Atheists in Quran (33) they are the same from Noah to Muhammad

The true faith has always been the same, ever since Noah, the second father of humankind. The message of the Prophet Muhammad uses almost the same expressions as Noah. Moreover, the Atheists are the same from Noah to Muhammad.

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Who is Noah? He was:

• A true believer
• Allah’s humble servant
• A great Prophet

However, Allah told him:

I admonish you lest you be among the ignorant’, when you ask about what you do not know (See the previous article)

What Noah has done when he heard that?

The verse 11:47 of the Noble Quran says:

“My Lord, I do indeed seek refuge with You from ever questioning You about anything of which I have no knowledge. Unless You grant me forgiveness and have mercy on me I shall be among the losers.”

Noah trembles with fear that he may have erred in what he said to his Lord.

Therefore, he appeals to Allah, praying for His forgiveness. Then what?

• Allah has mercy on Noah and he is reassured. Allah bestowed blessings unto Noah.
• Allah extended his bestowed blessings unto the good people of his offspring.

However, what about the evildoers of Noah’s offspring?

They will receive severe punishment:

“The word was spoken: ‘Noah, disembark in peace from Us, and with

Our blessings upon you as well as upon generations from those who are with you. As for

other folk, We shall let them have enjoyment, and then there will befall them grievous suffering from Us.” (Verse 11:48)

The end is clear:

• Noah and those who believe of his offspring will be saved and will enjoy a magnificent reward.
• Those who prefer the enjoyment of this worldly life, however, will have it for a while but will then be overtaken by severe punishment.

Back to the opening of the Surah 11, you will see the same glad tidings for the believers and the same warnings for the unbelievers.

These glad tidings and warnings are confirmed herein by the story of Noah and his people in order to make them much more real to those whom the Quran addresses.

Nevertheless, were the Arabs at the time of the Prophet Muhammad aware of Noah?

Look how the Quran summarizes the commentary on Noah’s history in one verse:

“These accounts of things that have passed We now reveal to you (O Muhammad). Neither you nor your people knew them before this. Be, then, patient in adversity; for the future belongs to those who are Allah-fearing.”

(Verse 11:49)

These sums Noah’ story in the Quran:

1) It establishes the fact of revelation denied by the unbelievers. These stories were unknown to the Prophet Muhammad and to his people. It was part of Allah’s knowledge and the Prophet could not have known about it except through revelation from the One who knows all.

2) It also establishes the fact that the true faith has always been the same, ever since Noah, the second father of humankind. The message of the Prophet Muhammad uses almost the same expressions as Noah.

3) The objections and the accusations made by the Atheists who denied the message of the Prophet are always the same. Furthermore, the glad tidings and the warnings made by the Prophet will surely happen. This story is then a testimony from history.

4) Another fact is that Allah’s laws will not fail. “The glad tidings belong to those who believe in Allah”

5) It also establishes the true tie that exists between individuals and generations.

It is the tie of faith, the same faith which holds together all believers in Allah, the only Lord of the universe.

6) All generations of believers have in common the fact that they submit themselves to Him alone and ascribe divinity to no one else.

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The verses 11:47-49 in different translations:

QARIB:

47- He said: ‘my Lord, I seek refuge with you from asking you of that, which i have no knowledge. If you do not forgive me and have mercy on me, I shall be among the losers. ‘

48- It was said: ‘o Noah, descend with peace from us and blessings on you and on the nations of those with you; and nations we shall give them enjoyment, and then from us they shall be visited with a painful punishment. ‘

49- That is from the news of the unseen, which we reveal to you; neither you nor your nation knew this before now. Have patience; the outcome is for the cautious.

SHAKIR:

47- He said: my Lord! I seek refuge in thee from asking thee that of which I have no knowledge; and if thou shouldst not forgive me and have mercy on me, I should be of the losers

48- it was said: O nuh! Descend with peace from us and blessings on you and on the people from among those who are with you, and there shall be nations whom we will afford provisions, then a painful punishment from us shall afflict them

49- These are announcements relating to the unseen, which we reveal to you, you did not know them– (neither) you nor your people– before this; therefore be patient; surely, the end is for those who guard (against evil)

PICKTHAL:

47- He said: my Lord! lo! In thee do I seek refuge (from the sin) that I should ask of thee that whereof I have no knowledge. unless thou forgive me and have mercy on me I shall be among the lost.

48- it was said (unto him): o Noah! Go thou down (from the mountain) with peace from us and blessings upon thee and some nations (that will spring) from those with thee. (There will be other) nations unto whom we shall give enjoyment a long while and then a painful doom from us will overtake them.

49- This is of the tidings of the unseen which we inspire in thee (Muhammad). Thou thyself knewest it not, nor did thy folk (know it) before this. then have patience. Lo! The sequel is for those who ward off (evil).

YUSUFALI:

47- Noah said: “o my Lord! I do seek refuge with thee, lest I ask thee for that of which I have no knowledge. And unless thou forgive me and have mercy on me, I should indeed be lost!”

48- The word came: “o Noah! Come down (from the ark) with peace from us, and blessing on thee and on some of the peoples (who will spring) from those with thee: but (there will be other) peoples to whom we shall grant their pleasures (for a time), but in the end will a grievous penalty reach them from us.”

49- Such are some of the stories of the unseen, which we have revealed unto thee: before this, neither thou nor thy people knew them. So persevere patiently: for the end is for those who are righteous.

Atheists in Quran (32) the failed Noah’s plea for his Atheist son

Noah cried unto his Lord and said, O My Lord! Lo! My son is one of my family whom you promised to save! Surely, your promise is the Truth. However, Allah’s principle = there is no rescue for unbelievers and the tie is not the tie of blood.

