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Yunus (Jonah)
Name
The Surah takes its name from V. 98, in which there is a reference to
Prophet Yunus (Jonah). The name, as usual, is symbolical and does not
indicate that the Surah deals with the story of Prophet Jonah.
Period of Revelation
We learn from traditions, and this is supported by the contents of the
Surah itself, that the whole of this Surah was revealed at Makkah. But
there are some people who are of the opinion, that some of its verses
were revealed at Al-Madinah. This is, however, a superficial view. The
continuity of the theme clearly shows that this does not comprise isolated
verses or discourses that were revealed at different times and on different
occasions. On the contrary, it is, from the beginning to the end, a closely
connected discourse which must have been revealed at one sitting. Besides
this, the nature of its theme is itself a clear proof that the Surah belongs
to the Makkan period.
Time of Revelation
We have no tradition in regard to the time of it's revelation,
but its subject matter gives clear indication that it must have been revealed
during the last stage of the Holy Prophet's residence at Makkah. For the
mode of the discourse suggests that at the time of its revelation, the
antagonism of the opponents of the Message had become so intense that
they could not tolerate even the presence of the Holy Prophet and his
followers among themselves, and that things had come to such a pass as
to leave no hope that they would ever understand and accept the Message
of the Prophet. This indicates that the last stage of the Prophet's life
among thee people had come, and the final warning like the one in this
Surah had to be given. These characteristics of the discourse are clear
proof that it was revealed during the last stage of the Movement at Makkah.
Another thing that determines more specifically the order of the Surahs
of the last stage at Makkah is the mention (or absence) of some open or
covert hint about Hijrat (Emigration) from Makkah. As this Surah does
not contain any hint whatsoever about this, it is a proof that it preceded
those surahs which contain it. Now that we have specified the time of
its revelation, there is no need of repeating its historical background
because that has already been stated in Surahs VI and VII.
Subject
This discourse deals with the invitation to the Message, admonition and
warning. In the very introductory verses, the invitation has been extended
like this:-
"The people consider it a strange thing that this Message is being conveyed
by a human being and charge him with sorcery, whereas there is nothing
strange in it nor has it any connection with sorcery or sooth saying.
It simply informs you of two realities. First, Allah, Who has created
the universe and manages it, is, in fact, your Master and Lord, and He
alone is entitled to your worship. The second reality is that after the
life in this world, there will be another life in the Next World, where
you shall have to render full account of the life of this world and be
rewarded or punished according to whether you adopted the righteous attitude
as required by Him after acknowledging Him as your Masters or acted against
His will. Both of these realities, which the Messenger is presenting before
you, are "realities" in themselves whether you acknowledge them as such
or not. He is inviting you to accept these and regulate your lives in
accordance with them; if you accept these, you will have a very blessed
end; otherwise join shall meet with evil consequences."
Topics
After the introduction, the following topics have been dealt with in an
appropriate order:-
- Proofs of the doctrines of Tauhid, Providence and Life-after-death
have been given by such arguments as may satisfy the minds and hearts
of those who listen to the Message without prejudice and bigotry with
the sole intention of safeguarding themselves against deviation and
its evil results and not for the sake of seeking opportunities for useless
discussions.
- Those misunderstandings which were (and always are) hindering people
from accepting the doctrines of Tauhid and the Hereafter, have been
removed and they have been warned to guard against those negligences
that stand in their way.
- Those doubts have been removed and answers to those objections given
which were being raised about the Prophethood of Muhammad (Allah's peace
be upon him) and the Message brought by him.
- Graphic descriptions of the life in the Hereafter have been presented
in order to warn the people beforehand so that they should mend their
ways here and be not sorry afterwards for their conduct in this world.
- They have been admonished and warned that the life in this world
is really a test and a trial, and that the time allowed for it is only
up to the last moment of the earthly life, and that this is the only
opportunity that shall be given to them for accepting the Message and
achieving success in the test. Therefore, they should make the best
use of the opportunity that has been provided for them by the appointment
of Prophet Muhammad (Allah's peace be upon him) for their guidance and
obtain the true knowledge of the Reality from the Quran that is being
sent down to him. Otherwise, they shall be remorseful for ever and ever.
- Their attention has been drawn to some of their acts of manifest ignorance
and deviation which were the direct result of discarding Divine Guidance
from their lives. In this connection, the story of Prophet Noah has
been related in brief and that of Prophet Moses in detail in order to
impress four things on the minds :- First, "As your behavior towards
Prophet Muhammad (Allah's peace be upon him) is like that of the peoples
of Prophet Noah and Prophet Moses towards them, you should know it for
certain that you also shall meet with the same consequences which they
met with." Secondly, "You should not be deluded into believing by the
helpless and weak condition of the Prophet and his followers, you are
witnessing today, that it will always remain like this. You should know
that the same All-Powerful Allah Who supported Prophets Moses and Aaron,
is supporting them and that He changes the circumstances in such a sudden
and thorough manner that none can foresee it." Thirdly, "If you do not
make use of the term that has been granted to you by Allah and mend
your ways now, and postpone this to the last moment like followers of
th Holy Prophet have been reassured that they should not lose heart
because of the severity of the circumstances created by their opponents,
especially at the time when they themselves were in an utterly helpless
condition. They have also been given instructions as to how they should
carry on their Mission under those harsh conditions. Moreover,they have
been warned to be on their guard against the kind of behavior which
was adopted by the Israelites, when they were rescued by Allah from
the tyranny of the People of Pharaoh.
- At the end of the Surah, the Holy Prophet has been commanded to make
a declaration to this effect: "This is the Creed and this is the rule
of conduct that has been prescribed for me by Allah: no change can be
made at all in this: whoso will accept this will do so for his own good
and whoso will reject this will do so at his own peril."
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