GET TO KNOW: Ep. 8 - Surah Ya-Sin - Nouman Ali Khan - Quran Weekly

Summary

The video offers an insightful breakdown of Surah Yaseen from the Quran, dividing it into six distinct sections. It highlights the Quran's divine wisdom, a historical lesson from the story of three messengers, reflections on the world around us, and the stubbornness of those who refuse to heed the message. It also covers the Day of Judgment, emphasizing the consequences for both believers and non-believers. The video concludes with the Quran's timeless nature, revealing remarkable thematic and structural symmetries throughout Surah Yaseen.

Takeaways

• 📖 The Surah Yaseen is divided into 6 distinct parts, which help structure the message of the surah and aid memory recall.
• 🕌 The first part emphasizes that the Quran is divine revelation and has the power to revive hearts, guiding people who have been unaware for generations.
• 👥 The second part tells a unique story of a nation that received three messengers, yet rejected them. A believer from another town urged them to follow the messengers, showing the importance of individual responsibility in supporting the truth.
• 🌍 The third part focuses on reflection upon the world around us—nature, ships, journeys, and the prosperity humans pursue, all showing Allah's grace in creation.
• 🚫 The fourth part addresses those who refuse to see the truth and remain blind to the world and history, despite being shown clear signs.
• 🔥 The fifth part discusses the consequences of rejecting the truth, detailing the Day of Judgment, resurrection, and punishment in Hellfire for those who did not heed the warnings.
• 📜 The sixth and final part returns to the theme of the Quran, contrasting its divine wisdom with poetry, and highlighting that some people arrogantly argue against it.
• 🕰️ The middle sections of the surah cover a chronological sequence: the past (history), present (creation), and future (Day of Judgment), showing how each moment holds lessons for humanity.
• 🔄 The surah is structured with thematic symmetry: both the first and last passages focus on the Quran, while the central sections mirror each other in message and structure.
• 🌞 The Prophet is metaphorically compared to the sun, constantly shining light, while believers are like the moon, reflecting that light in phases. This highlights the ongoing responsibility of believers to act and reflect the Prophet's teachings.

Q & A

What is the first passage of Surah Yaseen about?

The first passage of Surah Yaseen highlights how the Quran is a divine revelation and has the power to revive hearts. It emphasizes the need for people to recognize its divine nature and wisdom.

What unique story is discussed in the second passage of Surah Yaseen?

The second passage tells the story of a nation that received three messengers, a unique story not found elsewhere in the Quran. Despite the three messengers' efforts, the people ridiculed them, and another man came from the far end of the town to support them.

What is the main theme of the third passage?

The third passage focuses on reflection over the creation around us, encouraging people to ponder over the earth, ships, sky, and their children who travel for prosperity, emphasizing Allah's grace in these matters.

Who are the people described in the fourth passage?

The fourth passage describes people who are stubborn and blind, refusing to reflect on the world around them or the lessons from history, despite the clear signs from Allah.

What is emphasized in the fifth passage of Surah Yaseen?

The fifth passage emphasizes the consequences of being stubborn and blind, focusing on the Day of Judgment, resurrection, and punishment of those who rejected the truth.

How does the sixth passage of Surah Yaseen conclude?

The sixth passage concludes by returning to the theme of the Quran, clarifying that it is not poetry and highlighting the arrogance of those who reject it, contrasting with the earlier description of heedlessness.

How does the structure of Surah Yaseen create a thematic symmetry?

The surah begins and ends with a focus on the Quran, while the four middle passages are organized chronologically, covering history (the past), creation (the present), the blind who reject it (the present), and the Day of Judgment (the future). This creates a balanced, symmetrical structure.

What lesson can be drawn from the story of the believer in the second passage?

The believer in the second passage understood that he had a responsibility to speak the truth, even in the presence of messengers. This teaches that all believers have their own roles and responsibilities, and the presence of others doesn't absolve them from their duty.

