The Holy Qur'an, like a radiant lamp, guides humanity towards truth and felicity. Among its verses, those of Surah Yunus that recount the story of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) shine like a brilliant gem, illustrating profound concepts of reliance, self-sufficiency from others, and firmness of faith. This treatise, through contemplation on verses 71 and 72 of Surah Yunus, delves into these concepts and, with a comprehensive perspective, examines their mystical, theological, and ethical dimensions. Its aim is to open a path towards deeper understanding of the relationship between man and his Lord, relying upon these luminous verses and analyses rooted in the Prophetic tradition and religious scholars.
Verse 71 of Surah Yunus portrays an unparalleled manifestation of reliance by Prophet Noah (peace be upon him). This verse, like a mirror, reflects the firmness and inner assurance of this Divine Messenger in the face of his people's obstinacy:
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 relate to them the story of Noah when he said to his people: O my people, if my presence and my reminder of the signs of God is burdensome upon you, then upon God I have relied. So, assemble your counsels and your partners, then let your matter be obscure to you no longer. Then decide concerning me and do not delay me.
The phrase فَعَلَى اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ (upon God I have relied) stands like a firm pillar, signifying the complete entrusting of affairs to the Lord. Reliance, in Islamic mysticism, means surrendering the heart to Divine wisdom and power, as if one seeks refuge in God's solid ship amid lifes storms. This verse demonstrates that Prophet Noah (peace be upon him), amid the pressures and persecutions of his people, committed his heart to God and freed himself from fear of apparent worldly powers.
Key point: The reliance of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) exemplifies inner certainty in God, which liberates a person from dependence on others and acts as a shield against life's adversities.
In this verse, Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) invites his people to gather all their power and their allies: فَأَجْمِعُوا أَمْرَكُمْ وَشُرَكَاءَكُمْ. This invitation is like a challenge that exposes the impotence of polytheism and material powers against Divine will. He resolutely declares that any effort against God's decree is futile: ثُمَّ لَا يَكُنْ أَمْرُكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ غُمَّةً ثُمَّ اقْضُوا إِلَيَّ وَلَا تُنْظِرُونِ. These words cut through the veil of illusion of apparent powers and reveal the truth.
From a psychological viewpoint, this invitation can be interpreted as a call to overcome fears and material dependencies. When a person seeks refuge in material means instead of relying on God, they become ensnared in a vortex of failure. Reliance is the key that unlocks the chains of fear and doubt.
Key point: Prophet Noahs invitation to his people to confront with all their might demonstrates the helplessness of material powers before Divine will and teaches the futility of polytheism and dependence on others.
Verse 72 of Surah Yunus emphasises the self-sufficiency of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) from material recompense:
فَإِنْ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَمَا سَأَلْتُكُمْ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِيَ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّهِ ۖ وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
So if you turn away, I have not asked you for any reward. My reward is only with God, and I have been commanded to be among the Muslims.
The phrase إِنْ أَجْرِيَ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّهِ rings like a heavenly melody, proclaiming Prophet Noahs (peace be upon him) independence from any material recompense. This self-sufficiency is rooted in asceticism and contentment, which liberate the individual from the shackles of worldly attachments. In Islamic mysticism, this attribute is linked to the concept of انقطاع إلى الله (disengagement unto God), as if the person, like a light-winged bird, soars from the cage of materiality towards the sky of knowledge.
Key point: The self-sufficiency of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) from material reward exemplifies asceticism and contentment that guide man towards liberation from worldly attachments and dependence on the Lord.
The phrase وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ signifies Prophet Noahs (peace be upon him) duty of complete submission to God and adherence to Islam. This duty, like a glowing torch, illuminates the path of felicity. In this context, being Muslim refers to سلم لمن سالمكم و حرب لمن حاربكم, which necessitates firmness and decisiveness in the path of truth.
From a psychological perspective, this duty means preserving the identity of faith and adherence to spiritual values, even in the face of social pressures and opposition by ones people. This steadfastness is like a tree that does not bow before storms and whose roots are firm in faith.