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In the previous article, the ark is sailing amid huge waves, Noah, the worried father makes one plea after another; his Atheist son insolently turns his back.

In an instant, the gigantic waves swallow up everything, so he was among the drowned by the flood.

The verses 11:45-46 of the Noble Quran continues the story.

The Loving Father’s Plea

Now that the storm has subsided and the ark has come to rest.

Noah once again feels the paternal love of a distressed father.

He makes this appeal to Allah:

“Noah called out to his Lord, saying: ‘Lord, my son is of my family. Surely Your promise always

comes true, and You are the most just of judges.’”

Noah makes clear that he has no doubt that Allah is just and wise.

Nothing Allah does is without reason.

Yet Allah has promised Noah that He will be save his family (and his son of course is one of his family)

Now, Noah requests that Allah fulfil the promise He made to spare his family (and his son of course).

Noah cried unto his Lord and said,

O My Lord! Lo! My son is of my family whom you promised to save! Surely Your promise is the Truth for certain.

O my Lord! You promised me that they would be saved, and truly, Your promise is the Truth, which never fails, and You are the Most Just of Judges’, the most knowledgeable and the fairest of them.

Allah’s answer

Allah’s answer states the fact that Noah has overlooked.

By Allah’s standards and according to Allah’s principles, one’s family are not necessarily one’s blood relations.

The true relationship is that of faith.

This son was not a believer, and as such, he was not a member of the family of the great Prophet Noah.

Allah’s answer is firm and undisputable.

Moreover, there is an element of criticism and warning in Allah’s answer:

“‘Noah,’ Allah answered, ‘he was not of your family; his was an unrighteous conduct. Do not question Me about matters of which you have no knowledge. I admonish you lest you become one of the ignorant.”

O Noah, lo! He is not of your family, of those who will be saved, or of the followers of your religion; lo! it, that is, your plea to save him, is not a righteous deed, for he is unbeliever and there is no rescue for unbelievers

A great principle of this religion states that the paramount relationship that exists between individuals is not one based on family affinity: “He was not of your family; his was an unrighteous conduct.”

Your relationship with him is thus severed despite the fact that he was your own son. Since the basic tie between the two of you does not exist, no other tie has any significance.

Since Noah’s prayer requested the fulfilment of a promise which he felt had not happened, the answer includes an implicit reproach and warning:

“Do not question Me about matters of which you have no knowledge. I admonish you lest you become one of the ignorant.”

I admonish you lest you be among the ignorant’, when you ask about what you do not know.

The admonition is needed lest Noah become one of those who are ignorant of the real ties and relationships, or unaware of Allah’s promise and its

interpretation. For Allah’s promise has been done and Noah’s true faithful family has been saved.

There is one thing, which Noah will see it in the Day of Judgment; Noah lost one Atheist son but he gained billions of believer sons, they are the Muslims.

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The verses 11:45-46 in different translations:

QARIB:

45- Noah called out to his lord, saying: ‘o lord, my son was of my family, and your promise is surely the truth. you are the most just of judges. ‘

46- He said: ‘Noah, he is not of your family. it is not a good deed. do not ask me about things of which you have no knowledge. i reproach you lest you become among the ignorant. ‘

SHAKIR:

45- And nuh cried out to his lord and said: my lord! Surely my son is of my family, and thy promise is surely true, and thou art the most just of the judges

46- He said: o nuh! Surely he is not of your family; surely he is (the doer of) other than good deeds, therefore ask not of me that of which you have no knowledge; surely i admonish you lest you may be of the ignorant

PICKTHAL:

45- And Noah cried unto his lord and said: my lord! lo! My son is of my household! Surely thy promise is the truth and thou are the most just of judges.

46- He said: o Noah! lo! he is not of thy household; lo! He is of evil conduct, so ask not of me that whereof thou hast no knowledge. i admonish thee lest thou be among the ignorant.

YUSUFALI:

45- And Noah called upon his lord, and said: “o my lord! Surely my son is of my family! and thy promise is true, and thou art the justest of judges!”

46- He said: “o Noah! he is not of thy family: for his conduct is unrighteous. so ask not of me that of which thou hast no knowledge! i give thee counsel, lest thou act like the ignorant!”

Atheists in Quran (31) Noah pleads with his Atheist son

Aware of the terrible reality, Noah pleads with him for the last time: O my son! Do not be with the unbelievers lest you drown. His son said: I shall seek refuge in a mountain, which will afford me protection from the waves. In an instant, the gigantic waves swallow everything up, so he was among the drowned by the flood

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The verses 11:40-42 say,

“Embark with us, my child, and do not stay with the unbelievers.”

As a proud arrogant, the Atheist son does not respond to his loving father.

He does not realize the extent of the terrible event that is taking place.

Noah said: O my son! Come ride with us

His son said: I shall take refuge in a mountain that will protect me, from the water’.

Noah said: O my son! Be saved with us

His son said: the mountain that will preserve me, from the flood’.

Noah said: O my son! Do not be with the unbelievers lest you drown

His son said: the mountain will prevent me from drowning, the mountain will afford me protection from the flood.

Aware of the terrible reality, Noah pleads with him for the last time:

“Today there is no protection for anyone from Allah’s judgment, except those who shall enjoy His mercy.”

In an instant, the scene changes and the gigantic waves swallow everything up:

The Huge waves came between them, so he was among the drowned by the flood

Today as we read this story, it is as if we see these events happening now before our very own eyes.

The ark is sailing amid huge waves, Noah, the worried father makes one plea after another; his conceited young son insolently turns his back, and then suddenly a towering wave settles the issue.

Everything is over as if the dialogue did not take place.

The element of fear and worry in this scene is measured by its:

1. Depth in the human soul, in the conversation between Noah and his son.
2. Extent in nature, as the waves rise high to submerge the tops of the mountains.

