Overview - Surah 10: Yunus (Jonah)
The main subject of this Surah is faith in Allah and belief in the Hereafter. Those who have true faith, they worship Allah and recognize Him as their Lord and Master and live their lives in accordance to His command. Allah sent His Messengers to remind people and to warn them. The stories of Prophets Noah and Prophet Moses with Pharaoh are told to remind people about the consequences of unfaithfulness and arrogance.
Sections:
- The Qur'an is the Book of wisdom, it contains signs from the All Wise.
- Man's ingratitude to Allah and His revelation.
- Allah's mercy to His creation. Allah invites to the abode of peace.
- Allah's gifts. The Qur'an is from Allah. Bring a Surah like the Qur'an if you can.
- Those who disbelieve in the Qur'an shall be the losers. Every people were sent a Messenger.
- The Qur'an is a mercy, blessing and a cure for the problems of humankind.
- Whatever you do Allah is a Witness. The mistakes of the Mushrikin.
- The story of Prophet Noah and his people. Prophet Moses and Aaron -peace be upon them all.
- Allah delivered the Children of Israel from the bondage of the Pharaoh.
- Allah's mercy for the Children of Israel. Prophet Yunus and his people.
- If Allah afflicts you with any loss or wants to bestow any profit on you, none can avert it. You must always follow Allah's guidance.
The surah is named after the Prophet Yunus [Jonah] and this is the only surah of the Qur’an to mention the ‘people of Yunus’ – “Then has there not been a [single] city that believed so its faith benefited it except the people of Jonah? When they believed, We removed from them the punishment of disgrace in worldly life and gave them enjoyment for a time” (10:98)
There are 109 Ayat in this Surah.
Overview
| Total Ayat | 109 |
| Total Words * | 1833 |
| Root Words * | 301 |
| Unique Root Words * | 0 |
| Makki / Madani | Makki |
| Chronological Order* | 51st (according to Ibn Abbas) |
| Year of Revelation* | 12th year of Prophethood |
| Events during/before this Surah*
2nd Pledge of Aqabah, 1st Pledge of Aqabah, Death of Abu Talib - Death of Khadijah - Stoning at Ta'if - al-Isra wal Mi'raj - Night Journey, Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 3, Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 2, Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 1, 2nd Migration to Abyssinia, Physical beating and torture of some Muslims - 1st Migration of Muslims to Abyssinia, Public Invitation to Islam - Persecution of Muslims; antagonism - ridicule - derision - accusation - abuse and false propaganda., Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam
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| Events during/after still to occur*
,Migration from Makkah to Madinah - Building of Masjid Nabi in Madinah - Treaty with Jews of Madinah - Marriage of Prophet to Aishah,Change of Qiblah from Jerusalem to Makkah - Battle of Badr,Battle of Uhud,,Battle of Ahzab - Expedition of Banu Quraydhah,Treaty of Hudaiybiyah - Letters to Kings and Rulers,,Conquest of Makkah - Battle of Hunain,Hajj led by Abu Bakr - Expedition of Tabuk,Farewell Hajj by Prophet - Death of Prophet - End of Divine Revelation
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| Names of Prophets Mentioned
Nuh, Musa, Harun, Yunus
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| Surah Index
Aaron, Adversity (patience during) , God (remembering him standing--- sitting--- lying down) , Astronomy (celestial mechanics) (moon), Astronomy (celestial mechanics) (solar and lunar orbits), Astronomy (celestial mechanics) (sun), Behaviour (each group given a law and way of life) , Behaviour (each group given a law and way of life) (and a prophet), Calendar (lunar) , Children (of Israel) , Commandments (general religious) , Death (those communities who have no revelation will not be destroyed) , Disbelievers, Disbelievers (ask Muhammad to invoke God’s wrath upon them as proof) , Disbelievers (God’s promise to) , Earth (creation of) (in six days), Earth (rotation of) , Hell, Humankind (creation of) , Jesus, Jonah, Judgement (Day) , Judgement (Day) (are disbelievers really ready for), Knowledge (obligation upon man to obtain and impart) , Knowledge (study nature to acquire) , Moses, Moses (duel by sorcery with Pharaoh’s magicians) , Muhammad (dares not alter the Qur'an nor act contrarily) , Noah, Noah (ark) , Noah (flood) , Nuclear physics (things smaller than an atom (originally meant as ant?)) , Pharaoh, Prophet (people who are false prophets are wicked) , Qur'an, Qur’an (conveyed clearly) , Qur’an (divine nature of) , Record of personal deeds, Religion, Resurrection (Day) , Resurrection (of soul) , Revelation, Sea, Ships, Weather (rain)
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Theme 1: Belief in the Qadha [decisions] and Qadr [pre-destination] of Allah, the most Wise.
