of Nekounam, (Session 1511)
Verses 88 to 93 of Surah Yunus from the Holy Quran present a profound narrative of the confrontation between Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) and Pharaoh and his people. These verses, like a mirror reflecting truth, place before the reader concepts such as faith, reliance upon God, extravagance, arrogance, and divine justice. In this discourse, relying upon the lectures of religious scholars, these verses are examined with a deep and coherent perspective, elucidating their meanings and lessons in a fluent and eloquent manner. The objective is to provide reflections that, like a guiding light, illuminate the path for seekers of truth and imprint lessons from history and divine guidance upon the hearts of readers.
The Holy Quran in verse 88 of Surah Yunus alludes to a fragile and limited faith among the people of Moses (peace be upon him), shaped under the influence of fear from Pharaoh and his nobles. This faith, like a nascent flower trembling before the winds of oppression, is unstable and precarious.
فَمَا آمَنَ لِمُوسَىٰ إِلَّا ذُرِّيَّةٌ مِّن قَوْمِهِ عَلَىٰ خَوْفٍ مِّن فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَئِهِمْ أَن يَفْتِنَهُمْ
Translation: Except a small group of the people of Moses believed in him, out of fear of Pharaoh and his nobles lest they should persecute them.
This verse demonstrates the influence of social and political pressures upon faith. Faith originating from fear is akin to a building founded on a weak base that does not endure divine trials. Religious scholars emphasise that true faith arises from knowledge and free will, not from compulsion and fear. This point serves as a warning to mankind to liberate their faith from the bonds of fear and advance towards sincerity.
Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) calls his people to rely upon God, and they respond by affirming their reliance on God and seeking salvation from the trials of the oppressors and unbelievers.
وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ يَا قَوْمِ إِن كُنتُمْ آمَنتُم بِاللَّهِ فَعَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلُوا إِن كُنتُم مُّسْلِمِينَ فَقَالُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْنَا رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ وَنَجِّنَا بِرَحْمَتِكَ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ
Translation: And Moses said, "O my people, if you have believed in God, then rely upon Him if you are Muslims." They said, "We rely upon God. Our Lord, do not make us a trial for the wrongdoing people, and save us by Your mercy from the disbelieving people."
This dialogue between Moses (peace be upon him) and his people is like a breeze that breathes the spirit of reliance into the hearts of believers. Although their reliance is imperfect, it signifies their faith in the face of Pharaoh's pressures. Their supplication for deliverance from the oppressors reflects awareness of environmental dangers and the necessity of divine protection. This reciprocal relationship between the divine leader and his people forms a bridge linking faith and steadfastness.
This section portrays the fragile faith of the people of Moses (peace be upon him) under the shadow of fear from Pharaoh and his nobles. Moses call to reliance and the people's response, including their plea for deliverance from the oppressors, indicate an effort to preserve religious identity amid external pressures. These verses serve as a warning to contemporary humans, emphasising the importance of sincerity in faith and reliance upon God.
The Holy Quran identifies Pharaoh as an exemplar of extravagance who, despite possessing divine blessings, utilised them on the path of oppression and misguidance.
وَإِنَّهُ لَمِنَ الْمُسْرِفِينَ
Translation: And indeed, he was of the transgressors.
Pharaohs extravagance is like a river that has deviated from its course, leading to devastation. He employed power, wealth, and influencedivine giftsin the service of oppression and injustice, bringing about his own ruin. This verse cautions humanity to employ divine blessings in the path of righteousness, lest they, like Pharaoh, proceed towards destruction.
Pharaohs arrogance distanced him from God and led him to claim divinity. These traits act as barriers against divine guidance, dragging man towards degradation and misery.
وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ النَّاسِ عَنْ آيَاتِنَا لَغَافِلُونَ
Translation: And indeed, many of mankind are heedless of Our signs.
Human heedlessness of divine signs results from material attachment and arrogance. This heedlessness is like a veil that conceals truth from human eyes. Religious scholars consider arrogance and pride as spiritual maladies that hinder proximity to God. Historical exemplars such as Pharaoh, Nimrod, and Sh
