of Nokounam, may his sanctity remain (Session 1779)
Surah As-Sajdah, one of the Meccan chapters of the Holy Qur'an, unveils, through profound contemplation of the grandeur of creation, divine governance, and humanitys position within the cosmic order, the boundless potentials inherent in human existence. This Surah introduces man not merely as a terrestrial being with elementary needs, but as a creation endowed with intrinsic authority; an authority enabling him to assume an elevated role before the Lord and the system of creation. In this treatise, employing a scholarly approach and an eloquent, refined style, we analyse the verses of this Surah and examine the status of human authority from a Quranic perspective. This analysis, utilising Quranic knowledge and elucidations by religious scholars, endeavours to present the dimensions of human existence in a coherent framework, befitting an academic research context.
The Holy Quran portrays man as a being transcending material limitations and superficial sciences. Contrary to prevailing interpretations in certain societies which reduce man to mere passions or rationality, this celestial book regards man as a creature possessing innate authority, emanating from the Lord and superior to the material world. This authority, akin to a radiant light within mans essence, distinguishes him from other creatures and defines his capabilities in two interconnected domains: the internal and spiritual, and the disconnected or instrumental and industrial.
This perspective elevates man to a station incomparable with other beings, whose capacities exceed material instruments and empirical sciences. The connected authority, culminating in the prophets and the Godly saints, refers to mans inner faculties arising from his soul and spirit. This authority, like a pure spring, gushes forth from the depths of human existence and guides him toward divine knowledge.
Human authority is defined in two categories: connected and disconnected. The connected authority, exemplified in prophets and the Godly saints, denotes the inner capabilities of man which arise from his spirit and soul without dependence on material tools. Conversely, the disconnected authority is confined to human material and industrial facilities and possesses lesser profundity. Prophets and saints, without need for apparent instruments, by virtue of their connected authority, have experienced spiritual ascension, revelation, and powers.
This connected authority, which has been less attended to in scientific and religious domains, requires revival. While contemporary societies prioritise disconnected authority, namely tools and industries, the Holy Quran emphasises the significance of connected authority. This authority acts like wings, enabling man to soar towards the heavens of divine knowledge and power.
Religious knowledge, as the inheritor of prophetic wisdom, is tasked with reviving the connected authority of man. Mere focus on formal sciences and terminologies without nurturing insight and knowledge cannot produce capable and perceptive human beings. Religious knowledge must move beyond superficialities towards fostering mans inner authority.
This approach, akin to fertile soil, paves the way for the growth of individuals who, by employing knowledge and insight, can lead society towards excellence. Emphasis on superficial sciences without regard for connected authority resembles planting a seed in barren soil, yielding nothing but weakness and failure.
The Holy Quran introduces man as a being transcending material and mundane necessities. A verse from Surah As-Sajdah negates the superficial view that confines man to eating and wandering in marketplaces:
وَقَالُوا يَأْكُلُ وَيَمْشِي فِي الْأَسْوَاقِ
"And they said: He eats and walks in the markets."
This interpretation is the consequence of unhealthy upbringing, colonialism, and despotism, which have reduced man to a weak being dependent on materialities. The verses of Surah As-Sajdah, like a clear mirror, reflect the grandeur of human creation and demonstrate that he is capable of attaining sublime ranks of knowledge and power.
The disjointed letters at the beginning of Surah As-Sajdah (Alif Lam Mim) are introduced as a code to access divine sciences and knowledge. These letters, like a hidden treasure, bear truths that future advances in science and industry will decode.
الم
Alif Lam Mim
These letters signify the eternity of the Holy Quran, which was revealed not only to meet past epistemic needs but also to supply future generations. Like stars shining in the firmament of knowledge, these codes await decipherment by future humans.
The verses of Surah As-Sajdah manifest the grandeur of divine governance in the creation of the heavens and the earth:
اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ ۚ مَا لَكُمْ مِنْ دُونِهِ مِنْ وَلِيٍّ وَلَا شَفِيعٍ ۚ أَفَلَا تَتَذَكَّرُونَ
"Allah is the One who created the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them in six days, then He established Himself upon the Throne. You have no protector or intercessor besides Him. Will you not then take heed?"
This verse, like an engraving on stone, portrays the greatness of the Lord in relation to human authority and invites man to contemplate his position within the system of creation. This invitation, like a gentle breeze, directs man towards recognising his intrinsic authority and responsibilities.
Some humans, owing to their intrinsic authority, resort to arrogance and stand in opposition to the Lord:
وَقَالُوا أَئِذَا ضَلَلْنَا فِي الْأَرْضِ أَئِنَّا لَفِي خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ ۚ بَلْ هُمْ بِلِقَاءِ رَبِّهِمْ كَافِرُونَ
"And they said: When we have become lost in the earth, shall we indeed be created anew? Nay, they are disbelievers in the meeting with their Lord."
Human arrogance, like a dark shadow, indicates his grandeur; however, this grandeur reaches perfection only when employed on the path of faith and prostration. Arrogant humans, by denying the meeting with the Divine, utilise this authority on a dark path.
Believers in Surah As-Sajdah are introduced as those who employ their authority in the path of the Divine through prostration and glorification:
تَتَجَافَىٰ جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنْفِقُونَ
"Their sides forsake their beds, calling upon their Lord with fear and hope, and they spend of what We have provided them."
This verse, like a blossoming flower, portrays the characteristics of average believers who proceed on the path of servitude with both fear and hope. Although these individuals stand at initial ranks of faith, by detachment from materialities and attention to God, they attain spiritual authority.
Voluntary death, as a characteristic of elevated humans, refers to the ability to control the soul and attain high ranks of knowledge and vision. This trait is like a bridge leading man from material limitations to sublime existential levels.
This attribute contrasts with natural death and requires will and submission. In occult sciences and talismans, voluntary death is recognised as a means to reach high existential ranks, enabling man to observe the universe with a comprehensive vision.
The verses of Surah As-Sajdah indicate that man is capable of reaching future stages of creation, origination, and knowledge beyond current imagination. This capacity, like an endless ocean, depends upon liberation from colonialism, despotism, and unhealthy upbringing.
These verses, like a blazing torch, illuminate humanitys future path and demonstrate that man, by utilising Quranic knowledge, can reach a station not only to govern the world but also to embody creation and origination within himself.
The Holy Quran points to the possibility of direct access to revelation in the future:
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ افْتَرَاهُ ۚ بَلْ هُوَ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَبِّكَ لِتُنْذِرَ قَوْمًا مَا أَتَاهُمْ مِنْ نَذِيرٍ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ
"Or do they say, 'He invented it?' Nay, it is the truth from your Lord that you may warn a people to whom no warner has come before you, so that they may be guided."
This verse, like a light in the darkness, alludes to future direct access to divine knowledge. When humanity reaches a stage of maturity and insight, it will be able to receive revelation without intermediaries, as if a terminal for descending wandering revelations in the celestial realm has been prepared.
Colon
