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 exegete Imam Al-Tabari, Quran 10:55 serves as a profound declaration of Allah's absolute sovereignty and the certainty of His promise. The verse begins by establishing that everything in the heavens and the earth is under Allah's complete ownership, which, as Al-Tabari explains, nullifies any possibility for a disbeliever to ransom themselves from divine judgment, as they possess nothing. This concept is further illuminated by Imam As-Sa'di, who connects this ownership to Allah's comprehensive authority in creation, legislation, and recompense. The verse then emphatically repeats the introductory particle 'Alā' (أَلَا) to stress the second, crucial point: 'Unquestionably, the promise of Allah is truth.' Al-Waseet's tafsir notes this repetition is a direct rebuttal to the polytheists who doubted the reality of resurrection and judgment. The verse concludes by stating, 'but most of them do not know,' a poignant commentary on the state of humanity. This is not a lack of simple awareness, but as the scholars clarify, a failure to possess beneficial knowledge that leads to faith and righteous action, a state born from willful ignorance and turning away from divine signs.
Questions for Reflection
The Nature of Ownership
Reflect on everything you see around you—the sky, the earth, your own body. As Al-Tabari points out our inability to ransom ourselves, how does internalizing Allah's absolute ownership change your relationship with success, failure, gain, and loss?
The Weight of a Promise
Allah's promise is 'Haqq' - truth, reality, a due right. Contrast this with the promises of the world or even your own promises to yourself. Based on Al-Waseet's tafsir, what doubts does this divine promise challenge within you, and what would your life look like if you lived with absolute certainty in its fulfillment?
The State of 'Not Knowing'
The verse ends with 'but most of them do not know.' In which areas of your life are you living in a state of practical ignorance of these two truths, even if you believe them intellectually? What is one concrete step you can take to move from 'not knowing' to 'knowing' in that area?
Practical Applications
Cultivate Radical Humility by Meditating on Stewardship.
In moments of personal or professional success, consciously attribute the achievement to Allah's provision. When facing loss, remind yourself that it was His to begin with, easing the pain of attachment.
Build Unshakeable Certainty (Yaqeen) in Allah's Plan.
During times of uncertainty, anxiety, or when witnessing injustice, recite this part of the verse to anchor your heart in the ultimate truth of divine justice and recompense.
Commit to Seeking Beneficial Knowledge ('Ilm Nafia').
Dedicate specific time daily or weekly to study the Quran and Sunnah with the intention of closing the gap of 'not knowing' mentioned in the verse, thereby moving from the 'majority' to the conscious minority.
Hidden Gem
The synthesis of tafsirs reveals a profound spiritual sequence: True understanding of Allah's absolute ownership (first clause) is the only antidote to the heedlessness and ignorance mentioned in the last clause. It is the awe of His sovereignty that opens the heart to truly 'know' the certainty of His promise. The verse is not just stating facts; it is prescribing the cure for doubt.
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