Surah Yunus, one of the precious chapters of the Holy Quran, elucidates fundamental principles of Tawhid (Divine Unity) and critiques doctrinal deviations in its verses. Verses 19 and 20 of this Surah, through profound contemplation on the subject of the unseen and its position within the Divine system, summon mankind to reflection on the grandeur of the Lord and submission to His will. These verses, by addressing the polytheists demand for the descent of Divine signs and the Prophets clear response that the unseen is exclusively Gods domain, emphasise the necessity of pure monotheism and rejection of polytheism. This treatise, drawing upon the discourses of religious scholars, explains these verses in a coherent manner with clear language. Its objective is to illuminate the profound concepts of Tawhid, the unseen, and submission to Divine will for readers through deep and contemplative insight. Structured systematically and integrating the content of the lectures with exegetical analysis, this work endeavours to present a comprehensive perspective on these verses and their messages.
Verse 19 of Surah Yunus:
وَمَا كَانَ ٱلنَّاسُ إِلَّآ أُمَّةًۭ وَٰحِدَةًۭ فَٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ ۚ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌۭ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُمْ فِيمَا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
Translation: And mankind were but one community; then they differed. And had it not been for a word that preceded from your Lord, their dispute would have been settled between them concerning that wherein they differed.
Verse 20 of Surah Yunus:
وَيَقُولُونَ لَوْلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَةٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ ۖ فَقُلْ إِنَّمَا ٱلْغَيْبُ لِلَّهِ فَٱنتَظِرُوا۟ إِنِّى مَعَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْمُنتَظِرِينَ
Translation: And they say, "Why has not a sign been sent down to him from his Lord?" Say, "The unseen is only for Allah; so wait; indeed, I am with you among those who wait."
Verses 19 and 20 of Surah Yunus were revealed within the framework of dialogue with polytheists who, instead of accepting Divine signs, demanded new signs. This demand was not motivated by genuine inquiry but by obstinacy and pretext. Verse 19 refers to the original unity of mankind which was disrupted due to differences. Verse 20, responding to the polytheists request, emphasises that the knowledge of the unseen is exclusive to God and invites the Prophet to patience and awaiting Divine will. These verses, like a light in the darkness of ignorance, illuminate the path towards pure monotheism.
The discussed verses, by explaining the initial unity of mankind and then their divergence, point to the roots of doctrinal deviation. The polytheists demand for new signs manifests their ignorance and lack of submission. The Divine response, emphasising the exclusivity of the unseen to God, rejects all false claims in this domain. This section lays the foundation for a deeper examination of the concept of the unseen and Tawhid in subsequent parts.
Key Point: The unseen, as a boundless ocean of Divine secrets, is solely within the power of the Lord. No human being, not even the Prophet or the Imams, has access to this realm. This exclusivity constitutes the foundation of Tawhid.
The concept of the unseen in the Holy Quran refers to matters beyond human knowledge and perception. These matters, encompassing the timing of revelation and punishment, blessings, or Divine commands, are disclosed solely by the will of the Lord. The lecture emphasises that the Prophet, as an obedient servant, considers himself devoid of knowledge of the unseen and states: The unseen is only for Allah. This declaration acts like an arrow piercing the heart of false claims made by those who imagine themselves to possess knowledge of the unseen.
The lecture challenges the assertions of certain individuals throughout history, such as dervishes and spiritual guides, who have claimed knowledge of the unseen. These claims, sometimes presented under the guise of religious knowledge, lead to polytheism and a departure from Tawhid. The Prophet explicitly declares that knowledge of the unseen belongs exclusively to God and that he, like others, awaits Divine will. This humility acts as a mirror reflecting the grandeur of Tawhid.
The concept of the unseen, as a pillar of Tawhid, underscores the limitations of human knowledge and the vastness of Divine knowledge. This concept calls humans to submission to Gods will and rejection of false claims. The critique of these claims in the lecture serves as a warning to those who, by exaggerating themselves or others, deviate from the path of Tawhid.
Key Point: Tawhid, like a steadfast pillar, rests upon absolute submission to God. Any ascription of Divine attributes, such as knowledge of the unseen, to others besides God is polytheism, which distances man from Divine proximity.
The lecture, emphasising pure Tawhid, considers any attribution of Lordship or knowledge of the unseen to humans, even to prophets and saints, as polytheism. This deviation, which has occasionally appeared among some adherents of religious knowledge, leads to belittling God and magnifying His servants. Like a tree whose branches reach towards the sky but whose roots are grounded in the earth, these exalted servants are merely guides towards God, not God Himself.
The lecture points to distortions arising from the glorification of religious figures, which have transformed Tawhid into polytheism. These distortions, sometimes motivated by love for Divine saints, have resulted in the worship of others than God. According to the lecture, such deviations are like dust settling on the mirror of Tawhid, obscuring its truth. It stresses that prophets and saints are akin to teachers guiding students towards truth, not the embodiment of truth itself.
Tawhid is the essence of Divine religion, and any form of polytheismeven under the guise of affection for the righteous servants of Godundermines it. The lecture, by critiquing these deviations, invites humans to re-examine their beliefs and return to pure Tawhid.
Key Point: Awaiting Divine will is like a flower blossoming in the garden of humility. The Prophet and the people stand equal before the unseen; this equality signifies Gods greatness and the humility of His servants.
Verse 20 of Surah Yunus calls upon the Prophet to say: I am with you among those who wait. This statement indicates the Prophets submission to Divine will. Like others, he lacks access to knowledge of the unseen and awaits Divine revelation. This submission, akin to a clear spring, guides the believers heart towards God.
The lecture critiques the translation of Ayah as miracle, emphasising that an Ayah is a Divine sign which may include revelation, command, or any matter of the unseen. This concept, contrary to the miraculous interpretation, encompasses a broader domain referring to unseen matters known only to God. This clarification acts as a key unlocking misunderstandings.
Submission and awaiting Divine will are pillars of faith. The lecture stresses this point and calls humans to humility and patience before Divine unseen, rejecting any attempts to predict or claim knowledge of the unseen.
Key Point: Hidden polytheism, like a dark shadow, threatens Tawhid. Exaggeration of Gods servants, even with good intentions, leads to distortion of religion and alienation from God.
The lecture refers to deviations caused by the magnification of Divine saints, resulting in polytheism. These deviations, sometimes rooted in religious knowledge, have diminished Gods exalted station and elevated servants to the status of divinity. This phenomenon is like a wind that weakens the flame of Tawhid.
The lecture highlights the effects of colonialism on the distortion of religion. Colonialism, by promoting superstitious beliefs and distancing from genuine God-worship, has led humanity towards polytheism and hypocrisy. This distortion acts like a poison injected into the veins of faith, depriving humans of Divine proximity.
Religious deviations and colonial influences have distanced Tawhid from its authenticity. The lecture, through critique of these deviations, emphasises the necessity of returning to pure God-worship and avoidance of polytheism.
Verses 19 and 20 of Surah Yunus, like shining jewels in the treasury of the Holy Quran, invite mankind to contemplate Tawhid, the unseen, and submission to Divine will. The lectures of this session, by precise elucidation of these concepts, stress the exclusivity of the unseen to God, refute false claims of knowledge of the unseen, and affirm the necessity of pure monotheism. These verses and their exegeses, like a panoramic mirror, reflect Gods grandeur and human limitations. The critique of polytheism, religious distortions, and colonial effects calls humans to reassess their beliefs and return to authentic God-worship. This work, employing eloquent language and systematic structure, endeavours to convey these exalted messages to readers in a clear and profound manner.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
