of Nekounam, (Session 1805)
Surah d, one of the Meccan chapters of the Holy Quran, begins with the disjointed letter "d" and opens a gateway towards the systematic understanding of the divine educational system and the challenges of attaining human perfection. This Surah, through narratives of the prophets stories and the fate of the disbelievers, presents a comprehensive model for guiding humanity towards perfection. In this treatise, the content of the religious scholars' lectures has been analytically and systematically rewritten to serve as a guide for researchers and seekers of knowledge. The objective is to elucidate the educational structure of Surah d, analyse the divine governance systems of the cosmos, and examine the obstacles to perfection within religious educational systems, with the hope that it may shine like a beacon on the path of truth-seekers.
Human perfection, a noble goal in the spiritual journey of man, depends upon connection to the unseen, witnessing the truth, and perceiving revelation. These levels, rooted in the Quranic educational system, are achieved through wasl (deep connection with the self) and l (linking to metaphysical realms such as prophets, angels, and other unseen entities). Nevertheless, religious educational systems, particularly in certain seminaries, have limited themselves to superficial teachings like morphology and syntax, neglecting the cultivation of the wasl and l stages. This neglect constitutes a major impediment to realising the exalted capacities of human beings, as if a garden were cultivated only with branches and leaves devoid of fruitful produce.
The Holy Quran in Surah d depicts an example of these faculties in the story of David (peace be upon him):
وَشَدَدْنَا مُلْكَهُ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحِكْمَةَ وَفَصْلَ الْخِطَابِ
"And We strengthened his kingdom and granted him wisdom and decisive speech."
This verse indicates that wisdom and decisive judgement, beyond theoretical knowledge, are practical and spiritual capabilities that must be modelled within religious educational systems.
Surah d categorises humans into two distinct groups: the obstinate and hostile who rebel against the truth, and the accepted and joyous who, by embracing the truth, move towards perfection. This dichotomy, evident in the initial verses of the Surah, outlines two opposing trajectories of human existence:
بَلِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فِي عِزَّةٍ وَشِقَاقٍ
"Rather, those who disbelieve are in pride and dissension."
This verse portrays the stubbornness of the disbelievers against the truth, whereas the prophets stories such as those of David and Solomon exemplify acceptance and perfection.
Surah d introduces a fivefold educational structure consisting of rejection, expenditure, trial, acceptance, and comparison. This cycle, akin to a precise map, charts the path of human guidance. Obstinate individuals, at the rejection stage, turn away from the truth through rebellion, while the accepted draw closer to perfection by embracing divine tests. This cycle is practically manifested in the prophets narratives, especially those of David and Solomon.
The disjointed letter "d" at the beginning of Surah d functions as a key unlocking the doors of the Surahs knowledge. This letter symbolises the educational and destructive cycles, acceptance, and perfection deeply connected to the Surahs content. "d" may refer to patience (abr), sincerity (idq), or firmness (ulb) in facing educational challenges, which are exemplified in the prophets stories, particularly those of David and Solomon.
ص ۚ وَالْقُرْآنِ ذِي الذِّكْرِ
"d. By the Quran, full of reminder."
This verse, swearing by the Quran, emphasises the Surahs role in guidance and admonition and introduces the letter "d" as a symbol of patience and firmness on the path to perfection.
God governs the universe through two complementary systems: the khalf (gracious) system and the istikhlaaf (majestic) system. The khalf system, like a harmonious flow, guides humans from conception to death towards perfection. In contrast, the istikhlaaf system renews the world through destruction and reconstruction. These two systems complement each other, and absolute annihilation does not exist in divine creation.
وَشَدَدْنَا مُلْكَهُ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحِكْمَةَ وَفَصْلَ الْخِطَابِ
"And We strengthened his kingdom and granted him wisdom and decisive speech."
This verse illustrates the khalf system through the bestowal of wisdom and power to David, while his trial in subsequent verses signals the istikhlaaf system.
In divine creation, not a single particle is annihilated. The khalf system harmoniously advances human beings towards perfection, and the istikhlaaf system rejuvenates the cosmos by destruction and reconstruction. This principle aligns with Quranic verses such as:
وَلَا تَسْقُطُ مِنْ وَرَقَةٍ إِلَّا يَعْلَمُهَا
"And no leaf falls but that He knows it."
Investment in education and upbringing is akin to watering a fruitful garden and is essential for societal growth. However, in some religious educational systems, budgets are spent on unrelated constructions rather than on cultivating scholars and research. This misallocation hinders the training of powerful individuals resembling the prophets.
Although the prophets possess conditional infallibility (imah tanzlyah), they are subject to divine trials. This infallibility, distinct from absolute infallibility, protects them in matters of prophecy but does not exempt them from tests. The story of David in Surah d exemplifies such a trial:
وَهَلْ أَتَاكَ نَبَأُ الْخَصْمِ إِذْ تَسَوَّرُوا الْمِحْرَاب
