Tafsir of Ya seen 36:11

Surah Ya-Sin (36): Verse 11

Translation: "You only warn those who follow the Reminder and fear the Most Merciful in the unseen. So give him tidings of forgiveness and a noble reward."

Issue 1: Reconciling General and Specific Warning

The preceding verse stated, "That you may warn" (لتنذر), implying a general warning. This verse states, "You only warn" (إنما تنذر), implying specificity. How are these reconciled?

Responses (Four Views):

1. The First View: The statement "That you may warn" (لتنذر) refers to the act of warning itself, regardless of whether it is effective or not. However, the statement "You only warn" (إنما تنذر) means that effective warning is only directed towards those who follow the Reminder and fear.
2. The Second View: Since God mentioned that the obstinate find the sending and revelation equally useless, He then told His Prophet: Your warning is not entirely fruitless. Therefore, warn generally, but know that only those who follow the Reminder will benefit from that general warning. It is as if He is saying: "O Muhammad, through your warning, you guide, but you do not know whom you guide. So warn everyone—the black and the red—but your true objective is those who follow your warning and benefit from your admonition."
3. The Third View: The command "That you may warn" (لتنذر) applies initially. If you warn, exert yourself, and some mock, turn away, become arrogant, and withdraw, then you only warn those who follow you afterward.
4. The Fourth View (Close to the Third): You warn everyone regarding the fundamental principles (Usul). However, you specifically warn regarding the secondary matters (Furu')—such as neglecting prayer or Zakat—only those who follow the Reminder and believe.

Issue 2: Interpretation of "Who Follows the Reminder" (من اتبع الذكر)

This phrase has several possible meanings:

1. The Most Famous View: It means those who follow the Qur'an.
2. Second View: It means those who follow the signs (الآيات) contained within the Qur'an. This is supported by the verse: "Sad. By the Qur'an possessing the Reminder" (ص والقرءان ذى الذكر). This implies the Qur'an is not identical to the Reminder itself, but rather contains it.
3. Third View: It means those who follow the proof (البرهان), as the Reminder perfects the innate disposition (الفطرة).

Under all interpretations, the meaning is: You only warn the knowledgeable who fear God. This aligns with: "Indeed, only those of His servants who have knowledge fear Allah" (إنما يخشى الله من عباده العلماء) and "Those who believed and did righteous deeds" (والذين ءامنوا وعملوا الصالحات).

• Thus, "Follow the Reminder" (اتبع الذكر) means believed (آمن).
• And "Feared the Most Merciful" (وخشى الرحمان) means did righteous deeds (عمل صالحا).

This third view is strengthened by the subsequent promise: "So give him tidings of forgiveness and a noble reward" (فبشره بمغفرة وأجر كريم). We have repeatedly mentioned that forgiveness (المغفرة) is the recompense for faith (الإيمان), so every believer is forgiven. The noble reward (الأجر الكريم) is the recompense for deeds, as stated: "Those who believed and did righteous deeds—for them is forgiveness and a noble provision" (والذين ءامنوا وعملوا الصالحات أولئك لهم مغفرة ورزق كريم).

Furthermore, defining the Reminder (الذكر) with the definite article (ال) supports its interpretation as the Qur'an, as the Qur'an was previously defined with the definite article in "By the Wise Qur'an" (والقرءان الحكيم).

Subtlety regarding "Feared the Most Merciful" (وخشى الرحمان)

There is a subtlety here: Mercy (الرحمة) often induces reliance (الاتكال) and hope (الرجاء). God is described as the Most Merciful (الرحمن) and the Most Compassionate (الرحيم). Yet, the intelligent person should not abandon fear (الخشية). The greater someone's blessings due to His mercy, the more complete their fear of Him should be, lest those continuous blessings be cut off.

Completion of the Subtlety: Two of God's names are specific to Him: Allah and Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful), as stated: "Say, 'Call upon Allah, or call upon the Most Merciful'" (قل ادعوا الله أو ادعوا الرحمان). Some Imams even said these two are proper names (علمان).

• Allah implies Majesty and Awe (الهيبة).
• Ar-Rahman implies Affection and Kindness (العاطفية).

Therefore, God commanded hope when He mentioned His Awe (implied by the context of warning/judgment), but here He says, "Feared the Most Merciful" (وخشى الرحمان). This means: Even though He is the source of affection, do not abandon hope in Him; and even though He is the source of mercy, do not feel secure from Him (i.e., do not neglect fear).

Regarding "In the Unseen" (بالغيب)

1. The Common View: It means concerning matters that are hidden from us, such as the events of the Hereafter (أحوال القيامة).
2. Another View: It includes the Oneness of God (الوحدانية), which is known through proof (الدليل) even if it does not reach the degree of observable sight (المرئي المشاهد), because once it reaches that degree, fear loses its benefit.

Regarding "So Give Him Tidings" (فبشره)

This points to the second duty of prophethood: The Prophet (PBUH) is both a Warner (نذير) and a Bearer of Good Tidings (بشير). Since it was mentioned that the effective warning is for those who follow the Reminder, He commanded: "Give tidings" (بشّر) just as you warned and benefited others.

• "Of Forgiveness" (بمغفرة): The indefinite form (نكرة) implies a vast forgiveness that covers all aspects, leaving no trace of the lower self (النفس), and revealing upon the person the lights of the purified spirit (الروح الزكية).
• "And a Noble Reward" (وأجر كريم): Meaning, a reward characterized by nobility (ذي كرم). We have already discussed the meaning of Kareem in relation to "noble provision" (ورزق كريم) and "noble provision" (ورزقا كريما).

Translation: "Indeed, it is We who give life to the dead, and We record that which they put forth and their tracks. And all things We have enumerated in a clear Register (Imam Mubin)."

Then God Almighty said: "Indeed, it is We who give life to the dead, and We record that which they put forth and their tracks. And all things We have enumerated in a clear Register."