Both elements are equal.

This is a distinctive feature of how the Quran tells us about the ancient people.

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Then, the storm subsides, an air of calmness spreads, the matter is settled according to Allah’s will.

The verse here gives the impression of something coming to a complete standstill.

“And the word was spoken: ‘Earth, swallow up your waters. Heaven, cease (your rain).’ Thus, the waters sank into the earth, and Allah’s will was done, and the ark came to rest on Mount Judi. The word was spoken: Away with these evil-doing folk.’”

It was said,

‘O earth, swallow your waters, that have sprung forth from you, and the Earth reabsorbed it and

O heaven, abate!’ withhold the rain, and it did.

The waters subsided, the affair was accomplished, the matter of the destruction of Noah’s people was complete and it settled,

The earth swallows up its water and the heaven stops raining.

Furthermore, the earth’s surface was soon dry, as excess waters penetrated deep underground.

Allah addressed the earth and the heavens as if they were human beings.

Both comply with the commandment.

No wonder they did when they are Allah’s obedient creatures.

“Allah’s will was done and the ark came to rest on Mount Judi.”

That was its final stop. “The word was spoken: ‘Away with these evil-doing folk.’”

• Those who were supposed to be destroyed were destroyed and
• Those who were supposed to be saved were saved.

It was said:

‘Away with perish the evildoing, disbelieving, folk!’

The Quran does not say who said this statement, but it generates the impression that the whole affair does not in need to be considered again.

Let the evildoers disappear beyond Allah’s mercy for they deserve to be expelled;

Let them be banished from memory, for they do not deserve to be remembered.

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The verses 11:43-44 in different translations:

QARIB:

43- But he replied: ‘i shall seek refuge on a mountain, which will protect me from the water. ‘He (Noah) said: ‘today, there is no defender from the command of Allah, except those to whom he has mercy. ‘And the waves came between them, and he was drowned.

44- And it was said: ‘earth, swallow up your waters. Heaven, cease! ‘The water subsided and the matter was accomplished. And the ark came to rest upon (the mountain of) aljudi, and it was said: ‘be gone, evildoing nation! ‘

SHAKIR:

43- He said: i will betake myself for refuge to a mountain that shall protect me from the water. Nuh said: there is no protector today from Allah’s punishment but he who has mercy; and a wave intervened between them, so he was of the drowned

44- And it was said: o earth, swallow down your water, and o cloud, clear away; and the water was made to abate and the affair was decided, and the ark rested on the judi, and it was said: away with the unjust people

PICKTHAL:

43- He said: i shall betake me to some mountain that will save me from the water. (Noah) said: this day there is none that saveth from the commandment of Allah save him on whom he hath had mercy. And the wave came in between them, so he was among the drowned.

44- And it was said: o earth! swallow thy water and, o sky! be cleared of clouds! and the water was made to subside. And the commandment was fulfilled. And it (the ship) came to rest upon (the mount) al-judi and it was said: a far removal for wrongdoing folk!

YUSUFALI:

43- The son replied: “i will betake myself to some mountain: it will save me from the water.” Noah said: “this day nothing can save, from the command of Allah, any but those on whom he hath mercy! “And the waves came between them, and the son was among those overwhelmed in the flood.

44- Then the word went forth: “o earth! Swallow up thy water, and o sky! Withhold (thy rain)!” and the water abated, and the matter was ended. The ark rested on mount Judi, and the word went forth: “away with those who do wrong!”

Atheists in Quran (30) the Atheist Noah’ son in Tsunami

Noah saw his son; he was standing on the side of a mountain aloof from the Ark. The waves were as huge as mountains. Noah cried unto his son, O my son! Come ride with us, be saved with us; do not be with the unbelievers lest you drown. Does the Atheist Son respond to his loving father?

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In the previous article, Allah told Noah:

No more of your people will believe; they are hopeless.

Therefore, it is over and the unbelievers are done.

Verily, they will be drowned by the flood.

Allah commanded Noah: Build the ark

Then what happened?

The meanings of the verses11:40-42:

Allah gave Noah this sign;

‘The fountains of the earth gushed forth

This means when water started to gush forth from the earth and rain poured down in torrents.

When this took place, Allah said to Noah:

“Take into the Ark a pair of every species, as well as your family, except those against whom Our word has passed, and all those who have accepted the faith.”

It is obvious that Allah has revealed to Noah the whole process systematically at the right moment.

Noah first received orders to build the ark.

At the beginning, the verse does not tell us why the ark is built

Then, Noah received the instructions for the following stage

When the sign took place, (Allah told him 🙂

Such that when Our command came, for their destruction

When the appointed time for chastisement happens and you see the sign;

Load therein, in the ship:

• Of every kind, male and female, that is, of every species of these two, two, a male and a female; Allah gathered for Noah all the beasts of prey and birds and other animals.  Noah was ordered to take into the ark a pair of all such living species as he could take.
• Your family and your household save the unbeliever
• Those who believed

However, a few were they who believed with him

It is said that the number of all those aboard the ship was eighty, half of whom were men and the other half were women.

Noah carried out his instructions exactly as they were given to him

Praying to Allah, Noah said to the believers:

• Embark therein in the ship!
• In the name of Allah be its course wherever it sails to and
• In the name of Allah be its mooring wherever it stops.
• Allah makes it sail wherever He wills and makes it stop wherever He wills.

This statement indicates that Noah put himself and the ark in Allah’s hands and trusted in Him. The ark would float and anchor under Allah’s watchful eyes. For, what could Noah and his people do to steer the ark to safety in such a flood?

