Surah Yunus, one of the Meccan chapters of the Holy Quran, addresses fundamental human issues such as monotheism, free will, and divine judgment with profound eloquence. Verse 19 of this Surah, by referring to the initial unity of humanity and their subsequent divergences, opens a window for reflection on human nature and its developmental path. This verse, expressed in concise yet meaningful language, highlights the innate unity of humans at the beginning of creation and their dispersion due to their choices. It also emphasises the postponement of divine judgment until the Day of Resurrection, underscoring the boundless mercy of the Lord and humanitys opportunity to return to the primordial monotheistic nature. This treatise, relying on exegetical lectures, elucidates this verse and its associated concepts in a clear and dignified style, inviting the audience to an intellectual journey into understanding human hierarchies and the call to faith.
وَمَا كَانَ ٱلنَّاسُ إِلَّآ أُمَّةًۭ وَٰحِدَةًۭ فَٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ ۚ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌۭ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُمْ فِيمَا فِيهِ يَخْتَلَفُونَ
And mankind were not but one community; then they differed. And if not for a word that had preceded from your Lord, it would have been judged between them concerning that wherein they differ.
The Holy Quran, in this verse, with a sagacious expression, points to the primordial unity of humans: وَمَا كَانَ ٱلنَّاسُ إِلَّآ أُمَّةًۭ وَٰحِدَةًۭ
. The term nss here refers to the lowest existential level of humanity, a stage subsequent to animality, not yet possessing the noble perfections of human dignity. This initial unity resembles a sapling rooted in the soil of the monotheistic innate nature (fitrah), which calls all humans at the dawn of creation towards the worship of the One God. This single community, irrespective of ethnic, religious, or geographical distinctions, initially lived in harmony with their God-seeking nature. This unity is like a clear river flowing on a single bed before dispersion and division, encompassing all humans.
The latter part of the verse, فَٱخْتَلَفُوا۟
, refers to the dispersion of humans following their initial unity. These differences are like branches diverging from the single trunk of humanity, each growing in different directions. This dispersion results from human voluntary choices and varying tendencies in beliefs and behaviours. Some turned to Judaism, some to Christianity, others to irreligion, and some adhered to religious devotion. These divergences do not arise from compulsion but from the freedom of human will. Humans are like travellers who, amid lifes twists and turns, select diverse paths, distancing themselves from their primordial nature. This scattering occurs sometimes due to personal preferences and sometimes due to group affiliations, steering humans away from innate unity towards separation.
The verse, through the phrase وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌۭ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ
, refers to a divine decree postponing the final judgment until the Day of Resurrection. This decree is akin to a respite granted by the Lord, allowing humans to choose the path of guidance or misguidance by their own free will. Were it not for this divine mercy, humans would have been judged at the onset of their disagreements, and the opportunity to return to the monotheistic innate nature would have been denied. This delay serves as an open door to repentance and reform, inviting humans to reflect on their deeds. With this respite, the Lord guides humanity towards perfection and holds them accountable for their choices.
The concluding phrase of the verse, لَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُمْ فِيمَا فِيهِ يَخْتَلَفُونَ
, emphasises the final judgment on the Day of Resurrection. This judgment is like a just scale that meticulously measures human deeds with equity and fairness. On the Day of Judgement, the Lord will address the differences among humans and judge each individual according to their choices and actions. This concept urges humans to reflect on their lifes course and cautions them against negligence and disregard for the consequences of their deeds. The Resurrection is the ultimate destination to which all human paths converge, revealing the truth of every individual.
The exegetical lectures beautifully outline the hierarchical stages of humanity. Nss is the lowest existential rank, positioned after animality, and represents the starting point of a journey that leads humans towards perfection. Following nss is bashar, indicating the external uprightness of humansa trait that distinguishes them from animals. The rank of insn refers to inner and spiritual perfections, and finally, the rank of mn is the summit, which brings humans close to divine proximity. This evolutionary path is like a ladder, calling humans from the darkness of animality towards the light of faith.
In this interpretation, nasns refers to those humans who remain at the level of nss, dominated by animalistic traits such as injustice, oppression, and misguidance. These individuals are like trees bearing bitter and harmful fruits, estranged from their monotheistic innate nature. Avoiding these traits requires self-awareness and efforts toward spiritual elevation. By refraining from nss-like behaviours, humans can advance towards higher ranks and move from the darkness of animality towards the illumination of faith.
Progression from nss to faith necessitates distancing oneself from animalistic traits and acquiring spiritual perfections. This path is akin to a journey facilitated by lawful sustenance, proper upbringing, and divine knowledge. Faith is a jewel shining in the human heart, guiding one from misguidance towards salvation. By choosing this path, humans transition from the darkness of nss to the light of faith, attaining eternal felicity.
Nss-like behaviours are chains that keep humans at a low rank and estrange them from their monotheistic innate nature. Oppression, injustice, and tendencies towards animalistic traits trap humans in the darkness of nss. This critique calls humans to reflect on their conduct and warns them against negligence and deviation. By recognising these dangers, humans can reform their path and strive towards perfection.
The Resurrection is like a mirror reflecting the true nature of human deeds. On that day, the Lord will judge human disputes with absolute justice, holding each individual accountable according to their choices. This concept calls humans to accountability and warns them against negligence regarding the consequences of their actions.
Lawful sustenance and proper upbringing are like seeds planted in the soil of human existence, bearing the fruits of faith and knowledge. These factors guide humans from the rank of nss towards faith and divine proximity. By choosing lawful sustenance and spiritual education, humans can free themselves from the darkness of nss-like behaviour and step towards the light of faith.
Verse 19 of Surah Yunus, with wise and profound expression, refers to the initial unity of humans in their monotheistic innate nature and their subsequent divergences resulting from their choices. The verse, by emphasising the postponement of divine judgment until the Day of Resurrection, highlights the infinite mercy of the Lord and humanitys opportunity to return to guidance. The exegetical lectures, by explaining human hierarchies from nss to faith, invite humans to avoid animalistic traits and strive for spiritual perfection. This treatise elucidates the concepts of this verse in an elevated and dignified manner, making it enlightening for both informed audiences in religious sciences and seekers of knowledge. Humans are like travellers who, through their choices on lifes path, shape their destiny and ultimately face judgment before the Divine Presence.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