Theme 2: Invitation to the Message using admonition and warning. In the very introductory verses the invitation has been extended like this: “The people consider it a strange thing that this Message is being conveyed by a human being and charge him with sorcery whereas there is nothing strange in it nor has it any connection with sorcery or sooth saying. It simply informs you of two realities. First God Who has created the universe and manages it is in fact your Master and Lord and He alone is entitled to your worship. The second reality is that after the life in this world there will be another life in the Next World where you shall have to render full account of the life of this world and be rewarded or punished according to whether you adopted the righteous attitude as required by Him after acknowledging Him as your Masters or acted against His will. Both of these realities which the Messenger is presenting before you are “realities” in themselves whether you acknowledge them as such or not. He is inviting you to accept these and regulate your lives in accordance with them; if you accept them, you will have a very blessed end; otherwise you shall be met with evil consequences.”
Interesting Note
Towards the end Surah Yunus, Allah says, "Then has there not been a [single] city that believed so its faith benefited it except the people of Jonah? When they believed, We removed from them the punishment of disgrace in worldly life and gave them enjoyment for a time." (10:98). Just like the people of Jonah believed in the end, ultimately the people of Makkah also ended up believing.
The Surah begins with the mention about the H-K-M [wise/judge/judgement] revelation:
- الر ۚ تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ الْحَكِيمِ "Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the verses of the wise Book." (10:1)
- وَاتَّبِعْ مَا يُوحَىٰ إِلَيْكَ وَاصْبِرْ حَتَّىٰ يَحْكُمَ اللَّـهُ ۚ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الْحَاكِمِينَ "And follow what is revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and be patient until Allah will judge. And He is the best of judges. " (10:109)
The Surah ends with the instruction to follow the revelation and true wisdom is in the following of the revelation of the words of Allah.
Manuscripts / Inscriptions
18th Century
18th Century
18th Century
18th Century
18th Century
18th Century
13th century AD
13th century AD
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
Late 8th century AD
Late 8th century AD
1st century / 2nd century of Hijrah
1st century / 2nd century of Hijrah
- يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللَّـهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ فَبِذَٰلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ "O mankind, there has to come to you admonition from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers. Say, "In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy - in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate." (10:58)
- لِّلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا الْحُسْنَىٰ وَزِيَادَةٌ ۖ وَلَا يَرْهَقُ وُجُوهَهُمْ قَتَرٌ وَلَا ذِلَّةٌ ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ "For them who have done good is the best [reward] and extra. No darkness will cover their faces, nor humiliation. Those are companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally " (10:26)
وَزِيَادَةٌ (extra) - The Messenger of Allah [saw] said, " الْحُسْنَىٰ (best [reward]) is Jannah and وَزِيَادَةٌ (extra) is seeing the Face of Allah, the most Noble" (Saheeh Muslim)
- Key words: Rayb (doubt), Ajb (strange, amazed), Ghafiloon (heedless), Dhan (thought), Khadhaba (lie) Shak (doubt), Iftara (lie), Haq (truth), Sidq (true), Iman (faith), Mobin (clear), Bayanat (manifest), Sultan (power/authority), Wahy (revelation), Huda (guidance) and Ilm (knowledge)
