The Holy Quran, akin to a profound and boundless ocean, encompasses concepts each shining like a brilliant gem, guiding humanity on the path of guidance and perfection. The terms sim, Ghani, Faqr, and Aziz are among the fundamental key-words of this celestial scripture that display deep and multi-layered meanings across theological, ethical, social, and existential dimensions. This treatise, relying upon the luminous verses of the Holy Quran and reflections on the meanings and instances of these concepts, endeavours to provide a comprehensive and lucid exegesis of these terms in a fluent language and systematic structure. Its objective is to direct the reader towards a deeper understanding of the epistemological and educational system of the Holy Quran, as if holding a bright lamp while treading the intricate path of truth-seeking.
The word sim, meaning guardian and protector, is one of the exalted divine attributes that is sometimes ascribed absolutely to God and sometimes relatively to the creatures in the Holy Quran. This concept, like a steadfast shield, depicts divine protection against human frailties and emphasises the limitations of creatures protection against the divine will.
وَاللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ النَّاسِ
(And Allah protects you from the people. Srah Midah, 5:67)
This verse employs the attribute sim as an absolute guardian for Almighty God, regarding the protection of the Prophet (peace be upon him) from human dangers as a manifestation of Gods unparalleled power. This protection, like an impregnable fortress, indicates the sovereignty of God before which no force can withstand.
وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِاللَّهِ هُوَ مَوْلَاكُمْ فَنِعْمَ الْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ النَّصِيرُ
(And hold fast, all of you together, to the rope of Allah and do not become divided. And remember the favour of Allah upon you when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favour, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided. Srah ajj, 22:78)
The concept of Itism (holding fast) to God, meaning seeking refuge in God, is like a tree rooted in faith and righteous deeds. This verse emphasises the necessity of trust in divine protection and refraining from reliance on anything other than Him. Seeking refuge in God preserves the human being from sins and dangers; however, this protection is conditional upon sincerity and adherence to righteous actions.
قُلْ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَعْصِمُكُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ إِنْ أَرَادَ بِكُمْ سُوءًا أَوْ أَرَادَ بِكُمْ رَحْمَةً
(Say, Who can protect you from Allah if He intends for you harm or intends for you mercy? Srah Azb, 33:17)
This verse, like a clear mirror, reflects the inability of creatures in the face of the divine will. No being, whether human or material object, can function as a protector (sim) against Gods will except by His permission. This principle clarifies the distinction between absolute divine protection and the relative protection of creatures.
Within limited contexts, certain objects such as clothing, walls, roofs, or food play a relative protective role. For instance, food preserves a person from hunger as if a shield protecting the body from death. However, if God wills otherwise, this protection becomes ineffective. This distinction clearly demarcates between the absolute sim (God) and the relative sim (creatures).
وَمَا لَهُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِنْ عَاصِمٍ
(And they have no protector against Allah. Srah Najm, 53:26)
This verse refers to an example where a person sought refuge in a mountain and considered it a protector, yet the mountain could not save him. This allegory, like a wise tale, portrays the limitations of relative protectors and emphasises the fact that only God is the true and ultimate protector.
Believers may benefit from divine protection by invoking the name sim in acts of worship, including prostration, bowing, sleep, and wakefulness. This invocation is like a key that opens the doors of divine mercy. Combining this name with other beautiful divine names such as Latf, Karm, or Wadd amplifies spiritual and protective effects, akin to a light dispelling the darkness of the soul.
