Title: Reflections of the 10th Night of Ramadan
Location: Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley
Description: At-Tauba (Repentance): 100 – 129; Yunus (a prophet): 1 – 109; and Hud (a prophet): 1 – 53

At-Tauba revealed in Madinah; Yunus and Hud revealed in Makkah

Yunus
Reflections on At-Tauba were entirely covered in Night 10. The chapter ended with mentioning our Messenger (SAW), telling us that he grieves at our loss, is extremely anxious for our success, and is compassionate and merciful towards the believers. Now this chapter begins with the mention of him (SAW). It challenges those who found it strange that this revelation would come down to a man from among them and also those who called him a magician. It also commands the Messenger to warn mankind and give good news to the believers that they are on sound footing with their Lord.

This chapter, and the one that follows, came as comfort to the Messenger during a difficult time of his life. His wife Khadija (RA), who was the moral support and comfort of his prophethood, had passed away. His uncle Abu Talib, who also supported him and gave him protection from the other disbelievers, had passed away without accepting Islam. Additionally, due to this, people became hesitant about accepting, and it became a rather dry period for the growth of Islam. In this chapter, Allah alludes to the fact that Muhammad’s (SAW) people will believe like the people of Yunus did. Yunus’ story also serves as a lesson for Muhammad (SAW) not to give up and abandon the disbelievers without the order of Allah; to be patient with the people. We also get a clip of the story of Nuh (AS) and that of Musa and Harun (AS). Through these, Allah gives him comfort and shows that the believers are always saved. Additionally, Allah says that if He wished, everyone on Earth would have believed, and tells the Messenger (SAW) not to compel mankind against their will to believe.

Verse 19 tells us that mankind was once just one nation, and they later became divided through inventing other faiths. In a Hadith quoted directly from Allah, we are told that we were created with purity and on the straight path, but that was taken away by Satan, through making the unlawful lawful and the lawful unlawful.

In verse 24, Allah gives an example about this worldly life, saying that he produces vegetation for us that looks beautiful, but He can take it away from us just as easily. Worldly life is temporary. In a Hadith, the Prophet (SAW) tells us that whoever’s main concern is about this life, poverty will be put in front of him – he will be miserable. But whoever’s main concern is about the afterlife, he will have richness in his heart and feel free of need.

Hud
This chapter was revealed right after Yunus. Some stories of prophets are also mentioned here, and through these and others throughout the Qur’an, Allah shows His Mercy to mankind by sending so many prophets. Both chapters begin with Allah highlighting His Wisdom, and this Wisdom is also shown through these stories. The stories also show that all the prophets called on their people to worship the One Allah, and this call to Tawheed was always difficult for each of them. Each prophet had people who mocked them and harmed them in various ways. With certain prophets, even those closest to them denied the call and were destroyed. Famous examples of these are Nuh’s son and Lut’s wife.
Lessons from Night 10

- Our hearts shouldn’t be attached to material goods and things of this life. Instead, we should desire and work for our success in the afterlife more than anything else. This will also give us a content life on Earth.
- Practicing patience was an essential part of each prophet’s mission, and we have to do the same when calling other to Islam
- We should learn from the trust and faith that Yunus (AS) had in Allah when swallowed by the whale. He was in a moment of darkness and desperation, and He called out to Allah, saying “There is no deity worthy of worship except You; Glory be to You and You are far removed from any imperfections; I have been among the wrongdoers.” This supplication also teaches us to expose ourselves only to Allah when seeking forgiveness, as Yunus (AS) and Adam (AS) did.

Date: 2012-07-29