Chapter 36-52
Ya Sin (Surah Ya Sin)
(83 verses in total; revealed in Makkah, Middle Period)
This is one of most insightful chapters that call direct attention to afterlife and human condition on this earth as if a direct call to human beings is made by God. That is why it also earned the secondary names such as “Calls to Human Beings” and “Heart of the Qur’an”.
Key themes in this chapter are as follows:
· The Prophet is assured that he is a Prophet sent by God and is on the right guidance, even if majority of the people he is directed to guide may not accept (in the short-term)
· Prophets have been denied in the past and as such Prophet Mohammad should not be surprised by the denials and blissful ignorance of the Makkan
· All communities where a prophet and divine guidance have been sent have been subjected to accountability and therefore, the Makkan, and for that matter any generations that follow will be subject to the same standard of accountability
· Nature providers ample food for thoughts – the earth giving grains, fruits and vegetation for our food, alternation of night and day, the movement of sun and moon in relationship to the earth, ships that carry goods to long distances – all should make us think, reflect and acknowledge God’s presence and handiwork
· The fruits that we eat, the animals that we ride and benefit from, the vast tract of land for harvest and pasture – all these are God’s blessing, we have no hand in their make or placement
· The trumpet that initiates Day of Resurrection will reveals the secrets of the Hereafter (kept hidden until such time) – clarifying truth vs. falsehood, good deeds vs. bad deeds, heaven vs. hell, God pleasure vs. God’s displeasure, such that the deniers and evil doers will come to face to face with the consequences they were threatened with
In the name of God, the God of Mercy, the Endower of Mercy!
Ya Sin.1 By the Qur’an that is full of wisdom, you (Prophet)2 are truly among the Messengers, established on the Straight Path3. A revelation from God - the Mighty and the Merciful - that you may educate a people whose previous generations did not receive guidance and hence they are uninformed and unmindful. It is understood that many of them will not accept faith – it is as if We [God]4 have placed a chain around their neck and it reaches up to their chin, so their posture is that of pride; and placed a barrier ahead of them and a barrier behind them so that they are surrounded and unable to see and comprehend. No amount of guidance may bring them to faith. (v. 1-10)
You can only guide those who follow the Reminder (the revelations) and those who are mindful of the Beneficent God in their private moments. Give them the good news of forgiveness and a generous reward. Indeed, We (God) give life to the dead and We write down their accomplishments and their activities and whereabouts [footprints]. We record everything in a document that is transparent. (v. 11-12)
Explain to them with a parable of the people in a town where the messengers came. We (God) sent two messengers, and they denied them both. Then we strengthen them with a third (messenger) and together they said: “Truly, we are sent to this town.” They (people of the town) said: “You all are but mortals like us and the Beneficent God has not revealed anything – you are lying.” They (messengers) replied: “Our Cherisher God knows that we are sent to you. Our responsibility is to deliver clearly (the message).” They (people of the town) said: “We foresee evils from you. If you do not desist, we will stone you and serious chastisement will come to you from us.” They (messengers) replied: “Your evils are with you despite your being reminded (by us)? You are a people given to excess (in committing evils).” (v. 13-19)
From the outskirt of the city, a man came running to the people. He said: “O my people, follow the messengers. Follow their guidance for which they ask of you no compensation and they are being guided (by God). How can I not serve God Who created me and to Whom you all will be brought back? Shall I adopt, besides God, deities who can do nothing to deliver me from the harms if the Beneficent God causes me to suffer (for my own evil doings)? In that case, I will indeed be clearly misguided. I believe in your Cherisher God; so, hear me.” He was informed (after he was killed): “Enter the garden (Paradise).” He said: “I wish my people knew – how my Cherisher God forgave me and placed me among those who are honorable.” (v. 20-27)
We (God) did not send a host from heaven to this people, and We do not need to. It was but a single quake (deafening sound) and they were but without any movement! It is unworthy of My servants that whenever a messenger comes to them, they mock him. Do they not realize how many generations We have removed prior to them, generations who do not come back to them? Whereas all - yes all of them - will be brought back to Us (God). (v. 28-32)
Here is a sign for them – the Earth is dead, and We give life to it and bring out grains from it that they can eat. We grow gardens of dates and grapes on it and let springs gush forth from it. They eat fruits from the gardens while their hand did not make any of these (fruits). Should they not be thankful? All glory is to God Who creates in pair all things that grows from the earth and of their own species and of things they do not know (yet). Another sign to them – the night – how We (God) extract it from the day and then there is darkness all around! And the sun moves along it designated path, following the natural laws (command, arrangement) of the Mighty, the Knower! And the moon with its established destinations till it becomes a thin crescent. It is neither for the sun to outstrip the moon nor for the night to outstrip the day – each move along their defined paths.5(v. 33-40)
