Summary of Chapter 10 (Younus)

The theme of this chapter is based on monotheism, and it includes numerous dialogues between monotheists and polytheists/atheists. There are no laws in this chapter, so it is entirely devoted to the fact that there is only one God which is in charge of everything. Anyone or anything besides It cannot avail you in the least.

It also dismisses the idea of there being intercessors – V18 (A common belief among ‘Muslims’ and many other faiths.) It kind of echoes Chapters 6 and 39 which are also based entirely on monotheism. To me, verse 35 is what this chapter is all about:

“God leads to the truth. So, who is more worthy of being followed? The ONE Who shows you the way or one who finds no way unless he himself is guided? What is amiss with you? How do you judge?”

Prophets mentioned in this Chapter: Nooh, Musa, Younus.

Passage 1 (Verse 1-25) summary: Perhaps the most astonishing fact for people is that a common man among them has been chosen by God to deliver the message. Due to the fact that he does not conform to the myth that Prophets perform miracles, they dismiss him altogether. So, instead of studying the message he has brought, they are more interested in his ability to perform ‘supernatural miracles’. We are told to ponder on the universe. No miracle can avail someone who does not seek to believe. (V 101)

Moreover, these people demand the messengers to alter the message so that it conforms to their desires, or bring a new book altogether! However, the messenger cannot alter it on his own accord. He only follows what is revealed to him. When adversity touches man, he immediately calls God alone! However, when that problem is solved, he returns to his former ways and continues ascribing partners to It. The passage ends beautifully by saying that God invites you to the abode of peace; and It guides whoever wills to be guided!

Passage 2 (V26-56) summary: It is a law of God that those who are inactive in engaging with the message (Fasiqun) will never believe in it! People reject it without even putting a genuine effort into understanding it’s message. They do not use reason and thus harm their own self. On the day of Accountability, the idols that these people served would reject their worship/service altogether as they were totally unaware of it. And so it is, majority of the people follow nothing but conjecture; and conjecture can never avail anything against truth!

This is one of the three chapters (2, 10, 11) which challenges people to produce a similar chapter like this if they think it is fabricated.

Passage 3 (V57-70) summary: This message serves as a healing for the heart and is a mercy by God for the believers. It is more worthy than what people ‘gather’. Anyways, there are people who fabricate lies about God by declaring some things as lawful, and others unlawful on their own accord (MUSIC IS HARAM! Pictures were haram a while back, now the same people proudly give talk shows on ‘Islam’). But the fabricators would never succeed. A short life on this earth; then we are to go back.

Passage 4 (V71-89) summary: It talks about how Prophet Nooh and Musa called their people towards monotheism but were rejected and persecuted. Both the prophets and their followers were saved through the ‘sea’ (Something to think about!).

Passage 5 (V90-103) summary: When death approached Firaun, he claimed to have believed in the Oneness of God, however that was too late! So, his body was saved by God (Currently, in the Cairo Museum) in order for people to witness one of It’s many signs. Unfortunately, many people ignore many a signs that they come across in their daily lives. So, even if all the signs were to come to them, they would not believe because of their pre-set beliefs. Prophets were usually rejected; however, as an exception, the people of Younus accepted the message wholeheartedly, so they lived in peace.

If God had willed, he could have guided everyone (by not providing free will). Considering this fact, how can we impose our beliefs on someone else? There is absolute freedom of speech and religion in the System of God.

Passage 6 (V104-109) summary: This is a fantastic passage and is the best summary of the subject matter talked about in this chapter. It defines the belief system of the messenger and the believers. Ends by saying that do not follow something or someone which can neither harm or benefit you, for if you do, you would only be harming your own soul. We are to stay patient and follow what has been revealed to us until we completely understand the laws of Allah. And who is better than God as a law-provider?