Total Word Count per Ayat (shows how many words per Ayat) = 0* | ||
| # | Root Word | Frequency in Surah | Frequency in Qur'an |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | أ ل ه | 63 | 2851 |
| 2. | ك و ن | 50 | 1390 |
| 3. | ق و ل | 50 | 1722 |
| 4. | ٱلَّذِى | 36 | 1464 |
| 5. | أ م ن | 30 | 879 |
| 6. | ر ب ب | 24 | 980 |
| 7. | ق و م | 24 | 660 |
| 8. | إِلَىٰ | 23 | 742 |
| 9. | ح ق ق | 23 | 287 |
| 10. | إِلَّا | 21 | 663 |
| Root Word | Frequency in Surah |
Frequency in Qur'an |
|---|---|---|
| أ ل ه | 63 | 2851 |
| ك و ن | 50 | 1390 |
| ق و ل | 50 | 1722 |
| ٱلَّذِى | 36 | 1464 |
| أ م ن | 30 | 879 |
| ر ب ب | 24 | 980 |
| ق و م | 24 | 660 |
| إِلَىٰ | 23 | 742 |
| ح ق ق | 23 | 287 |
| إِلَّا | 21 | 663 |
We learn from hadith the Surah was revealed in Makkah. But there are some people who are of the opinion that some of its verses were revealed at Madinah. This is however a superficial view. The continuity of the theme clearly shows that this does not comprise isolated verses or discourses that were revealed at different times and on different occasions. On the contrary it is from the beginning to the end a closely connected discourse which must have been revealed at one sitting. Besides this the nature of its theme is itself a clear proof that the Surah belongs to the Makkan period. [Ref: Mawdudi]
Some consider it to have been revealed after Surah al-Isra [17] and before Hud [11] – which would place it around year 11 of Prophethood.[Ref: Ibn Ashoor, Tahrir wa Tanwir]
We have no hadith in regard to the time of its revelation but its subject matter gives clear indication that it must have been revealed during the last stage of the Prophet’s residence at Makkah. For the mode of the discourse suggests that at the time of its revelation the antagonism of the opponents of the Message had become so intense that they could not tolerate even the presence of the Prophet and his followers among themselves and that things had come to such a pass as to leave no hope that they would ever understand and accept the Message of the Prophet. This indicates that the last stage of the Prophet’s life among the people had come and the final warning like the one in this Surah had to be given. These characteristics of the discourse are clear proof that it was revealed during the last stage of the Movement at Makkah. Another thing that determines more specifically the order of the Surahs of the last stage at Makkah is the mention (or absence) of some open or covert hint about emigration (Hijrah) from Makkah. As this Surah does not contain any hint whatsoever about this it is a proof that it preceded those Surahs which contain it. Now that we have specified the time of its revelation there is no need of repeating its historical background because that has already been stated in Surah 6: al-An’am (The Grazing Livestock) and Surah 7: al-A’raf (The Elevations).
- One of the key phrases of this surah is, ‘….those who do not expect the meeting with Us….’ [10:7]
- After the Law [Shariah] has been laid out and explained in the previous Surahs, we begin stories of Prophets.
- Allah is the only Creator of this universe.
- Deities whom the mushrikin worship other than Allah, have no power to either benefit or harm anyone.
- Deities other than Allah are not even aware that they are being worshiped.
- To every nation Allah sent a Rasool for guidance.
- Al-Qur'an provides a cure for all the problems of mankind.
- Mushrikin follow nothing but conjectures & The story of the Prophet Nuh and his people.
- The story of the Prophet Musa, Pharaoh and his chiefs.
- Belief after seeing the scourge did not benefit any nation except the nation of the Prophet Yunus.
- Prohibition against forcing anyone to convert to Islam.
