the Lectures of Nokounam (May his sanctity remain) Session 1434
The Holy Quran, like an endless ocean, encompasses divine knowledge, and each of its verses, like a wave of mercy and wisdom, calls humanity towards gnosis and liberation from material shackles. Verse 70 of Surah Yunus, by referencing the story of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him), offers profound lessons on reliance, submission to the divine will, and liberation from fears and material attachments. This treatise, with a comprehensive perspective on this verse and contemplation upon its apparent and esoteric meanings, examines the concepts of reliance on God, divine knowledge, and boldness in faith. Relying on mystical, theological, and psychological analyses, it seeks to illuminate a clear path for understanding the relationship between the human heart and divine guidance.
Verse 70 of Surah Yunus narrates the story of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him), who, confronted with the opposition of his people, places complete reliance upon God, thereby freeing himself from any dependence on other than Him:
And recite to them the news of Noah, when he said to his people: O my people, if my stay and my reminding you of the signs of God is burdensome upon you, then upon God I rely. So, assemble your plan and your partners, then do not let your plan be obscure to you, then execute it upon me and do not give me respite.
The phrase فَعَلَى اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ (then upon God I rely) signifies the complete submission of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) to the divine will. Reliance is akin to entrusting the ship of ones existence to the sail of divine wisdom, rescuing one from the whirlpools of fear and doubt. From the perspective of Islamic mysticism, reliance means liberation from any attachment to others besides God and annihilation in His will. This concept corresponds with the notion of the sound heart in the Holy Quran, a heart purified from all forms of polytheism and material attachment, ready to receive divine illumination.
Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) calls upon his people to assemble all their strength and partners: So assemble your plan and your partners.
This summons manifests as a challenge that exposes the incapacity of material powers and polytheism in the face of divine will. Theologically, this verse highlights the supremacy of divine wisdom over any human power. Psychologically, it may be interpreted as a call to confront fears and material dependencies which, without reliance on God, inevitably lead to failure.
The phrase then do not let your plan be obscure to you
invites Noahs people to freedom from sorrow and doubt. The term ghumma here connotes anxiety and psychological constriction that impede decisive action. Reliance upon God acts as a key unlocking the chains of doubt and directing the human soul towards tranquillity and certainty. Mystically, this liberation denotes complete trust in divine wisdom, which frees the heart from all forms of inner affliction.
The metaphor of daring the ocean, like a wave of gnosis, calls man to liberation from fears and attachment to materialism. This submission resembles plunging into the boundless ocean of divine mercy, guiding man from the dry shore of materialism towards the depths of knowledge. From the perspective of positive psychology, this metaphor parallels the technique of exposure therapy, encouraging acceptance of the unknown and overcoming psychological fears. Mystically, this act aligns with the concepts of reliance and submission.
A story of a seminary student who feared the sea beautifully illustrates this concept. He, who was afraid to board the ship, lost his fear and attained tranquillity through direct experience and confrontation with the sea. This narrative serves as a mirror reflecting how reliance on God and facing fears liberates one from anxiety.
The heart, like a luminous torch, is the centre of insight and divine knowledge. Divine knowledge is attained not through the eyes and ears, but through the gateway of the heart. This viewpoint corresponds with the Quranic notion of the sound heart, a heart cleansed of all material defilements and ready for the manifestation of divine lights. Humanity must entrust its heart to God in order to receive divine guidance.
Material knowledge, like black ink on paper, holds insignificant value compared to divine knowledge, which is a light from God. From the perspective of Islamic philosophy, divine knowledge (ilm ladunni) is distinct from material knowledge and is attained through the insight of the heart. This viewpoint regards religious knowledge without spiritual insight as inadequate and emphasises the necessity of nurturing the heart to access truth.
The ocean, as an infinite expanse, symbolises divine knowledge and mercy, in contrast to dryness and materialism. In Islamic mysticism, the ocean is likened to the Bahr al-Irfn (Ocean of Gnosis), representing divine knowledge as an endless sea. By daring the ocean, man is freed from the dryness of materialism and moves towards the moistness of divine mercy.
Man, by virtue of possessing intellect and heart, is distinguished from animals. Animals remain in the dryness of materialism, whereas man, by daring the ocean, can be liberated from fears and material attachments and attain divine knowledge. This distinction leads man towards submission and reliance on God.
Deep understanding of the Quranic verses requires study, contemplation, and prayer. Man must, through reflection on the verses and a heartfelt connection with God, step towards divine knowledge. This view aligns with the Quranic exhortations to ponder upon the verses and supplicate for guidance.
Verse 70 of Surah Yunus, like a brilliant gem in the Holy Quran, presents profound lessons on reliance, divine knowledge, and liberation from material attachments. The story of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) is a noble example of submission to divine will, freeing man from fears and doubts. The metaphor of daring the ocean, like a wave of mercy, guides man towards the boundless ocean of divine knowledge. This verse, by linking mystical, theological, and psychological concepts, invites man to nurture the heart, rely on God, and pursue divine knowledge in order to attain felicity and tranquillity.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
