Derived from the lecture series of Nokounam, (Session 1472)
Surah Yunus, one of the precious chapters of the Holy Quran, shines as a brilliant gem among the divine verses, encompassing profound truths within itself. Verse 49 of this Surah, with eloquent and profound expression, guides humanity towards contemplation on the absolute dominion of God, individual responsibility before truth, and the role of the prophets as messengers of revelation. This writing, relying upon valuable lectures, elucidates and analyses this verse and its related themes. Its aim is to present the lofty concepts of this verse in a clear and dignified language, structured coherently within an academic context, so that it may illuminate the path of truth-seeking as a guiding light.
قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَكُمُ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ ۖ فَمَنِ اهْتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِي لِنَفْسِهِ ۖ وَمَنْ ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا ۖ وَمَا أَنَا عَلَيْكُمْ بِوَكِيلٍ ۗ وَاتَّبِعْ مَا يُوحَىٰ إِلَيْكَ وَاصْبِرْ حَتَّىٰ يَحْكُمَ اللَّهُ ۚ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الْحَاكِمِينَ
Say: O mankind, indeed the truth has come to you from your Lord. So whoever is guided, it is for the benefit of his own soul; and whoever goes astray, it is to its detriment. And I am not a guardian over you. And follow what is revealed to you, and be patient until Allah judges; and He is the best of judges.
This verse, addressing all humanity generally, emphasises the divine origin of the truth. The truth flows like a clear stream from the divine source, inviting humans to accept it. Guidance or misguidance results from a choice each individual makes with free will. This choice is akin to a seed planted in the soil of human existence, whose fruitwhether happiness or lossreturns solely to oneself.
In this verse, the Prophet (peace be upon him), as a divine messenger, carries only the duty of conveying the truth and is exempt from any coercive role in human guidance. The word "Wakl" here means guardian or one responsible for enforcement, and the verse underscores that the Prophet is merely a guide holding the torch of truth, not a guardian who compels humans towards it.
The verse explicitly states that the Prophet (peace be upon him) is solely the messenger of truth and not responsible for compelling people to accept it. This establishes a clear boundary between divine mission and human free will. The Prophet is like a gardener who sows the seed of truth; whether it grows or withers depends on the soil of the human soul.
The verse calls the Prophet (peace be upon him) to unconditional obedience to the divine revelation: "And follow what is revealed to you." This command stands as a steadfast pillar emphasising total submission to divine guidance. Revelation is like a celestial light illuminating the path of truth, and the Prophet, as an exemplar for the believers, is obliged to follow this light without deficiency.
The directive to endure patiently until the judgment of God constitutes an invitation to perseverance in the face of hardships and adversities. "And be patient until Allah judges" calls upon humans to steadfastness in trials and entrusting the final judgment to God. Such patience is like a tree rooted in faith, whose fruit is tranquility before divine wisdom.
The verse accentuates the attribute "the best of judges", presenting God as the sole just arbiter. No being except Him is capable of final and equitable judgment. This attribute shines like a crown upon divine justice, dissuading humans from relying on flawed human verdicts.
In the study of religious knowledge, it is occasionally observed that claims of self-superiority act like a dark cloud obscuring the truth. The emphasis is that only God is the source of truth and guidance, and human claims without reference to revelation may lead to misguidance. This critique functions like a mirror, inviting humans to reassess their assertions.
The verse and the lectures stress the distinction between the divine essence and human manifestations. Prophets and saints, despite their exalted status, possess human attributes, whereas only God is eternal, self-sufficient, and free from any imperfection. This distinction, like a golden line, invites humans to focus on the incomparable divine essence.
Emphasising pure monotheism prevents pluralism and division within religious knowledge. At times, religious books exacerbate multiplicity and division instead of unification. This critique is like a breeze that clears the dust of plurality from the mirror of truth, guiding humans toward divine unity.
In certain religious texts, repeated cautions without strong reasoning act as a barrier to clear understanding of the truth. Such cautions may cause confusion and distance from the truth. It is emphasised that religious rulings must be founded on solid reasons and grounded in divine revelation.
Deriving rulings is like constructing a building that requires a firm foundation and strong materials. A religious scholar must clearly know the reasons behind their verdicts and issue them with confidence. This is a key that unlocks the door to truth and guides humans toward proper understanding.
The lectures poetically assert that everything except God is like a shadow fading in the light of truth: "I ascended as yogurt, descended as buttermilk, everything besides God was false." This expression invites humans to focus on the incomparable divine essence and relinquish attachment to anything other than Him.
Prophets and saints, though exalted, are merely manifestations of the divine and not the truth itself. They are like mirrors reflecting divine light but are not the light themselves. This point calls humans to avoid polytheism and focus on the divine essence.
Verse 49 of Surah Yunus, like a radiant gem, guides humanity to contemplate divine sovereignty, individual responsibility, and the role of prophets as messengers of truth. This verse, by emphasising obedience to revelation, patience amidst hardships, and entrusting judgment to God, illuminates the path to felicity. The critique of self-righteousness in religious knowledge, the distinction between divine essence and human manifestations, and the necessity of strong reasoning in deriving rulings constitute invaluable lessons from this verse. Pure monotheism, like a blazing torch, leads humanity from multiplicity and division towards divine unity. May reflection upon these truths enable us to advance towards eternal bliss.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