[Envisage these huge waves like mountains that would have caused many titanic ships to drown, to understand Allah’s will, which protect the first primitive ship in the history of humankind]

Then Noah said:

Lo! My Lord is Forgiving, Merciful towards the one who believes and repents.

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The ship sailed with them amid huge waves; the waves’ height and size were like mountains

Noah’s Atheist Son

We then have the very awesome scene of the flood.

Two elements of fear are at work here: one originates from nature, stormy but silent as it is; and the other is felt in one’s innermost soul. Both converge as the ark moves on amidst waves as high as mountains.

At this terrible, decisive moment, Noah looks in a certain direction and sees one of his sons who has not joined them in the ark.

Noah saw his son; he was standing on the side of a mountain aloof from the ship

Paternal emotion roused up in Noah.

Immediately, Noah cried unto his stray son:

• O my son! Come ride with us
• O my son! Be saved with us
• O my son! Do not be with the unbelievers lest you drown.

Does the Atheist Son respond to his loving father?

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The verses 11:40-42 in different translations:

QARIB:

40- And when our command came and the oven gushed (forth with water), we said (to Noah): ‘take on board (the ark) a pair from every species and your family, except he of whom the word has already been spoken, and those who believe. And none except a few believed with him.

41- He (Noah) said: ’embark. In the name of Allah will be its course and berthing. indeed, my lord is forgiving, the most merciful. ‘

42- And so it (the ark) ran with them amidst the mountainous waves, and Noah cried out to his son, who was standing apart, ’embark with us, my son, do not be with the unbelievers! ‘

SHAKIR:

40- Until when our command came and water came forth from the valley, we said: carry in it two of all things, a pair, and your own family– except those against whom the word has already gone forth, and those who believe. and there believed not with him but a few

41- And he said: embark in it, in the name of Allah be its sailing and its anchoring; most surely, my lord is forgiving, merciful

42- And it moved on with them amid waves like mountains; and nuh called out to his son, and he was aloof: o my son! Embark with us and be not with the unbelievers

PICKTHAL:

40- (Thus it was) till, when our commandment came to pass and the oven gushed forth water, we said: load therein two of every kind, a pair (the male and female), and thy household, save him against whom the word hath gone forth already, and those who believe. And but a few were they who believed with him.

41- And he said: embark therein! In the name of Allah be its course and its mooring. lo! my lord is forgiving, merciful.

42- And it sailed with them amid waves like mountains, and Noah cried unto his son – and he was standing aloof – o my son! Come ride with us, and be not with the disbelievers.

YUSUFALI:

40- At length, behold! there came our command, and the fountains of the earth gushed forth! we said: “embark therein, of each kind two, male and female, and your family – except those against whom the word has already gone forth,- and the believers.” but only a few believed with him.

41- So he said: “embark ye on the ark, in the name of Allah, whether it move or be at rest! for my lord is, be sure, oft-forgiving, most merciful!”

42- So the ark floated with them on the waves (towering) like mountains, And Noah called out to his son, who had separated himself (from the rest): “o my son! Embark with us, and be not with the unbelievers!”

Atheists in Quran (29) they mocked Noah

Allah commanded Noah: Build the ark and Noah did.

While building the ark, group after group of the insolent Atheists men pass by and scoff at Noah and his followers. Noah said to them, though you mock us today, yet we mock you tomorrow, because Allah will save us and will drown you.

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In the previous article, Allah told Noah:

“None of your people will believe apart from those who have already accepted the faith.”

Those who are susceptible to faith have already accepted it. The others are hopeless.

Therefore, it is over and the unbelievers are done.

Allah commanded Noah: Build the ark

The verses 11:37-39 disclose the story of building the Ark and tell us what happened during building it, the verses say:

Build the Ark under Our watch, protection and inspiration and by Our command

We will look after you and give you instructions as you do so.

Start the construction of the ship under Our care and by Our command.

[Then, we have to watch this Allah’ strong order]

Do not address Me concerning the unbelievers who have done evil, by asking that I should refrain from destroying them

Do not plead with Me on behalf of those unbelievers about saving them.

The Atheists’ destiny has been decided and you are not to plead their case.

You can neither pray for them to be guided to the truth, nor can you pray for their punishment.

Prayers are to no avail when Allah’s will comes to pass.

Verily, they will be drowned by the flood.

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Noah and his followers were building the Ark

Every time that chieftain of a notable council, a group, of his people passed him, they scoffed at him

Whenever a group, of his people passed him, they made mock of him, they derided him for so doing.

They told Noah’s followers that they are following an insane.

Noah builds the ark and group after group of his insolent people pass by and scoff at him. They scoff at the man who said he was a messenger from Allah and argued long with them, but who now busies himself making a boat. They mock him because they can only see what appears to them.

Noah said unto them:

The same you scoff at us is the same we scoff at you.

Though you make mock of us today, yet we mock at you tomorrow.

Because we are saved, while you drown.

Noah, on the other hand, is full of confidence as he tells them that their mockery will rebound. We will scoff at you because you cannot visualize that Allah has a definite purpose beyond all this, and you cannot imagine what awaits you.

Will this apply to us or to you when everything will be revealed?

You shall know to whom will come a punishment that will confound, humiliate and destroy him

You shall know upon whom an everlasting chastisement will fall and will be enjoined upon in the Hereafter.

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The verses 11: 37-39 in different translations:

QARIB:

37- Build the ark with our seeing (and protection), and as we reveal. do not speak to me concerning the evildoers; they shall be drowned. ‘

38- Whenever an assembly of his nation passed by him as he was building the ark, they mocked him. whereupon he said: ‘if you mock us, we shall indeed mock you, just as you mock.

