Yunus - Jonas
Arabic Name: يُوْنـُس
Urdu Name: یونس
Type: Makki
Serial Number: 10
Revelation Order: 51
Total Verses: 109
Parah: 11
Rukus: 11
Sajda: None
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Quick Facts about this Verse
Surah
Yunus
Revealed
Makki
Position
Juz 11
Explore this Verse
Verse Meaning
According to the classical scholar Al-Tabari, Quran 10:78 exposes the two primary arguments used by Pharaoh and his elite to reject the message of Musa and Harun. The first was an appeal to tradition: 'Have you come to turn us away from what we found our fathers following?' This reflects a defense of the status quo based on blind inheritance rather than truth. The second accusation, as explained by Ibn Kathir, was purely political: '...and that you two may have greatness (al-Kibriya) in the land?' They imputed their own desire for power onto the prophets, interpreting the call to Tawheed as a political maneuver to seize control. The term 'al-Kibriya,' which scholars like Mujahid defined as kingship and dominion, was precisely what Pharaoh feared losing. This synthesis of arguments—clinging to tradition and suspecting ulterior political motives—is highlighted by scholars like As-Sa'di as a timeless tactic used by corrupt authorities to discredit divine messages.
Questions for Reflection
Personal Attachment to Tradition
Pharaoh's people clung to 'what we found our fathers following.' Reflect on a belief or practice you hold dear primarily because it's 'how it's always been done.' How does this attachment feel? What fears arise when you consider that it might not be aligned with divine truth, as explained by Ibn Kathir?
The Seduction of 'Kibriya' (Supremacy)
The accusation was that Musa and Harun sought 'Kibriya'—supremacy and dominion. Contemplate a recent disagreement you had. Was there a part of you that resisted the other person's point not because it was wrong, but because accepting it would diminish your own sense of status, authority, or 'being right'? How does this feeling of 'Kibriya' manifest in subtle ways in your daily life?
Projecting Motives onto Others
As analyzed by modern commentators like Wahid Uddin Khan, Pharaoh projected his own love for power onto the prophets. Think about a time you immediately distrusted someone's intentions. To what extent was that judgment a reflection of your own fears or worldview? How can this verse's lesson help you listen to a message more objectively, even if you are suspicious of the messenger?
Practical Applications
Critically evaluate appeals to tradition by asking, 'Is this practice based on revealed truth or simply inherited custom?'
Apply this when encountering cultural practices in family or community that may not have a strong Islamic basis, or when evaluating personal habits.
When encountering a message of reform, analyze its substance before judging the messenger's motives.
Use this when evaluating political speech, media narratives, or any call for social or religious change.
Practice self-reflection to determine if a desire for personal status or 'Kibriya' is preventing you from accepting a difficult truth.
Engage in this self-audit during disagreements, when receiving criticism, or when learning a challenging new concept that contradicts prior beliefs.
Hidden Gem
A synthesis of the tafsirs reveals that the two accusations are two sides of the same coin. The inherited traditions of the fathers are precisely what grant the elite their 'Kibriya' (supremacy). By attacking the traditions, Musa was implicitly attacking their source of power. Contemplating this connection shows that any true spiritual reform will inevitably be perceived as a political threat by those who benefit from the status quo.
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Common Questions
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