The Holy Quran, a pristine spring of guidance, presents the narratives of the Divine Prophets like a mirror before humanity, inviting them to learn from their experiences and pursue the path of felicity. Verse 71 of Surah Yunus, which addresses the story of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him), stands as one of these illuminating verses that beautifully delineate the profound concepts of reliance (tawakkul), entrusting affairs to God, and self-sufficiency from others. This treatise, through contemplation on this verse and analysis of the lecture content, examines these concepts from mystical, theological, psychological, and social perspectives. Its aim is to offer readers, with clear and dignified language, pathways to achieving firm faith and liberation from material dependencies.
The Holy Quran in verse 71 of Surah Yunus, with eloquent expression, recounts the story of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) who, facing opposition from his people, sought refuge in God and declared his reliance upon Him:
And recite to them the news of Noah when he said to his people, O my people, if my residence and my reminding you of the signs of Allah is burdensome upon you, then upon Allah I have relied. So resolve your plan and [your] associates; then let not your plan be obscure to you. Then carry it out upon me and do not give me respite.
This verse introduces reliance as a firm pillar standing resilient against storms of opposition and incapacity. In the mystical viewpoint, reliance signifies complete entrusting of affairs to God; as though the human being hands over his own ship into the capable and wise hands of the Lord. Prophet Noah (peace be upon him), in the face of his rebellious people, places trust not in his own strength but in divine power, declaring, upon Allah I have relied. This reliance is indicative of his profound knowledge of God and faith in His infinite wisdom and power.
One of the salient points in this lecture is the distinction between reliance and audacity. Audacity is likened to a fragile branch which a helpless person clutches in the face of adversities, while reliance is a deeply rooted tree steadfast in the soil of faith. Audacity is a reaction born of weakness and self-centeredness that often leads to cursing or futile resistance, whereas reliance is seeking refuge in a power before which no force can stand. As the lecture expresses, when a person faces a problem beyond their strength, instead of cursing or stubbornness, they should turn to God and say, O God, I have no power over this; do whatever You will.
From a psychological perspective, audacity can be analysed as an unhealthy defensive reaction that not only fails to resolve the problem but aggravates it. In contrast, reliance functions as a spiritual shield freeing a person from anxiety and incapacity, bestowing profound tranquillity.
The lecture underscores that when a person becomes incapacitated in the face of difficulties, affairs must be entrusted to God. This entrusting is akin to placing a heavy burden on the strong shoulders of the Lord. When confronted with hardships beyond ones power, rather than clutching at inadequate material means, one must seek refuge in God and say, O God, I have no strength over this; do what You will. This approach is not only a sign of faith but also, from a psychological perspective, acts as a mechanism to reduce anxiety and psychological pressure.
From a mystical viewpoint, this entrusting corresponds with the concept of submission and contentment with Gods will. By submitting to divine will, a person is freed from the shackles of doubt and anxiety, attaining profound peace.
Prophet Noah (peace be upon him), in verse 71, invites his people to gather all their strength and partners: So resolve your plan and [your] associates. This invitation challenges the people to marshal all their material and spiritual forces; yet before the power of God, these efforts are like bubbles before a storm. The lecture elaborates that no force, however united and cohesive, can withstand divine will.
From a theological perspective, this invitation reveals the impotence of polytheism and material powers before God. Psychologically, this challenge encourages reflection on fears and material dependencies, guiding a person towards reliance on God.
Verse 71 advises the people of Noah: Then let not your plan be obscure to you, warning against being beset by grief and doubt and urging decisive resolution. The lecture interprets this as liberation from grief through entrusting to God. It is as if by entrusting affairs to God, the person steps from the darkness of doubt into the light of certainty.
Psychologically, ghumma refers to anxiety and mental doubt which reliance on God alleviates. Mystically, this liberation aligns with the concept of turning solely towards God, which frees the individual from dependence on others.
The subsequent verse (72) emphasises the self-sufficiency of Prophet Noah from any other than God:
But if you turn away, then I have not asked you for any reward. My reward is only from Allah, and I have been commanded to be of the Muslims.
This verse indicates Prophet Noahs independence from material reward and his complete reliance on God. The lecture develops this point by illustrating that the faithful believer does not seek material recompense but instead gazes upon divine satisfaction. He is like a free bird released from the cage of material needs, soaring in the sky of reliance.
Mystically, this self-sufficiency corresponds with the notions of asceticism and contentment. The believer, relying on God, frees himself from all dependency on others and attains profound peace.
The lecture views material tools such as a staff, spectacles, and money as insufficient compared to Gods power. These instruments, like passing shadows, fade before the boundless divine light. Rather than seeking refuge in such tools, one must turn to God for assistance.
From a sociological perspective, this critique addresses a materialistic culture that propels human beings toward dependence on material tools. The lecture considers this dependency a chain that restrains spiritual freedom.
The lecture stresses that ignorance of God drives a person towards reliance on material tools. Due to unawareness of Gods infinite power, a person seeks a staff, spectacles, or money, whereas God is the greatest power. It is as if the person in the darkness of ignorance searches for small material candles while the sun of divine knowledge is accessible.
From the standpoint of religious epistemology, knowledge of God is a prerequisite for reliance and entrusting affairs to Him. This knowledge frees the individual from fear of others and grants firmness and tranquillity.
The lecture praises the steadfastness of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) in the face of difficulties and opposition from his people. Like a firm mountain, he did not bend before the storms of hardship and, through reliance on God, was freed from fear and doubt. This steadfastness is a sign of spiritual resilience and self-confidence rooted in faith.
From the perspective of positive psychology, this steadfastness is analysed as an indicator of resilience stemming from faith and reliance. Mystically, this steadfastness corresponds with the concept of perseverance on the path of God.
The lecture emphasises that entrusting affairs to God must be accompanied by pure intention and be in the way of truth. Entrusting born of ignorance or injustice reverts upon the individual. With pure intention, one finds a key to the doors of divine mercy; with impure intention, one wanders lost in the darkness of misguidance.
From the standpoint of Islamic ethics, this condition entails avoiding wrongful biases and impure intentions. One must entrust their affairs to God with sincerity to attain tranquillity and guidance.
Verse 71 of Surah Yunus, like a shining lantern on the path of guidance, narrates the story of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) who, through reliance on God, liberated himself from dependency on others and demonstrated spiritual steadfastness. This verse invites humanity to contemplate the concepts of reliance, entrusting to God, and self-sufficiency from others. The lecture, emphasising the necessity of knowing God and critiquing dependency on materiality, reveals a path towards spiritual peace and felicity. From a mystical perspective, reliance and self-sufficiency guide the person towards turning solely towards God; from a psychological perspective, these concepts reduce anxiety and enhance resilience; and from a sociological perspective, they offer critique of materialistic culture. This treatise, by cultivating these concepts, calls humanity towards divine knowledge and true faith.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