Tafsir Zone
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Overview (Verses 71 - 73) Reference was made earlier in the sūrah to ancient communities and what happened to them when they denied the messages of their prophets. Another generation was made to succeed them: “Indeed, We destroyed generations before your time when they persisted in their wrongdoing. The messengers sent to them brought them veritable evidence of the truth, but they would not believe. Thus do We reward the guilty. Then We made you their successors on earth, so that We might see how you behave.” (Verses 13-14) Another reference was made to the fact that every community had a messenger sent to them to deliver God’s message. “To every community was sent a messenger. It is when their messenger had come to them that judgement was passed on them in all fairness; and never are they wronged.” (Verse 47) Now the sūrah speaks in more detail about such earlier messages, highlighting certain aspects of the stories of Noah and Moses. The consequences of denying God’s messages are emphasized in both accounts. A brief reference is also made to Jonah, whose community accepted the faith when they were about to be overtaken by God’s punishment, and they were thus saved. This serves to encourage those who deny God to stop so that they spare themselves an end similar to that experienced by Noah’s people and Pharaoh and his host. The previous passage concluded with an order to the Prophet Muĥammad (peace be upon him) to declare that those who fabricate lies against God and associate partners with Him will come to an awful end: “Say: “Those who invent falsehood about God shall not be successful. They may have a brief enjoyment in this world, but then to Us they must return, and We will then make them suffer severe torment for their unbelief” (Verses 69-70) This declaration follows a reassurance given to the Prophet that the believers “who are close to God have nothing to fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Verse 62) The Prophet is also encouraged not to pay much attention to what the unbelievers say: “Be not grieved by what they say. All might and glory belong to God alone. He alone hears all and knows all.” (Verse 65) Now the Prophet is instructed to relate to them Noah’s story and how he challenged his people. He was then saved with those believers who followed him, while the unbelievers who were much stronger and larger in number were destroyed. These stories serve to emphasize the meaning of the preceding passages. In fact, all stories mentioned in the Qur’ān serve a definite purpose. They are related in different styles, highlighting different episodes as may befit the context in which they occur. Here the stories of earlier prophets highlight the absurdity of the Makkans towards the Prophet Muĥammad (peace be upon him) and his small group of believers. They also stress the fact that those believers were firm in their faith despite facing an enemy mustering far superior forces. Noah’s Challenge Relate to them the story of Noah. He said to his people: My people! If my presence among you and my reminders to you of God’s revelations are repugnant to you — well, in God have I placed my trust. Decide, then, what you are going to do, and [seek the help of] those whom you associate as partners with God. Be clear about your course of action, leaving no room for uncertainty, then carry out against me whatever you may have decided and give me no respite. But if you turn away, [remember that] I have asked of you no reward whatsoever. My reward rests with none but God. I have been commanded to be one of those who surrender themselves to Him.’ But they disbelieved him. So we saved him and all those who joined him in the ark, and made them inherit the earth. And we drowned the others who denied Our revelations. Reflect on the fate of those who were forewarned. (Verses 71-73) Only the end part of Noah’s story is mentioned here where we see him offering his people a final challenge. He had spent a very long time preaching and warning his people, but to no avail. There is no mention of the ark here, or of those who were taken on board and so saved from the great floods. The aim here is to highlight the challenge and the believers’ reliance on God, as well as the saving of a small, powerless group of believers and the destruction of the great hordes of unbelievers. The sūrah reduces the whole story to a single episode so as to emphasize its final end. This is what is most fitting in the present context. “Relate to them the story of Noah. He said to his people: My people! If my presence among you and my reminders to you of God’s revelations are repugnant to you — well, in God have I placed my trust. Decide, then, what you are going to do, and [seek the help of] those whom you associate as partners with God. Be clear about your course of action, leaving no room for uncertainty, then carry out against me whatever you may have decided and give me no respite.” (Verse 71) Noah tells his people that if they are completely fed up with him, unable to tolerate his presence among them and his reminders of their duty to believe in God, then let that be as it may. He will continue along