39- You shall know to whom a degrading punishment will come, and upon whom an everlasting punishment will fall. ‘

SHAKIR:

37- And make the ark before our eyes and (according to) our revelation, and do not speak to me in respect of those who are unjust; surely they shall be drowned

38- And he began to make the ark; and whenever the chiefs from among his people passed by him they laughed at him. he said: if you laugh at us, surely we too laugh at you as you laugh (at us)

39- So shall you know who it is on whom will come a chastisement which will disgrace him, and on whom will lasting chastisement come down

PICKTHAL:

37- Build the ship under our eyes and by our inspiration, and speak not unto me on behalf of those who do wrong. lo! they will be drowned.

38- And he was building the ship, and every time that chieftains of his people passed him, they made mock of him. he said: though ye make mock of us, yet we mock at you even as ye mock;

39- And ye shall know to whom a punishment that will confound him cometh, and upon whom a lasting doom will fall.

YUSUFALI:

37- “But construct an ark under our eyes and our inspiration, and address me no (further) on behalf of those who are in sin: for they are about to be overwhelmed (in the flood).”

38- Forthwith he (starts) constructing the ark: every time that the chiefs of his people passed by him, they threw ridicule on him. he said: “if ye ridicule us now, we (in our turn) can look down on you with ridicule likewise!

39- “But soon will ye know who it is on whom will descend a penalty that will cover them with shame,- on whom will be unloosed a penalty lasting:”

Atheists in Quran (28) Noah and their Recycled History

The ignorant Atheists among Noah’s people said Noah has invented that which he has brought us.

The ignorant Arabs among Muhammad’s people said Muhammad has invented that which he has brought us.

Interestingly, the “Today” intellectual Atheists deny Noah and say that Muhammad has invented that which he has brought of Quran.

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The Atheists’ pride and arrogance are limitless.

The Atheists who were the council, notables, respected elders and chieftains of Noah’s people claim many false and nasty statements about the great Prophet Noah.

They had many rotten arguments with Noah.

Noah did his job patiently and perfectly; he kept advising his people all the time and he never ever put.

However, the Atheists’ pride veiled their hearts.

The verses 11:34-36 describe the scene.

Noah said:

1) If I sincerely desire to counsel you, my sincere counsel will not benefit you if Allah wants to lead you astray (because of your limitless pride). He is your lord, and to him you shall return

2) My invitation and warning to you from Allah’s chastisement will not benefit you if I were to warn you and call you to profess Allah’s divine Oneness

3) If Allah’s law determines that, you will proud fully perish because of your rejection of the truth, Allah’s law has to be fulfilled, regardless of my advice. It is not that Allah will deprive you of benefiting by my advice.

4) According to Allah’s law, It is what you do with yourselves that will, take you away from the right path.

5) You cannot defy Allah or make yourselves immune from Him. You are always within His reach. He has absolute power over you and over your lives. You cannot escape meeting Him when He brings you to account and decides your reward; He will reward you according to your works.

 “He is your Lord and to Him you shall return.”

Prophets Act on Their Instructions

At this stage in Noah’s story, the Quran has a remarkable pause.

The verse makes brief reference to the reception of a similar message by the Atheists among the Arabs at the time of the Prophet Muhammad.

The significance of this pause:

There is a remarkable similarity of attitudes, as the Atheists among the Arabs claim that Muhammad too has invented the Quran.

The Atheists among the Arabs have too limitless pride.

A Recycled History?

The Atheists among Noah’s people said Noah has invented that which he has brought us.

The ignorant skeptic Arabs among Muhammad’s people said Muhammad has invented that which he has brought us.

The verse quickly refutes their claim before returning to Noah:

“Do they claim that he (i.e. Muhammad] has invented it? Say: ‘If I have invented it, upon me be this crime of mine, but I am innocent of the crimes you perpetrate.’” (Verse 35)

To fabricate a falsehood is to commit a crime.

Hence, Allah instructed His Prophet Muhammad to tell the unbelievers:

1) If I have made any such fabrication, I will bear the responsibility for it. It is a great sin to do that; however, the punishment for my sin will be upon me

2) Since I am aware that it is a crime to make such fabrications, it is highly unlikely that I would do so.

3) However, I am, innocent of all your:

• Crimes, including your false allegations,
• Misconduct, when you attribute invention to me.
• Rejection of Allah’s message
• Associating partners with Allah.

It is interesting that the “Today” intellectual Atheists deny Noah and say that Muhammad has invented that which he has brought of Quran.

This interjecting overlap however does not interrupt the Quranic story; rather it serves the purpose of the verse.

In the next sight, we see Noah receiving Allah’s revelations and commandments.

“Noah received this revelation: “none of thy people will believe except those who have believed already! So grieve no longer over their (evil) deeds.”

Do not be in distress over anything they may do.

None of your people will believe except those who have already believed.

Do not be distressed, grieved, because of what they do and do not be saddened for their destruction

Everything has ended:

• The advocacy of Allah’s message,
• The advice
• The warning,
• The arguments.
• Their pride

Then what?

“None of your people will believe now apart from those who have already accepted the faith.”

Those who are susceptible to faith have already accepted it. The others are hopeless.

Allah, who knows best what is feasible and what is not, and knows His servants well, has informed Noah of this.

Hence, it is pointless to continue with the argument.

Allah told Noah not to grieve at their rejection or their mockery.

“Do not be in distress over anything they may do.”

Allah’s will has happened.

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The verses 11:34-36 in different translations:

QARIB:

34-Nor will my sincere counsel benefit you if I sincerely desire to counsel you if Allah desires to lead you astray. He is your lord, and to him you shall return. ‘

35-Or do they say: ‘he has fabricated it (himself)? ‘Say: ‘if i had fabricated it, then the sin rests upon me. I reject the sins you do. ‘

36-And it was revealed to Noah: ‘none of your nation will believe except whosoever has already believed. Do not distress yourself with what they may do.

