of Nokounam, , session (1905)
The universe, like a vast ocean, conceals divine secrets within itself, where each verse of the Holy Quran shines as a luminous pearl unveiling these mysteries. This writing, through an exploration of the radiant verses, examines profound concepts of disbelief, polytheism, faith, and engagement with opponents. The objective is to elucidate divine knowledge employing a lofty language and a systematic structure tailored for specialist audiences and research environments. This investigation utilises allegories and literary allusions to present the concepts in a deeply engaging manner without deviating from the scientific essence.
Belligerent disbelievers, like determined adversaries, require a resolute confrontation. This section focuses on a Quranic verse to analyse the characteristics of believers in relation to disbelievers and emphasises the importance of kindness among themselves.
Muammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are severe against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating, seeking bounty from Allah and His pleasure. Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration. That is their likeness in the Torah, and their likeness in the Gospel is as a seed which sends forth its shoot, then strengthens it, so it becomes thick and stands upon its stalk, delighting the sowers that He may enrage the disbelievers. Allah has promised those among them who believe and do righteous deeds forgiveness and a great reward.
(Surah Al-Fath, Verse 29)
Muammad is the Messenger of God, and those who accompany him are harsh towards the disbelievers and compassionate amongst themselves. You observe them in bowing and prostration, seeking the favour and pleasure of Allah. Their sign is evident on their faces as a result of prostration. This is their similitude in the Torah, and their likeness in the Gospel is as a seed which sprouts its shoot, then strengthens it until it becomes robust and stands firm on its stalk, astonishing the farmers to incite the disbelievers ire. Allah has promised forgiveness and a magnificent reward to those among them who have faith and perform righteous deeds.
Key Point: Kindness among believers acts as a firm bond, uniting them against their enemies.
The second segment views the effect of prostration as the illumination of the face, not the callus of the forehead. The callus results from weakness or hypocrisy, whereas the radiance emanates from genuine servitude. The true believer is kind and devoid of arrogance, while non-believers tend to be harsh.
The third segment offers believers the promise of forgiveness and a great reward. Those without faith must undergo spiritual stages in the intermediary realm.
Resoluteness against belligerent disbelievers and kindness among believers constitute fundamental principles. This section demonstrated that the true effect of worship is the illumination of the soul, and faith elevates humanity to perfection.
Connection with the preceding section: If firmness against belligerent disbelievers is necessary, scientific free thought in confronting opponents facilitates the path to guidance. This section examines the methods of inviting to the way of God.
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good admonition, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is rightly guided.
(Surah An-Nahl, Verse 125)
This verse categorises opponents into three groups: those who require reasoned argument, simple individuals who respond to good admonition, and adversaries who are best addressed by the most excellent disputation. These methods align harmoniously with the culture of the Holy Quran.
Key Point: Invitation to truth functions as a key unlocking the closed doors of hearts.
And they say, Are our gods better or is he? They did not present it to you except as disputation. Nay, they are a contentious people. He is but a servant upon whom We bestowed favour, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.
(Surah Az-Zukhruf, Verses 58-59)
Malicious opponents dispute out of enmity, yet the Quran responds graciously. Knowledge possesses three aspects: argument for the wise, admonition for the ordinary, and the best disputation for adversaries.
Scientific free thought is the key to guidance. This section demonstrated that methods of invitation must be tailored to the audience to reveal divine truth.
Connection with the preceding section: If free thought is necessary when facing opponents, scientific confrontation with non-adversaries draws them closer to truth. This section analyses the denial of the resurrection by disbelievers.
And they say, When we have become bones and fragments, are we indeed to be resurrected as a new creation? Say, Be you stones or iron or a creation of that which grows exceedingly in your breasts. They will say, Who will restore us? Say, He who created you the first time. Then they will nod their heads towards you and say, When will that be? Say, Perhaps it will be soon.
(Surah Al-Isra, Verses 49-51)
Disbelievers deny resurrection; however, the Quran impartially conveys their speech and responds scientifically. These disbelievers deny out of ignorance, not obstinacy.
Key Point: Denial born of ignorance is like a cloud that obscures the sun of truth, yet the wind of knowledge disperses it.
The Resurrection is near, for in comparison to eternity, time is brief. Allah is forbearing and does not hasten.
Scientific confrontation with non-adversaries enables guidance. This section established that the Resurrection is an inevitable and imminent reality.
Connection with the preceding section: If denial of resurrection stems from ignorance, polytheism carries negative attributes. This section examines the characteristics of polytheists.
Do not set up another god with Allah, lest you sit blamed and forsaken.
(Surah Al-Isra, Verse 22)
Polytheism breaks the human, rendering them vile and despicable. The polytheist lacks honour, whereas the believer possesses authority.
Key Point: Polytheism is like a chain that keeps a person in humiliation.
Polytheism entails negative characteristics. This section demonstrated that monotheism brings honour.
Connection with the preceding section: If polytheism has negative traits, God responds swiftly to it. This section examines divine reaction to polytheism.
And they took gods besides Allah that they might be for them a source of honour. No! Surely they will deny their worship and be against them opponents.
(Surah Maryam, Verses 81-82)
God reacts quickly to polytheism and destroys reliance upon others. Polytheists often stem from believers who misunderstand.
Polytheism provokes swift divine reaction. This section revealed that reliance on others is futile.
Connection with the preceding section: If polytheism provokes divine reaction, disbelievers spending leads to regret. This section explores the spending of disbelievers.
Indeed, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to avert [people] from the way of Allah. So they will spend it; then it will be for them a source of regret; then they will be overcome. And those who have disbelieved - to Hell they will be gathered.
(Surah Al-Anfal, Verse 36)
Disbelievers spend wealth to block the way of God, which results in regret. Believers spend for the sake of drawing nearer to God.
Spending without divine intention leads to regret. This section showed that believers spending is rewarded.
Connection with the preceding section: If disbelievers spending is futile, their impurity also obstructs coexistence. This section discusses the impurity of the People of the Book.
Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day, who do not forbid what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture - [fight] until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled.
(Surah At-Tawbah, Verse 29)
The People of the Book are impure, and jizyah must be taken with humiliation. Opponents of Shiism are also inwardly impure.
The impurity of polytheists prevents acceptance. This section demonstrated that the true religion brings purity.
Connection with the preceding section: If the impurity of polytheists stems from polytheism, negating miracles to prevent polytheism is necessary. This section examines the denial of divine claims by the Prophets.
And I do not say to you that I have the treasures of Allah or that I know the unseen, nor do I say to you that
