The Noble Quran, like a radiant lamp, illuminates the path of guidance towards the Divine Reality and, through its profound and eloquent verses, invites humanity to contemplate the meanings of monotheism, prophethood, and responsibility before the truth. Verses 42 of Surah Yunus and 94 to 96 of the same Surah, together with related verses in Surah Al-Imran, address topics such as monotheism, the infallibility of the Prophets, the continuity of the heavenly scriptures, and the peril of denying Divine verses, in a fluent expression and profound content. This writing, with a scholarly and methodical perspective, examines and analyses these verses, relying particularly on the authoritative commentary of Al-Mizan, striving to elucidate the meanings and lessons hidden within these verses for researchers of religious sciences. The structure of this work is organised thematically, with each section devoted to exploring a particular aspect of these verses, supplemented by detailed explanations revealing the semantic connections between the verses and their historical contexts.
قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ فِي شَكٍّ مِنْ دِينِي فَلَا أَعْبُدُ الَّذِينَ تَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلَٰكِنْ أَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي يَتَوَفَّاكُمْ ۖ وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Say: O people, if you are in doubt concerning my religion, then I do not worship those whom you worship instead of Allah, but I worship Allah who takes your souls, and I am commanded to be among the believers.
The address O mankind in this verse acts as an open gate towards all humanity, regardless of time and place, conveying the message of monotheism to the global audience. The emphasis on worshipping the God who takes your souls points to Divine absolute power and humanitys responsibility before Him. This verse, with decisive expression, negates any form of polytheism or doubt in Divine religion and serves as an invitation towards pure faith. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), as the bearer of this message, explicitly declares his renunciation of worshipping any deity other than Allah and affirms belief solely in the God who creates and terminates life.
This portion of the verse, by stressing pure monotheism, invites humanity to reflect on their beliefs and liberate themselves from the bondage of polytheism. Its universal address, like a breeze blowing across all plains, presents the Divine message to all mankind and emphasises human responsibility before the Creator.
One of the salient points in the interpretation of the discussed verses is the infallibility of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from any doubt regarding the reception of Divine revelation and prophethood. This characteristic reveals his exalted status in comparison with other prophets and previous communities.
Although the verses are apparently addressed to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), inwardly they reproach previous communities such as those of Moses and Jesus. The Seal of the Prophets (peace be upon him), due to intrinsic infallibility, was free from any doubt in Divine revelation. Addresses such as if you are in doubt relate to former nations or doubtful individuals. This distinction does not imply denial of the rank of other prophets but indicates the perfection of the Prophet Muhammads mission in its finality. His degree of faith stands as a lofty summit, differentiated from other prophets, a difference emphasised also in the commentary of Al-Mizan.
The infallibility of the Seal of the Prophets (peace be upon him), like a pure light, clarifies the truth of his mission. This part of the interpretation highlights differences in degrees of faith and the role of the Prophet (peace be upon him) as the Seal of the Prophets, offering lessons on pure faith and acceptance of revelation.
فَإِنْ كُنْتَ فِي شَكٍّ مِمَّا أَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ فَاسْأَلِ الَّذِينَ يَقْرَءُونَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ ۚ لَقَدْ جَاءَكَ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَبِّكَ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْمُمْتَرِينَ وَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ فَتَكُونَ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
فَإِن كُنتَ فِي شَكٍّ مِّمَّا أَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ فَاسْأَلِ الَّذِينَ يَقْرَءُونَ الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِكَ ۚ لَقَدْ جَاءَكَ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْمُمْتَرِينَ وَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ فَتَكُونَ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِمْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Then if you are in doubt concerning that which We have revealed to you, ask those who read the Scripture before you. Indeed, the truth has come to you from your Lord, so never be among the doubters. And do not be among those who deny the verses of Allah, for you will be among the losers.
Then if you are in doubt concerning that which We have revealed to you, ask those who read the Scripture before you. Indeed, the truth has come to you from your Lord, so never be among the doubters. And do not be among those who deny the verses of Allah, for you will be among the losers. Indeed, those upon whom the word of your Lord has come into effect do not believe.
The Noble Quran, in these verses, invites humanity to contemplate the previous scriptures in order to grasp the truth of Divine revelation. The phrase ask those who read the Scripture before you indicates the continuity among the heavenly scriptures, all referring to a single truth: monotheism and guidance. This invitation is particularly addressed to earlier nations such as those of Moses and Jesus, who were familiar with the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel. According to Ibn Kathirs commentary, this verse confirms signs of prophethood in previous scriptures. The shared content of the heavenly books, like a flowing river through history, has transmitted the message of monotheism to various nations, although expressed according to differing times and places.
This section, by emphasising the unity of the contents of the heavenly books, invites humanity to seek truth in earlier scriptures. These verses, like a mirror, reflect the continuity of Divine religions and underscore the necessity of contemplation upon them to dispel doubt.
The Noble Quran, in the discussed verses, issues a clear warning against denial of Divine verses and introduces the consequences of such denial as a great loss in this world and the Hereafter.
Verse 95 of Surah Yunus and a similar verse in Surah Al-Imran, with the phrase And do not be among those who deny the verses of Allah, for you will be among the losers, constitute a serious admonition to those who reject Divine verses. Whether through ignorance or prejudice, such denial deprives the individual of Divine guidance and leads to eternal loss. Verse 96 of Surah Yunus, by mentioning those upon whom the word of your Lord has come into effect, demonstrates that the disbelief of some people results from their insistence on misguidance and denial rather than Divine injustice. In Tabaris commentary, this verse is interpreted as a sign of Divine justice judging according to human deeds.
This section, with a profound warning, invites humanity to accept Divine verses and avoid denial. Denial acts like a dark shadow
