Five Basic Themes of Qur’an
By Dr Waheed Siddiqee
Sunnyvale , CA
One problem faced by an ordinary reader in understanding the Qur’an is that sometimes its verses (Ayas) appear to be disconnected and not logically related. Also, verses related to the same topics seem to be scattered and interspersed with verses related to other topics. Accordingly, the reader occasionally feels lost and finds it difficult to grasp the message of the Qur’an. Shah Wali-Ullah, in his book Fauz-ul-Kabir, has presented an excellent framework to resolve this situation. He has grouped the various verses of the Qur’an into five basic themes and shown that all verses, whether they are seemingly unrelated, scattered, or interspersed can be associated with one or the other of the five themes listed and explained below.
1: Distortions of God’s Commands by Non-Believers and Hypocrites
2: Prophet Muhammad, Stories of Previous Prophets, and Past Nations
3: The Attributes and Creations of God
4: God’s Commandments and Rules of Conduct
5: Death and Life after Death.
Theme 1: Distortions of God’s Commands by Non-Believers and Hypocrites
These are verses dealing with the four deviant groups, namely Polytheists, Jews, Christians, and Hypocrites. Firstly, these verses refute the distortions introduced by various groups pertaining to the creed and the fundamental doctrines of faith. Secondly, the verses remove the doubts of the deviant groups.
The polytheists in Mecca used to claim that they are the followers of Ibrahimic traditions. However, they had added the idea of statues, polytheism, and were not willing to accept the prophethood of Muhammad. They used to indulge in unethical practices. The Holy Qu’an clarified the fact that polytheism is illogical because more than one God cannot create a stable universe. All previous prophets in whom the polytheists claim to believe have taught that that there is only one God.
Addressing the Jews, the Qur’an points out that the Jews (of that time) had distorted many verses of Torah and had given wrong interpretations to some verses. They used to refute the Prophethood of Muhammad and used to ridicule his teachings. The Qur’an forcefully pointed out that the teachings of the Qur’an were nothing new but the confirmation and elaborations of the teachings of earlier prophets.
The deviation of the Christians was that they had added the idea of Trinity in the basic creed. They believed that Christ is the son of God, who gave his life for the sins of humanity. The Qur’an forcefully declared that God is one and unique; He was neither given birth nor did He give birth to anybody. The birth of Christ was one of the miracles of God.
To the Hypocrites, the Qur’an gives many warnings and guidance to true believers about recognizing the hypocrites among them. For example, Hypocrites say something which they do not mean. They do not keep their promises and secretly plan to harm the true believers.
Verse 66 (Sura Al-Mai’da) and Verse 17 (Sura Al-Hajj) are two examples belonging to this theme, and many more can be easily identified.
Theme 2: Prophet Muhammad, Stories of Previous Prophets, and Past Nations
These verses discuss the mission and struggles of Prophet Muhammad, events and lives of some previous prophets, and rulers of big empires to demonstrate the conflicts between the Truth (Haq) and Falsehood (Batil). The main purpose of these verses is to show how those communities and nations who obeyed the commandments of God were rewarded and those who went astray were punished. For example, mention is made of Prophets Musa, Yusuf, Ibrahim, Nooh, Yunus, Daud, Ismael, Yaqub, Suleyman, Isa, and some other prophets. The stories of the ruler of Egypt -- Firaun (Pharoah), Saba, the queen of Sheba, the communities of Aad and Samood, the community of Bani Israel, etc. are included in this theme. These names were not unfamiliar to the people of those days. The purpose of mentioning these events was not to relate the historical facts but to use them as an illustration of God’s schemes of reward for good behavior and punishment for bad deeds.
Some typical verses belonging to this theme of the Qur’an are: Verse 163 (Sura Nisa), Verse 128 (Sura Al-Saba), Verses 51 and 52 (Sura Maryam), Verses 49 and 50 (Sura Al-Baqarah), Verse 9 (Sura Al-Qamar). It is not difficult to identify many more verses belonging to this theme.
Theme 3: Attributes and Creations of God
These verses describe the various attributes of God, e.g., oneness, forgiving, just, compassionate, provider, etc. and the multitudes of creations of God, such as human beings, the universe, sun, moon, stars, animals, birds, insects, water, air, mountains, forests, and various resources in earth. God mentions these creations and invites us to reflect on them and to try to grasp the meaning and purpose of life. God points out that He has provided many signs of his existence for those who observe all his creations and reflect upon them.
A few verses belonging to this theme are mentioned next for illustration. Verse 24 (Sura Al-Hashr), Verse 35 (Sura An-Nur), Verse 20 (Sura Luqman), Verse 33 (Sura Al-Anbiya), Verse 3 (Ar-Ra’d), Verse 5 (Sura An-Nahl), Verse 1(Sura An-Nisa), Verse 45 (Sura An-Najam). Several other verses that belong to this theme can be easily found in the Qur’an.
Theme 4: God’s Commandments and Rules of Conduct
These are verses related to the rules pertaining to human conduct, and include: 1) Actions related to rituals, i.e. Belief, Prayers, Poor due, Fasting, and Pilgrimage. 2) Interactions with other human beings, animals, and other creations of God. 3) Desirable, allowable, and prohibited actions pertaining to religious, social, political, economic, and all other aspects of society.
The followers of Prophet Ibrahim had started deviating from the original ways of God, both in rituals and actions. Society had become unconstrained and many evil ways were being practiced in political, family, and social life. The Holy Qur’an rectified and corrected all the misinterpretations and deviations and also complemented certain gaps in previous guidelines for proper human behavior.
There are several verses of the Qur’an which provide clear and specific guidelines for living a life according to God’s commands. A few of the verses are identified here as examples. Verse 13 (Sura Al-Taghabun), Verses 43, and 183 (Sura Al-Baqarah), verses 1,2 and 3 (Sura Al-Maidah), Verse 177 (Sura Al-Baqarah)
Theme 5: Death and Life after Death
These verses stress the fact that this worldly life is merely a passing phase - the first stage in the eternal journey of life. Death is inevitable for every living thing. No one except God knows when, where, and how one will die. Therefore, one should never get carried away in the pursuit of superficial and temporary pleasures of life. Those who live a life in accordance with the commandments of God will be rewarded in the life hereafter in Paradise. Those who commit atrocious, crimes, and indulge in a sinful life will be punished in the hereafter in Hell. Everyone’s actions in this world will be judged fairly on the Day of Judgment. God will reward good deeds profusely whereas punish minimally for crimes and other sins.
Among the Verses related to the theme of death and life after death are Verse 34 (Sura Al-A’raf), Verse 61 (Sura Al-An’am), Verses 23 and 24 (Sura Ar-R’ad), Verse 6 (Sura At-Tahrim). Many more verses on the theme of death and life after death can be found throughout the Qur’an.
The aforementioned basic five themes provide the reader with a good framework to understand the totality of the Qur’anic message and its guidance.
References :
- Saiyara Digest (Urdu), Qur’an Number, Volume 2, 1970
- Al-Quran – Rendered into English by Dr. Syed Abdul Latif.
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