DISSIPATION

 Dissipation-sefahet- is a Quranic concept. Arabic word “sefahet” has the sense of being brainless.

 The word “sefih”- prodigal- is a subject noun from the verb “sefehe”. The infinitive of the verb is “sefih,sefeh”. The verb “sefeh” literally means being flighty in behaviors and in attitude and it stems from a deficiency in wisdom. So it is flightiness, thoughtlessness and frivolousness which reach to the point of stupidity. The opposite of it is serious mindedness and cleverness. Canonically “sefehe” is to act contrary to the principles of religion and mind. In Turkish the word “sefahet” is used in this sense of the word. Briefly “sefahet” - dissipation is to confirm one’s fancy and desires, to act with pleasure, not with mind. Because the mind is out of the process this is stupidity. ,(Elmalili m. Hamdi Yazir, The True Religion, Language of Quran, I, 234). The subject noun derived from the verb “ sefih” both means the one whose mind and religion is defective or a foolish sinner who acts against religion. In the second one there is a sense of rebellion but not in the first one. (Elmalili, ibid. II, 1992).

 The word “sefih” which is used in the Noble Quran for infidels, hypocrites-munafiq- and also for the believers, is mentioned with its derivatives in ten places. Although it has the same meaning for those three groups its essence is different. That is to say: Infidels and “munafiqs”- hypocrites -two faced in religion- are defined as “sefih” because they do not recognize Islam, concerning Muslims the word is used about the ones whose mind is weak, about the children who do not grasp something and for very old people.

 As it is mentioned in the Chapter Bakara, while hypocrites see themselves as clever and intelligent, they consider believers as -sufeha-brainless and prodigal. Allah declares that the real sufeha are the hypocrites because while Islam is an evident truth, not to acknowledge it, is nothing but being brainless.

 “When it is said to them: "Believe as the others believe" they say: "Shall we believe as the fools believe?" nay of a surety they are the fools buy they do not know.” (Chapter Bakara, 2/13)

 At the beginning of the Verse the hypocrites are defined as “some people” but subsequently because they do not have faith like people, they are not accepted as human with their own confessing.

 Like “munafiqs” hypocrites, the Noble Quran also defines infidels as “sefih” and explains that only the flighty ones who are depraved of seriousness and thought turn a way from the religious community of Abraham:

 “Or do ye say that Abraham Isma`il Isaac Jacob and the Tribes were Jews or Christians? Say: Do ye know better than Allah? Ah! who is more unjust than those who conceal the testimony they have from Allah? But Allah is not unmindful of what ye do! “ (Chapter Bakara, 2/140)

 Again according to the Noble Quran those who kill their babies because of anxieties like sustenance or other thoughts of ignorance without event think that the provider of the needs of man is Allah, are brainless people depraved of faith,intelligence and wisdom who can not think properly.

 “Lost are those who slay their children from folly without knowledge and forbid food which Allah hath provided for them inventing (lies) against Allah. They have indeed gone astray and heeded no guidance.” (Chapter Enam, 6/140)

 Again the Noble Quran defines the Jews as “sefih” who distorted the Holy Book -the Old Testament- given to them and who try to find an excuse for not to believe the prophecy of the Apostle of Allah although they have the information about Him and who interfere the will of Allah by using the change of the direction during prays.

 “The fools among the people will say: "What hath turned them from the Qiblah to which they were used?" Say: To Allah belong both East and West; He guideth whom He will to a Way that is straight.” (Chapter Bakara,2/142)

 While the Noble Quran names infidels and hypocrites as brainless it also informs that infidels and hypocrites called the Prophets sent to them as brainless.

 “The leaders of the unbelievers among his people said: "Ah! we see thou art an imbecile!" and "we think thou art a liar!"

 ”He said: "O my people! I am not imbecile but (I am) an apostle from the Lord and Cherisher of the worlds!” (Chapter A’raf,7/66/67)

 In other respect djinns who saw the Truth by means of the last messenger and have faith in Him called the satans who deceived them before as brainless.

 “There were some foolish ones among us who used to utter extravagant lies against Allah” (Chapter El-Jinn, 73/4)

 People who can not spent their life or wealth properly, children and very old people who can not grasp the things and distinguish right from wrong are also “sefih” and Quran forbids transferring property to them and lending them money without their guardian, if someone lend money to such a person in the absence of his guardian the lender can not claim any right if the person doesen’t pay back:

 ” To those weak of understanding make not over your property which Allah hath made a means of support for you but feed and clothe them therewith and speak to them words of kindness and justice”. (Chapter Nisa, 4/5)

 “O ye who believe! when ye deal with each other in transactions involving future obligations in a fixed period of time reduce them to writing. Let a scribe write down faithfully as between the parties: let not the scribe refuse to write as Allah has taught him so let him write. Let him who incurs the liability dictate but let him fear his Lord Allah and not diminish aught of what he owes. If the party liable is mentally deficient or weak or unable himself to dictate let his guardian dictate faithfully. And get two witnesses out of your own men and if there are not two men then a man and two women such as ye choose for witnesses so that if one of them errs the other can remind her. The witnesses should not refuse when they are called on (for evidence). Disdain not to reduce to writing (your contract) for a future period whether it be small or big: it is juster in the sight of Allah more suitable as evidence and more convenient to prevent doubts among yourselves; but if it be a transaction which ye carry out on the spot among yourselves there is no blame on you if ye reduce it not to writing. But take witnesses whenever ye make a commercial contract; and let neither scribe nor witness suffer harm. If ye do (such harm) it would be wickedness in you. So fear Allah; for it is Allah that teaches you. And Allah is well acquainted with all things.” (Chapter Bakara, 2/282)

 Ancient people were punished and suffered torment because of the brainless people like infidels, hypocrites, haughty people and the ones fond of pleasures lived among them. This kind of punishment still possible today as we see in calamities. The duty of believers is to struggle against these brainless people and pray to Allah like in the prayer of Prophet Moses:

 “And Moses chose seventy of his people for Our place of meeting: when they were seized with violent quaking he prayed: "O my Lord! if it had been Thy will Thou couldst have destroyed long before both them and me: wouldst Thou destroy us for the deeds of the foolish one among us? This is no more than Thy trial: by it Thou causest whom Thou wilt to stray and Thou leadest whom Thou wilt into the right path. Thou art our protector: so forgive us and give us Thy mercy; for Thou art the best of those who forgive.” (Chapter A’raf, 7/155)