Sūrah Yā-Sīn (Part 5)
The final part of observations on how Sūrah Yā-Sīn is organized in the Quran
Continuing on from the previous four parts (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4), Part 5 will take a look at how Passage #6, āyāt 69-83, is organized. We will conclude the series on Sūrah Yā-Sīn by looking at how all the passages come together to form a coherent whole.
Passage #6 emphasizes that the Quran is not poetry and highlights humanity’s arrogance in forgetting their origin.
Passage #6 - Quran and Allah’s Decree
Connections
Section 6A/6A’
The section begins with describing the words of Allah ﷻ (i.e. the Quran) and ends with mention of Allah’s word (i.e. His decree). The Quran is the primary method that we learn of Allah’s decree.
Section 6B/6B’
Here Allah ﷻ mentions His favors and creation. In particular, He highlights the provision He provides mankind in the form of livestock. In the corresponding section, Allah ﷻ again speaks of His ability to create and again mentions provision, but this time He focuses the discussion on the natural resources He provides for mankind in the forms of wood and fuel.
Section 6C/6C’
This section begins with the tragedy of human beings taking gods besides Allah ﷻ, even though those false gods cannot aid them. This is paralleled by the tragedy of human beings forgetting their own creation. At this point the disbeliever has shed all humility and incredulously says, “Who will bring bones back to life while we are decaying?”
Section 6D
The entire passage centers on the words of others - “Do not worry about what they say” - which ties back to the opening and closing in Sections 6A/6A’.
Coherence of the Entire Surah
Now that we’ve observed the coherence of the six individual passages, we can bring them altogether to show their coherence as a sūrah as well. When observed in total, the passages form what appears to be a larger ring structure.
Connections
Passages 1 & 6
The sūrah opens and closes with the document (Quran) and command of Allah ﷻ (decree).
Passages 2 & 5
Learning from our past is coupled with judgment in the future.
Passages 3 & 4
Observing the world around us is coupled with blindness and the inability to do so.
Linear Structure
Between the mention of “Quran” at the beginning and the end of this sūrah, it appears we have a chronological timeline of events which gives the sūrah a linear structure as well.
واللَّهُ أَعلَم - And Allah knows best
Sources
Khan, Nouman. “Surah Yasin” YouTube, uploaded by Quran Weekly, July 25, 2015, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHPW7nn9Wmb66OICiQfWwlSUU4rM1rY3D.