A005
Surah: 102 - Ayah: 005
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102:5
Regarding the knowledge of certainty, the Holy Quran says: “Nay, would that you new the knowledge of certainty, you would have seen the hell-fire, then you would have seen with the eye or vision of certainty” (102:5-7). Here knowledge of certainty and the vision of certainty are mentioned respectively. Regarding the truth of certainty it is said: “Lo this is the truth of certainty” (56:95). And certainly, this truth of certainty is the level of the Pearl of Intellect.
Knowledge of Certainty (ilmul – yaqin)
If a mumin cannot observe the Paradise of spirit and spirituality with the inner eye in this life, he should not be disappointed if he is staunch and firm in faith and love for the Imam of the time. In such a case he can use the knowledge of certainty and can conceive the realities of Paradise, because in the absence of the eye of the heart and spiritual light, the light of the knowledge of certainty works as the eye, about which the Noble Quran says: “Nay, would that you knew knowledge of certainty, you shall certainly see hell-fire” (102:5-6). In these verses there is the praise of the knowledge of certainty and this clearly means that those fortunate munimns who have the knowledge of certainty, see not only Hell, but also recognize the realities of Paradise in its illumination. And all this should be completed in this world before one’s death, so that after the knowledge of certainty, the rank of the eye of the certainty may be attained.
It is very necessary for every mumin to know: what is ilmul-yaqin (knowledge of certainty)? And what are the benefits of having it? The answer to this question is that ilmul-yaqin is the knowledge which has the light of certainty and it dispels doubts and ambiguities. It comes here from the lvel of ayunl-yaqin (eye of certainty). It is the spiritual or given knowledge, or in other words it is wisdom, tawil, marifat or true knowledge. Regarding the benefits of this knowledge. Regarding the benefits of this knowledge, one of the implications of the Wise Quran is: “If you had the knowledge of certainty, you would have sdeen Hell (in this world)” (102:5-6). The observation of Hell in this world is possible in the light of the knowledge of certainty, in the sense that knowledge in this world is Paradise potentially and ignorance (jahl) is Hell potentially. Thus in the sight of knowledge, ignorance wherever it may be, is not hidden. It is open. But to see the actual Hell of ignorance with the eye of certainty is different from this (102:7).
`Ilmu'l-yaqin (knowledge of certainty) and `aynu’l-yaqin (vision of certainty) are mentioned in verses (102:5-7) and haqqu’l-yaqin (truth of certainty) in verses (56:95, 69:51). The purpose of quoting these references is that it is extremely necessary to see correct beliefs in the light of knowledge of certainty, otherwise, Satan can cause the disease of doubts. The defeat of Satan lies in your becoming well-equipped with the arms of knowledge of certainty. Further, knowledge of certainty is also extremely necessary because of the fact that, without it, you cannot enter the stage of vision of certainty. The knowledge which has been praised in the holy Qur’an, starts from the knowledge of certainty (102:5). This means that it is this knowledge through which all external doubts and ambiguities disappear.
Yaqin (Opposite of doubt, knowledge without doubt which is acquired through arguments and proofs)
Certainty has three levels: the knowledge of certainty, the eye of certainty and the truth of certainty, which are mentioned in the Qur'an in verses (102:5), (102:7) and (56:95) respectively. It is said in verses (102:5-7): "Nay, would that you knew it with knowledge of certainty, then (in its light) you would certainly have seen Hell. Then you would have seen it with the eye of certainty."
Q58 Why are such questions and answers necessary?
A58 They are necessary because spiritual progress is not possible unless someone attains cilmu’l-yaqin (knowledge of certainty) about the spiritual and intellectual favours and bounties of paradise. It is cilmu’l-yaqin through which you can recognise hell and paradise as mentioned in verses (102:5-6): “Nay, if you knew the knowledge of certainty, you would certainly have seen hell.” If hell can be seen through the knowledge of certainty, then paradise too, can be seen.
Q99 Where is hell? Is it visible or invisible? Permanent or transitory?
A99 Hell is in this very world. It is ignorance. It is visible both externally and internally and is transitory and not permanent, as the Qur’an says: “No, indeed, if you knew the knowledge of certainty, you would surely have seen hell (i.e. ignorance). Again, you would surely have seen it with the eye of certainty.” (102:5-7). This is addressed to mu’mins and saliks: When you will have the knowledge of certainty, you will come to know what hell is, i.e. ignorance. Then you will also see it at the place of the eye of certainty and enter paradise, because [prior to reaching paradise] you have to pass through hell (19:71).
Q241 Three levels of yaqin (certitude) are accepted: cIlmu’l-yaqin (knowledge of certainty), caynu’l-yaqin (eye of certainty) and haqqu’l-yaqin (truth of certainty). Are these levels mentioned in the holy Qur’an? In which verses?
A241 Yes, they are mentioned in the Qur’an: cIlmu’l-yaqin is in verse (102:5), caynu’l-yaqin in verse (102:7) and haqqu’l-yaqin in verses (56:95; 69:51).
This verse has been referred 12 times.