The Noble Qur'an is not merely a guide for worship and faith, but a profound source for understanding existence, humanity, and its relationship with the Origin of Creation. This treatise, relying on selected verses from the surahs of An-Nahl, An-Naba', Al-Ghashiyah, Al-Baqarah, Ash-Shams, Al-Infitar, Al-Buruj, Ad-Dukhan, Al-Kahf, and Ibrahim, explores deep mystical and philosophical concepts such as longing, love, matter, immateriality, and divine knowledge. This work endeavours, through precise attention to ontological hierarchies and their relation to divine verses, to elucidate lofty Qur'anic meanings for readers in a clear and dignified manner. The structure of this treatise, employing Qur'anic verses alongside mystical analyses, is designed to invite the reader into a profound contemplation of Qur'anic wisdom.
The Noble Qur'an transcends being merely a book of revelation and worship; it is a source that can be regarded alongside the works of philosophers such as Ibn Sina and Mulla Sadra as a reference for scientific and epistemological understanding of existence. This celestial book, with unparalleled language and structure, guides humanity towards the recognition of existential truths and the gradations of creation. Reflecting upon its verses requires a lifetime of study and deep thought to access its profound layers of meaning. This perspective introduces the Qur'an not only as a guide for devotion but also as an instrument for ontological inquiry and the comprehension of truth.
Recognising the Noble Qur'an as a book of knowledge demands a vision that transcends the superficiality of the verses to focus on their deep and philosophical concepts. Just as great philosophers base their epistemological systems on reasoning and contemplation, the Noble Qur'an, by providing an unmatched systematic framework, invites humanity toward understanding the truth. This invitation requires patience and perseverance, as religious scholars emphasise that deep comprehension of the Noble Qur'an is only achievable through years of study and reflection.
Key Point: The Noble Qur'an is not solely a book for worship and devotion, but an epistemological source that guides humanity toward the knowledge of the truth of existence and the hierarchies of being. This knowledge demands a lifetime of contemplation and profound insight.
وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مِنْ دَابَّةٍ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ
يَخَافُونَ رَبَّهُمْ مِنْ فَوْقِهِمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ ۩
Translation: And to Allah prostrates whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth of moving creatures, as well as the angels, and they do not disdain. They fear their Lord above them and do what they are commanded.
These verses distinguish two categories of beings: dbbah (material moving creatures) and malika (immaterial angels). Prostration is a sign of the innate longing of beings toward God. However, the angels, due to their lack of arrogance, possess a purer longing. The phrase "and they do not disdain" indicates that immaterial beings, unlike material creatures, are free from self-conceit and separation from the Truth. This attribute elevates them to a higher station in the existential path.
In Islamic philosophy, the distinction between matter and immateriality is a fundamental discourse. Matter, due to its intrinsic deficiency, perpetually seeks to fill its lacks, whereas immaterial beings, due to the purity of their existence, have a longing solely directed towards God. This distinction is beautifully depicted in the verses of Surah An-Nahl, where the angels, as immaterial beings, are connected to God through an ecstatic longing and are free from any arrogance.
Arrogance, understood as self-conceit and separation from the Truth, obstructs the path of longing towards God. The angels, by virtue of their immateriality, are free from this impediment, and their longing for God is pure and direct. This longing resembles a clear stream flowing unimpeded towards the sea. In Islamic mysticism, ecstatic longing (shawq wal) is the desire for unity with the divine Beloved, and the angels, due to the absence of material deficiency, fully experience this longing.
Key Point: Angels, by virtue of their immateriality, are free from arrogance and their longing for God is pure and ecstatic, whereas material beings, due to intrinsic deficiency, may exhibit extrinsic longing.
تَكَادُ السَّمَاوَاتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِنْ فَوْقِهِنَّ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِمَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ أَلَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
Translation: The heavens almost rupture from above them, and the angels glorify the praise of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on earth. Indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.
The glorification of the angels signifies their ecstatic longing to God, while their seeking forgiveness for those on earth reflects their compassion and intermediary role. Angels, due to their intrinsic perfection, do not require forgiveness for themselves as their existence is free from deficiency. This compassion is akin to a mother praying for her child, not for herself. The phrase "Indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful" underscores the supremacy of God over the act of intercession by the angels, as God inherently possesses forgiveness and mercy.
This verse beautifully portrays
