Surah Yunus (10) — Ayah 71

(Ayah 71) ➊ { وَ اتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَاَ نُوْحٍ … :} After mentioning the doubts of the disbelievers about prophethood and their reasoned answers, here several prophets are mentioned, especially the stories of three prophets are described in some detail. There are several wisdoms in this: (1) By changing the style of narration and starting something new, listeners do not get bored, and a person continues to listen with happiness and interest. Even if something is very scholarly, if it becomes lengthy in the same style, interest decreases. (2) So that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and his followers may find comfort in hearing these events and not be grieved by the harm of the disbelievers, but rather take these prophets and their companions as role models and examples for themselves. (3) So that the disbelievers may also be warned to reflect on the fate of the nations that were drowned first and last in the world, and refrain from such insolence. (4) Then, the narration of these historical stories by an unlettered prophet without any deficiency or excess is itself a proof of the truthfulness of his prophethood.

➋ Nuh (Noah), peace be upon him, is among the resolute messengers. His mention has come forty-three (43) times in the Quran. His people were idolaters, and the first addressees of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, the Arabs, were also idolaters, and the names of their idols were almost similar. The mention of Nuh, peace be upon him, and his people has come in more detail in Surah Al-A'raf, Hud, Al-Mu’minun, and Nuh; here, it is mentioned briefly, and this aspect of his life is highlighted that despite living among his people for a long time and their not believing, he had so much trust in Allah Almighty that he challenged his people to do whatever harm they could to him.

➌ {’’ فَاَجْمِعُوْۤا ‘‘} is an imperative from the Bab If’al, {’’ اَجْمَعْتُ عَلَي الْاَمْرِ‘‘} means I have firmly resolved to do such and such work. {’’ وَ شُرَكَآءَكُمْ ‘‘} is maf’ul ma’ah and the waw is in the meaning of {’’ مَعَ ‘‘}. {’’ غُمَّةً ‘‘} is in the meaning of concealment. Thus, it is said: {’’غَمَّ عَلٰي فُلاَنٍ الْاَمْرُ‘‘} “The matter remained hidden and concealed from such and such person.” That is, Nuh, peace be upon him, to show that he does not consider the entire nation and the gods they made out of ignorance to be of any worth, and that he has such trust in his Lord that he does not fear any of their plots, openly challenged everyone that if my staying among you and advising you is burdensome for you and you are in no way ready to accept the advice, then together with your idols, whom you ignorantly and shamelessly associate with Allah Almighty, make whatever plot you can against me for my killing or harm.

➍ { ثُمَّ لَا يَكُنْ اَمْرُكُمْ …:} That is, whatever plan you make to kill me, consider it thoroughly so that no aspect of it remains hidden from you, then do whatever you want to do with me and do not give me any respite.

➎ From these verses, the utmost courage of Nuh, peace be upon him, his perfect trust in Allah Almighty, complete independence from creation, continuous fulfillment of the duty of prophethood for a very long period without any break, boredom, or fatigue, and enduring every hardship, taunt, and mockery during this period with perfect patience becomes evident. That is why our Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, was also commanded to be patient like these resolute prophets. We sweat and tremble just imagining the circumstances they faced; may Allah Almighty grant us also the courage and ability to do the work of dawah. (Ameen)

71. 1. That is, those whom you have set up as partners with Allah, seek their help as well (if, according to your assumption, they can help you).
71. 2. The other meaning of غُمَّۃً is ambiguous talk and concealment. That is, your plot against me should be clear and free from doubt.

71. Relate to them the story of Noah. When he said to his people: O my people! If my standing among you and my reminding you of Allah’s signs is hard on you, then I have put my trust in Allah. So, come together with your partners and agree upon your plan, so that nothing about it remains hidden from you. Then carry out your decision against me and give me no respite.

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Insulting the Friends of Allah, the Challenge of Sayyiduna Nuh (A.S.) to His People:

The most effective response that the polytheists have in support of the truth of their religion is that if anyone says anything disrespectful about their deities or the friends of Allah, or insults them, then those deities or saints will bring such and such calamity upon them and utterly destroy them. They themselves believe in such notions and keep frightening and threatening others with them. This belief has continued unchanged from the time of Sayyiduna Nuh (A.S.) until today. Even today, if you look at any mention of the saints, you will find such warnings and threats that such and such person insulted such and such elder and was ruined, etc., etc. Such incidents are usually fabricated, invented by the disciples of these saints to establish their spiritual authority, and then published. When this was said to Nuh (A.S.), he gave a straightforward answer to the polytheists of his people and said: You yourselves and your deities, all together, do whatever harm you can to me, and do not give me any respite, because I put my trust in my Allah. And the one who fully trusts Allah does not fear anyone except Allah. And even if, for the sake of argument, any harm does reach him, that harm is already within Allah’s will; it has absolutely nothing to do with the divinity of any deity or the sainthood of any elder.