SHAKIR:

34-And if I intend to give you good advice, my advice will not profit you if Allah intended that he should leave you to go astray; he is your lord, and to him shall you be returned

35-Or do they say: he has forged it? Say: if I have forged it, on me is my guilt, and i am clear of that of which you are guilty

36-And it was revealed to nuh: that none of your people will believe except those who have already believed, therefore do not grieve at what they do:

PICKTHAL:

34-My counsel will not profit you if I were minded to advise you, if Allah’s will is to keep you astray. He is your lord and unto him ye will be brought back.

35-Or say they (again): he hath invented it? Say: if i have invented it, upon me be my crimes, but i am innocent of (all) that ye commit.

36-And it was inspired in Noah, (saying): no one of thy folk will believe save him who hath believed already. Be not distressed because of what they do.

YUSUFALI:

34-“Of no profit will be my counsel to you, much as I desire to give you (good) counsel, if it be that Allah willeth to leave you astray: he is your lord! and to him will ye return!”

35-Or do they say, “he has forged it”? Say: “if I had forged it, on me were my sin! And I am free of the sins of which ye are guilty!

36-It was revealed to Noah:”none of thy people will believe except those who have believed already! so grieve no longer over their (evil) deeds.

Atheists in Quran (27) Noah’s values vs. their values

Noah presents his message clearly, free of all falsehood. He makes a gentle and friendly description of the truth. In Noah’s presentation, there were no flattery, no attempt to win any favor with anyone at the expense of the message. The Atheists stiffened their attitude became determined not to accept any proof of Noah’s case; they said: Noah! You have argued with us, and argued to excess. Bring upon us that with which you have been threatening us, if you are a truthful man.

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In the previous articles, the Atheists who were the council notables and the respected elders of Noah’s people claim that Noah is just looking for wealth and they said:

• We will never ever sit with Noah and listen to him unless he drives away those who are the most abject, lowly, and weak and the riffraff among us.
• Why have such lowly men followed Noah before us?

This was a part of their rotten arguments

They said such nasty statements to testify their unbelieving thoughts

The Atheists’ pride and arrogance are limitless.

In this article, the Atheists continue their stubborn arguments with Noah.

The meanings of the verses 11:31-33

The Atheists demanded that they would never believe Noah unless:

• Noah tells them that he possess the treasure houses of Allah
• Noah tells them that he has the keys to Allah’s stores of provision
• Noah tells them that he has knowledge of the Unseen
• Noah tells the lowly men who followed him that Allah will not give them any good

However, you know what Noah (they said), we cannot believe in human being, tell your Lord to send us an Angel or to convert you to an Angel

Noah remains unaffected by the false accusations, insolence and blind rejection with which his people have received his message.

He applies his own values and maintains his own standards. He does not make false claims or accusations as they have done. Nor does he try to give himself any false image or impart anything alien to his message.

However, Allah inspired Noah the answers for their rotten arguments.

Peacefully, Noah introduces himself and his message. His presentation is simple, devoid of any ornament and decoration, free of all false standards and values.

Noah reminds them of the true values, looking with contempt on all superficial ones. He renounces all superficiality and states his message as it is, pure and simple, with no false claims. He, who wants it, let him take it, as it is as pure as Allah made it.

Noah said:

I do not say to you that God’s treasures are with me.

I do not claim that I am rich or that I can make any of you rich. “Or that

I know what lies beyond the reach of human perception.

I do not make any claim of any super-human status or

I do not allege that my relationship with Allah exceeds the fact that I am a messenger conveying Allah’s message.

Nor do I say: I am an angel.

I do not claim to have a position, which you think to be higher than that of man, so that I may gain favor or high position from you.

I cannot say to those whom you scorn that Allah will never grant them any good, so that I satisfy your pride or accommodate your standards and values.

Allah knows best what is in their hearts (those whom you scorn).

I have to go by what I see.

To me, they appear deserving of honor and hope that Allah will grant them of His bounty.

If I made such false claims, saying to them that Allah will never grant them any good, I would be unjust

• I would be unjust to the very truth I have come to convey.
• I would also be unjust to myself, exposed to Allah’s wrath,
• I would be unjust to other people to whom I gave a status other than that given them by Allah.

Thus, Noah presents his message clearly, free of all falsehood. He faces them with the clarity and strength of the truth. Meanwhile, he makes a gentle and friendly description of the truth so that they may look it in the face and decide upon their line of action.

In Noah’s presentation, there were no pretense, no flattery, no attempt to win any favor with anyone at the expense of the message and its simple nature.

In this, Noah sets an example for all advocates of the Allah’s message in all generations and provides them with a lesson in how to confront the people of authority with the truth, without any attempt to compromise, or flatter, but with the sort of friendliness, which is not associated with submission.

At this point, it was clear to the notables that they had no chance of winning the argument. They stiffened their attitude, became determined not to accept any proof of Noah’s case, logical and natural as it certainly was.

Then they finally rallied themselves in order to deliver a challenge to Noah. They said:

Noah! You have argued with us, and argued to excess. Bring upon us that with which you have been threatening us, if you are a man of truth.

This is nothing short of deceit, an attempt to cover up their weakness by putting on a display of strength. It is a challenge made in order to mask their dread of the truth’s strength.

Noah, however, remains unaffected by their outright rejection and challenge. He maintains the noble attitude befitting a great prophet. He continues to explain to them the truth and the facts, which they have ignored

He restates the fact that he is only a messenger whose task is to deliver a message. Their punishment is left to Allah who has absolute control over their destiny.

Allah alone decides, at His own discretion, whether it is appropriate to punish them here and now or to delay their punishment until a later date. Allah’s will must happen, as it is and Noah has no power over it.