Another sign for them – the Ark fully loaded with their offspring that We carried (to safety) and We created for them similar vessels on which they ride. If We will, We may drown them in which case they will have none to rely on and none can save them, except by mercy from Us and to fulfil a span of time defined. They are reminded: “Be reflective of your past (and this life) and be mindful of your future (and Afterlife) so that you can engender mercy (from God).” Yet, there comes to them no messages that they do not move away from. Again, when they are reminded: “Allocate and spend resources that God had gifted you with (for the benefit of others)”, those who have no faith say to those who have faith: “Why should we feed him who, if God wills, He can feed?” This is evidence of their lack of understanding. They (those who have no faith) ask: “When will this promise (of judgment) come to pass, if your (Messenger’s) assertion is true?” They only wait for single calamity (deafening quake) that will overtake them unbeknownst to them while they contend (about life), leaving them no time to make a plan for death or return to their families. (v. 41-50)
When the trumpet is blown (announcing resurrection) and lo, they will rise from their graves and rush forth towards their Sustainer God. They will say: “O what just happened? Who has raised us from our places of sleep?” This is exactly what the Beneficent God had promised, and the Messengers conveyed in truth. It is but a single event and lo, they are arraigned before Us. On this day no one will be treated unjustly in any way and rewards will be according to what you did (or did not do). (v. 51-54)
Surely the residents of the Garden (Paradise) are in a happy state; they and their spouses reclining on elevated couches in the shade. There they have fruits, whatever provisions they desire and “Peace” - a greeting from their Sustainer and Merciful God. But those who are guilty will be far removed (from paradise). “Did I not tell you, O children of Adam (and Eve), that you should not serve the Devil who is an avowed enemy? You should serve Me (God) and that is the Straight Path. Surely the Devil (and his associates) already led many people astray – will you not then mind?” Here is the hellfire that you were promised and which you will now enter since you disbelieved. (v. 55-64)
On that Day (of Judgment), We (God) will seal their mouths; so their hands will speak to Us and their feet will bear witness as to what they did. Had We pleased, We would have blinded their eyes, then they would strive to find the ways but how could they? Had We pleased, We would have transformed them in their places, then they would not be able to move forward or go back. (v. 65-67)
Whoever We cause to reach old age, We reduce them to an abject state in creation. Do you not then reflect? We have neither taught him (the Prophet) poetry nor it is fit for him; rather, this is a Reminder and a Qur’an made clear to educate people who wish to have life and to make our promises true against those who deny (faith). Do they not see that We have created cattle for them with our own Hands and now they are their masters? We have subjected these to them and they ride some and also eat of them (their meat). In these they also have other advantages and (milks to) drink. How it is that you do not give thanks?6 (v. 68-73)
They accept deities other than God that they may be helped but these are not able to help; these are a host made up for them (and by them). Therefore, let not their speech (and vanity) grieve you; We (God) know what they do in secret and what they do openly. Do humans don’t realize that we create them from a tiny drop (ovum capable of life) and they engage in disputes openly (about the Creator)! He (humans) would rather create an image of God (as false deity) and forget about his own creation. He says: “Who will give life to the bones, once they (flesh) are rotten?” Tell them: “ God will give them life Who brought them into existence the first time and Who knows all of the creations; Who produces fire out of green tree so that they can light (their candles). Is God, Who created the universe and the earth, not able to create the likes of them (humans) again? Yes (He can), and God is the Creator Who knows (how to recreate). God’s command when He desires something is only to say to it – “be and it becomes.” Glory be to God Who has the dominion over all things and to God you all will be returned. (v.74-83)
1 Some say that the “Ya Sin” is in effect addressing the Prophet as God had done in many places in the Qur’an and in various prior revelations, of prophets of their times. This surah is known as the “Heart of the Qur’an” and Prophetic Tradition strongly suggest that recitation of this Surah and reflecting on its verses bring solace to the sick and dying person at time of death, but equally and perhaps more importantly to the living at times of trying moments when realities of life hit us and we know that none can help but God, as He wills.
2 I use {} to try to convey what is intended as best as I can since the Qur’an, especially in the early revelations, leave implied meaning out of the text for the reader to figure out to force them to think, reflect, and to discuss among themselves. The tradition of discussion was well established and encouraged by the Prophet, though our current generations have almost forgotten that debates and discussion are essential to fully comprehend the Qur’an and God’s revelations, not unlike other areas of human knowledge.
3 Straight Path (Siratal Mustaqim) is repeated used to convey the true guidance from God, the unified guidance that came through prophets such as Mohammad, Jesus, Moses, and Abraham.
4 I use [] to put in the word used in the Qur’an or what is definitive. In this case, “We” implies God definitively. In other cases, words used were contemporary in nature or made the most impact to the first generation of faithful, but in today’s context the meaning can be broader, and different word or combination of words will make more sense while being true to the original intent. For example, the Qur’an uses in verse 38 in this Surah the word “Taqdiru” translated by classical commentators as “command” or “ordinance” or “decree” which implies the natural laws laid out by God that governs the natural world, including our own lives.
5 These natural phenomena are explained in a way that can be understood and related to by each generation according to contemporary understanding of biology, science, human cognition, and spirituality.
6 Being thankful also means how we treat these animals as living beings. Our modern cattle industry does horrible injustice to these beneficial animals that God made subservient to us.
