of Nokounam Session 1509
Surah Yunus, one of the Meccan chapters of the Holy Quran, serves as a mirror reflecting profound concepts of monotheism, prophethood, and mankinds confrontation with the Divine truth. Among these, verses 84 and 87 of this Surah, which narrate a dialogue between Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) and his people as well as his supplication before Pharaoh and his followers, occupy a distinguished position. This treatise, by meditating upon these two verses, delves into the meanings of faith, trust (tawakkul), submission, and also the concepts of adornment and wealth in worldly life. Its objective is to present the Quranic notions in an eloquent language and coherent structure that both preserves the spiritual essence of the verses and serves as a guiding light for researchers and seekers of truth.
Verse 84 of Surah Yunus recounts a dialogue of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) with the Children of Israel, wherein faith and trust are established as two fundamental pillars for deliverance from hardships and tribulations. This verse, like a luminous torch, illuminates the path of true faith against the darkness of doubt and hypocrisy.
وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ يَا قَوْمِ إِن كُنتُمْ آمَنتُم بِاللَّهِ فَعَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلُوا إِن كُنتُم مُّسْلِمِينَ
Translation: And Moses said: O my people, if you have believed in God, then put your trust in Him, if you are indeed submissive.
Faith in this verse is not merely a heartfelt belief but an existential state manifested in ones behaviour and conduct. The phrase "If you have believed in God" is an invitation to contemplate the depth of faith, which transcends verbal assertion and requires practical commitment to Divine values. Faith is like a tree whose roots lie deep in the believers heart and whose branches become apparent through righteous deeds. The difficulty of faith lies in the fact that mere speech is insufficient; one must remain steadfast against internal and social temptations such as ostentation, arrogance, and illicit consumption.
In exegetical tradition, faith is defined as a combination of hearts knowledge, verbal confession, and actions of the limbs. This verse, emphasising the practical dimension of faith, distinguishes it from mere superficial claims. True faith, like a crystal-clear spring, originates from the believers heart and flows into their life.
The expression "then put your trust in Him" presents trust as the logical consequence of faith. Trust is a heartfelt reliance on the wisdom and power of God that liberates the individual from dependence on apparent causes. Like a bird that entrusts its wings to the Divine breeze, the believer with trust surrenders their affairs to God, while also exerting their own effort. Trust acts as a shield against the storms of temptation and doubt, maintaining the believer steadfast on the path of truth.
In mystical literature, trust is described as a stage of certainty in God that frees a person from self-centeredness and egotism. Here, this concept is introduced as a bridge between faith and submission.
The repetition of the phrase "if you are indeed submissive" highlights the difficulty and profundity of submission to Divine commands. Being Muslim entails complete submission to Gods will, blossoming like a flower in the garden of faith. This submission goes beyond external identity and requires self-discipline and self-accountability. The believer must examine their behaviour to ascertain whether hypocrisy, injustice, or forbidden acts have infiltrated their life.
This self-assessment, known in Islamic tradition as muhasabat al-nafs (self-accounting), is regarded in ethical works as a mirror purifying the heart from spiritual impurities.
A true believer is one who avoids the forbidden, refrains from injustice, and benefits from the guidance of a mentor or inner intellect. These three criteria stand as firm pillars supporting the edifice of faith. Avoiding the forbidden is like a fence protecting the believers heart from sin; refraining from injustice opens the way towards justice; and guidance from a mentor is like a lamp illuminating the path of truth.
In Islamic tradition, the role of religious scholars in guiding individuals towards Shariah rulings and ethical conduct is prominent. These criteria not only differentiate faith from hypocrisy but also guide one towards eternal felicity.
Verbal claim to Islam without action is like an empty shell devoid of the reality of faith. Those who profess faith verbally yet are tainted by sin, injustice, or hypocrisy in practice fall outside the realm of true faith. This criticism functions as an awakening call inviting the believer to self-account and behavioural reform.
This concept is also reflected in the Holy Quran, such as verse 14 of Surah Al-Hujurat, which distinguishes true faith from mere external submission. A genuine believer is one whose faith manifests in their actions and conduct.
Verse 84, by referring to the prayer of the people for deliverance from the tribulation of oppressors, identifies these groups as those who have deviated from the path of faith. The oppressors, by committing forbidden acts, injustice, and lacking guidance, oppose the believers. These individuals, like rootless trees, have distanced themselves from Divine mercy.
In exegeses, oppressors are described as those who, by disobedience to God and oppression of others, deprive themselves of the light of guidance. Here, this concept is linked with disbelievers, indicating their profound deviation.
The peoples prayer for rescue from the trial posed by oppressors and disbelievers acts as a spiritual shield preserving faith from the contamination of polluted environments. This supplication reflects the communitys awareness of social and ethical dangers that could destabilise faith. The believer, relying on Divine mercy, implores God to keep them steadfast against such trials.
Within exegetical tradition, this prayer signifies trust and reliance on Divine mercy for preserving faith in the face of external challenges.
One who abstains from injustice, hypocrisy, and forbidden consumption is like a traveller equipped with a pure provision journeying towards their eternal destination. True faith guarantees eternal felicity and spares the believer from the severe reckoning of God. This concept aligns with verses such as 30 of Surah Al-Kahf, which regard righteous deeds as complementing faith.
A person should, like a farmer sowing seeds, examine their behaviour in the three domains of hypocrisy, injustice, and forbidden consumption. This self-assessment paves the way towards self-purification and hearts cleanliness. Self-accounting serves as a mirror revealing inner flaws and guides one towards reform.
Referencing examples of individuals free from hypocrisy, injustice, and forbidden acts serves as a model illuminating the path of faith for others. These examples, like stars in the sky of knowledge, indicate the path to felicity and encourage implementation of faith in real life.
Verse 87 of Surah Yunus narrates the supplication of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) before Pharaoh and his people, wherein the adornment and wealth of the Pharaohs followers and also the curse upon them are mentioned. This verse acts as a window inviting deep reflections on the nature of adornment, wealth, and their effects on faith and misguidance.
وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ ءَاتَيْتَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَأَهُۥ زِينَةًۭ وَأَمْوَٰلًۭا فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا رَبَّنَا لِيَضِلُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِكَ ۖ رَبَّنَا ٱطْمِسْ عَلَىٰ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَٱشْدُدْ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَرَوُا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ ٱلْأَلِيمَ
Translation: And Moses said: Our Lord, indeed You have given Pharaoh and his chiefs adornment and wealth in the worldly life. Our Lord, that they may mislead [others] from Your way. Our Lord, obl
