Surah Al-Baqarah, as one of the most extensive and profound chapters of the Holy Quran, is a treasury of divine, social, and spiritual knowledge in which the manifold manifestations of the boundless power of the Lord are revealed. This treatise, concentrating on selected verses from this surah, specifically from verse 54 to 253, explores the concept of divine power and examines its relation to nature, humanity, and the Islamic community. The purpose of this inquiry is to elucidate the truth that the Holy Quran is not merely a book for spiritual guidance but a rich source of divine power capable of engendering profound transformations in individual and collective life. This treatise employs an integrative approach, drawing from psychological, social, and mystical perspectives to analyse the verses and connect the formative concepts of power with the daily needs of humanity.
In this journey, the verses of the Holy Quran, like a radiant lamp, illuminate the path and guide humanity towards a deeper understanding of divine power and its utilisation in self-purification and societal reform. This treatise, with a focus on the immaterial and supernatural manifestations of divine power, emphasises the necessity of connecting to this inexhaustible source and considers the weakness of Islamic societies as a consequence of their estrangement from this truth.
Key Point: The divine thunderbolt in verses 54 and 55 of Surah Al-Baqarah symbolises the immediate power of the Lord that operates beyond natural laws and invites humans to reflect on their limitations and the necessity of submission to the divine will.
وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِ يَا قَوْمِ إِنَّكُمْ ظَلَمْتُمْ أَنفُسَكُمْ بِاتِّخَاذِكُمُ الْعِجْلَ فَتُوبُوا إِلَىٰ بَارِئِكُمْ فَاقْتُلُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ عِنْدَ بَارِئِكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
And when Moses said to his people: "O my people, you have wronged yourselves by adopting the calf; so repent to your Creator and kill yourselvesthat is better for you in the sight of your Creator." Then He accepted your repentance; indeed, He is the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.
وَإِذْ قُلْتُمْ يَا مُوسَىٰ لَنْ نُؤْمِنَ لَكَ حَتَّىٰ نَرَى اللَّهَ جَهْرَةً فَأَخَذَتْكُمُ الصَّاعِقَةُ وَأَنْتُمْ تَنْظُرُونَ
And when you said: "O Moses, we shall not believe you until we see Allah openly," then the thunderbolt seized you while you were looking on.
These verses refer to the story of the Children of Israel and their unreasonable demand to witness God directly. The thunderbolt that descended in response to this request is not a natural phenomenon such as lightning caused by meteorological conditions, but a manifestation of divine power operating beyond material laws. This thunderbolt, as a divine punishment, indicates the direct authority of the Lord, which may manifest through God, the prophet, or angels. From a spiritual perspective, this event invites humans to contemplate their limitations and the necessity of submission to divine will, as though it were a mirror reflecting human incapacity in the face of divine grandeur.
From a psychological perspective, these verses serve as a warning that egocentric and unreasonable demands may lead to disastrous outcomes. The thunderbolt, like a divine sword, is not only a punishment but also a lesson to reconsider ones behaviour and return to the path of repentance and guidance.
Key Point: The resurrection of the Children of Israel after death by the thunderbolt is a sign of divine power in reviving the dead, applicable both in this world and the hereafter, inviting humans towards self-purification and the utilisation of spiritual potentials.
ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَاكُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَوْتِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
Then We raised you up after your death so that you might be grateful.
This verse refers to the resurrection of the Children of Israel after death by the thunderbolt. This revival is an instance of supernatural divine power that cannot be attributed to material causes. The concept of We raised you up demonstrates Gods ability to resurrect the dead both in this world and the hereafter. Mystically, this verse points to the spiritual resurrection of humans from the death of ignorance and sin. This divine power, like a gushing spring, flows continuously across time and space and can manifest through prophets, saints, or spiritually elevated individuals.
From a psychological perspective, this verse invites humans to contemplate the possibility of spiritual transformation. Just as God resurrected the Children of Israel from physical death to life, humans can also attain spiritual vitality from spiritual death.
Key Point: The descent of manna, salwa, and the divine canopy are indications of divine power that transcend natural laws to meet human material and spiritual needs, inviting the Islamic community to spiritual self-sufficiency.
وَظَلَّلْنَا عَلَيْكُمُ الْغَمَامَ وَأَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَنَّ وَالسَّلْوَىٰ ۖ كُلُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ ۖ وَمَا ظَلَمُونَا وَلَٰكِنْ كَانُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ
And We shaded you with clouds and sent down to you manna and salwa. Eat of the good things We have provided for you, and they did not wrong Us but they wronged themselves.
This verse refers to the descent of the cloud (ghamam) and the heavenly food (manna and salwa) for the Children of Israel. Unlike rain which naturally accompanies clouds, these phenomena are manifestations of supernatural divine power. The descent of manna and salwa, which is not directly linked to clouds, signifies Gods ability to supply human material and spiritual needs supernaturally. These blessings descended like a rain of mercy to strengthen the faith and gratitude of the Children of Israel.
