of Nekounam, (Session 1841)
The Holy Qur'an, like a radiant jewel, contains concepts each opening a window towards understanding truth and guiding humanity. The concept of "Ar" and related notions such as "A'r", "Iblgh", "sim", and "Completion of the Religion" are among these precious gems depicted in the Divine verses with unparalleled subtlety and profundity. These concepts bear profound meanings not only within theological and ethical contexts but also in psychological and social dimensions. Reflection upon them can illuminate a systematic comprehension of Divine guidance. This treatise, adopting a precise and scholarly approach to these concepts, seeksrelying on Qur'anic verses and exegetical analysesto present a comprehensive and clear picture of these terms. The aim is to invite the reader on an epistemological journey to explore the hidden and manifest layers of these concepts in the light of Divine revelations.
The concept of "Ar" in the Holy Qur'an, like a mirror reflecting truth, means to display, present, or exhibit something to others. This term appears in various verses with diverse functions, manifesting attributes of God and human behaviours alike. "Ar" is sometimes used to describe God's unparalleled power in presenting good and evil to humans and angels, and at other times reflects human choices and reactions towards this Divine presentation.
"Ar", as an attribute among the Beautiful Names of God, signifies the ability of God to display blessings and calamities to humans and angels. This attribute, also known in the Qur'an as "ri", points to Divine wisdom and power in presenting truth in a manner commensurate with the existential capacities of each individual.
وَعَرَضْنَا جَهَنَّمَ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَرْضًا
(And We will present Hell that Day to the disbelievers, manifestly. (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:100))
This verse, like a blazing torch, depicts the manifest presentation of Hell to the disbelievers. This presentation is not merely a display of Divine punishment but signifies its deep penetration into the very core of human existence, such that the reality of torment permeates their hearts and souls. This characteristic emphasises Gods limitless power in presenting good and evil wisely.
The Divine presentation, like a flowing current, yields different outcomes depending on each persons existential capacity and readiness. Sometimes, it directs humans towards good and reformation, and other times, due to heedlessness or disbelief, it leads to misguidance and deviation. God, with His infinite wisdom, exhibits perfection or deficiency to humans in order to test them in the path of choice and free will.
Key Point: Divine presentation acts like a mirror reflecting the truth of human existence. Depending on the capacity of each individual, this presentation can lead to either reformation or misguidance, thereby manifesting Divine wisdom in interaction with humans.
The presentation of Hell in the Qur'an, as illustrated in the verse of Surah Al-Kahf, is a manifestation that penetrates into the depths of human existence. This penetration contrasts with worldly fires that act superficially and in layers, indicating the intrinsic nature of the hereafters torment.
نَارٌ تَطَّلِعُ عَلَى الْأَفْئِدَةِ
(A fire that mounts up over the hearts. (Surah Al-Humazah, 104:7))
This verse, like a flame shining in darkness, reveals the fundamental difference between the hereafters punishment and material phenomena. The worldly fire only affects surface and superficial layers, whereas the hereafters fire, due to its spiritual and intrinsic nature, penetrates the heart and soul, manifesting the reality of torment in the depths of existence.
The Holy Qur'an introduces humans and stones as the fuel of Hell, as if these two complementary elements constitute the essence of the hereafters punishment.
وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ
(Its fuel is people and stones. (Surah At-Tahrim, 66:6))
This combination, like a metaphor for the inner and outer aspects of punishment, indicates that humans, due to their deeds, and stones, as material elements, play roles in the structure of the hereafters torment. Humans, with their inner selves, and stones, with their material exterior, constitute the fuel of this fire that, in accordance with Divine wisdom, completes the punishment.
In Surah Al-Kahf, the word "aran" as an absolute object emphasises the intensity and quality of Hells presentation. This linguistic structure, like a beam of light, demonstrates the depth and vastness of Divine presentation to the disbelievers, such that no escape is conceivable.
Presentation in this world, like a fleeting shadow, is superficial and layered, whereas in the hereafter, due to its intrinsic nature, torment penetrates the heart and soul. This distinction, like the difference between candlelight and sunlight, illustrates the material limitations of this world and the spiritual comprehensiveness of the hereafter.
Key Point: Presentation in this world, as a surface flow, is confined to the outer layer of human existence, but in the hereafter, like a deep river, it penetrates the depths of heart and soul, transcending material laws.
Presentation in the Holy Qur'an, like a precise map of the Divine system, displays good and evil in a manner enabling humans to learn lessons or fall into error. This system, like an open book, emphasises the importance of human choice and free will in confronting Divine presentations.
Believers, like gardeners cultivating the garden of life, should benefit from the Divine attribute "ri" to diversify their spiritual and material lives. This diversity, like various colours on a painting, liberates them from monotony in worship and behaviour, making life dynamic and flourishing.
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