What is the significance of the word 'yambaghi' in the surah?

The word 'yambaghi' means 'befitting' or 'appropriate' and is used twice in the surah, once for the sun and once for the Prophet. This connection highlights the Prophet’s role as a shining light, similar to the sun, guiding believers, who are compared to the moon.

How does the relationship between the sun and moon symbolize the role of the Prophet and his followers?

The sun represents the Prophet, constantly shining light, while the moon symbolizes believers who reflect the light of the Prophet. Just as the moon goes through phases, believers experience phases of faith, but their goodness comes from following the Prophet’s guidance.

Outlines

00:00

📖 Introduction to Surah Yaseen's Structure

This paragraph introduces the recitation of Surah Yaseen, emphasizing the significance of its structure. It highlights the six distinct parts of the Surah, beginning with the power of the Quran to revive hearts and address a heedless nation. The Prophet's mission is introduced as a messenger of divine revelation to a people who have been unaware for generations.

05:01

📜 The Story of the Three Messengers

This section recounts the story of a nation visited by three messengers, a unique narrative not found elsewhere in the Quran. Despite their efforts, the people ridiculed them. A believer from a distant part of the town joins them, urging the people to follow the messengers. Interestingly, the Quran quotes this believer more than the messengers, emphasizing the individual's duty to speak the truth, even in the presence of prophets. This passage is a lesson from history about fulfilling one's responsibilities.

10:01

🌍 Reflection on Creation

This paragraph shifts focus to the present, urging people to reflect on the world around them. It asks listeners to contemplate nature—dead earth brought to life, ships sailing the seas, and the journeys made by their children. The passage emphasizes Allah’s grace in allowing humanity to prosper and lead fulfilling lives, urging reflection on everyday blessings.

🚫 The Stubborn and Blind

In contrast to the previous section, this passage speaks about people who refuse to reflect on the world around them or learn from history. These individuals are described as blind to the truth, unwilling to change their behavior despite clear signs before them. The message here is about the stubbornness of those who ignore both the present and the past, leading to their spiritual downfall.

⚖️ The Day of Judgment and the Fate of the Stubborn

This passage describes the consequences of being stubborn and blind, focusing on the Day of Judgment. It details the horrors of resurrection and hellfire, with more emphasis placed on those who were not saved than those who were. The middle verse of the Surah briefly mentions the people of Jannah (paradise), but the focus remains on the fate of the criminals who ignored Allah's warnings.

📚 The Quran and Arrogance

The final passage returns to the theme of the Quran. While the first passage spoke of the Quran guiding heedless people, this one addresses those who arrogantly dismiss the Quran. It highlights that the Quran is not poetry or entertainment, but a divine revelation. The passage contrasts ignorance and arrogance, both of which lead people to reject the Quran's message.

🔄 The Symmetry of Surah Yaseen

This paragraph outlines the symmetrical structure of Surah Yaseen. The first and last passages both deal with the Quran, creating a thematic loop. The middle sections follow a chronological order: history, the present world, and the Day of Judgment (the future). Each section contrasts with its counterpart, forming a balanced and profound thematic symmetry. The remarkable organization and intricate design of the Surah are emphasized.

🌞 The Prophet and the Sun

In this closing paragraph, a unique insight into the Quran’s language is shared. The word 'young but he' (befitting) appears twice in the Surah—once about the sun and moon, and once about the Prophet, drawing a comparison between the Prophet and the sun. The Prophet is described as a constant source of light, like the sun, while believers are like the moon, reflecting the Prophet’s light in phases. This passage highlights the individual responsibility of believers, inspired by the Prophet's constant guidance.

Keywords

💡Quran

The Quran is the central religious text of Islam, regarded as a revelation from God. In the script, the speaker highlights the Quran's power to revive hearts and emphasizes its divine nature. The message underscores the timeless wisdom of the Quran and how it serves as a guide for those who are heedless or unaware of its significance.