As a messenger, he has to continue to explain the truth to his people until the last moment. Their rejection and challenge must not deter him from fulfilling his task.

Hence, he says to them:

Only Allah can bring it upon you, if He so wills. You cannot be immune. Nor will my counsel benefit you, much as I desire to give you good counsel, if it is Allah’s will to let you remain in error. He is your Lord and to Him you shall return.

If He will to punish you, none can by no means escape His chastisement.

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The verses 11:31-33 in different translations:

QARIB:

31- I do not say to you that i possess the treasuries of Allah, and i do not know the unseen. I do not say I am an angel, nor do I say to those whom you despise, Allah will not give them any good. Allah knows best what is in their hearts. indeed, if this were so then I would be amongst the harmdoers. ‘

32- They said: ‘o Noah, you have disputed, and disputed too much, with us. bring (down) upon us that which you promised us, if what you say is true! ‘

33- He replied: ‘Allah will bring it (down) upon you if he will; you will never frustrate him.

SHAKIR:

31- And I do not say to you that i have the treasures of Allah and I do not know the unseen, nor do I say that i am an angel, nor do I say about those whom your eyes hold in mean estimation (that) Allah will never grant them (any) good– Allah knows best what is in their souls– for then most surely I should be of the unjust

32- They said: o nuh! indeed you have disputed with us and lengthened dispute with us, therefore bring to us what you threaten us with, if you are of the truthful ones

33- He said: Allah only will bring it to you if he please, and you will not escape:

PICKTHAL:

31- I say not unto you: “I have the treasures of Allah” nor “I have knowledge of the unseen,” nor say I: “lo! I am an angel!” nor say I unto those whom your eyes scorn that Allah will not give them good – Allah knoweth best what is in their hearts – lo! Then indeed, I should be of the wrong-doers.

32- They said: o Noah! thou hast disputed with us and multiplied disputation with us; now bring upon us that wherewith thou threatenest us, if thou art of the truthful.

33- He said: only Allah will bring it upon you if he will, and ye can by no means escape.

YUSUFALI:

31- “I tell you not that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor do I know what is hidden, nor claim I to be an angel. Nor yet do I say, of those whom your eyes do despise that Allah will not grant them (all) that is good: Allah knoweth best what is in their souls: I should, if I did, indeed be a wrong-doer.”

32- They said: “o Noah! thou hast disputed with us, and (much) hast thou prolonged the dispute with us: now bring upon us what thou threatenest us with, if thou speakest the truth!?”

33- He said: “truly, Allah will bring it on you if he wills,- and then, ye will not be able to frustrate it!

Atheists in Quran (26) Noah vs. their limitless pride

The Atheists’ pride and arrogance are limitless. In their rotten arguments with Noah, they said nasty statements to testify their unbelieving thoughts. Noah remains unaffected by their false accusations; He applies his own values and maintains his own standards. Noah does not make false claims or accusations as they have done.

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The Atheists’ pride and arrogance are limitless.

The Atheists who were the council, notables, the respected elders and the chieftains of Noah’s people claim that:

• Noah wants to force us to accept his religion
• Noah claims his religion and his prophet hood to gain money
• We will never ever sit with Noah and listen to him unless he drives away those who are the most abject, lowly, and weak and the riffraff among us, who have followed him before us. We commanded Noah to drive them away

This is an example of the Atheists’ Rotten arguments

They said such nasty statements to testify their unbelieving thoughts

Noah remains unaffected by the false accusations, insolence and blind rejection with which his people have received his message.

He applies his own values and maintains his own standards. He does not make false claims or accusations as they have done. Nor does he try to give himself any false image or impart anything alien to his message.

However, Allah inspired Noah the answers for their rotten arguments.

Noah addresses his Atheists people with kindness and friendliness stressing his relationship to them:  O My people

O my people, have you considered if I am acting upon a clear proof from my Lord and He has given me the mercy of prophet hood and it has been obscured from you

Bethink you, if I rely on a clear exposition, which has come down from my Lord

Allah favored me with his mercy that come unto me.  It is the prophet hood and the religion.

• Can we compel you to it, while you are averse to it?
• Are we able to force you to accept it, while you are antagonistic to it?
• can we inspire it or teach it to when you are deniers of it

We are not able to do that.

Noah continued, O my people,

• I do not ask of you any wealth that you should give me for conveying the Allah’s Message.
• I ask of you no wealth, no price in exchange for believing in Allah’s divine Oneness.
• My wage, my reward, falls only upon God
• I will not drive away those who believe, as you have commanded me.
• I am not going to thrust away those who believe because of what you say. Lo! they have to meet their Lord and report me to Him,
• Those believers shall surely meet their Lord, at the Resurrection, and
• Allah will requite them and exact vengeance for them from those who wronged them, mocked them and drove them away.
• I see you are a people who are ignorant, of the consequence of your affair.
• I see you a folk that are ignorant of the command of Allah.

Moreover, Noah said:

O my people, who would help, defend and save me against Allah’s chastisement, if I drive the believers away due to what you say?

There is none to help, defend and save me.

Will you not then remember?

When you admonished by what I say and hence believe?

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Some of the important lessons of this story:

• I seek no financial gain for my call
• Noah’s reward rests with none but Allah
• Noah cannot favor the rich over the poor
• All people are equal; Allah does not make any distinction based on their wealth, power, race, color, position

Herein, one has to be alert about the relationship between preaching and money.

The true and real relationship between preaching and money is that they are not related.

The true honest genuine preacher never ever asks for money or accept money for his job; he knows that his reward rests with none but God.

Hence, any preacher asks for donation is relying on the money not on the Lord of the universe.

I have to tell you that some kind readers who are interested in my posts keep blaming me that I do not have a donation button to donate my website.