his way, unperturbed by their opposition, for “in God have I placed my trust.” He seeks no help from anyone else. “Decide, then, what you are going to do, and [seek the help of] those whom you associate as partners with God.” (Verse 71) They may, for all he cares, mobilize all their forces and resources. “Be clear about your course of action, leaving no room for uncertainty.” (Verse 71) They are further told to make their position very clear, allowing no ambiguity or hesitation, and leaving no room for return. Then when they have done that, they are told: “carry out against me [i.e. Noah] whatever you may have decided and give me no respite.” (Verse 71) It is a clear challenge thrown out by one who is absolutely certain of his ground and power. In fact he is inviting his opponents to attack him. What were the forces at his command facilitating such a challenge? He simply had faith, which gave him a power that is superior to everything else. Numbers, careful planning and firepower are of little use when compared to faith. He had God’s support, and God does not abandon those who believe in Him. It is the challenge of one who relies on the source of real power, for faith establishes a bond between the believer and the One who has power over everything in the universe. It is neither an arrogant nor a foolhardy challenge. Rather, it is the challenge of true power. Advocates of the divine faith have in God’s messengers a fine example to follow. They should have unwavering confidence as they place their trust in God and face tyranny, whatever its source may be. Tyranny will not cause them any real or lasting damage, apart from perhaps some physical pain which God allows as a test of the believers. God does not abandon the believers to His and their enemies, but He lets them undergo this test so that true believers come through it unharmed. The end favours the believers when God’s promise is fulfilled and they are victorious. Having made his challenge clear, Noah says to his people: “But if you turn away, [remember that] I have asked of you no reward whatsoever. My reward rests with none but God. I have been commanded to be one of those who surrender themselves to Him.” (Verse 72). If you turn a deaf ear to what I call on you to accept, then that is your choice. I have not asked for a reward for guiding you to the right path, so I do not fear that my compensation will be reduced as a result of your turning away. “My reward rests with none but God.” (Verse 72) Your attitude will not tempt me to change my way in the least, for my orders are such that I must surrender myself completely to God: “I have been commanded to be one of those who surrender themselves to Him.” (Verse 72) What happened, then? “They disbelieved him. So We saved him and all those who joined him in the ark, and made them inherit the earth. And We drowned the others who denied Our revelations. Reflect on the fate of those who were forewarned.” (Verse 73) All that happened is given in a very brief account: his rescue with the believers who followed him; their establishment as successors to the land and subsequent power; and the drowning of the multitude of unbelievers. “Reflect on the fate of those who were forewarned.” (Verse 73) It is indeed something to be reflected upon by all people at all times, so that they may heed the lesson and follow in the footsteps of the believers who were saved. The outcome was not merely the destruction of the unbelievers. Instead this was preceded by the saving of the believers from all danger, and their establishment in the land to rebuild human life on a sound basis. Such is the law God has established and such is His promise to the believers. If they feel at any time that the road seems endless, they must realize that it is the only way, and that the outcome will certainly be in their favour. They must not precipitate the fulfilment of God’s promise. God does not deceive believers, nor does He abandon them to their enemies. He only teaches and equips them with what is of help to them along their way. |
Ibn Kathir (English)
Sayyid Qutb
Sha'rawi
Al Jalalain
Mawdudi
الطبري - جامع البيان
ابن كثير - تفسير القرآن العظيم
القرطبي - الجامع لأحكام
البغوي - معالم التنزيل
ابن أبي حاتم الرازي - تفسير القرآن
ابن عاشور - التحرير والتنوير
ابن القيم - تفسير ابن قيّم
السيوطي - الدر المنثور
الشنقيطي - أضواء البيان
ابن الجوزي - زاد المسير
الآلوسي - روح المعاني
ابن عطية - المحرر الوجيز
الرازي - مفاتيح الغيب
أبو السعود - إرشاد العقل السليم
الزمخشري - الكشاف
البقاعي - نظم الدرر
الهداية إلى بلوغ النهاية — مكي ابن أبي طالب
القاسمي - محاسن التأويل
الماوردي - النكت والعيون
السعدي - تيسير الكريم الرحمن
عبد الرحمن الثعالبي - الجواهر الحسان
السمرقندي - بحر العلوم
أبو إسحاق الثعلبي - الكشف والبيان
الشوكاني - فتح القدير
النيسابوري - التفسير البسيط
أبو حيان - البحر المحيط
البيضاوي - أنوار التنزيل
النسفي - مدارك التنزيل
ابن جُزَيّ - التسهيل لعلوم التنزيل
علي الواحدي النيسابوري - الوجيز
السيوطي - تفسير الجلالين
المختصر في التفسير — مركز تفسير