💡Messengers

Messengers in Islam are prophets sent by God to deliver His message to humanity. In the script, a story is mentioned where a nation receives three messengers, which is unique to this specific Quranic account. These messengers preach to their people, yet they are ignored. The theme of the video emphasizes the role of messengers in guiding communities, as well as the obligation of others to support their message.

💡Heedless

Heedlessness refers to being unaware or negligent of important spiritual or moral truths. The video script emphasizes that the Quran addresses a people who had been heedless for generations, calling them to reflect on divine wisdom. It illustrates how a lack of awareness can lead to spiritual stagnation, and the Quran aims to revive such hearts.

💡History

History is presented as a significant theme in the script, particularly in the second section, where Allah reminds people of lessons from the past. The script suggests that reflecting on historical events and the mistakes of previous nations can lead to spiritual growth. This emphasizes the Quran’s use of historical narratives to teach moral lessons.

💡Creation

The concept of creation refers to the natural world and the universe that God has created. In the script, the speaker encourages people to reflect on the world around them—the earth, the sky, ships, and their journeys. This contemplation of creation is meant to guide people towards recognizing the power and grace of God, which is a recurring theme in the Quran.

💡Day of Judgment

The Day of Judgment is a key belief in Islam where all individuals will be resurrected and held accountable for their actions. In the script, this concept is part of the fifth passage, which discusses the consequences of being heedless and stubborn. The imagery of people being questioned and the scenes of Hellfire serve as a warning for those who fail to heed God's message.

💡Symmetry

Symmetry in the script refers to the structural and thematic organization of Surah Yaseen. The speaker explains how the six sections of the surah are perfectly balanced, with the first and last focusing on the Quran, and the middle sections covering history, creation, and Judgment Day. This organization emphasizes the coherence and depth of the Quranic message.

💡Poetry

Poetry is used in the video to contrast with the Quran, as Allah clarifies that the Quran is not mere poetry meant to entertain. The script states that the Quran is a revelation full of wisdom, and it does not fit the Prophet to simply be a poet. This highlights the Quran’s serious and divine purpose, distinguishing it from artistic or poetic expressions.

💡Believer

In the script, a believer plays a crucial role in supporting the messengers, speaking out when others refuse to listen. This highlights the theme of individual responsibility in spreading and upholding the truth. The believer’s proactive stance contrasts with those who remain passive or indifferent, showing that faith requires action.

💡Blindness

Blindness is used metaphorically to describe people who refuse to acknowledge the truth of the Quran and God's signs. The fourth passage of the surah focuses on those who are spiritually blind, ignoring both the evidence of creation around them and the lessons from history. This blindness represents a willful rejection of guidance.

Highlights

The Quran has the power to revive hearts and provide guidance to those who have been heedless for generations.

The unique story of three messengers being sent to a town, which is only found in this Surah.

The believer who supported the messengers is quoted more than the messengers themselves in this story.

Reflecting on the world around you: Allah calls people to ponder the earth, sea, sky, and even their own prosperity, as signs of His power.

Some people refuse to see the truth no matter how many signs are shown to them, remaining stubborn and blind.

The consequences of ignoring guidance: Surah Yaseen details the events of Judgment Day, highlighting the fates of both the saved and the condemned.

The Surah returns to the theme of the Quran’s divine nature, emphasizing that it is not poetry or entertainment but a source of wisdom.

The Quran’s structure in Surah Yaseen is symmetrical, beginning and ending with passages on the Quran, with thematic sections in the middle covering past, present, and future.

The word 'Yambaghi' (befitting) is used twice, once for the Sun and Moon and once for the Prophet, creating a thematic connection between the two.

The Sun is compared to the Prophet, and the Moon to the believers, who reflect the Prophet’s light but go through phases.

The story of the three messengers and the believer shows that everyone has a role to play in spreading truth, not just the prophets.

