Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Nûh (Noah) said: "O my Lord! I seek refuge with You from asking You that of which I have no knowledge. And unless You forgive me and have Mercy on me, I will indeed be one of the losers."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
قَالَqālaHe said
رَبِّrabbiO my Lord
إِنِّىٓinnīIndeed, I
أَعُوذُaʿūdhuseek refuge
بِكَbikain You
أَنْanthat
أَسْـَٔلَكَasalakaI (should) ask You
مَاmāwhat
لَيْسَlaysanot
لِىlīI have
بِهِۦbihiof it
عِلْمٌۭ ۖʿil'munknowledge
وَإِلَّاwa-illāAnd unless
تَغْفِرْtaghfirYou forgive
لِىlīme
وَتَرْحَمْنِىٓwatarḥamnīand You have mercy on me
أَكُنakunI will be
مِّنَminaamong
ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَl-khāsirīnathe losers
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 47) {قَالَرَبِّاِنِّيْۤاَعُوْذُبِكَاَنْاَسْـَٔلَكَمَالَيْسَلِيْبِهٖعِلْمٌ …:} Perhaps due to paternal affection, Noah (peace be upon him) thought that even if the son is a disbeliever, he is included among the family members and supplication can be made for him. But as soon as Allah Almighty warned him that considering a disbelieving son as your family member on the basis of blood relation is not correct, he immediately became alert and sought forgiveness from Allah for his mistake. Shah Abdul Qadir (may Allah have mercy on him) writes: "Noah (peace be upon him) repented, but did not say that he would not do so again, because that would be a claim; what power does a servant have! He should only seek refuge that such a thing does not happen again from me." (Muwadhih)
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.
47. 1. When Prophet Nuh (Noah) ؑ realized that his question was not in accordance with the reality, he immediately turned away from it and sought Allah's mercy and forgiveness.
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.
Noah said, "My Lord, I seek refuge with You from asking You about that of which I have no knowledge. And unless You forgive me and have mercy [52] upon me, I will be among the losers."
[52] Nuh’s Request for Forgiveness for His Own Mistake:
Nuh (peace be upon him) was, after all, a human being, and the question he asked was compelled by human nature, so it does not seem to be such a great sin that such reproach should descend upon him. However, since the entire life of the Prophets is a model for the Ummah, even their smallest slips are taken to account by Allah Almighty, and this model is kept pure and clean, and this is the meaning of the infallibility of the Prophets. Thus, when Nuh (peace be upon him) was admonished by Allah, he trembled with the realization of his slip, immediately turned to Allah Almighty, and with utmost humility sought forgiveness from Allah Almighty.