the lectures of Nokounam, may his sacred soul rest in peace (Session 1493)
The Holy Qur'an, like a radiant lamp, illuminates the path to felicity and salvation for humankind. Its verses are not merely divine utterances but an inexhaustible source of knowledge and wisdom, guiding humanity towards perfection. Among these, Verses 71 and 72 of Surah Yunus, recounting the story of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him), delve into profound concepts such as reliance on God (tawakkul), independence from any but God, and the firmness of faith in the face of hypocrisy and oppression. This treatise, through a profound examination of these verses and analysis of the lecture content, endeavours to present these concepts in a coherent framework, employing a fluent and clear language befitting spiritual, theological, and ethical reflections. Like a tree rooted in the soil of faith with its branches reaching the sky of knowledge, this text strives to convey the essence of the divine message with elaboration and clarity to the reader.
And recite to them the news of Noah, when he said to his people: O my people, if my residence and my reminding you of the signs of God is hard upon you, then I rely upon God. So, resolve your matter and your partners, then let not your matter be hidden from you, then decide upon me and do not delay.
This verse, like a clear mirror, displays the unconditional reliance of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) in the face of a rebellious and disbelieving people. The phrase فَعَلَى اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ (So, I rely upon God) indicates his complete trust in God, as if a heart illuminated by the light of faith stands firm against the storms of enmity and ingratitude. In Islamic mysticism, reliance (tawakkul) is not merely the delegation of affairs to the Lord but also liberation from any dependence on others besides God, seeking refuge in the impregnable fortress of the Divine.
From a psychological perspective, this reliance can be understood as a manifestation of spiritual resilience that enables a person to withstand psychological and social pressures. Prophet Noah (peace be upon him), by inviting his people to unite all their strength and partners (فَأَجْمِعُوا أَمْرَكُمْ وَشُرَكَاءَكُمْ), challenges them profoundly, yet emphasises that such efforts are futile against the Divine will. Theologically, this invitation manifests the impotence of polytheism and material powers before God, akin to turbulent ocean waves crashing against a steadfast rock.
Reliance, as a steadfast pillar, constitutes the foundation of Prophet Noahs (peace be upon him) faith. This section demonstrated how, by entrusting affairs to God and disregarding the enmity of his people, he presented an unparalleled model of perseverance and trust in the Lord. This reliance is not only a mystical lesson but also a psychological and theological message for the contemporary individual, who, faced with lifes challenges, should seek refuge not in apparent means but in the Origin of existence.
But if you turn away, then I have not asked you for any reward. My reward is only with God, and I have been commanded to be among the Muslims.
Verse 72 of Surah Yunus, like a shining jewel, reveals Prophet Noahs (peace be upon him) detachment from material reward and his commitment to the duty of Islam. The phrase إِنْ أَجْرِيَ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّهِ signifies that he purified his heart from all greed and dependence on anything besides God, focusing solely on Divine recompense. This independence aligns mystically with the concept of asceticism and contentment, as if a person freed from material attachments soars like a light-winged bird towards the sky of knowledge.
The phrase وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ imposes a divine duty upon him that, even in the face of his peoples rejection, he remains steadfast in Islam and submission to God. Mystically, this duty means Peace to those who are at peace with you, and war to those who wage war against you, requiring unparalleled firmness and resolute determination in the path of truth. Psychologically, adherence to spiritual values indicates a robust faith identity and spiritual self-efficacy that fortifies a person against challenges.
This section, focusing on Prophet Noahs (peace be upon him) independence from material reward and commitment to the Muslim duty, demonstrated how true faith frees one from worldly bonds and leads to complete submission before God. This lesson, like a blazing torch, illuminates the path for the contemporary individual to resist material temptations, look towards Divine recompense, and remain steadfast on the path of truth.
The lecture, in explicit and clear language, considers hypocrisy and reliance on others besides God a great affliction for faith. Those who, instead of relying on God, seek refuge in hypocrisy and duplicitous politics, are, as the Holy Quran states, losers in this world and the Hereafter, like a tree rooted in the weak soil of hypocrisy that never bears the fruit of felicity. This critique, from an Islamic ethical perspective, signifies weakness of faith and estrangement from Divine knowledge.
From a sociological viewpoint, this critique addresses the materialistic and hypocritical culture that distances a person from Divine steadfastness. The lecture emphasises that the heirs of the prophets must be free from all attachment to materialism and hypocrisy, and seek refuge only in God. Such liberation requires strength and awareness that make one resilient against worldly temptations.
The lecture calls for strength and awareness as essential qualities to realise Peace to those who are at peace with you, and war to those who wage war against you. This strength is like a shield that protects one against enemies and difficulties, and awareness is like a torch illuminating the path of truth. Mystically, this trait aligns with the concept of the greater jihad, which calls a person to struggle against the self and satanic whispers.
This section, by critiquing hypocrisy and dependence on others besides God, showed how these afflictions divert a person from the path of felicity. The emphasis on strength and awareness guides the individual towards steadfast faith and perseverance on the path of truth, as if traversing a path illuminated by the light of faith and the strength of will.
The lecture invites the individual to emulate the prophets, especially Prophet Noah (peace be upon him). That prophet, with reliance, self-sufficiency, and firmness, stood against hypocrisy and oppression, leaving an eternal exemplar for humanity. Theologically, such emulation directs a person towards perfection; psychologically, it strengthens spiritual identity and motivation for righteous action.
The lecture stresses that when one becomes powerless against difficulties, they should entrust the matter to God and avoid hypocrisy and duplicitous politics. Psychologically, this entrusting helps alleviate anxiety and mental pressure, while mystically, it corresponds with the concept of submission and reliance.
The lecture refers to a narration of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family): No prophet was ever harmed as I was harmed. This narration illustrates the severity of the afflictions borne by the prophets, especially the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), whose patience and perseverance made them unparalleled exemplars.
This section, by emphasising emulation of the prophets and entrusting to God, demonstrated how one can remain steadfast against difficulties and hypocrisy by following the prophets. This lesson is like a seed planted in the soil of faith, which, watered by reliance and patience, grows into a mighty tree of felicity.
Verses 71 and 72 of Surah Yunus, like a treasury of knowledge, present profound lessons on reliance, self-sufficiency, and steadfast faith. The story of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) depicts a person who, relying on God, freed himself from any attachment to others and remained firm against the hypocrisy and oppression of his people. These verses, from mystical, theological, and psychological perspectives, call humanity to liberation from material attachments, adherence to the Muslim duty, and perseverance on the path of truth. The critique of hypocrisy and dependence on others reveals afflictions that corrupt faith, while strength and awareness guide a person towards felicity. Emulation of the prophets, like a blazing torch, illuminates the way for the contemporary individual to seek refuge in God against material temptations and hypocrisy and to remain steadfast on the path of truth.
