of Nekounam, may his sacred spirit be sanctified (Session 1469)
Surah Yunus, like a radiant jewel among the chapters of the Noble Quran, is a gateway towards the truths of monotheism and divine knowledge. Verses 102 to 106 of this surah, with profound and eloquent expression, call humanity to reflect upon the fate of their predecessors, perseverance in pure faith, and avoidance of polytheism and injustice. These verses are not merely an invitation to pristine monotheism but also a warning to heedless hearts to refrain from worshipping other than God and to avoid falling into the snares of polytheism. In this treatise, relying on scholarly lectures and profound analyses, these verses are examined in a coherent framework with refined and dignified language, to serve as guidance for seekers of truth and pursuers of knowledge.
فَهَلْ يَنْتَظِرُونَ إِلَّا مِثْلَ أَيَّامِ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ قُلْ فَانْتَظِرُوا إِنِّي مَعَكُمْ مِنَ الْمُنْتَظِرِينَ
"Do they wait for nothing except the like of the days of those who passed away before them? Say: Then wait; indeed, I am with you among those who wait."
This verse acts as a mirror reflecting the eventual fate of former peoples, inviting humanity to contemplate the destiny of those who defied the divine invitation. The notion of waiting in this verse is not a passive silence but an active readiness to receive divine guidance. This concept resembles a seed sown in the soil of time and place, blossoming with faith and righteous deeds. Religious scholars emphasize that this expectation is a stage in the spiritual journey that leads man towards salvation, as in mystical traditions where waiting is described as a bridge between the heart and the divine truth.
ثُمَّ نُنَجِّي رُسُلَنَا وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ حَقًّا عَلَيْنَا نُنْجِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
"Then We save Our messengers and those who believe; thus it is a truth incumbent upon Us to save the believers."
Verse 103 shines like a radiant torch, expressing Gods promise to save His messengers and the faithful. This divine tradition, flowing like a pure stream through human history, emphasises the salvation of those who have sought refuge in God with sincere faith. From this perspective, the believers and the companions of the prophets are like travellers aboard the ship of faith, reaching the shore of salvation from the storm of doubt and misguidance. This concept aligns with other Quranic verses, such as verse 58 of Surah Al-Anbiya (And We save those who believe and have piety), which consider salvation the fruit of faith and piety.
قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ فِي شَكٍّ مِنْ دِينِي فَلَا أَعْبُدُ الَّذِينَ تَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلَٰكِنْ أَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي يَتَوَفَّاكُمْ ۖ وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
"Say: O mankind, if you are in doubt about my religion, then I do not worship those whom you worship besides Allah, but I worship Allah, who takes your souls; and I have been commanded to be of the believers."
This verse, like a resounding call, invites humanity to dispel doubt and accept monotheism. The universal address "O mankind" signifies the all-encompassing nature of Gods invitation to all humankind, as though God opens a window to guide everyone towards truth. The emphasis on worshipping the One "who takes your souls" is a reminder to heedless hearts of God's absolute sovereignty over life and death. Religious scholars regard this verse as an invitation to devotional monotheism, which prevents man from worshipping material and spiritual idols.
وَأَنْ أَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا وَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
"And direct your face towards the upright religion, and never be of those who associate others with Allah."
Verse 105, like an illuminating guide, calls humanity to perseverance in the upright religion and avoidance of polytheism. The term "face" in this verse signifies the identity and essence of man, as though his heart and soul must be directed towards pure monotheism. The upright religion is a clear, untainted stream free from any trace of polytheism or deviation. Religious scholars identify polytheism not only in worshipping stone idols but also in attachment to power, wealth, and carnal desires, as mystical works interpret hidden polytheism as attention to manifestations rather than the divine reality.
To clarify the concept of polytheism, a beautiful simile is presented: donkeys burdened with heavy loads such as cement, bricks, and plaster, suffering from wounds inflicted by flies. These donkeys represent the human heart, wounded by the burdens of polytheism and non-divine attachments. Each load symbolizes dependence on something other than God: one load is power, another wealth, and the third carnal desires. This simile acts as a mirror reflecting the dispersion of the heart in polytheism, while pure faith, like a light burden, guides man towards liberation.
وَلَا تَدْعُ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنْفَعُكَ وَلَا يَضُرُّكَ ۖ فَإِنْ فَعَلْتَ فَإِنَّكَ إِذًا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
"And do not invoke besides Allah that which neither benefits you nor harms you; for if you do, then indeed you are of the wrongdoers."
This verse serves as a striking warning, identifying polytheism as the root of injustice. Dependence upon other than God, which neither benefits nor harms, leads man towards oppression and wrongdoing. Religious scholars emphasise that polytheism, like a poisonous root, distances the heart from pure faith and causes man to perpetrate injustice against himself and others. This concept resonates with verse 13 of Surah Luqman (Indeed, polytheism is a great injustice), which regards polytheism as the greatest injustice.
Polytheism, like a heavy shadow, pervades the world and even ensnares believers. This transgression arises from doubt and dependence upon other than God, steering man towards misguidance and oppression. Religious scholars locate polytheism not only in idol worship but also in fear of apparent powers, greed for wealth, and attachment to carnal desires. This perspective aligns with verse 116 of Surah Al-Baqarah (Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating others with Him), which considers polytheism as the principal barrier to divine forgiveness.
Upright faith, like a precious gem, purifies the human heart from polytheism and injustice. This faith, strengthened through repentance and inner purification during spiritual times such as Ramadan, guides man towards salvation. Religious scholars emphasise that pure faith is only attainable through reliance upon God alone and avoidance of others, as verse 30 of Surah Ar-Rum (So direct your face toward the upright religion, [the] fitrah of Allah upon which He has created [all] people) identifies monotheism as the innate nature of humanity.
Lawful earning, like clear water, cleanses the heart from the impurity of polytheism and injustice. Religious scholars assert that one who is free from polytheism does not commit oppression and facilitates his path toward pure faith through lawful means. This principle corresponds with verse 275 of Surah Al-Baqarah (Those who consume usury will not stand except as stands one whom the Devil has driven to madness by [his] touch), which considers unlawful gain an obstacle to guidance.
Gnosis, like an inner light, enables man to recognise polytheism and injustice within himself, whereas knowledge requires a teacher and examination. Religious scholars consider gnosis as an inward process originating from self-awareness and contemplation of the heart. This distinction acts as a clear line between apparent knowledge and inner cognition, inviting man to self-reformation and avoidance of polytheism. This viewpoint aligns with mystical works such as Al-Ghazalis Ihya Ulum al-Din, which regards gnosis as the fruit of direct communion with God.
Verses 102 to 106 of Surah Yunus, like a divine map, indicate the path to salvation through upright faith and avoidance of polytheism and injustice. These verses invite humanity to reflect upon the fate of predecessors, eliminate doubt, persevere in monotheism, and purify the heart from non-divine attachments. The simile of the wounded donkeys acts as a mirror depicting the hearts dispersion in polytheism, while pure faith, like a key, unlocks the shackles of injustice and misguidance. This exegesis, relying on scholarly lectures and profound analysis, presents the concepts in refined and dignified language to serve as guidance for seekers of truth on the path of monotheism and divine knowledge.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
