Emerging Doubts and Understanding the Qur'an

The Qur'anic knowledge, as humanity's spiritual nourishment, imparts its wisdom progressively, much like material sustenance is acquired gradually. This concept is mirrored in the analogy with human speech found in the Qur'an:

And in the heaven is your sustenance and whatever you are promised. By the Lord of the heaven and the earth, it is as true as [the fact] that you speak. (51:22-23)

The comparison to speech highlights not its obviousness, but its sequential nature. Words and phrases flow sequentially from the depths of human intellect, from the unseen reservoir of thoughts. Likewise, religious knowledge, whether within a single era or across different ages, unfolds gradually. Islam represents the universal sustenance for all humanity, embodying the essence of all monotheistic faiths:

Indeed, religion in the sight of God is Islam. (3:19)

Each era receives its specific spiritual provision through the divine laws and clear path established:

For each [community] among you, We had appointed a sacred law and a clear way. (5:48)

The religious knowledge designated for each period is bestowed in response to its unique circumstances, among which are the newly arising inquiries and doubts.

The role of religious scholars in today's world is crucial: they must keep abreast of contemporary scientific developments to ensure their interpretations of the Qur'an and Hadiths from the Pure Progeny (a.s.) avoid misconceptions or errors. As stated, "The one who knows the realities of his time will not be beset by ambiguities." (123) Past generations' questions were essential for the spiritual nourishment of their time, and it is important for us to respect their intellectual contributions. Although the debates of earlier eras may not align with or seem relevant to our current challenges, it doesn't render their insights worthless. Just as adults no longer consume their mother's milk, which was once vital for their growth, the advanced understanding of our era may eventually seem outdated to future generations. However, like mother's milk to an infant, these insights are essential for our current and continued development.

The modern era presents unique questions and doubts, necessitating a fresh examination of the Qur'an and its interpretation to uncover answers to contemporary issues that were not considered in earlier exegeses. A prominent doubt raised today by secularism advocates—that religion should be separate from politics and social affairs—challenges the traditional understanding that the actions of prophets (a.s.) in governance and social matters hold authority. They argue that religion's scope should be limited to doctrinal teachings, divine ethics, jurisprudence, and matters concerning the afterlife, excluding worldly affairs like governance and livelihood from its purview. This perspective demands a thorough reinterpretation of the Qur'an to address and clarify the relevance of religious guidance in all aspects of human life, including those deemed secular.

The proponents of secularism argue that divine prophets engaged in social and political matters as individuals resisting oppression and seeking freedom, not specifically in their roles as divine messengers and recipients of revelation. Consequently, they assert that the actions and traditions of prophets in areas beyond worship, ethics, and afterlife concerns do not hold authority for their followers. Therefore, according to this view, adhering to the prophets' examples in non-spiritual matters is not deemed obligatory for rational individuals capable of independent thought.

When the Qur'an addresses the actions and traditions of prophets (a.s.) in economic, political, and social realms, it does not do so merely as historical recounting. Rather, it presents these actions as part of divine traditions meant for emulation and action, effectively countering the secularist notion that religious guidance is limited to spiritual matters. For instance, the Qur'an explicitly dictates terms for dealing with prisoners of war: it advocates for their binding and then offers the option of favor or ransom after the cessation of hostilities, as seen in ...then bind the bond firmly; then either [grant them] a favor afterwards or [allow] ransom [to be paid] until the war lays down its burdens (47:4). Moreover, it addresses the notion of ransom and its impact on the public treasury with a clear stance that prioritizes divine will over worldly gains: It is not for a prophet to have captives [of war] until he inflicts a slaughter [upon God's enemies] in the land. You desire the commodities of this world, but God desires [for you] the Hereafter. And God is Exalted in Might and Wise (8:67). These verses highlight that the Qur'an does not segregate spiritual guidance from worldly affairs, but rather integrates divine guidance into all aspects of life, refuting secular claims.

The revelation of the heavenly book, as highlighted in the Qur'an, is positioned as a transformative force, tasked with leading humanity from darkness into light, with the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) being the conduit for this divine mission: ...[This is] a Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], that you might bring mankind out of darkness into the light by permission of their Lord—to the path of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy (14:1). This passage underscores the concept that enlightenment and liberation from oppression are intertwined, suggesting that spiritual awakening is inseparable from social justice. The narrative of Moses' confrontation with Pharaoh and his courtiers serves as a vivid illustration of this principle, of illuminating society and bringing it out of all kinds of darkness

Hence, the struggle against oppression, the dismantling of tyrannical regimes, and the establishment of governance grounded in divine principles are integral components of the prophetic mission. This aspect of their endeavor is rooted in their divine mandate, not merely as actions of freedom and justice-seeking leaders acting from their human capacities.