of Nokounam, (Session 1849)
The Holy Quran, akin to a profound ocean, encompasses meanings and concepts each shining like a precious gem, guiding humanity towards truth. Among these, the concepts of "Compassion" (Hanan) and "Blessing" (Nimah) stand as two pure divine essences, portraying a distinctive manifestation of the Lords grace and love. This treatise, relying on the verses from the Surahs Maryam, Taubah, Qasas, and other chapters of the Holy Quran, explores these two concepts. The aim is to elucidate the profound semantic layers of these terms within the Quranic context, employing mystical, philosophical, and psychological perspectives to illuminate the relationship between human beings and God under the light of divine love and blessing. This text, with an organised structure and eloquent language, endeavours to explain these meanings clearly and coherently, as if the Quranic verses serve as lamps illuminating the path to truth.
Surah Maryam, like a garden blooming with flowers of affection, portrays an atmosphere abundant with divine gentleness and tenderness. This Surah, focusing on figures such as Zakariya, Yahya, and Maryam, is known as a Surah of compassion, where divine love manifests specifically through the word Hanan and other verses. In this section, we examine the key verses of this Surah that introduce Hanan as a special love granted by God.
O Yahya! Take the Scripture with strength, and We gave him judgement while yet a boy,
And compassion from Us, and purity; and he was fearing God.
The word Hanan in these verses signifies deep love and tender mercy originating from the Lords essence (min ladunna) bestowed upon Yahya. This love is not of the nature of human habits, but an intrinsic essence that transformed Yahya into a devout and beloved personality. "Hanan min ladunna" indicates a special divine proximity granted solely to the elect, as though God, with His merciful hands, nurtures a pure soul within the embrace of His love.
Key Point: Compassion in Surah Maryam is a divine love coupled with wisdom and purity, elevating Yahya to a lofty station. This love not only signifies the Lords special grace but also guides humanity towards piety and clarity.
Surah Maryam, through verses such as a secret call (nidaan khafiyan) (verse 3), depicts an atmosphere of subtlety and intimate communion with God. Zakariyas prayer, described as a quiet whisper, exemplifies this gentleness, resembling a loving melody between servant and beloved. This whisper, alongside the gift of compassion to Yahya, transforms Surah Maryam into a jewel of divine affection. Psychologically, this gentleness signifies acceptance of human frailty and Gods loving response, as though the Lord embraces His servant like a compassionate mother.
Surah Maryam, with emphasis on divine compassion and gentleness, mirrors Gods love. This love, manifested in the gift of wisdom and purity to Yahya and the whisper of Zakariya, invites humans to reflect on their loving relationship with the Lord. Compassion, like a gentle breeze, caresses the human spirit and guides it toward piety and purity.
Surah Taubah, referring to the event of Hunayn, reveals another facet of divine compassion within a historical and social context. Verse 25 of this Surah points to the moment when the pride and arrogance of the believers led them to defeat; yet, divine grace, through the descent of tranquillity (sakinah) and unseen assistance, rescued them.
Indeed, Allah aided you in many battlefields and on the day of Hunayn, when your great numbers pleased you, but they did not avail you anything, and the earth became constricted for you with all its vastness; then you turned back, fleeing.
The word Hunayn, a diminutive of Hann meaning love and tenderness, here refers to a historical event wherein the believers pride due to their multitude led to initial defeat. God, by sending down sakinah (divine tranquillity) and "troops you did not see," saved the believers from this setback. This verse illustrates divine compassion which does not abandon servants even amid human error, akin to a merciful father embracing his errant child.
Key Point: The event of Hunayn exemplifies divine compassion at moments of human failure and pride. The descent of tranquillity and unseen help are signs of the Lords mercy that supports His servants during the hardest trials.
Following the verse about Hunayn, God speaks of the descent of sakinah and troops you did not see. Sakinah is a divine peace that stabilises the hearts of believers, while the unseen troops are armies invisible to human eyes but bringing victory. These represent manifestations of divine compassion that guide believers from despair to hope in battle. Philosophically, this verse points to Gods active loving agency, which, even at the height of failure, does not withhold His affection from servants.
The event of Hunayn acts as a mirror reflecting human weakness alongside divine compassion. Pride and arrogance distance a person from divine grace, yet Gods descent of tranquillity and unseen support pave the way for return. This section invites humility before divine love and reveals that the Lords compassion quenches His servants even at the moment of defeat, like a bubbling spring.
The Holy Quran describes divine blessings as countless as the stars of the sky. Verse 34 of Surah Ibrahim beautifully expresses this truth.
And if you should count the favour of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, mankind is [generally] most unjust and ungrateful.
The term blessing (nimah) in the Quran refers to all kinds of divine good and bounty, from life and sustenance to faith and wisdom. This verse invites humans to contemplate the boundlessness of divine blessings while simultaneously warning against heedlessness and ingratitude. Psychologically, human ingratitude stems from egocentrism and pride, which hinder understanding of divine love.
Key Point: Divine blessings, like an endless ocean, encompass all aspects of human life. Neglecting these blessings distances a person from the path of love and piety.
Divine blessings are divided into general and special categories. General blessings, such as life, provision, and health, are granted to all creatures, whereas special blessings, like faith, wisdom, and guidance, are bestowed only upon the deserving. The verse Those are the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favour (An-Nisa: 69) refers to special blessings granted to prophets, the truthful, and martyrs. These blessings guide humans towards perfection and divine proximity.
Divine blessings, like a merciful
