Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And indeed We sent Nûh (Noah) to his people, and he said: "O my people! Worship Allâh! You have no other Ilâh (God) but Him (Islâmic Monotheism). Will you not then be afraid (of Him i.e. of His punishment because of worshipping others besides Him)?"
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَلَقَدْwalaqadAnd verily
أَرْسَلْنَاarsalnāWe sent
نُوحًاnūḥanNuh
إِلَىٰilāto
قَوْمِهِۦqawmihihis people
فَقَالَfaqālaand he said
يَـٰقَوْمِyāqawmiO my people
ٱعْبُدُوا۟uʿ'budūWorship
ٱللَّهَl-lahaAllah
مَاmānot
لَكُمlakumfor you
مِّنْmin(is) any
إِلَـٰهٍilāhingod
غَيْرُهُۥٓ ۖghayruhuother than Him
أَفَلَاafalāThen will not
تَتَّقُونَtattaqūnayou fear
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 23) ➊ { وَلَقَدْاَرْسَلْنَانُوْحًااِلٰىقَوْمِهٖ:} After mentioning the proofs of Tawheed and the Hereafter and His magnificent blessings, He mentioned the evil end of those nations who denied them and rejected the messengers, and the help given to His messengers. In this context, the mention of Nuh (peace be upon him) and his people comes first, because he was the first messenger sent to the people of the earth, and the transition from the mention of blessings to Nuh (peace be upon him) is made in a very beautiful way, as the last blessing mentioned was making humans ride on ships, and the first to ride a ship were Nuh (peace be upon him) and his believing companions. Later, all ships were made in the same manner. (See Surah Ya-Sin: 41–43) Therefore, after the ships, their mention was made. ➋ After mentioning the blessings and proofs of Tawheed, the conditions of the prophets and those nations are mentioned who, instead of reflecting on Allah’s blessings, acted with ingratitude and arrogance, so Allah’s punishment came upon them. In this, the purpose is to warn the Quraysh and all other disbelievers and to console the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). In the Qur’an, generally after {’’ آلَاءُاللّٰهِ ‘‘} (Allah’s blessings), the mention of { ’’ أَيَّامُاللّٰهِ ‘‘ } comes, so that people may take heed. ➌ From { ’’ اِلٰىقَوْمِهٖ ‘‘} it is known that Nuh (peace be upon him) was sent only to his own people; it is another matter that at that time only his people existed. Being sent to all mankind and jinn is a distinction specific to our Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). ➍ { فَقَالَيٰقَوْمِاعْبُدُوااللّٰهَ : ’’ يٰقَوْمِ ‘‘} is originally {’’يَاقَوْمِيْ‘‘} “O my people!” See how lovingly and gently he addressed them, then said: “Worship Allah.” This has always been the call of every prophet. (See Surah Al-Anbiya: 25) For the incidents of Nuh (peace be upon him), also see Surah Al-A’raf (59–64), Yunus (71–73), Bani Isra’il (3), and Surah Al-Anbiya (76, 77). ➎ With {مَالَكُمْمِّنْاِلٰهٍغَيْرُهٗ : ’’ مِنْ ‘‘} the generality of deities is emphasized, so the translation will be: “You have no deity at all except Him.” This sentence is the reason for {’’ اعْبُدُوااللّٰهَ ‘‘}, that is, worship Allah, because you have no deity at all except Him. When there is no other deity, then how can you worship anyone else? ➏ { اَفَلَاتَتَّقُوْنَ :} That is, do you not fear Him and His punishment while associating partners with Allah?
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.
The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.
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.
23. And We sent Noah to his people, and he said, "O my people! Worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. Will you not fear [26] (Him)?"
[26] The incidents of Prophet Nuh ؑ have already been mentioned in Surah Al-A'raf, footnotes 61 to 64, Surah Yunus, footnote 84, and Surah Hud, footnotes 34 to 53. Those should also be kept in view.