The heavens and celestial bodies serve as metaphors for the roles of the prophets and their followers, each with their own orbit and responsibilities.

The divine document theme: The Surah starts with the Quran and ends with the concept of divine documentation, emphasizing Allah's control over everything.

The Prophet is not a poet, and the Quran is not meant for entertainment but to guide humanity towards truth.

The Surah showcases how the Quran uses language to create deep thematic connections and symmetry throughout.

Transcripts

our village min ash-shaitani rajim

bismillah al rahman al rahim

Yesi one Colonel Hakim in Al Amin

l-mursaleen I ll sell all things that he

publicly or Bashar al-asad you basically

everyone dr. Tammy listen holy

fat handle allows that was Sarah more

I'd also Delilah early he was a huge

pain so not bad once again everyone

salam alikum warahmatu library catalyst

try and get to know so that he has seen

one of the most famous often recited

suez of the mahkum quran a very very

beautiful surah i'll try to give you an

overview of the surah by breaking it up

into 6 distinct parts that's probably

one of the best ways to kind of remember

what's covered in this remarkable surah

the first part of this surah actually

highlights how the quran can only be

revelation and how the quran has the

power to revive hearts that's the point

of that first passage that the prophet

has been given this this recital to talk

to a nation that's been completely

heedless and unaware for generation upon

generation upon generation and they need

to recognize the divine nature and power

and the wisdom of this remarkable quran

that's the first passage in son the

second passage of the surah the second

section of the surah is a long story of

a unique long story again not told

anywhere else in the quran of a nation

that didn't just receive one but three

messengers for as Desna battalion Ficano

inna alaikum assalam allah enforced them

with three messengers that would preach

to them and they still wouldn't listen

and they would still ridicule in mark to

the point where actually another came

from out of nowhere from the far end of

another town he came running and spoke

to them and said you need to follow the

messengers you know so and and what's

amazing about this story so many unique

elements you typically don't get three

messengers in one town that's the first

thing the second thing is those three

messengers spoke briefly in the quran

and the one the their companion you can

say the believer who was now a faithful

member of the believing community a

Sahabi if you will a companion

he spoke more in the Quran Allah quoted

him more than all three messengers put

together which is pretty amazing you

would think that the messengers are

there he shouldn't be talking he should

just listen to them or people just tell

them just listen to them I don't have

any place to speak but it says though he

recognizes that the prophets have their

job to do the messengers have their job

to do I have my job to do I'm obligated

to speak the truth as well and he

doesn't absolve himself from that

responsibility by just saying all the

messengers are here they're going to do

their job and that's something that la

highlights in this remarkable story a

profound lesson from history and that's

really how I like that title this second

section is a lesson from history the

third section is actually something a

signature of different places in the

Quran where Allah asks people - okay

fine you're not going to think about

revelation and you're not going to learn

from history at least look around you

look around you ponder over the world

that's been created around you have you

ever thought about the earth that's dead

that's been brought back to life have

you pondered over ships that sail in the

sea

have you pondered over the sky these

kinds of things this is what Allah is

going to highlight and you have ever

pondered over your children who make

journeys for prosperity you know an aha

melody at the home fill full keel

mushroom they board their children up

onto boarded ships like the image even

of today of somebody putting their

children on a flight to go so they can

get a college education or because they

got a new job and things like that

right so this idea of people traveling

for Prosperity purposes have you

reflected even on this how I allow all

of this to happen and how I give you the

grace to be able to live good lives and

flourish in this world that's this third

passage so if I take you back again it

was the timeless wisdom of the Quran was

one lessons from history was two and

then the third was look around you in

the world around you that's number three

passage number four contrasts with

passage number three it's a brief

passages three ayat where basically

Allah says there are some people who

just refused to see no matter what you

show them they don't want to hear it

they're just blind to the truth so there

