Preface
The Holy Quran, akin to an immeasurable ocean, encompasses divine knowledge, and each of its verses is a window towards understanding truth and guidance. Verse 70 of Surah Yunus, which narrates the story of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) and his unparalleled reliance upon the Lord, is among those verses that offer profound lessons both in their outward dimension and their inward spiritual realm to the seekers of knowledge and truth.
This treatise endeavours, through an in-depth examination of this noble verse, to elucidate the concepts of reliance (tawakkul), liberation from material attachments, and the role of the heart in attaining divine knowledge, employing eloquent language and a coherent structure. Utilizing the metaphor of the sea a symbol of mercy and divine infinitude as well as reflecting on mystical and psychological concepts, this text aims to open a path towards a deeper comprehension of Quranic realities.
Text and Translation of the Verse
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 recite to them the story of Noah, when he said to his people: 'O my people, if my stay and my reminding you of the signs of God is burdensome upon you, then upon God I have relied. So assemble your plan and your partners, then let not your plan be obscure to you. Then execute against me; and do not give me respite.'" (Quran 10:70)
This noble verse, like a radiant gem within Surah Yunus, narrates a segment of the story of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him), who, before his people, continues his divine mission with steadfast and unwavering reliance. The phrase فَعَلَى اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ (upon God I have relied) portrays reliance as a firm pillar, wherein the divine messenger entrusts all his affairs entirely to the Lord.
In Islamic mysticism, reliance is not merely the delegation of affairs to God, but liberation from all dependence upon anything other than Him. This concept is profoundly linked to the notion of fan f Allh (annihilation in God), where the human, like a droplet in the infinite ocean of God, sees himself dissolved in the Lords will. Prophet Noah (peace be upon him), through this reliance, stood firm in the face of his peoples opposition who found his presence and admonitions burdensome, demonstrating that trust in God is a force no obstacle can unsettle.
Gathering Strength and Partners
The phrase فَأَجْمِعُوا أَمْرَكُمْ وَشُرَكَاءَكُمْ is a call from Prophet Noah to his people to gather all their strength and allies. This call acts as a challenge exposing the impotence of polytheism and material powers before the divine will. Noahs people, relying on their partners, believed they could resist the divine call, but the verse clarifies that all material endeavours against the infinite power of God are fruitless.
From a psychological perspective, this call may be interpreted as an invitation to confront fears and material dependencies. When one relies on material and apparent powers rather than on God, he becomes trapped in a vortex of doubt and anxiety. Reliance, however, is the key that unlocks these entrapments.
Liberation from Grief and Doubt
The phrase ثُمَّ لَا يَكُنْ أَمْرُكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ غُمَّةً exhorts Noahs people to be freed from grief and doubt. Here, غمة denotes anxiety and psychological constriction that impede decisive decision-making. Reliance on God transforms this anxiety into profound serenity and liberates the human from the chains of doubt.
From a mystical viewpoint, this liberation signifies complete trust in divine wisdom. A monotheistic person, entrusting his affairs to God, becomes free from any worry or concern and attains an unparalleled tranquillity under the shelter of reliance.
The Metaphor of the Sea: A Symbol of Mercy and Divine Infinity
In this discourse, the sea is employed as a metaphor for Gods boundless mercy and infinite knowledge. To "take the plunge" into the sea means to submit to divine will and accept the unknown with reliance. This metaphor invites man to free himself from fears and material attachments, just as a fearless swimmer surrenders himself to the boundless waves of divine mercy.
From a psychological viewpoint, taking the plunge can be regarded as a technique for confronting fears (Exposure Therapy). By accepting the unknown and trusting divine support, a person is freed from psychological fears. Mystically, this act harmonises with surrender and reliance, guiding the person towards a sound heart.
The Role of the Heart in Attaining Knowledge
In this discourse, the heart is introduced as the centre of insight and knowledge. Divine knowledge is not obtained through the eyes, ears, or material science but through the heart. The heart, like a polished mirror, is the locus of divine illumination and only through purity and surrender can it reflect truth.
From the perspective of Islamic mysticism, this view aligns with the Quranic concept of the sound heart. A heart purified from material attachments and entrusted to God is prepared to receive divine guidance. This knowledge transcends material learning and enables man to connect with the reality of existence.
Critique of Religious Knowledge Based on Paper and Pen
This discourse introduces religious knowledge reliant on paper and pen as an obstacle to divine knowledge. Such knowledge is described as darkness incapable of leading man to truth. In contrast, divine knowledge, attained through the heart and insight, is a light that illuminates the path.
From the perspective of Islamic philosophy, knowledge ladun (esoteric knowledge), attained through intuition and insight, differs from material knowledge. This view coincides with criticism of materialism in humanities, where knowledge without spiritual insight is deemed insufficient.
The Distinction Between Man and Animal
Man is distinguished from animals by reason and heart. Animals, entrapped by material rigidity, avoid the sea and the moisture of knowledge, but man, by taking the plunge into the sea, awakens his human attributes and approaches truth.
This distinction roots in Islamic philosophy, which considers man superior due to reason and heart. This superiority guides man towards reliance and divine knowledge, liberating him from material bonds.
The Story of Facing Fear
The narrative of a student who feared the sea and, by entering the water, overcame his fear is a metaphor for confronting fears through direct experience. This story illustrates that reliance on God and acceptance of the unknown can free man from anxiety.
From a psychological standpoint, this story exemplifies exposure therapy which reduces irrational fears. Mystically, this experience signifies trust in divine support and surrender to His will.
Invitation to Reflection and Study
Man requires reflection, study, and supplication to deeply understand the verses of the Holy Quran. This invitation is a path towards divine knowledge attained through contemplation on the verses and heartfelt connection with God.
From the perspective of religious epistemology, understanding the Quran necessitates a sound heart and profound connection with God. This view corresponds with the Quranic exhortations to ponder the verses and guides man towards guidance.
Verse 70 of Surah Yunus, like a blazing torch, illuminates the path of reliance, knowledge, and liberation from materiality for mankind. The story of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) exemplifies complete submission to divine will and steadfastness in the face of adversity. The metaphor of the sea, beautifully employed in this discourse, invites man to accept the unknown and free himself from fears. The heart, as the centre of insight, is the key to divine knowledge, whereas material science, devoid of this knowledge, remains insufficient. This verse, with profound mystical, psychological, and philosophical lessons, guides man towards felicity and liberation from the shackles of materiality.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
