Written and collected by Zia H Shah MD

Abstract

This paper presents an interdisciplinary commentary on two Qur’anic verses – Qur’an 2:268 and Qur’an 57:21 – examining them through psychological, scientific, philosophical, and theological lenses. Qur’an 2:268 addresses the inner struggle between fear and hope: it depicts Satan instilling fear of poverty to discourage charity, contrasted with God’s promise of forgiveness and bounty. Qur’an 57:21 urges believers to “race towards forgiveness and a Paradise as vast as the heavens and earth,” emphasizing the ephemeral nature of worldly life and the supremacy of divine reward. We explore how these verses complement each other: together they encourage a mindset of generosity, trust in God, and focus on higher purpose over material attachment. Classical and contemporary Islamic exegeses are integrated with insights from psychology (on fear, motivation, and well-being), scientific findings (on altruism, stress, and awe), and philosophical perspectives (ethics of generosity, the nature of fear, and conceptions of reality). The commentary remains accessible to a general educated audience while providing scholarly depth through citations and comparative insights. Ultimately, the combined analysis reveals a pluralistic understanding of these verses – as guidance that resonates not only within Islamic thought but also with universal principles in human psychology, ethics, and spiritual philosophy – encouraging readers toward hope, generosity, and the pursuit of enduring values over illusionary fears.

Introduction

Sacred scriptures often convey multilayered guidance, speaking simultaneously to the human psyche, moral reason, and spiritual consciousness. The Qur’an is no exception; its verses frequently carry psychological insight, ethical directives, and theological depth. This study focuses on two such verses – Qur’an 2:268 and Qur’an 57:21 – examining their content and interplay across several dimensions. Qur’an 2:268 occurs in Surat al-Baqarah amid exhortations to charity, whereas Qur’an 57:21 in Surat al-Hadid follows a vivid reminder of life’s transience. Despite different contexts, both verses address complementary themes: overcoming the fear that impedes righteous generosity and fostering aspiration for God’s abundant reward.

For clarity, we begin by citing the original Arabic text of each verse alongside the English translation by M.A.S. Abdel Haleem (Oxford). This provides a reference point for the ensuing commentary:

• Qur’an 2:268 – Arabic: الشَّيْطَانُ يَعِدُكُمُ الْفَقْرَ وَيَأْمُرُكُم بِالْفَحْشَاءِ وَاللَّهُ يَعِدُكُم مَّغْفِرَةً مِّنْهُ وَفَضْلًا ۗ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ.
  Translation (Abdel Haleem): “Satan threatens you with the prospect of poverty and commands you to do foul deeds; God promises you His forgiveness and His abundance: God is limitless and all knowing” myislam.org.
• Qur’an 57:21 – Arabic: سَابِقُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا كَعَرْضِ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ أُعِدَّتْ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو ٱلْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ.
  Translation (Abdel Haleem): “So race for your Lord’s forgiveness and a Garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for those who believe in God and His messengers: that is God’s bounty, which He bestows on whoever He pleases. God’s bounty is infinite” myislam.org.

These verses encapsulate a profound moral psychology. In 2:268, the Qur’an identifies a psychological barrier to charity – the fear of poverty – personified as a tactic of Satan. Believers are warned that this fear can lead to fahshā’ (shameful or immoral deeds), which, in context, is understood to include stinginess or indecency prompted by greed myislam.org. In contrast, God invites the believer to overcome this fear by trusting in His promise of forgiveness and “ فضل” (favor or bounty). Qur’an 57:21 complements this by shifting focus to a cosmic perspective: after reminding that “the life of this world is only an illusory pleasure” ia600501.us.archive.org, it exhorts believers to hasten toward what is enduring – God’s forgiveness and a capacious Paradise. The imagery of a garden “as wide as the heavens and earth” inspires awe at the vastness of the divine reward, dwarfing worldly concerns. Together, these verses encourage a mindset that balances fear and hope: they acknowledge the very real anxiety humans feel about material loss, yet counsel that true wisdom lies in transcending that anxiety through faith, generosity, and pursuit of eternal values.

The following sections provide an in-depth analysis of Qur’an 2:268 and 57:21 from four perspectives: Psychological, Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological. Each dimension will shed light on the verses’ insights – from how they resonate with modern psychology and scientific findings, to their echoes in moral philosophy and their interpretations in Islamic theology (augmented by classical and contemporary commentaries). Throughout, we draw parallels with broader intellectual and spiritual traditions, demonstrating a pluralistic approach that situates these Qur’anic teachings in a universal context. Finally, we consider the interrelation of the two verses and conclude with a thematic epilogue summarizing the enduring lessons they offer a modern, educated readership.

By integrating multiple viewpoints, our aim is to reveal the rich tapestry of meaning in these verses. This interdisciplinary commentary illustrates that far from being archaic or narrowly sectarian admonitions, Qur’an 2:268 and 57:21 speak to fundamental human experiences – fear and aspiration, selfishness and altruism, temporal attachment and longing for transcendence – in ways that remain profoundly relevant today.

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