Some of them think of ‘outward blessings’ as a thing that is...

Some of them think of ‘outward blessings’ as a thing that is not deniable for anyone, such as creation, life, and kinds of provisions. They say that the inward blessings refer to those things that are not comprehensive without care and study, (such as many spiritual powers and constructive instincts). Some others have rendered the ‘outward blessings’ into the outward limbs and the ‘inward blessings’ into ‘the heart’.

Some other commentators have considered the beauty of the face and stature and the health of the limbs as the outward blessing, and the ‘gnosis of Allah’ as the inward blessing. Once Ibn-i-‘Abbas asked the Prophet of Islam (S) in this regard, and he answered: “O’ Ibn-i-‘Abbas! The outward blessing is Islam, and your complete and ordered creation by Allah, as well as the sustenance He has given you.

And the inward blessing is His concealing the ugliness of your deeds and that He, the Mighty, does not disgrace you publicly in front of people.” Imam Baqir (as) once in a tradition said: “The outward blessing is the Prophet (S), the gnosis of Allah, and Monotheism that the Prophet (S) has brought; and the inward blessing is love of us, Ahlul Bayt, and the covenant of friendship with us.” But, in fact, there is no contrast between these different commentaries, and each of them states the clear extensions of the outward and inward blessings without restricting their vast concepts.

At the end of the verse, the Qur’an speaks about those who are ingratitude unto the great bounties of Allah (s.w.t.) that have inwardly and outwardly surrounded them and they dispute against the Truth. It says: “…And among the people is he who disputes concerning Allah without knowledge and without any guidance and without any book giving light.” Instead of recognizing the giver of those abundant manifest and concealed bounties, they ignorantly and obstinately turn to polytheism and denial.

For the explanation of the difference existing between “Knowledge”, “guidance” and “Illuminating Book” it may be better to say that “Knowledge” refers to the Divine teachers and leaders and those learned ones who can help man in this path and guide him to the appointed destination. And the purpose of “Illuminating Book” refers to the heavenly Books that, by the way of revelation, enlighten the man’s soul and heart.