Key point: In Prophet Noahs (peace be upon him) view, being Muslim means complete submission to God and firmness against the enemies of truth, preserving the faithful identity amid challenges.
Despite severe hardships and persecutions, Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) maintained his firmness of faith. This firmness, like a steadfast mountain, remained resilient against the waves of adversities. The lecture text emphasises that the patience and endurance of the prophets, especially Noah, have their roots in deep faith and reliance upon God. This trait, compared to the unparalleled patience of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), indicates differences in the degrees of prophetic patience.
From the viewpoint of positive psychology, this firmness points to spiritual resilience that fortifies the individual against psychological and social pressures. Mystically, this endurance aligns with the concepts of patience and submission in the path of God, as if a person shines like a star in the dark night on the path of truth.
Key point: The firmness of faith of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) is a manifestation of spiritual resilience rooted in reliance and patience, strengthening man against adversities.
The lecture text critically addresses hypocrisy and dependence on anything other than God, regarding those who follow this path as خسره الدنیا والاخره (losers in this world and the Hereafter). Hypocrisy, like a dark shadow, distances man from the light of knowledge and traps him in the darkness of this world and the Hereafter. The inheritors of the prophets, especially religious scholars, must be free from all dependencies other than God and remain steadfast on the path of truth, like Prophet Noah (peace be upon him).
From a sociological perspective, this critique points to materialistic and hypocritical cultures that divert man from the path of felicity. Religious scholars, as heirs of the prophets, must avoid all attachments to materialism and hypocritical politics and take refuge solely in God as Noah did.
Key point: Hypocrisy and dependence on others deprive man of felicity, whereas the inheritors of the prophets must proceed on the path of truth with self-sufficiency and firmness of faith.
The lecture stresses that when a person becomes incapable in the face of difficulties, they must entrust their affairs to God and refrain from resorting to hypocrisy or hypocritical politics. This entrusting is like handing the ship to a wise captain, rescuing man from the whirlpools of life.
From the perspective of positive psychology, entrusting to God serves as a coping mechanism that reduces anxiety and psychological stress. Mystically, this act is linked to reliance and submission, guiding man towards inner peace.
Key point: Entrusting affairs to God during moments of incapacity liberates man from hypocrisy and dependency, bringing about inner tranquillity.
To realise سلم لمن سالمکم و حرب لمن حاربکم, strength and awareness in faith are indispensable. This strength acts as a force that establishes man firmly against the enemies of truth. The lecture underlines that such a trait demands strong faith and relentless perseverance.
From a psychological standpoint, this strength refers to spiritual self-efficacy that empowers man against challenges. Mystically, this trait aligns with the concept of the Greater Jihad, which includes the struggle against the self and both internal and external enemies.
Key point: Strength and awareness in faith empower man against the enemies of truth and pave the way for the realisation of genuine Islam.
The lecture encourages humanity to emulate the prophets, particularly Prophet Noah (peace be upon him). The prophets, like guiding stars, show man the path to felicity. Prophet Noah (peace be upon him), with his reliance, self-sufficiency, and firmness, represents an unparalleled model for religious scholars and all believers.
Theologically, the prophets are perfect exemplars of faith and steadfastness. Psychologically, emulating them can reinforce a person's spiritual identity and motivate righteous action.
Key point: Emulation of the prophets, especially Prophet Noah (peace be upon him), directs man towards reliance, self-sufficiency, and firmness of faith, strengthening his spiritual identity.
Verses 71 and 72 of Surah Yunus, like a precious treasure, display profound lessons of reliance, self-sufficiency, and firmness of faith through the story of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him). These verses invite man to entrust his affairs to God, free himself from material attachments, and stand firm against hypocrisy and oppression. Religious scholars, as the inheritors of the prophets, must, by emulating Prophet Noah (peace be upon him), remain steadfast on the path of truth and avoid all dependencies other than God. This treatise, by reflecting on these verses and analyses based on Prophetic tradition and religious scholars, opens a path to deeper understanding of man's relationship with his Lord. May these lessons serve as a guiding light for felicity in this world and the Hereafter.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
