pinnacles of epistemology and existential authority. These two Surahs, relying on divine wisdom and the system of creation, invite humans to contemplate the roots of existence and the profound meanings of words. In this writing, through a deep examination of epistemological etymology and a critique of superficial approaches in religious sciences, an encompassing roadmap is endeavoured to be drawn for human ascent to the lofty ranks of wisdom and authority. Similar to a tree whose roots penetrate the depths of the earth while its branches ascend the heavens, this interpretation seeks to open a path towards authentic understanding of the Holy Quran by exploring the roots of knowledge.
Knowledge, like a pure spring, originates from the authentic roots of epistemology, whereas information, akin to superficial and rootless branches, serves only for shallow usage. Knowledge means recognition of the inner reality of things, the truths of existence, and their existential effects; however, information is a collection of intertwined generalities that keep man at a superficial level. This distinction forms the foundation of human authority, for only through recognition of roots and truths can a human reach elevated existential ranks.
Surah Luqman, emphasising the wisdom of the sage Luqman, invites humans towards profound understanding of realities. Wisdom, introduced in this Surah as a divine gift, is not merely a collection of apparent knowledge but rather a rooted recognition of the system of existence. This perspective underscores the necessity of revisiting religious education systems to move from information towards the depth of knowledge.
Etymology or derivation is the science concerned with exploring the roots of words and their meanings. Every letter or word, like a hidden gem, possesses attributes, characteristics, and effects which are only understood through root analysis. For example, in Quranic sciences, the disjointed letters such as Alif Lam Mim in Surah As-Sajdah symbolise profound knowledge which, without etymology, remains ambiguous.
Alif Lam Mim.
The revelation of the Book about which there is no doubt from the Lord of the Worlds.
Do they say, "He invented it"? Rather, it is the truth from your Lord, that you may warn a people to whom no warner has come before you so that they might be guided.
These verses serve as a gateway to deep understanding of the Holy Quran. The disjointed letters, as a key to unlocking hidden meanings, require rooted and etymological analysis to guide humanity towards the truth.
The distinction between knowledge and information is like a dividing line between surface and depth of epistemology. Knowledge guides humans towards understanding the inner reality of things and existential authority, whereas information confines them to superficiality without roots. Etymology, like the roots of a sturdy tree, is the key to accessing this authority.
Over time, religious sciences, due to ease and lack of deep inquiry, have inclined towards superficial information. This deviation, rooted in historical pressures and difficult past conditions, has prevented religious sciences from producing authentic knowledge. Like a tree whose roots have been separated from the soil, religious sciences, in the absence of etymology, have fallen into repetition and stagnation.
This decline has been the consequence of historical circumstances such as the domination of tyrannical rulers and the practice of precautionary dissimulation (taqiyya), which directed religious sciences towards preservation of superficial information. To revive these sciences, a return to roots and exploration of derivation is essential for the production of new knowledge.
Books, fatwas, and commentaries of religious sciences, due to reliance on information, have become repetitive. This repetition acts like a heavy shadow obstructing the creation of fresh knowledge and responding to contemporary societal needs. For instance, the minimal differences between works such as Lumah and Sharh al-Sharai demonstrate the absence of innovation and depth.
Lexical and literary sources, like superficial reports, lack root-based and derivational analysis. These sources, which confine themselves to collecting apparent meanings, cannot aid in the profound understanding of the Quranic language.
Religious sciences, like a ship without an anchor, have become aimless in the sea of information. Returning to etymology is like a sail that directs this ship towards the shore of innovation and authority.
The Holy Quran, like a mine of scientific gems, utilises etymology to unveil its profound meanings. Without derivation, the understanding of the Quran remains limited to superficial information, depriving man of spiritual authority.
Allah is He Who created the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them in six days, then He established Himself above the Throne. You have not besides Him any protector or any intercessor. Will you not then take heed?
This verse, by explicating the system of creation, invites humans to contemplate existential roots. Etymology is the key to understanding this system and attaining spiritual authority.
Despite their diversity, literary sciences, due to lack of derivation, have become detached from their epistemological roots. Meanings, expression, eloquence, and rhetoric without etymology are reduced to superficial information.
Etymology, like the roots of a mighty tree, revitalises religious sciences. Without it, sciences remain stagnant and repetitive.
The Holy Quran, like a grand palace with locked rooms, requires the key of etymology. Derivation opens this palace and guides humans towards spiritual authority.
Language academies, through simplistic equivalences, have distanced themselves from etymology. This approach, like a rootless branch, lacks semantic depth.
Occult sciences, due to lack of etymology, have led to deviation and misuse. These sciences, without root-based analysis, lack credibility and real applicability.
The book Tawhid Mofazzal, like a radiant torch, offers a model for rooted understanding of creation and anthropology. This source, through deep analyses, can rescue religious sciences from stagnation.
Returning to authentic sources and etymology is like a key to unlocking the locks of religious sciences. This approach directs the sciences from deviation and stagnation towards authority.
The names of limbs and organs, as signs of divine wisdom, possess root meanings which contribute to Quranic anthropology.
He Who perfected everything which He created and began the creation of man from clay. Then He made his progeny from a quintessence of despised water. Then He fashioned him and breathed into him of His spirit. And He gave you hearing, sight, and hearts; little are you grateful.
These verses, by describing the stages of human creation, highlight the role of hearing, sight, and hearts in gratitude and knowledge. Etymology of these limbs is the key to understanding human authority.
The method of patience and division, as a precise tool, enables root comprehension of meanings. This method, by separating semantic components, aids in profound derivational understanding.
Quranic anthropology, like a map for ascending the peaks of knowledge, reaches perfection through the etymology of limbs and organs. This approach guides humans towards existential authority.
The Surahs Luqman and As-Sajdah, like two blazing torches, illuminate the path of humans towards epistemological and existential authority. Etymology, as a key to unlocking the locks of knowledge, guides religious sciences from stagnation towards innovation. Returning to the roots not only revitalises the sciences but also leads humans towards unity with the Truth and ascension in existential ranks.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
