Quranic Reflections - Islamic School of Stanford

messengers to their people; namely Nuh (Noah) and Musa (Moses) (AS). In this
respect, Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And recite to them the tiding
(Literally: information) of Nûh (Noah) as he said to his people, “O my people, in
case my station (here) is greatly (annoying) to you, and my constant reminding
you of the signs of Allah, then on Allah I have put my trust”…” (TMQ, 10:71).
Allah (SWT) says about Musa (AS), what can be translated as, “And Mûsa said, “O
my people, in case you have believed in Allah, then in Him put yourtrust, in case
you are Muslims.” (i.e., you have surrendered to Allah) Then they said, “On
Allah we have put our trust. Our Lord, do not make us a temptation to the
unjust people.” (TMQ, 10:84-85).
The Pharaoh and The people of Yunus (AS) (Jonah)
Towards the end of the surah, two stories are used to clarify what has been mentioned,
the story of Pharaoh and that of the people of Yunus (AS) (Jonah). After the wisdom
and impeccable arrangement of Allah (SWT) are fully demonstrated, two examples are
provided. The first example is of Pharaoh, who denied Allah’s miracles and
warnings. The second is of the people of Yunus (AS) “Jonah”, who denied the
existence of Allah (SWT) at the beginning.
In the two examples, both Prophets, Musa and Yunus (AS), went to the sea, leaving
behind their peoples who disbelieved in Allah’s messengers, until they were
tormented. What actually happened is that while the people of Yunus (AS) were
saved, the people of the Pharaoh were drowned. Allah (SWT) says what can be
translated as, “And We made the Seeds (Or: sons) of Israel) pass over the sea;
then Firaawn and his hosts followed them up inequitably and aggressivelytill,
when the drowning overtook him, he said, “I believe that there is no god except
He in Whom the Seeds of believe, and I am one of the Muslims”” (TMQ, 10:90).
Here, when he claims to be a believer, the answer to this claim can be translated as,
“Do you (believe) now And before (that) you readily disobeyed, and you were
(one) of the corruptors.” (TMQ, 10:91).
The story of the people of Yunus (AS) is similar to that of Pharaoh. The only
difference is that they were saved at the end, as Allah (SWT) says what can be
translated as, “So, was there a town that believed (and) so its belief profited it,
except the people of Yûnus As soon as they believed, We lifted off from them
the torment of disgrace in the present life, (Literally: the lowly life, i.e., the life of
this world) and We gave them enjoyment for a while.” (TMQ, 10:98).
Allah’s torment had been inflicted upon them but their subsequent faith saved them
from that affliction. What is the difference between Pharaoh and the people of Yunus
(AS) Both of them declared by the end that they believed. Moreover, the
messengers of both left them when they initially refused to believe. Why, then, did
Allah (SWT) destroy Pharaoh and rescue the people of Yunus Can Allah (SWT) be
unjust or even biased towards the people of Yunus It is indeed a wonderful example
of how fate and destiny take place.
“Will He not know, (He) Who created” (TMQ, 67:14)