the Lectures of Nokounam, (Session 1846)
The Holy Quran, like an immeasurable ocean, encompasses profound and multilayered concepts, each of which, like a radiant gem, guides mankind towards perfection and felicity. Among these, the concepts of the Luxuriants and Recitation are subjects presented with unparalleled depth in the verses of Surah Al-Imran and other chapters. These two notions the former referring to the social and spiritual deviation of human beings in response to divine blessings, and the latter concerning the understanding and vocalisation of divine verses as nourishment for the soul are examined here with a detailed and scholarly approach. The objective of this work is to provide a comprehensive analysis of these concepts, relying on the Quranic verses and reflections of religious scholars, thereby paving the way for a deeper and more practical comprehension of these truths.
The concept of the Luxuriants in the Holy Quran refers to a group of individuals who have received divine blessings, yet instead of utilising these favours on the path of perfection and worship, they are drawn towards neglect, deviation, and inertia. This group, described in numerous Quranic verses, by virtue of being immersed in material pleasures and hedonism, reject the prophets invitations and adhere to the traditions of their forefathers. This adherence is not born out of reason but rather of prejudice and negligence, which ultimately leads them towards disbelief and denial of divine signs.
And thus We sent not before you any warner to a town but the affluent among its people said, Indeed, we found our forefathers upon a religion, and indeed, we are following their footsteps.
(Az-Zukhruf: 23)
Thus, in no city before you was there a warner sent except that its affluent people said: "We found our forefathers upon a religion, and we follow in their footsteps."
Due to their enjoyment of divine blessings and their improper utilisation thereof, the luxuriants have become a group that not only has strayed from the path of truth themselves but also, by controlling the intellectual and cultural hegemony of society, lead others astray. This group, relying on the traditions of their forefathers, reject the prophets invitations and, instead of accepting guidance, resort to denial and repudiation. This behaviour stems from a negligence that originates from the misuse of divine blessings.
Negligence, like a dark shadow, overwhelms the hearts of the luxuriants and prevents them from comprehending the truth and accepting the divine invitation. This negligence is a gradual process that begins with accumulation of wealth and pursuit of pleasure and ends in denial of divine verses. The Holy Quran vividly portrays this characteristic in numerous verses.
And We sent not as a warner to any town but its affluent said, Indeed, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.
(Saba: 34)
And We sent no warner to any town but its affluent said: Indeed, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.
This verse depicts the negligence of the luxuriants as an obstacle against the acceptance of truth. Because they are immersed in material pleasures, they not only ignore the prophets calls but explicitly deny them. This negligence is the result of accumulating wealth and power without regard to spiritual responsibilities, which gradually leads to disbelief and denial.
The luxuriants, by dominating the culture and mindset of society, hinder the correct understanding of prophets and divine teachings. This group, through distortion and weakening of divine messages, creates the grounds for the prophets and their religions to be lost. Consequently, societies gradually distance themselves from religious truth and drift towards deviation.
He said, Even if I brought you better guidance than what you found your forefathers upon? They said, Indeed, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.
(Az-Zukhruf: 24)
He said: If I brought you guidance better than that upon which you found your forefathers? They replied: Indeed, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.
This verse demonstrates that the luxuriants, relying on the traditions of their ancestors, not only reject the prophets invitations but also, by distorting the truth, deprive future generations from recognising the prophets. This deviation is the consequence of the oppression and injustice of the followers of the luxuriants, who, by weakening the divine message, lead societies towards misguidance.
Hedonism, like a fire ignited from negligence, draws the luxuriants towards denial of divine verses and ultimately divine punishment. The Holy Quran clearly describes this process and regards it as the natural consequence of the deviation of the luxuriants.
So We took retribution from them, and observe how was the end of the deniers.
(Az-Zukhruf: 25)
Then We took retribution from them; behold how was the end of the deniers.
This verse introduces hedonism as a prelude to divine punishment. The luxuriants, by denying the prophets call and immersing themselves in material pleasures, expose themselves to divine chastisement. This punishment is the natural outcome of denial and deviation, referenced in numerous Quranic verses.
Recitation in the Holy Quran is more than the mere reading of words; it is a process akin to a bridge connecting the utterance to its meaning. True recitation requires the presence of meaning alongside the words, and without profound understanding of the verses, it loses its spiritual value.
So when you recite the Quran, seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.
(An-Nahl: 98)
Thus, when you recite the Quran, seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan.
This verse emphasises the importance of reciting with understanding and intention. Allah introduces Himself as the Muqr (the one who teaches recitation), who teaches the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) recitation and protects him from forgetfulness. Recitation without understanding the meaning is like a lifeless shell that contains no spirit of truth.
Vocalisation, like a refreshing breeze, is a higher stage than recitation, encompassing not only understanding of meaning but also deep impact on the soul and spirit of the individual. Vocalisation delivers divine verses as spiritual nourishment to the human soul, saving it from spiritual hunger.
Those to whom We have given the Book recite it with its true recital.
(Al-Baqarah: 121)
Those who were given the Scripture recite it with the true recital thereof.
Vocalisation requires spiritual readiness and aptitude. This process acts like a bombardment that eradicates the corruptions of the self and directs the person towards perfection and contemplation. The difference between recitation and vocalisation lies in the depth of influence and degree of penetration into the soul and mind.
Contemplation, like a blazing torch, guides the individual from the darkness of negligence to the light of knowledge. This process is a stage following recitation and vocalisation, leading to profound reflection on the meanings of the verses.
Do they not then contemplate the Quran?
(Muhammad: 24)
Do they not then reflect upon the Quran?
Contemplation rescues a person from spiritual hunger and material greed, directing them towards felicity and perfection. This process requires education and practice for one to benefit from the spiritual blessings of the Holy Quran.
The name Al-Mujb is one of the Divine Names referring to Gods answering of His servants prayers. This response is direct and without intermediary and encompasses all types of questions, from material to spiritual.
And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me that they may be guided.
(Al-Baqarah: 186)
And when My servants ask you concerning Me, say: I am indeed near. I respond to the call of the caller when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me that they may be guided.
This verse beautifully portrays divine proximity and shows that God responds directly to every question. This responsiveness directs man towards a direct relationship with God and away from negligence.
The question is like a key that opens the doors of divine grace. In the Holy Quran, the questioner is described as a divine messenger who, through his questioning, sets divine grace in motion. This relationship is emphasised in numerous verses.
Narration: As-S'il Raslullh (The questioner is the Messenger of God). This hadith demonstrates the value of the questioner and the significance of questioning on the path to perfection. The questioner, by posing inquiries, not only resolves his own needs but, as a divine messenger, channels grace towards others.
This process removes a person from passivity and guides them towards spiritual agency. Questioning is like a spark that ignites the fire of knowledge within the human heart and leads them towards perfection.
The concepts of
