of Nekounam, May His Spirit Be Sanctified (Session 1800)
The Holy Quran, like an illuminating lamp, opens the path of humanity towards truth and perfection. Surah Y Sn, known in traditions as the heart of the Quran, and Surah fft, with its opening verses that speak of divine order and authority, are two radiant jewels in this endless treasury. These two chapters, by elucidating the status of man within the cosmic system and the role of immaterial beings such as angels and jinn in serving him, invite reflection on the grandeur of creation and human responsibility in benefiting from divine blessings. This treatise endeavours, through profound insight into the final verses of Surah Y Sn and the opening verses of Surah fft, to present the lofty meanings of these verses in a clear and coherent form, articulated in a refined and dignified language. Its aim is to guide the reader towards a deeper understanding of the kingdom of existence and the spiritual authority of man, as if a celestial key opens the doors of knowledge for him.
The divine system of creation, like a garden filled with various flowers, possesses astonishing diversity. This system includes entities such as angels, jinn, devils, the spirit, various souls, and dominant beings, all created to serve humanity. The Holy Quran considers man the centre of creation and places diverse creatures at his service so that through interaction with them, he may attain spiritual authority.
This diversity of creation, mentioned jointly in verses such as
مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ (Surah An-Nas: 6) "from jinn and mankind"
, demonstrates the deep connection between man and immaterial creatures. Man, as the Caliph of God, possesses an unparalleled capacity to utilise these beings for his existential advancement, provided he frees himself from the cage of material limitations.
Simplistic thinking and distancing from spiritual blessings act like chains binding mans feet, preventing him from attaining spiritual authority. This limitation, intensified in Islamic societies due to immersion in material affairs and blind imitation, has degraded man to the status of an "infantryman" or a creature deprived of inner powers. The Quran, in the verse
وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ خَلَائِفَ فِي الْأَرْضِ (Al-Baqarah: 30) "And We made you successors upon the earth"
, introduces man as the Divine Caliph, capable of reaching an exalted rank through awareness and utilisation of spiritual potentials.
This limitation is akin to a human who could have flown like an eagle in the sky of knowledge being transformed into a grounded bird. The discourse uses expressions such as "infantrymen" and "burden-bearers" to denote this situation, emphasising the necessity of liberation from these constraints.
Superficial knowledge resembles a map showing only the broad outlines of the country of knowledge but cannot guide man to the land of truth. Reading books and leafing through pages, though initial steps to knowledge, alone cannot lead man to the kingdom of existence. The Quran, in the verse
وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ يُعَلِّمُكُمُ اللَّهُ (Al-Baqarah: 282) "And fear Allah; and Allah teaches you"
, emphasises the role of piety in acquiring true knowledge. This knowledge, known in Islamic philosophy as ilm ladunni, requires effort deeper than merely turning pages.
The divine system of creation, with its astonishing variety, resembles a tableau where every part is created to serve humanity. Nevertheless, simplistic thinking and detachment from spiritual potentials have deprived man of benefiting from these blessings. While superficial knowledge is necessary, it is only the first step on the path of knowledge. Man needs deeper effort and connection with the inner truth of the cosmos to achieve spiritual authority.
أَوَلَيْسَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ بِقَادِرٍ عَلَىٰ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ مِثْلَهُمْ ۚ بَلَىٰ وَهُوَ الْخَلَّاقُ الْعَلِيمُ
"Is not He who created the heavens and the earth able to create the like of them? Yes, [indeed], and He is the Knowing Creator."
This verse, like a clear mirror, portrays the infinite divine authority in creation and recreation. The affirmative response "Yes" (بَلَىٰ) is akin to a divine shout demanding human acknowledgement of this authority. The phrase "the like of them" is interpreted as the existential elevation of man, indicating his infinite capacity to reach higher levels in the cosmic order.
This verse invites man to contemplate divine power and the latent potentials within his own being. It is as if God, like a wise gardener, has sown the seed of perfection in man and calls him to cultivate this seed.
فَسُبْحَانَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
"Exalted is He who holds dominion over all things, and to Him you will be returned."
The kingdom (malkt) is like the inner essence of things, in contrast to mulk, the material world. This verse invites man to reflect on the inner truth of the cosmos and emphasises absolute divine sovereignty over all beings. In Islamic philosophy and mysticism, malkt refers to the spiritual dimension of existence, accessible only through spiritual insight.
Modern man, at times due to egocentrism and
