‘Heart of Heart of Quran’: Scholar Explores Divine Promise of Peace

IQNA – Described as the very core of the Holy Quran, the divine greeting of "Peace" represents the ultimate yearning of the human soul, a celestial watchword that bridges the infinite gap between God and humanity.

Speaking to IQNA, Aliakbar Towhidian, an Iranian Quranic researcher, discussed the dimensions of Surah Yaseen, focusing specifically on Verse 58, which reads: "‘Peace!’—a watchword from a merciful Lord."

The expert noted that commentators have traditionally offered two primary interpretations for this divine greeting. While some suggest angels deliver this message on God's behalf, the prevailing view—championed by renowned exegetes like Allameh Tabatabai—holds that this greeting is spoken directly to believers by the Almighty Himself.

Quoting Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi’s Tafsir Nemouneh, the scholar explained that this soul-refreshing call, brimming with love, immerses the human spirit in a joy that no earthly blessing can rival.

The sheer delight of witnessing the Beloved's grace is so intense that true lovers would perish if deprived of it. To illustrate this, the scholar cites a hadith from Imam Ali (AS): "If I were veiled from Him for a single hour, I would die."

To emphasize the profound nature of this verse, the expert shares a striking anecdote from the contemporary scholar, the late Allameh Kashmiri. When asked where the heart of Surah Yaseen—which is itself famously known as the heart of the Quran—was located, Kashmiri immediately pointed to Verse 58.

"In fact, the heart of the heart of the Quran is this very peace that is given to the dwellers of paradise from the merciful Lord," the expert said.

Beyond this direct divine greeting, the scholar outlined the vast, multifaceted scope of "Peace" (Salam) within the Quran. God actively calls humanity to a state of tranquility, as seen in Surah Yunus, Verse 25: "Allah invites to the Abode of Peace..."

Upon entering paradise, believers are warmly welcomed by angels from every direction. The expert references Surah Ar-Ra'd, Verse 24, where angels declare: "‘Peace be to you, for your patience.’ How excellent is the reward of the [ultimate] abode!"

This celestial atmosphere of absolute serenity dictates that heaven remains entirely free from idle chatter. Citing Surah Al-Waqi'ah, Verses 25 and 26, the scholar notes: "They will not hear therein any vain talk or sinful speech, but only the saying, ‘Peace! Peace!’"

This is not merely a spoken word, the expert clarifies. It is a profound, active force that immerses the human soul in absolute purity, security, and calm.

Furthermore, Allameh Tabatabai argues that the indefinite grammatical structure of the Arabic word Salam in Surah Yaseen points to its unfathomable greatness; it is an unprecedented peace, entirely unknown to human earthly experience.

Yet, the expert suggests that glimpses of this celestial peace can indeed manifest in our earthly realm. Pointing to the Night of Decree (Laylat al-Qadr), Towhidian references Verse 5 of Surah Al-Qadr: "It is peaceful until the rising of the dawn."

One profound interpretation links this realization of peace to the reappearance of the awaited savior, Imam Mahdi, he added, His promised global governance is viewed as the ultimate manifestation of divine peace and justice—a true reflection of heaven on Earth.

Ultimately, the expert expresses a deep hope that humanity can achieve the spiritual readiness necessary to experience both this earthly, messianic utopia and the eternal tranquility of the divine Abode of Peace.

4341313

Translation by Mohammad Ali Haqshenas