al-Dhāriyāt

وَالسَّمَاء ذَاتِ الْحُبُكِ

إِنَّكُمْ لَفِي قَوْلٍ مُّخْتَلِفٍ

يُؤْفَكُ عَنْهُ مَنْ اُفِكَ

7. By the heaven abounding in beauteous paths and beauties,

8. Surely, you are [perplexed] in having different words.

9. Turned aside from Truth is he who will be led astray [in future].

The insensible may utter different words at different times. Thus, there is one Straight Path, but ways leading people astray are large in number. There is one true belief, but untrue ones are many. The blessed Verses in question like the preceding ones open with an oath and treat of disbelievers’ differences regarding Resurrection and different questions including the Noble Prophet of Islam (S) and Divine Unity. The blessed Verse 7 reads:

“By the heaven abounding in beauteous paths and beauties.”

Different senses have been presented by lexicographers for the Arabic plural noun hubuk (singular form: hibak) including: paths and meanders as traces of wind blowing onto desert sand, water surface, or clouds. It is also applied to ‘curly hair’ and at times to ‘beauty, adornment, orderly shape.’ The word derives from the root h-b-k denoting ‘bind, tighten.’² All the different senses traces back to one single sense: the beauteous folds and meanders visible in waves, clouds, desert sand hills, and hair.

Application of the original sense of the word to the heaven is owing to either the different forms of the masses of planets and constellations or the fascinating meanders visible in clouds which are at times so appealing that one may be mesmerized by them for a while. It may also reflect the immense masses of galaxies appearing in spheres like curls of hair. The fascinating pictures taken by scientists by means of telescopes remind one of curly hair. Thus, the Holy Qur’an swears by the heaven and immense galaxies still unperceived by the sharp vision of science.

Taking into account the fact that these senses are by no means inconsistent may reflect that they are all intended in the oath, as it is attested elsewhere in the Holy Qur’an³:

“And indeed We have created above you seven heavens [one above the other]”

which makes a reference to the multiplicity and variety of the heavens, planets, galaxies, and different worlds. It is also worthy of note that the root of the word may reflect the consolidation of the heavens and the solid nexus existing amongst planets, like that between the planets of the solar system with the sun. The apodosis of the oath, namely the object of it, is to be found in the blessed Verse 8:

“Surely, you are [perplexed] in having different words.”

It is saying that your words are contradictions in terms demonstrating the unfoundedness of your words. Regarding Resurrection you say at times:

“We never believe that decayed bones may ever be rejuvenated.”

At times you say:

“We are in doubt concerning Resurrection.”

You sometimes say:

“Bring our ancestors to bear witness that Resurrection will follow death so that we may acknowledge your claims.”

Regarding the Noble Prophet of Islam (S) you sometimes say that he is a lunatic, a poet, a sorcerer. At times you say that a teacher teaches him these words. At times, you call the Holy Qur’an ‘ancient legends’ (asatir al-awwalin), poetry, magic, and lie. By the meanders of the heavens! Your words abound in contradictions in terms. Had you had any reasonable argument to produce, you would have presented the same argument instead of searching different unfounded arguments each and every day. Such expression is actually an argument negating disbelievers’ unfounded claims regarding Divine Unity, Resurrection, the Noble Prophet of Islam (S), and the Holy Qur’an.

It is worthy of note that based on the contextual meaning of the following blessed Verses, the focal point of these blessed Verses is the question of Resurrection. The blessed Verse 9 treats of the reasons behind deviation from the true path, saying:

“Those who refuse to acknowledge sound arguments and submit to reason deviate from belief in Resurrection; though the arguments substantiating life after death are evident.”

(“Turned aside from Truth is he who will be led astray [in future]”).

It is worthy of note that the Verse in expressed in brief as the literal translation of the same is:

“Turned aside from Truth is he who will be led astray [in future].”

The Arabic word ufik originally designates ‘turn away from’; consequently, it is applied to ‘lie’ which entails deviation from the Straight Path. Likewise the Arabic plural noun mu’tafikat is applied to different winds. Taking into account the point that the preceding Verses treated of Resurrection, it may be said that the contextual meaning of the blessed Verse makes a reference to deviation from such belief. Since the preceding blessed Verses dealt with disbelievers’ contradictory statements, it is evident that those deviating from reason and clear arguments are being meant herein. Thus, the contextual meaning of the blessed Verse refers to those who deviate from belief in Resurrection owing to turning away from logical arguments and the logic aiming at seeking truth.

However, deviation may reflect refusing to acknowledge the Truth including the Holy Qur’an, Divine Unity, the Noble Prophet’s (S) Prophethood, Resurrection, and Divine Guardianship of the Infallible Imams (as) reflected in a number of traditions. The Question of Resurrection is indisputably involved herein.

Footnotes

1. 2. Lisan al-‘Arab; Raghib’s Mufradat, under h-b-k.
2. 3. 23:17