Jewels of Qur'an Series: Surah Ya'sin Part 1

Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri

In this two part Discourse Shaykh Fadhlalla presents the key topics and themes of Surah Ya’sin. Known as the heart of the Qur’an, the implication is that it contains the entirety. It is the center. It represents the essence of the Qur’anic message representing a distillation of thousands of years of maps and indications as to the human being and the direction of life. Classically it is divided into five sections. In this talk, Shaykh Fadhlalla unpacks the first two sections. The Adamic metaphor is of a descent from the eternal state into this zone of terrestrial dualities in order to ascend back. The first section is about warning, a message and news to people who have not heard it before. Information is the precursor to transformation which culminates is the purified heart that guides and leads. Surah Ya’sin provides numerous descriptions of the opposite to the optimum state and the warnings that pertain to those who are able to heed the message. Shyakh Fadhlalla indicates the pre-conditions for those who want to imbibe the message of unity, who trust in the unseen and who struggle against the lower self and are willing to be accountable. The second section is a historical narrative, specifically relevant to an episode with some of the followers of Isa and the city of Antioch. All people, societies and groups have been sent with warner’s giving people the news of truth and light and the direction of life. The key note in the first two sections is of accountability and destiny, the shuddering message that we are all responsible for our thoughts, actions and intentions and the overall state here and now. We are all challenged to fulfill the purpose of human life –that is awakening and adoration of the source of oneness – ever present.