of Nokounam, (Session 1435)
Surah Yunus, one of the esteemed chapters of the Holy Quran, serves as a mirror reflecting historical realities and the challenges confronting humanity. This Surah, through profound discourse, narrates the fate of previous nations and Divine prophets in order to urge the contemporary human being towards reflection on their own path. Verse 71 of this Surah, which recounts the story of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) and his encounter with his people, imparts deep lessons regarding reliance upon God, entrusting affairs to Him, and liberation from sorrow and anxiety. This treatise, adopting a comprehensive and profound perspective on this verse, elucidates the concepts of reliance (tawakkul), liberation from material dependencies, and the recognition of God as the origin of power and wisdom. Employing metaphorical expressions and semantic linkages, it endeavours to present these concepts in a clear and eloquent language for the readers.
وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ نُوحٍ إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ يَا قَوْمِ إِنْ كَانَ كَبُرَ عَلَيْكُمْ مَقَامِي وَتَذْكِيرِي بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ فَعَلَى اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ فَأَجْمِعُوا أَمْرَكُمْ وَشُرَكَاءَكُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَكُنْ أَمْرُكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ غُمَّةً ثُمَّ اقْضُوا إِلَيَّ وَلَا تُنْظِرُونِ
And recite to them the story of Noah, when he said to his people: O my people, if my staying among you and my reminding you of the signs of God is burdensome to you, then I have relied upon God. So, assemble your affairs and your partners altogether, then let your matter not be hidden from you; then decide concerning me and do not delay.
The phrase "faala-llhi tawakkaltu" in the verse indicates the pinnacle of submission and trust that Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) placed in the Divine Will. Reliance (tawakkul), as entrusting oneself to the boundless ocean of Divine wisdom and power, liberates a person from the captivity of fears and material limitations. This concept, within Islamic mysticism, is linked to the notion of fan f Allh (annihilation in God); a state wherein a person seeks refuge in none but God and entrusts all matters to Him. Reliance is not merely a spiritual act but also a psychological mechanism that frees the individual from anxiety caused by helplessness against adversities.
Key Point: Reliance acts like a shield that preserves a person against the storms of life and guides them towards tranquility and assurance.
The story of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) in verse 71 of Surah Yunus represents a prominent example of reliance upon God in the face of obstinacy and disbelief of the people. This verse invites the human being to contemplate the position of reliance as a spiritual and liberating power. Reliance is not solely a religious act but a strategy for attaining calmness amid vulnerabilities and life's challenges.
One of the central lessons of the verse is the necessity of entrusting affairs to God during moments of helplessness. When a person feels powerless against problems, whether in social relations or when confronting material powers, instead of fruitless struggles, they must surrender affairs to God. This entrustment is akin to placing the heavy burden of life upon the firm shoulders of the Divine, which no power can resist.
As stated in the lecture text: If your strength does not reach someone, entrust it to God. Say: O God, my strength does not reach this; do whatever You wish. This expression beautifully illustrates the necessity of submission to the Divine Will. Entrustment to God arises not from weakness but from awareness of Divine greatness and wisdom.
Key Point: Entrusting to God is like handing over a drifting ship to a wise captain who steers it safely through lifes storms to a secure shore.
From the perspective of positive psychology, entrusting to God functions as a coping mechanism. This act reduces anxiety and psychological pressure caused by helplessness and allows the individual to face challenges more serenely. This approach frees a person from the futile cycle of material efforts and unproductive struggles.
Entrusting affairs to God is a strategy that liberates a person from captivity to helplessness and limitations. This concept assists not only in the spiritual dimension but also psychologically, enabling the person to withstand problems with calmness and confidence. This lesson invites the individual to trust Divine wisdom and liberation from material worries.
The Quranic phrase thumma l yakun amrukum alaykum ghummatan advises Noahs people to take their decisions decisively without falling into sorrow or doubt. The lecture interprets this phrase as liberation from sorrow and anxiety through entrustment to God. This liberation is like unlocking a chain that had bound the heart with worry and concern.
From a psychological viewpoint, ghumma refers to anxiety and psychological stress. Entrustment to God frees a person from these pressures and grants inner peace. Mystically, this liberation relates to the concept of ri bi-ri Allh (contentment with Gods will); a state in which the individual, by submitting to Divine Will, is freed from material and psychological burdens.
Key Point: Liberation from sorrow is like opening a window towards Divine light, guiding the heart from the darkness of anxiety to the brightness of tranquillity.
Verse 71 of Surah Yunus, by emphasizing liberation from sorrow and anxiety, invites the human being to entrust affairs to God and trust in His wisdom. This lesson is efficacious not only spiritually but also psychologically, guiding one towards peace and prosperity.
The phrase fajmi amrakum wa shurakakum is an invitation from Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) to his people to gather all their forces and partners. Simultaneously, this invitation highlights the impotence of polytheism and material powers against Divine Will. Polytheism, akin to leaning on fragile material pillars, collapses before the boundless power of God.
From a theological perspective, this phrase manifests the supremacy of Divine power over any material force. Psychologically, this invitation challenges one to overcome fears and material dependencies, which ultimately, without reliance on God, lead to defeat.
Key Point: Polytheism is like relying on a brittle branch that breaks in the Divine storm, and only reliance on God keeps a person steadfast.
This part of the verse portrays the incapacity of material and polytheistic forces against Divine Will. By relying on God, a person becomes liberated from dependence on partners and material tools and is connected to Divine infinite power.
The phrase wa l tunirn means avoiding looking towards anything other than God and focusing on the Divine Will. The lecture stresses that a person should not seek material solutions such as influence, money, or disputes, but must entrust affairs to God. This avoidance is like closing the windows of the heart towards anything but God and opening it to Divine light.
From a mystical perspective, this concept corresponds with practical monotheism (tawd amali), which calls the individual to focus on God as the sole source of power. Psychologically, this approach reduces dependency on external factors and enhances spiritual self-efficacy.
Key Point: Avoiding attention to anything but God is like extinguishing the deceptive material lights that mislead the soul towards the light of Divine truth.
This part of the verse invites the human being to focus on God and avoid dependency on anything other than Him. This lesson paves the way to achieve practical monotheism and liberation from material attachments.
The lecture introduces God as the greatest leverage of power for the believer. In moments of helplessness, a person should seek refuge not in material tools such as canes, money, or banks, but in God. God is like an inexhaustible fountain of power and wisdom with no limitation.
Theologically, God as the Musabbib al-Asbb (the Causer of Causes) is the sole real source of power. Psychologically, belief in God as the source of power enhances resilience and diminishes the feeling of helplessness against adver
