of Nokounam, (Session 1821)
The concept of certainty in the Holy Quran, like a radiant light, guides humanity on the path of knowledge and perfection. This concept, elucidated in numerous verses with unparalleled depth, holds a special position in the epistemological system of Islamnot merely as a cognitive state but as a spiritual and behavioural process. In this treatise, relying on the Quranic verses and reflection upon their meanings and implications, various dimensions of certainty, its levels, and its relationship with the believers, prophets, and human responsibilities are examined. The aim is to extract the latent meanings in these verses like a gem from the heart of a stone and present them to the readers.
Certainty in the Holy Quran is akin to a ladder that leads man from the darkness of ignorance towards the light of knowledge. This concept is introduced in three distinct levels: Ilm al-Yaqn (Knowledge of Certainty), Ayn al-Yaqn (Vision of Certainty), and aqq al-Yaqn (Truth of Certainty). Each of these levels constitutes a step in the path of spiritual and cognitive elevation that is attained through effort and spiritual practice.
كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ * ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ * كَلَّا لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عِلْمَ الْيَقِينِ * لَتَرَوُنَّ الْجَحِيمَ * ثُمَّ لَتَرَوُنَّهَا عَيْنَ الْيَقِينِ (At-Takthur: 3-7)
No! You will soon know. * Then, no! You will soon know. * No! If you only knew with knowledge of certainty, * You would certainly see Hellfire, * Then you would see it with the eye of certainty.
These verses from Surah At-Takthur explain the levels of certainty gradually and clearly. Ilm al-Yaqn refers to theoretical knowledge acquired through reasoning and contemplation, whereas Ayn al-Yaqn denotes the stage where the truth is grasped intuitively. Although aqq al-Yaqn is not explicitly mentioned in this Surah, its absence points to a higher stage referring to complete attainment of divine truth. The term كَلا (No!) at the beginning of these verses acts as a sharp warning, negating human heedlessness and arrogance before the truth and inviting self-awareness and reflection upon the consequences of negligence.
The levels of certainty constitute a journey from outward to inward, from mind to heart, and from heart to unity with truth. Ilm al-Yaqn is like a light shining in the mind; Ayn al-Yaqn is like a mirror reflecting truth before the souls eye; and aqq al-Yaqn is akin to immersion in the infinite ocean of divine truth.
The Holy Quran presents certainty as a distinguished trait among the believers and the community, indicating the generality of this epistemic state. This attribute is ascribed not only to spiritual elites but also to the generality of believers who tread the path of righteous deeds.
اللَّهُ الَّذِي رَفَعَ السَّمَاوَاتِ بِغَيْرِ عَمَدٍ تَرَوْنَهَا ۖ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ ۖ وَسَخَّرَ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ ۖ كُلٌّ يَجْرِي لِأَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى ۚ يُدَبِّرُ الْأَمْرَ يُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ بِلِقَاءِ رَبِّكُمْ تُوقِنُونَ (Ar-Rad: 2)
It is Allah Who raised the heavens without pillars that you see and then established Himself above the Throne and subjected the sun and the moon, each running [its course] for an appointed term. He manages the affair; He details the signs that you may, of the meeting with your Lord, be certain.
الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ بِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ (An-Naml: 3)
Those who establish prayer and give zakah and they, of the Hereafter, are certain.
These verses present certainty as an epistemic state attainable through reflection on divine signs and adherence to religious duties such as establishing prayer and giving zakah. The phrase لَعَلَّكُمْ بِلِقَاءِ رَبِّكُمْ تُوقِنُونَ in Surah Ar-Rad serves as an invitation to contemplate the order of creation and deliberate on divine signs, guiding humanity towards certainty in meeting
