This manuscript constitutes a profound and systematic study into the exalted knowledge of the Quran, which, through deep contemplation of the Divine verses, elucidates their sublime concepts. The present work employs the Noble Quranic verses alongside traditions to explore the spiritual, ethical, and social dimensions of Divine teachings. Its structure is designed to present the concepts cohesively and lucidly to erudite audiences, preserving the authenticity of the content in an academic and scholarly format. Each section is devoted to the examination of a verse or a set of verses and, through precise analysis and semantic linkages, enriches the intellectual and epistemological understanding of the reader. The objective of this work is not merely to clarify the apparent meanings of the verses but to uncover their deeper layers and hidden secrets, which are conveyed to the reader through exquisite metaphors and allegories.
This section, linked to previous discussions on the authority of Solomon (peace be upon him), examines his death and the Divine wisdom in concealing it from the jinn and mankind.
فَلَمَّا قَضَيْنَا عَلَيْهِ الْمَوْتَ مَا دَلَّهُمْ عَلَى مَوْتِهِ إِلَّا دَابَّةُ الْأَرْضِ تَأْكُلُ مِنْسَأَتَهُ فَلَمَّا خَرَّ تَبَيَّنَتِ الْجِنُّ أَنْ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ الْغَيْبَ مَا لَبِثُوا فِي الْعَذَابِ الْمُهِينِ
So when We decreed death for him, none showed them his death except a creature of the earth which was eating his staff. Then when he fell, the jinn became apparent that if they had known the unseen, they would not have remained in humiliating punishment.
(Surah Saba, 34:14)
This verse, like a veil of Divine wisdom, depicts the death of Solomon (peace be upon him) which remained concealed from the eyes of both jinn and mankind for a considerable time. His staff, eaten by a terrestrial termite, was the sole indication that revealed his collapse. This concealment, akin to a mirror, reflects the reality of apparent authority and its limitations. Solomon, despite all his splendour and sovereignty, was solitary at the moment of death, as if the nature of power, even for a Divine prophet, is devoid of affection and sanctity. The jinn, who were under his command, remained unaware of his death, and this ignorance became a lesson that exposed their incapacity in knowledge of the unseen. This verse beautifully demonstrates that apparent authority, though immense, cannot substitute for love and influence in hearts. The Divine wisdom in concealing Solomons death is like a torch illuminating the path of the prophets: a government that proceeds by force and dominance is bereft of love and heartfelt obedience. Religious scholars, especially during the occultation period, ought to lead the hearts of the people toward guidance with kindness and service, rather than harshness that reminds them of the scourge and imprisonment.
This section, through examining Solomons death and its concealment, emphasised the limitations of apparent authority and the importance of affection in guidance. The Divine wisdom in this event illuminates the path for prophets and religious scholars to guide hearts towards truth with love and wisdom, not with force and severity.
This section, linked to earlier discussions on the wisdom of the prophets, investigates the character of Luqman and his sage teachings in the Noble Quran.
وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا لُقْمَانَ الْحِكْمَةَ أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِلَّهِ وَمَنْ يَشْكُرْ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرْ لِنَفْسِهِ وَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ حَمِيدٌ
And indeed We bestowed wisdom upon Luqman, saying: Be grateful to Allah. And whoever is grateful, his gratitude is for his own good; and whoever is ungrateful, then indeed Allah is Free of need, Praiseworthy.
(Surah Luqman, 31:12)
This verse, like a light shining in the darkness of wisdom, speaks of the Divine gift of wisdom to Luqman. His wisdom lies in gratitude for Divine blessings and the admonition he offered to his son. Gratitude is like a root that stabilises the tree of human existence, while ingratitude is like a wind that shakes this tree. Allah, who is Self-Sufficient and Praiseworthy, has no need for the gratitude of His servants, yet gratitude leads man towards strength and perfection. Another verse manifests Luqmans wisdom in his admonition to his son:
وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَانُ لِابْنِهِ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ
And when Luqman said to his son while he was advising him: O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allah. Indeed, association [with Him] is great injustice.
(Surah Luqman, 31:13)
Luqmans admonition, like a pure spring, speaks of refraining from associating partners with Allah. Polytheism, unlike disbelief which is rare, is prevalent among humans and acts like a plague that contaminates faith. Luqman, endowed with Divine wisdom, warned his son against this great injustice, for polytheism, as a mixture of truth and falsehood, leads man away from the path of monotheism. This wisdom is manifested not only in gratitude and admonition but also in the existential fortitude of man who attains perfection through faith and avoidance of polytheism.
This section examined Luqmans wisdom in Divine gratitude and his counsel to his son, demonstrating that gratitude and avoidance of polytheism lead man towards strength