these are people that refuse to ponder

what is before in front of them and what

they have behind them which is an

interesting phrase you know it Tacoma

Buena

ad comma alpha comma eloquent or a moon

be cautious of what is right in front of

you and what is behind you so that you

may be shown mercy is a very succinct

way of saying why don't you look at what

is right in front of you which is

things to reflect on as you visibly see

them and what is behind you as history

which was the previous passage before

then because so far the Quran is talked

about itself it's talked about history

and the world around us and now it says

there are some people who look refused

to look at the world in front of them

and refuse to look back at history as

well and they just remain stubborn no

matter what you say they don't want to

change their behavior this would be our

fourth passage the stubborn and the

blind right from here you go to the

consequences of being stubborn and blind

Allah will talk in the fifth passage

about the day of judgment resurrection

questioning even people being thrown

into the Hellfire and this is this

horrible scene of Judgment Day and

resurrection where very little attention

is given to those that are saved and the

majority of the time Allah highlights

those that have not been saved and why

they weren't saved so the scary parts of

hellfire and the scary parts of

resurrection are given more emphasis in

surah yaseen then actually those that

have been saved it's interesting that in

that passage that which is the fifth

passage of the surah it's the middle

aisle of the surah that's about the

people of Jannah and everything around

that is the people of hellfire

remarkably so that's that's your fifth

passage and finally though the last

passage the sixth passage of this surah

is actually about the Quran again where

it started like the first one was about

the Quran the last one is about the

Quran but this time Allah says it's not

just poetry first he said it's full of

wisdom and now he says well not I lambda

who shared we didn't teach him poetry

well my humble hila it doesn't fit him

either it's not something that befitting

of the Prophet so I saw them that he

would just make poetry or entertain

people this revelation is not there to

entertain you and in contrast to the

first one in the first word Allah says

the Quran purpose is to guide heedless

people that were just completely unaware

in this he highlights there are people

who Allah created from just a drop of

fluid and he created them out of nothing

and they act like they can argue with

Allah they're arrogant before the Quran

so there are two different bad attitudes

towards the Quran ignorance and

heedlessness which is in the beginning

and arrogance and pompous attitudes

towards the Quran by the end but both of

them both of those passages reflect the

Quran now what I want to share with you

and just as an overview there are six

passages

I'll give them quick titles again so you

can keep a mental map right so the first

one was about the Quran and the heedless

and then Allah talked about lessons from

history

then he talked about the creation all

around us then he talked about the blind

that was our fourth passage the blind

who refused to see creation around them

refused to think about the past then he

talked about the day of judgment and

what's going to happen to the criminals

and also though it's going to happen to

those who actually did take heed who

weren't blind and finally he'll talk

about the Quran and how the arrogant

don't respond to it the way that they

should this is a pretty amazing

organization because if you think of it

it begins with the timeless word of

Allah and it ends with the timeless word

of Allah so the first and the last

passage have something in common they

both are about the Quran they're both

about the timeless nature of the Quran

and they both highlight the attitudes

that one should not have towards the

Quran if you look at what's left in the

middle four passages in the middle

they're actually in a chronological

sequence in other words you've got

history then you've got look at the

world around you as it is in the present

and those who don't look at the world

around them as it is in the present and

then you've got the day of judgment

which is the future so in a sense in the

middle you've got the past the present

and the future

it was pretty amazing and then if you

look at it yet another way the first and

the sixth passage are both about the

Quran the second passage is about the

past and the second last passage is

about the future contrasting one another

and the two middle passages are look

around you why are you so blind they

contrast each other too so it actually

forms this complete thematic symmetry in

the surah inshallah those of you who get

a chance to view the more detailed

lectures on surat yaseen i've actually

Illustrated how not only is the surah

