Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And he [Nûh (Noah) عليه السلام] said: "Embark therein: in the Name of Allâh will be its (moving) course and its (resting) anchorage. Surely, my Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Tafsir At-Tabarî)
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
۞ وَقَالَwaqālaAnd he said
ٱرْكَبُوا۟ir'kabūEmbark
فِيهَاfīhāin it
بِسْمِbis'miin the name
ٱللَّهِl-lahiof Allah
مَجْر۪ىٰهَاmajrahā(is) its course
وَمُرْسَىٰهَآ ۚwamur'sāhāand its anchorage
إِنَّinnaIndeed
رَبِّىrabbīmy Lord
لَغَفُورٌۭlaghafūrun(is) certainly Oft-Forgiving
رَّحِيمٌۭraḥīmunMost Merciful
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 41) ➊ {وَقَالَارْكَبُوْافِيْهَابِسْمِاللّٰهِمَجْرٖىهَاوَمُرْسٰىهَا : ’’ ارْكَبُوْافِيْهَا ‘‘} . Generally, for mounting, the phrase {’’رَكِبَ عَلَيْهِ ‘‘} is used, but here instead of {’’رَكِبَعَلَيْهِ ‘‘}, it is said {’’ اِرْكَبُوْاعَلَيْهَا ‘‘} because in a ship one enters and sits like in a room, whereas on horses and the like, one mounts on top. (Ibn Ashur) From this, it is also understood that the ship was not just planks upon which they mounted, but rather, the ship prepared under Allah’s supervision was of the best rooms, comfortable seats, and multiple stories, in which they boarded. {’’مَجْرَي ‘‘ ’’ جَرَييَجْرِيْ ‘‘} (ض) is from the masdar mimi, meaning to move. Some reciters have made imalah in it, that is, they incline the alif towards ya and the fathah towards kasrah in their recitation. {’’ مُرْسَي‘‘} This is from the masdar mimi of the form if‘al {’’اَرْسَييُرْسِيْ‘‘ } ( {ر س و}), meaning its stopping. When boarding the ship, Nuh (peace be upon him) recited this supplication, so this supplication at the time of boarding a ship is established from the Noble Quran. In Surah Al-Mu’minun, that supplication is also mentioned which Allah commanded to be recited after boarding the ship and sitting comfortably: «{ فَقُلِالْحَمْدُلِلّٰهِالَّذِيْنَجّٰىنَامِنَالْقَوْمِالظّٰلِمِيْنَ }» and «{ رَبِّاَنْزِلْنِيْمُنْزَلًامُّبٰرَكًاوَّاَنْتَخَيْرُالْمُنْزِلِيْنَ }»[ المؤمنون : ۲۸، ۲۹ ] In Surah Az-Zukhruf, whether it is a ship or any ride, Allah has taught this supplication to be recited when boarding: «{ سُبْحٰنَالَّذِيْسَخَّرَلَنَاهٰذَاوَمَاكُنَّالَهٗمُقْرِنِيْنَ (13) وَاِنَّاۤاِلٰىرَبِّنَالَمُنْقَلِبُوْنَ۠ }»[ الزخرف : ۱۳، ۱۴ ] “Glory be to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could not have subdued it, and surely to our Lord we must return.” In Sahih Muslim, there is a hadith from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) about reciting this supplication when mounting a camel, and there are additional words in it. [ دیکھیے مسلم، الحج، باب استحباب الذکر إذا رکب دابتہ متوجھا… : ۱۳۴۲، عن ابن عمر رضی اللہ عنھما]
➋ {اِنَّرَبِّيْلَغَفُوْرٌرَّحِيْمٌ :} The meaning is that all of us who boarded the ship and were saved from the punishment, it is not because we are completely free from sins, but the reason is that my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful. Because of faith, He overlooked our slips and granted us this honor.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
41. 1. That is, it is only by Allah's name that it sails on the surface of the water and by His name that it comes to rest. One purpose of this was also to give reassurance and encouragement to the believers that they should board the ark without fear or hesitation; Allah Almighty Himself is the protector and guardian of this ark. It will move by His command and stop by His command. Just as Allah Almighty has said in another place: 'O Nuh! When you and your companions are seated safely in the ark, then say (اَلْحَمْدُلللّٰہِالَّذِیْنَجّٰنَامِنَالْقَوْمِالظّٰلِمِیْنَ ہ وَقُلْرَّبِّاَنْزِلْنِیْمُنْزَلًامُّبٰرَکَاوَّاَنْتَخَیْرُالْمُنْزِلِیْنَ) (Al-Mu’minun 28, 29) "All praise is for Allah, Who has saved us from the wrongdoing people, and say: O my Lord! Cause me to land at a blessed landing, and You are the best of those who bring to land."' Some scholars have considered it recommended to recite (بِسْمِاللّٰہِمَجْرٖھاومُرْسٰھِا) when boarding a boat or mount, but from the hadith, reciting (وَتَـقُوْلُوْاسُبْحٰنَالَّذِيْسَخَّــرَلَنَاھٰذَاوَمَاكُنَّالَهٗمُقْرِنِيْنَ) (Az-Zukhruf: 13) is proven.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
41. Noah said, "Embark in it [47]; its sailing and its anchoring are by the name of Allah. Surely, my Lord is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful."
[47] The Supplication for Boarding the Ark:
Noah ؑ said to his companions that, taking the name of Allah, board this ark; do not worry, for its sailing and stopping are all by Allah’s permission and by the blessing of His name. There is no fear of drowning because my Lord is the One who forgives the shortcomings of the believers and is very merciful to them. Surely, by His grace and mercy, He will bring us safely to shore. Incidentally, a few things are understood from this verse. One is that a believer should not rely solely on means, but should also keep praying to Allah for His grace and mercy, because the reins of all means are in His hands. Secondly, when boarding a boat or ship, this supplication should be recited: ﴿بِسْمِاللّٰهِمَجْرٖيهَاوَمُرْسيٰهَا ۭ اِنَّرَبِّيْلَغَفُوْرٌرَّحِيْمٌ ﴾