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Overview (Verses 71 - 73) Reference was made earlier in the sūrah to ancient communities and what happened to them when they denied the messages of their prophets. Another generation was made to succeed them: “Indeed, We destroyed generations before your time when they persisted in their wrongdoing. The messengers sent to them brought them veritable evidence of the truth, but they would not believe. Thus do We reward the guilty. Then We made you their successors on earth, so that We might see how you behave.” (Verses 13-14) Another reference was made to the fact that every community had a messenger sent to them to deliver God’s message. “To every community was sent a messenger. It is when their messenger had come to them that judgement was passed on them in all fairness; and never are they wronged.” (Verse 47) Now the sūrah speaks in more detail about such earlier messages, highlighting certain aspects of the stories of Noah and Moses. The consequences of denying God’s messages are emphasized in both accounts. A brief reference is also made to Jonah, whose community accepted the faith when they were about to be overtaken by God’s punishment, and they were thus saved. This serves to encourage those who deny God to stop so that they spare themselves an end similar to that experienced by Noah’s people and Pharaoh and his host. The previous passage concluded with an order to the Prophet Muĥammad (peace be upon him) to declare that those who fabricate lies against God and associate partners with Him will come to an awful end: “Say: “Those who invent falsehood about God shall not be successful. They may have a brief enjoyment in this world, but then to Us they must return, and We will then make them suffer severe torment for their unbelief” (Verses 69-70) This declaration follows a reassurance given to the Prophet that the believers “who are close to God have nothing to fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Verse 62) The Prophet is also encouraged not to pay much attention to what the unbelievers say: “Be not grieved by what they say. All might and glory belong to God alone. He alone hears all and knows all.” (Verse 65) Now the Prophet is instructed to relate to them Noah’s story and how he challenged his people. He was then saved with those believers who followed him, while the unbelievers who were much stronger and larger in number were destroyed. These stories serve to emphasize the meaning of the preceding passages. In fact, all stories mentioned in the Qur’ān serve a definite purpose. They are related in different styles, highlighting different episodes as may befit the context in which they occur. Here the stories of earlier prophets highlight the absurdity of the Makkans towards the Prophet Muĥammad (peace be upon him) and his small group of believers. They also stress the fact that those believers were firm in their faith despite facing an enemy mustering far superior forces. Noah’s Challenge Relate to them the story of Noah. He said to his people: My people! If my presence among you and my reminders to you of God’s revelations are repugnant to you — well, in God have I placed my trust. Decide, then, what you are going to do, and [seek the help of] those whom you associate as partners with God. Be clear about your course of action, leaving no room for uncertainty, then carry out against me whatever you may have decided and give me no respite. But if you turn away, [remember that] I have asked of you no reward whatsoever. My reward rests with none but God. I have been commanded to be one of those who surrender themselves to Him.’ But they disbelieved him. So we saved him and all those who joined him in the ark, and made them inherit the earth. And we drowned the others who denied Our revelations. Reflect on the fate of those who were forewarned. (Verses 71-73) Only the end part of Noah’s story is mentioned here where we see him offering his people a final challenge. He had spent a very long time preaching and warning his people, but to no avail. There is no mention of the ark here, or of those who were taken on board and so saved from the great floods. The aim here is to highlight the challenge and the believers’ reliance on God, as well as the saving of a small, powerless group of believers and the destruction of the great hordes of unbelievers. The sūrah reduces the whole story to a single episode so as to emphasize its final end. This is what is most fitting in the present context. “Relate to them the story of Noah. He said to his people: My people! If my presence among you and my reminders to you of God’s revelations are repugnant to you — well, in God have I placed my trust. Decide, then, what you are going to do, and [seek the help of] those whom you associate as partners with God. Be clear about your course of action, leaving no room for uncertainty, then carry out against me whatever you may have decided and give me no respite.” (Verse 71) Noah tells his people that if they are completely fed up with him, unable to tolerate his presence among them and his reminders of their duty to believe in God, then let that be as it may. He will continue along his way, unperturbed by their opposition, for “in God have I placed my trust.” He seeks no help from anyone else. “Decide, then, what you are going to do, and [seek the help of] those whom you associate as partners with God.” (Verse 71) They may, for