of Nokounam , Session 1451
Surah Yunus, like a clear mirror, reflects the mysteries of human life and lays out the paths to felicity and misery before mankind. Verses 83 to 86 of this Surah, narrating the faith of a group from the people of Moses (peace be upon him) amidst the fear and deception of Pharaoh, offer profound lessons regarding faith, reliance upon God, and avoidance of hypocrisy, oppression, and disbelief. These verses, like a radiant lamp, illuminate the path to salvation and guide humanity towards perfection and nearness to the Creator. The present treatise, with a deep perspective on these verses, explicates their concepts in eloquent language and a structured manner, thereby serving as a bridge between Qur'anic knowledge and the inquisitive minds of readers, especially those seeking truth.
But none believed in Moses except a progeny from his people, out of fear of Pharaoh and his chiefs, lest they should persecute them; and indeed Pharaoh was exalted in the land, and indeed he was one of the extravagant. (Surah Yunus 10:83)
And Moses said, O my people, if you have believed in God, then rely upon Him, if you are Muslims. (Surah Yunus 10:84)
They said, Upon God do we rely. Our Lord, do not make us a trial for the wrongdoing people. (Surah Yunus 10:85)
And save us by Your mercy from the disbelieving people. (Surah Yunus 10:86)
The Holy Qur'an in verse 83 of Surah Yunus speaks of the faith of a group from the people of Moses (peace be upon him) who, despite fear of Pharaoh and his chiefs, turned towards the truth. This group, described by the Qur'an as a progeny from his people, accepted the divine invitation owing to their open and free minds, unshackled by archaic traditions. This acceptance, like a newly blossomed flower amidst the thornbush of fear and deception, indicates the hopefulness and dynamism of the new generation. In contrast, the elders of the people, due to prejudice and adherence to prior methods, failed to embrace the truth. This contrast is like a mirror reflecting the difference between a flexible mind and a closed heart.
From a psychological perspective, the mental flexibility of the young generation prepares them better to accept truth. This aligns with verse 11 of Surah Al-Mujadila:
God will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge by degrees.
This verse highlights the superiority of faith and awareness over prejudice and ignorance.
Verse 84 of Surah Yunus, through the invitation of Moses (peace be upon him) to rely upon God, links faith to submission to the Lord. Reliance (tawakkul) is like a shield that protects the believer from the trials of oppressors and disbelievers. The people of Moses, by saying Upon God do we rely, manifested their faith and implored God to protect them from the trial of tyrants and disbelievers. This supplication is like a breeze that calms the hearts of believers amidst the storm of oppression.
From a mystical standpoint, reliance signifies entrusting matters to God, corresponding with verse 13 of Surah Al-Hashr:
So do not fear them, but fear Me.
This verse invites believers to be free from worldly fears and seek refuge in God.
The Holy Qur'an in verse 83 of Surah Yunus introduces Pharaoh as the epitome of arrogance and extravagance:
And indeed Pharaoh was exalted in the land, and indeed he was one of the extravagant.
He abused power, leading not only himself but society towards misguidance and corruption. Pharaoh is like a storm that destroys everything in its path. This characteristic aligns with verse 116 of Surah Al-Araf:
Indeed, God does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And whoever associates others with God has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.
(Note: The original text mentioned verse 116 regarding the corruption; the precise verse on the corrupts works is 116 of Al-Araf emphasizing God does not rectify the works of corrupters.)
The Holy Qur'an introduces three traitshypocrisy, oppression, and disbeliefas obstacles to felicity. Hypocrisy is like a shadow that conceals sincerity in the human heart and causes one to wander between truth and falsehood. Oppression is like a chain that enslaves a person to tyranny. Disbelief is like darkness that extinguishes the light of faith. These three traits illustrate the progressive stages of human downfall: hypocrisy as instability, oppression as abuse of power, and disbelief as denial of divine truth.
Hypocrisy is condemned in verse 8 of Surah Al-Munafiqun:
They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts.
Oppression in verse 85 of Surah Yunus, and disbelief in verse 86 of the same Surah, are cited as traits of Pharaohs people. These traits distance man from felicity and lead him to destruction.
Conversely, the Qur'an introduces three principlesfaith, avoidance of oppression, and abstention from hypocrisyas the paths to felicity. Faith is like a light that illuminates the human heart. Avoidance of oppression is like a shield that protects man from tyranny. Abstention from hypocrisy is like a stream that cleanses the heart from the stains of duplicity. These three principles guide a person towards perfection and salvation.
Verse 84 of Surah Yunus emphasises faith, verse 85 warns against oppression, and verse 2 of Surah Al-Baqarah refers to abstention from hypocrisy:
And of the people are some who say, We believe in God and the Last Day, but they are not believers.
The Holy Qur'an stresses human responsibility towards society. Hypocrisy, oppression, and disbelief harm not only the individual but also the collective. Verse 25 of Surah Al-Anfal warns:
And fear a trial which will not strike those who have wronged among you exclusively.
The supplication of the people of Moses in verses 85 and 86 of Surah Yunus reflects their awareness of this responsibility. They asked God to protect them from the trial of oppressors and disbelievers.
Verse 83 of Surah Yunus depicts the elders resistance to truth due to their habitual adherence to archaic traditions. This habit is like a fetter that imprisons the mind in ignorance. In contrast, the younger generation, with open minds and pure hearts, embraced the truth. This is consistent with verse 170 of Surah Al-Baqarah:
And when it is said to them, Follow what God has revealed, they say, Nay, but we will follow what we found our fathers upon.
Verses 83 to 86 of Surah Yunus constitute a treasury of divine knowledge, providing profound lessons on faith, reliance upon God, and avoidance of hypocrisy, oppression, and disbelief. The faith of the young generation, reliance on God, and abstention from destructive traits guide humanity towards felicity. Pharaoh, as a symbol of extravagance and oppression, exemplifies the devastation born of power lust. The three principles of felicity (faith, avoidance of oppression, and abstention from hypocrisy) and the three destructive traits (hypocrisy, oppression, and disbelief) represent two opposing paths that determine human destiny. These verses, by calling to reliance and deliverance from the trial of oppressors, reveal the path of salvation to mankind.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
