Ramadhan 2016 – Day 9 (Yunus)

After an intense Ch 8/9, Quran returns to a softer tone with the ALR series. This is a series of chapters which are focussed on the risalat/messengership. By understanding them, we may come to understand Ch 16 and 17 later which tells us about the establishment of peace.

The ALR series begins with Sura Yunus. This chapter takes us, for the very first time in Quran, to the personal experience of one who is inspired. This person’s existential conditions are explained in the early part of this chapter. Next, this person’s relationship with Quran is mentioned in 10/15. This verse, like 6/19, is a clear link between using the Quran as a means of framing one’s revelation.

Quran is mentioned twice more in this chapter, in 10/37 and 10/61. In 10/37’s, Quran’s irreproducibility is mentioned for the first time (the challenge to produce a sura like it in 10/38) and the entire passage explains how it is irreproducible, starting from 10/31.

In 10/61, the cosmic quran is mention. This cosmic quran is the one which ‘watches’ over all our deeds which are recorded in the kitabin mubeen. This passage starts with 10/57, which is the only call in this chapter.

Relatively late in this chapter (10/71), we find stories of Nuh and Musa. The stories in the angle given by this chapter shows us how Quran is used in their mission. Perhaps they were reading from their own Qurans and it guided their mission along. In any case, they overcame the systems of oppressions of the time.

Vs 104-109 returns to the Reader and talks about his deen, how he worships Allah alone and that is his fully inclined, curved deen towards Allah. He is to follow revelation and be patient till Allah’s judgement arrives.