all he cares, mobilize all their forces and resources. “Be clear about your course of action, leaving no room for uncertainty.” (Verse 71) They are further told to make their position very clear, allowing no ambiguity or hesitation, and leaving no room for return. Then when they have done that, they are told: “carry out against me [i.e. Noah] whatever you may have decided and give me no respite.” (Verse 71) It is a clear challenge thrown out by one who is absolutely certain of his ground and power. In fact he is inviting his opponents to attack him. What were the forces at his command facilitating such a challenge? He simply had faith, which gave him a power that is superior to everything else. Numbers, careful planning and firepower are of little use when compared to faith. He had God’s support, and God does not abandon those who believe in Him. It is the challenge of one who relies on the source of real power, for faith establishes a bond between the believer and the One who has power over everything in the universe. It is neither an arrogant nor a foolhardy challenge. Rather, it is the challenge of true power. Advocates of the divine faith have in God’s messengers a fine example to follow. They should have unwavering confidence as they place their trust in God and face tyranny, whatever its source may be. Tyranny will not cause them any real or lasting damage, apart from perhaps some physical pain which God allows as a test of the believers. God does not abandon the believers to His and their enemies, but He lets them undergo this test so that true believers come through it unharmed. The end favours the believers when God’s promise is fulfilled and they are victorious. Having made his challenge clear, Noah says to his people: “But if you turn away, [remember that] I have asked of you no reward whatsoever. My reward rests with none but God. I have been commanded to be one of those who surrender themselves to Him.” (Verse 72). If you turn a deaf ear to what I call on you to accept, then that is your choice. I have not asked for a reward for guiding you to the right path, so I do not fear that my compensation will be reduced as a result of your turning away. “My reward rests with none but God.” (Verse 72) Your attitude will not tempt me to change my way in the least, for my orders are such that I must surrender myself completely to God: “I have been commanded to be one of those who surrender themselves to Him.” (Verse 72) What happened, then? “They disbelieved him. So We saved him and all those who joined him in the ark, and made them inherit the earth. And We drowned the others who denied Our revelations. Reflect on the fate of those who were forewarned.” (Verse 73) All that happened is given in a very brief account: his rescue with the believers who followed him; their establishment as successors to the land and subsequent power; and the drowning of the multitude of unbelievers. “Reflect on the fate of those who were forewarned.” (Verse 73) It is indeed something to be reflected upon by all people at all times, so that they may heed the lesson and follow in the footsteps of the believers who were saved. The outcome was not merely the destruction of the unbelievers. Instead this was preceded by the saving of the believers from all danger, and their establishment in the land to rebuild human life on a sound basis. Such is the law God has established and such is His promise to the believers. If they feel at any time that the road seems endless, they must realize that it is the only way, and that the outcome will certainly be in their favour. They must not precipitate the fulfilment of God’s promise. God does not deceive believers, nor does He abandon them to their enemies. He only teaches and equips them with what is of help to them along their way. |
- Surah 10. Yunus - Saad al Ghamidi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvSo7rOh3SU&index=10&list=PLhM2xiAUdw2cAqW_o3zZkbhJNw0bnaBZN
- Surah 10. Yunus Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2B0ZmN1j4o&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM&index=10
- Surah 10. Yunus Muhammad Al Luhaydan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KXk4XxFOc4&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfKAYuQLRNAZomoezhfhRZe&index=10
- Surah Yunus Idris Akbar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loJoOeFTKjQ
- Surah Yunus muhammad Minshawi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6uzLB6B9ao&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG&index=10
- The relief from distress pdf - an explanation to the Dua of Yunus - ibn taymiyah http://www.kalamullah.com/Books/The%20Relief%20From%20Distress.pdf
- Dr Israr Ahmed Tafsir Surah Yunus (1-75)1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoDKOqhUngo&list=PLB4B8D1654A8BD263&index=51
- Surah Yunus (1-75)2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwO3evrGTi0&list=PLB4B8D1654A8BD263&index=52
- Surah Yunus (75) to Surah Hud (1-49)1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YpYqfNdytg&index=53&list=PLB4B8D1654A8BD263
- Surah Yunus (75) to Surah Hud (1-49)2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2diPkhRDfY&index=54&list=PLB4B8D1654A8BD263
