Interpretive Theological Researches
Qurterly

An analysis and critique of the objections raised against the use of the verse of the Covenant (Āyat al-Mīthāq) as evidence for the realm of Dharr (ʿAlam al-Dharr)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

mohammad ebrahimirad 1
Mohammad Reza Ahmadi Nedushan 2

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Arak University, Arak, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Arak University, Arak

https://doi.org/10.22034/rtmr.2025.2071631.1102
Abstract
The issue of the "World of Dharr" (ʿĀlam al-Dharr) is one of the significant Quranic topics that has consistently attracted attention and sparked disagreement among Muslim scholars. The primary sources of this discussion are verses 172-173 of Surah Al-Aʿrāf, known as the "Covenant Verse" (Āyat al-Mīthāq), and numerous narrations concerning the "World of Dharr." Some Islamic scholars argue that the apparent meaning of this verse and related narrations indicates that before creating humans in this world, God fashioned them in a material realm with minuscule bodies (ajsām dharrīya), infused them with souls—and thus intellect and consciousness—and took their acknowledgment of His Lordship, thereby establishing His proof over all. Consequently, humans have no excuse for negligence or deviation in the Hereafter. This realm is referred to as the "World of Dharr." Other scholars, however, deny the existence of such a realm based on a series of objections they have raised against interpreting the Covenant Verse in this manner. In the present article, the theory of the existence of the "World of Dharr" is defended, and all these objections are comprehensively addressed.

Keywords

World of Dharr (ʿĀlam al-Dharr)
Covenant Verse (Āyat al-Mīthāq)
Dharrī Bodies
Adam&‌‌‌‌rsquo
s Progeny
Objections
Interpretive Theological Researches
Volume 2, Issue 2
Autumn 2024
Pages 1-14

  • Receive Date 14 September 2025
  • Revise Date 27 September 2025
  • Accept Date 28 September 2025

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