thematically so perfectly organized and

structurally like symmetrical every

single one of its passages is a symmetry

by itself every single one of them has

its own unique form of symmetry just to

give you a small taste of that just how

one passage begins and ends

you've got the Quran in the first

passage that's the first thing a lot

talks about is the Quran and by the end

he says Bakula Shana who FEMA me Mubeen

we recorded everything in a document so

he began with the divine document and he

ended with a divine document at the end

he said we didn't teach him poetry that

was the first thing he said about the

last passage on the Quran we didn't

teach him poetry and the last ayah in

Arabic Allah who couldn't fire kun he

says Allah what he wants to do something

he says be

it becomes so it began with the word of

Allah that isn't poetry and it ends with

the word of Allah kun fiyaquun' there

are parallels like that throughout the

entire surah so not only are the six

themselves forming a symmetry each one

of them within themselves forms a

perfect symmetry it's absolutely

mind-blowing how remarkable this surah

is and how beautifully it deals with its

subject matter I want to leave you with

one unique insight from the surah that

just mesmerizes me it really mesmerizes

me and it's something fascinating about

the language of the quran the word young

but he occurs twice in this surah the

word young but he means something to be

appropriate something to you know be

befitting of someone okay that's the

idea of the the word young belly and it

occurs in two almost completely

unrelated contexts and this is the idea

of anchors in the Quran Allah will use

the same word for what seems completely

unrelated but it is in fact related so

I'll show you where it's used it's

absolutely mind-blowing he says first

about the the Sun and the moon Lashon

Sooyoung b'hala political comer when la

da da Cunha ha it's not becoming of the

Sun to reach the moon you know to get

ahead of the moon so they have their own

orbits what Kunlun FIFA like any aspirin

they're all moving in their own orbits

the Sun in the moon should not be taking

each other's plates or not running into

each other or catching one another it's

not becoming of them they've got their

positions they've got their roles to

play this is the first time young Bell

he was used all the way at the end of

the surah allah says wa ma lam na ho

Shera

o my humble hila it's not we didn't

teach him poetry it doesn't fit him

either it doesn't fit the prophet either

so the word young buggy was used once

for the Sun and once for the Prophet

which is pretty cool because elsewhere

in the Quran Allah describes the Prophet

if you want to think about how the

Prophet is he describes him like the Sun

why you know what wa da en illa llah he

beat me he was a Raja Manila you're a

caller to Allah by his leave and you are

a brilliant lamp a brilliant Sun now the

thing is if the Prophet is the Sun if

prophet the prophets being compared to

the Sun then the Sun shines it's light

on the moon and the moon only gets its

light because of the Sun right it said

it's dependent on the Sun and the Sun

doesn't have phases it's always

brilliant and shining but the moon has

phases it

Chuy's sometimes it's a brilliant full

moon sometimes it's week sometimes had a

cold you know khadeem the sulla we'll

say until it becomes like a you know

little leaf of a palm tree it'll it'll

become an old dried up leaf of a palm

trees are very very skinny that's what

it'll become you know what that means

that the Sun is in a representation a

creative representation of the profits

roll constantly shining light and we the

only the believers of the prophet's life

salam are actually like the moon who go

through phases and any good that we have

is actually a reflection of the good

that he gave us sallalaho aleyh

wassallam now why is that important you

remember the story that I was telling

you in this surah in the second passage

where three messengers came and there's

a fourth a believer who came and Allah

highlighted the believer more than even

the three messengers it's amazing it's

as though he understands I have my job

to play and I the the existence of the

prophets does not absolve me of my

responsibility just like the Sun has its

own orbit and the moon has its own orbit

and they all have their jobs to do

lashauwn soo-jung ilaha and to decal

qamar

well la Ossa be upon taha or : fifa

lakenya's beroun actually the heavenly

bodies Allah created all of them have a

role to play

just like messengers have their own role

to play and the members of their

relations the members of the own law of

the prophets Ison have their own role to

play and one does not absolve the other

Subhan Allah just by the you the crafty

use of words in the Quran we get such

profound profound insights

barakallahu li walakum for Anunnaki when

a finally we are committed particular

Kim Salam or aleikum wa rahmatullah

America