The Relationship Between Permission, Knowledge, and Will in the Quran
On the Concept of Bi-İznillâh: The Relationship Between Permission, Knowledge, and Will in the Quran
The phrase "bi-iznillâh," frequently encountered in the Quran, is often translated as "with the permission of Allah." However, this translation results in a semantic narrowing, assuming that the Turkish word "izin" (permission) is synonymous with the Arabic word "izn." In fact, the Arabic concept of "izn" has a much deeper content, rooted in knowledge and divine predetermination.
1. The True Meaning of "Izn": Knowledge and Informing
In Arabic, the word "izn" (إذن) comes from the root meaning "to know, knowledge, and to inform." Its verb conjugations support this:
اَذِنَ / ezine: he knew
اَذَنَ / e’zene: he informed, he gave news
In this context, "izn" is not merely "permission" but carries the meaning of informing, notifying, and approving. Therefore, the Quranic phrase "bi-iznillâh" does not just mean "with permission" but carries a more comprehensive meaning such as "with Allah's knowledge," "with His informing and approval," or "within the framework of His will." This also emphasizes that events can only occur with Allah's encompassing knowledge and predetermination.
2. The Semantic Depth of Bi-İznillâh
Situations conveyed by the phrase "bi-iznillâh" in the Quran typically involve ontological and epistemic transformation processes, such as:
The descent of revelation
Attainment of guidance
Invitation to Paradise
Coming out of darkness into light
Such transformations are possible not merely through individual effort but through Allah's knowledge, guidance, and will.
3. Bi-İznillâh in Light of the Verses
🔹 Surah Al-Baqarah 97
"Say: Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel – it is he who has brought the [revelation] down to your heart by Allah’s permission."
In this verse, the phrase "by Allah’s permission" indicates that revelation occurs by Allah’s knowledge and command. Revelation is not random but happens through Allah’s direct guidance.
🔹 Surah Al-Baqarah 213
"Allah guided those who believed to the truth concerning that over which they had differed, by His permission."
Here, "permission" is used in the context of the emergence of guidance, meaning people turning towards the truth. This is not individual intelligence or coincidence, but an awareness that occurs through Allah's informational guidance.
🔹 Surah Al-Baqarah 221
"And they invite to Paradise by Allah’s permission."
This usage reveals that salvation and eternal bliss are also possible only through Allah's knowledge and predetermination. Reaching Paradise is more than an individual desire; it occurs with Allah's informational and volitional approval.
🔹 Surah Al-Ma'idah 16
"By which Allah guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from darknesses into the light by His permission and guides them to a straight path."
In this verse, coming out of darkness into light is a process of inner transformation and awakening. This process cannot be completed without Allah's knowledge-based intervention. Humans cannot find the truth by their own instinct but only by being guided by Allah's knowledge.
4. Conceptual Summary
The following table summarizes the semantic dimensions of the phrase "bi-iznillâh":
5. Conclusion
The phrase "bi-iznillâh" in the Quran does not simply mean "to grant permission." This phrase signifies the divine grounding of everything that occurs within the framework of Allah's knowledge, will, and approval. The descent of revelation, the awakening that dawns in a person's heart, the attainment of guidance, or the invitation to Paradise—all of them are shaped by Allah's knowledge.
In this regard, "bi-iznillâh" is one of the deepest metaphysical expressions in the Quran. For the believer, this is both a call to monotheistic submission and to conscious reliance (tawakkul): because nothing happens outside of Allah's knowledge.
Yorumlar
Yorum Gönder