In the name of God, the Lord of Grace, the Ever Merciful
Ya Sin. By the Qur’an, full of wisdom, you are indeed one of God’s messengers, pursuing a straight way. It is a revelation by the Almighty, the Merciful, so that you may warn people whose forefathers had not been warned, and who therefore are unaware (of the truth). The verdict has been passed against most of them, for they will not believe. (Ya Sin: 36: 1-7)
This surah starts with a statement by God Almighty in the form of an oath by the two Arabic letters, Ya and Sin, and by the Qur’an to confirm the truth of revelation and the message delivered by the Prophet: “You are indeed one of God’s messengers, pursuing a straight way.” Limitless in His glory, God does not need to express an oath, but this oath by the Qur’an and its letters gives the subject of the oath added greatness. God would not swear by anything unless it were great indeed, worthy of being sworn by.
“You are indeed one of God’s messengers.” The way this verse is phrased imparts a feeling that sending messengers is a well-recognized fact, with many past cases. This is not what is being proved here. Instead, what is being emphasized is that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is one of these messengers. The oath is addressed to Muhammad himself, not to those who deny his message, so as to place the oath, the Messenger and the message above argument or discussion. It is a fact being stated by God about His Messenger.
“You are indeed one of God’s messengers, pursuing a straight way.” This explains the nature of the message after the truth about the Messenger has been stated. By nature, this message is straightforward. It is as straight as the edge of a sword. It admits no crookedness, deviation, or prejudice. The truth it contains is clear, free of ambiguity, and does not bend to serve any interest or to satisfy any desire. Whoever wants this truth will find it pure, simple and accurate.
Because it is straight, this truth is simple, free of complexity and problems that beset controversial issues. It states the truth in the simplest and most direct way that needs the least amount of explanation and interpretation. It does not give words and sentences any special color or overtone. As such, it is readily understood by people of all standards of education and civilization: They find in it what they need for their lives to take an easy course, being also properly organized and well regulated.
Moreover, the Qur’anic message is consistent with the nature of the universe and its system, as well as the nature of all that is around man. Hence, it neither conflicts with any thing in existence nor requires man to be in conflict. It follows its own way benefiting from, and cooperating with the laws that govern the universe and all creatures living in it.
As such, the Islamic message pursues its straight way to God, sure to reach Him. Its adherents do not fear that they may lose their way to Him, or take a path away from Him. They know that they are on a straight path leading to His pleasure. The Qur’an is the guide along this way. As long as man takes up the Qur’an, he will find a consistent concept of the truth, outlining detailed values, each having a clear and well-defined role.
“It is a revelation by the Almighty, the Ever Merciful.” We note how God identifies Himself in such situations so that people will understand the true nature of what has been revealed to them. God is the Almighty who does what He pleases, yet He is Merciful to His servants. Whatever He does to them is born out of His mercy.
The purpose of this revelation is to warn people and give them God’s message: “so that you may warn people whose forefathers had not been warned, and who therefore are unaware (of the truth).” To be unaware is the worst form of corruption. Unawareness makes a heart unable to respond or interact. It sees the pointers to the truth, yet is unable to respond, unable to feel their presence. Therefore, a warning is the best thing that can be given to such people who remain unaware, having gone for generations without anyone to alert them to the truth. They were the descendents of Ishmael, and they had had no messenger from God since his time. A strong warning may, then, alert people who have long been unaware.
The surah then speaks of the fate of these people, and the judgment that is certain to befall them, considering that God knows all that is in their hearts and minds, and all that they did in the past or will do in the future: “The verdict has been passed against most of them, for they will not believe.” (Verse 7) Judgment has been passed, as God knows that they will not believe. Hence, this is the fate of the majority of them because they will not see divine guidance for what it is nor will they interact with it.