of Nokounam, (Session 1826)
Surahs Al-Baqarah and Aal Imran, like two radiant jewels within the treasury of the Holy Qur'an, open a gateway to divine, spiritual, psychological, and social knowledge. These two surahs, through profound and meaningful verses, invite humanity to contemplate the boundless power of God, the psychological and spiritual effects of sins such as usury (riba), and the deep connection with the unseen realms. In this treatise, by adopting a comprehensive and profound approach to selected verses from these surahs, an endeavour has been made to elucidate their concepts through psychological, mystical, and social perspectives. The aim of this examination is not only to reveal the layers of meaning within the verses but also to present the Holy Qur'an as a transformative source in individual and collective life that can guide humanity on the path of self-purification and elevation.
The Holy Qur'an is a divine discourse that is not only humanitys spiritual guide but also bears a transcendent power that maintains an inseverable connection with all existential domains of manfrom the earthly (nasut) to the celestial (malakut) and the dominion of might (jabroot). This discourse summons man to awareness in life and warns that living in a material world without attention to connection with the unseen realms may lead to misguidance. Just as the sun dispels darkness with its light, the Qur'an, through its guidance, dispels the darkness of ignorance and heedlessness from the human psyche.
Key Point: The Holy Qur'an, like a divine mirror, calls man to contemplate his connection with the unseen realms and the infinite power of God, warning him against heedlessness in material life.
From a mystical perspective, this divine discourse contains an energy and force that operate beyond its apparent material form and manifest in interaction with unseen beings such as angels and devils. Psychologically, this Qur'anic invitation summons man to self-awareness and attention to environmental and spiritual influences on behaviour and decision-making, as if inviting the human psyche to an inner journey for discovering truth.
"Those who devour usury will not stand except as stands one whom the Evil One by his touch hath driven to madness. That is because they say: Trade is just like usury. But Allah hath permitted trade and forbidden usury. Whosoever receiveth an admonition from his Lord and desisteth may keep his past gains, and his affair rests with Allah. But whosoever returneth to it they are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein."
Those who consume usury do not rise except like one whom Satan has bewildered by touch and madness. This is because they claimed: "Trade is only like usury," whereas God has permitted trade and forbidden usury. Whoever receives admonition from his Lord and ceases, shall have what is past, and his matter is with God; but whoever returns, those are the companions of the Fire, abiding therein.
This verse explicitly points to the destructive effects of usury on the human psyche and soul. Usury, as a forbidden act, is not merely an economic sin but a factor in producing psychological and spiritual disorders. The Qur'an likens this effect to the "bewilderment of Satan," implying profound damage to the cerebellum and human perception, as if Satan, by touching the psyche, directs the individual toward inner confusion and turmoil.
Key Point: Usury, like a hidden poison, endangers not only spiritual health but also disrupts intelligence and religiosity by causing psychological disturbances.
From a psychological viewpoint, usury, due to exploiting the weakness of othersespecially the poorcan lead to reduced self-control, increased anxiety, and even obsessive-compulsive behaviours. This act pulls the human psyche toward confusion, as if Satans penetration of the mind diverts it from the path of mental health. Mystically, this verse illustrates Satans influence on the psyche through sin, resulting in the "touch" (mass) or satanic contact, a state that disturbs decision-making and behaviour.
Compared to other sins such as wine or narcotics, usury exerts different effects on the psyche and human behaviour. Wine induces intoxication, narcotics induce numbness and withdrawal symptoms, but usury results in a state akin to "rabies" or psychological madness, which the Qur'an describes as "bewilderment of Satan." This bewilderment constitutes a type of perceptual and intellectual disorder which, ontologically, indicates Satan's infiltration into human existence and, psychologically, harms mental health.
For example, just as acid secretion damages the throat and stomach in the case of pickles, usury induces chronic stress that damages the nervous and digestive systems. This metaphor reveals a profound link between immoral behaviours and physical health. Mystically, these effects signal human estrangement from the divine nature, as sin, like a toxin, gradually erodes both psyche and body.
Key Point: Due to its oppressive nature, usury imposes deeper effects on the psyche and soul than other sins, leading to spiritual and social degradation.
Usury, by exploiting the poor, leads not only to the spiritual decline of the individual but also to economic inequality and social relationship deterioration. Historically, usury was regarded as a reprehensible act; however, in the modern world, particularly within banking systems, it has become socially normative. Islamic narrations mention: "In the End Times, no one will be able to keep themselves pure from the dust of usury." This statement points to the widespread infiltration of usury into economic and social structures.
From a sociological perspective, normalisation of usury has increased inequality and diminished social trust, as if society is sinking into a whirlpool of injustice and oppression. Mystically, this normalisation signals Satans influence within social structures that steer humanity away from the divine path.
The Holy Qur'an in verse 275 of Surah Al-Baqarah compares the effect of usury to "bewilderment of Satan," meaning satanic contact which disrupts the cerebellum and human perception. Psychologically, this can be interpreted as a form of anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder emerging from sin and estrangement from spirituality. Mystically, satanic touch signifies the penetration of unseen forces into the human psyche that can only be repelled by faith and divine remembrance.
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