Surah Yunus (Jonah) 10 : 55

Overview (Verses 55 - 58)
 
A Cure for What is in People’s Hearts
 
To emphasize the concept of resurrection and reckoning the sūrah gives us yet another image of God’s power as it appears in the heavens and the earth, life and death. It is a quick scene serving to reassert that what God promises will come to pass. This is followed by an appeal to all mankind to make the best use of, and receive the maximum benefit from the Qur’ān, which brings them an admonition, guidance and a cure for all that their hearts may harbour. “Indeed, to God belongs all that is in the heavens and earth. God’s promise always comes true, but most of them do not know it. He alone gives life and causes death, and to Him you shall all return. Mankind, there has come to you an admonition from your Lord, a cure for all that may be in your hearts, and guidance and grace for all believers. Say: ‘In God’s bounty and grace, in this let them rejoice; for this is better than all that they may amass.’” (Verses 55-58)
 
We have first a clear and loud proclamation: “Indeed, to God belongs all that is in the heavens and earth.” (Verse 55) The One to whom everything in heaven and on earth belongs is certainly able to make His promise come true. No barrier or impediment can prevent Him from fulfilling it: “God’s promise always comes true, but most of them do not know it.” (Verse 55) In their ignorance, they doubt this or deny it altogether. Then another of His great attributes is mentioned: “He alone gives life and causes death.” (Verse 56) The One who controls life and death is able to bring His creation back to life and hold them to account: “To Him you shall all return.” (Verse 56) This is a passing comment added to a scene of resurrection, reckoning, reward and punishment.
 
Then follows a comprehensive address to all people: “Mankind, there has come to you an admonition from your Lord, a cure for all that may be in your hearts, and guidance and grace for all believers.” (Verse 57) It is in this very book, about the origin of which you entertain doubts, that you have an admonition from your Lord. It is neither a fabricated hook nor are its contents written by a human being. This admonition is meant to revive your hearts and cure you of all superstition, doubt and worry. It is given by way of reassurance, security and peace. Whoever has faith will find in it guidance along the road that leads to success, and a mercy from all error and punishment: “Say: ‘In God’s bounty and grace, in this let them rejoice; for this is better than all that they may amass.’” (Verse 58)
 
They should rejoice at the favours and grace which God has given them in abundance. Wealth and other worldly riches deserve no rejoicing because they all come to an end. Rejoicing should be subliminal, releasing people from the lure of worldly comforts and riches. Such items are here to serve people in life, not be served, to be controlled and not in control. Islam does not despise worldly comforts, nor does it encourage people to turn away from them. It only gives them their proper position, so that people enjoy them whilst retaining their free will, setting for themselves higher goals. For such people, having faith is God’s grace, and the fulfilment of what faith prescribes is their goal. Beyond this, believers feel that they own the world, while it has no control over them.
 
An authentic report mentions that when the tax levied on the land and farms of Iraq arrived at the outskirts of Madinah, `Umar went out to have a look at it, accompanied by a servant. `Umar started counting the camels that the tax included, but they were too numerous. `Umar repeated the words: ‘Praise be to God; Thanks to God.’ His servant said: ‘This is indeed part of God’s bounty and grace.’ `Umar said: ‘You are wrong. It is not to such matters that the Qur’ānic verse refers when it commands: “Say: ‘In God’s bounty and grace, in this let them rejoice; for this is better than all that they may amass.’” (Verse 58)
 
Those early Muslims had a different sense of values. They realized that the greatest aspects of God’s grace were admonition and guidance. Money, wealth and even victory over their enemies were all matters that came as a result. Hence, victory was assured to them, and wealth came to them with no effort on their part. The way the community of believers must follow is very clear. It is the one clearly marked out by the Qur’ān, and easily followed by the early Muslims who developed a thorough understanding of Islam. It is the only way to follow.
 
Neither wealth and property, nor material values determine people’s status and position in this present life, let alone the life to come. Material provisions, facilities and values may be the cause of human misery, not only in the next world, but also in our present life. Hence, it is necessary to have different values to guide human life. These values assign to material provisions and facilities their proper position in people’s lives. It is values that can make such material comforts the source of real happiness. Moreover, it is the system that regulates the life of a certain community that determines the value of material provisions in the life of that community, making them either a source of happiness or a cause of misery; a means of elevation or a cause of downfall. Hence the emphasis on the value of their faith to the believers: “Mankind, there has come to you an admonition from your Lord, a cure for all that may be in your hearts, and guidance and grace for all believers. Say: ‘In God’s bounty and grace, in this let them rejoice; for this is better than all that they may amass.’” (Verses 57-58)
 
Rejoice at God’s Grace
 
Those who were first to receive the Qur’ān recognized this superior value. Hence `Umar denied that the camels and cattle he, as the ruler of the Muslim state, received in land tax were aspects of the bounty and grace God bestowed on them, and for which they should rejoice. `Umar had a keen insight into the Islamic faith. Hence, he realized that the most important aspects of God’s grace and bounty were what God had revealed to them: an admonition from their Lord, a cure for what is in people’s hearts, as well as guidance and mercy for believers. Material wealth had nothing to do with it. They appreciated the great change which Islam had brought about in their lives. They were able to remove themselves from the abyss of ignorance to something far superior.
 
Islam brings about people’s freedom from enslavement to others, and ensures their submission to God alone. This determines that their concepts, values, morals and manners are placed on a much higher level. Their whole life is transformed from bondage to freedom. Material provisions, facilities and power all come as a result of such freedom, as happened in the history of the early Muslims. When they gained power and became the undisputed masters, they showed the rest of humanity how to believe in God, so that they too would enjoy what God bestows of His grace.
 
Those who lay too much emphasis on material values are the enemies of humanity. What they advocate is not promoted with good intent. Rather, what they want is to destroy the values inculcated by faith and the belief which makes people aspire to something higher than animal needs, without overlooking their own human needs. It gives them further necessities which they seek to fulfil together with their needs for food, shelter and sex.
 
Much fuss is being made of material values and production, making them people’s central preoccupation. Thus human beings become no more than machines, whilst spiritual and moral values are lost and trampled on. Yet this does not come about by itself; it is all according to an elaborate plan which seeks to replace old idols with new ones, and treat these as the supreme power that controls all values.
 
When material production is thus transformed into an idol around which people turn in reverence, all values and considerations, including morality, family, honour, freedom and security, are sacrificed for its sake. Nothing is allowed to have a negative effect on material production. If anyone disputes that this is a worshipped idol, let him tell us what a worshipped idol is like. It is not necessary that idols be made of stone or wood. An idol may take the form of a certain value, a concept or principle.
 
The supreme value then must continue to be assigned to God’s bounty and grace, epitomized in His guidance which cures people’s hearts, gives them their freedom and attaches more importance to human values. Under this supreme value, people can continue to enjoy, and benefit from, the provisions God has given them and the material comforts generated by industrialization. They will feel their burden lightened by such comforts, but they will be free of the pressures characteristic of jāhiliyyah societies.
 
Without such a supreme value, material provisions, facilities and production become a curse that brings misery and distress to all humanity. In the absence of this supreme value, these are used to enhance animal values and needs at the expense of human ones. God certainly tells the truth as He says: “Mankind, there has come to you an admonition from your Lord, a cure for all that may be in your hearts, and guidance and grace for all believers. Say: ‘In God’s bounty and grace, in this let them rejoice; for this is better than all that they may amass.’” (Verses 57-58)