In fact, I do not have any answer but that of the great Prophet Noah: “My reward rests with none but Allah”

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The verses 11:28-30 in different translations:

QARIB:

28-He said: ‘what do you think my nation? If I have a clear proof from my lord and he has given me mercy from him, though it is hidden from you, can we compel you to accept it when you hate it?

29-My nation, for this I do not ask you for your wealth for my wage is only with Allah. Nor will I drive away the believers, for they will surely meet their lord. but, I can see that you are ignorant.

30-Were i to drive you away my nation, who would help me from Allah? Will you not remember?

SHAKIR:

28-He said: o my people! tell me if I have with me clear proof from my lord, and he has granted me mercy from himself and it has been made obscure to you; shall we constrain you to (accept) it while you are averse from it?

29-And, o my people! I ask you not for wealth in return for it; my reward is only with Allah and i am not going to drive away those who believe; surely they shall meet their lord, but i consider you a people who are ignorant:

30-And, o my people! Who will help me against Allah if i drive them away? Will you not then mind?

PICKTHAL:

28-He said: o my people! bethink you, if I rely on a clear proof from my lord and there hath come unto me a mercy from his presence, and it hath been made obscure to you, can we compel you to accept it when ye are averse thereto?

29-And o my people! i ask of you no wealth therefor. my reward is the concern only of Allah, and I am not going to thrust away those who believe – lo! they have to meet their lord! – but I see you a folk that are ignorant.

30-And, o my people! Who would deliver me from Allah if i thrust them away? Will ye not then reflect?

YUSUFALI:

28-He said: “o my people! see ye if (it be that) I have a clear sign from my lord, and that he hath sent mercy unto me from his own presence, but that the mercy hath been obscured from your sight? Shall we compel you to accept it when ye are averse to it?

29-“And o my people! I ask you for no wealth in return: my reward is from none but Allah: but I will not drive away (in contempt) those who believe: for verily they are to meet their lord, and ye i see are the ignorant ones!

30-“And o my people! Who would help me against Allah if I drove them away? Will ye not then take heed?

Atheists in Quran (25) Atheists of Noah vs. Atheists today

All the Prophets sent by Allah to guide humankind to the right path are liars in the eyes of the Atheists. Thousands of years later (after Noah), such standards and values still gain the upper hand in the today Atheists’ mind.

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The verses 11:25-27 of the Noble Quran say:

Verily Allah sent Noah to his people [and he said]: ‘I am a clear warner for you, one whose warning is plain.

I am a warning Messenger who speaks a language you understand that you worship none but Allah; you confess the divine Oneness of none save Allah

Lo! I fear for you, should you worship other than Him, the chastisement of a painful day that is painful in this world and in the Hereafter.

I know that there shall come upon you if you do not believe the retribution of a painful Day, which is drowning.

The Atheists who were the council, notables, the respected elders and the chieftains of Noah’s people said:

1. We see you but a mortal like us, you eat and drink just as we do eat and drink
2. You have no merit over us, for which you would deserve our following you
3. We see that your followers are but the vilest among us
4. Those who follow you are the riffraff among us, such as the weavers and the shoemakers
5. Those who follow you are the most abject, the lowly and the weak among us
6. Those who follow you are impulsively without thinking; their bad judgment lead them to believe in you.
7. Nay, we deem you liars with regard to your claim to be bringing a Message

The Atheists among Noah’s people apply here the erroneous standards that make

• Honor = wealth,
• Understanding = influence
• Position = bank balance
• Knowledge = power.

Thousands of years later, such standards and values still gain the upper hand in the today Atheists’ mind

Finally, they accused Noah as a Liar.

The same happened to the entire prophets from Noah to Muhammad.

All the Prophets sent by Allah to guide humankind to the right path are liars in the eyes of the Atheists.

This is the attitude of people who have full pockets but empty hearts and minds.

Their pride and arrogance are limitless.

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The verses 11:25-27 in different translations:

QARIB:

25-We sent Noah to his nation. (he said:) ‘i am a warner for you, and a bearer of glad tidings.

26-Worship none except Allah. i fear for you the punishment of a painful day. ‘

27-The unbelieving council of his nation said: ‘we do not see you other than a human like ourselves. we see your followers are none but the lowliest amongst us, and their opinion is not to be considered. we do not see you superior to us, rather, we consider you liars. ‘

SHAKIR:

25-And certainly we sent nuh to his people: surely i am a plain warner for you:

26-That you shall not serve any but Allah، surely i fear for you the punishment of a painful day

27-But the chiefs of those who disbelieved from among his people said: we do not consider you but a mortal like ourselves, and we do not see any have followed you but those who are the meanest of us at first thought and we do not see in you any excellence over us; nay, we deem you liars

PICKTHAL:

25-And we sent Noah unto his folk (and he said): lo! i am a plain warner unto you.

26-That ye serve none، save Allah. Lo! I fear for you the retribution of a painful day.

27-The chieftains of his folk, who disbelieved, said: we see thee but a mortal like us, and we see not that any follow thee save the most abject among us, without reflection. we behold in you no merit above us – nay, we deem you liars.

YUSUFALI:

25-We sent Noah to his people (with a mission): “I have come to you with a clear warning:

26-“That ye serve none but Allah: verily I do fear for you the penalty of a grievous day.”

27-But the chiefs of the unbelievers among his people said: “we see (in) thee nothing but a man like ourselves: nor do we see that any follow thee but the meanest among us, in judgment immature: nor do we see in you (all) any merit above us: in fact we thing ye are liars!”

Atheists in Quran (24) they said: Noah is maniac

Do the Atheists know? 1) Who is the first ever professor of how to build a ship? The great Angel Gabriel, 2) who is the first ever shipbuilder among humankind? The great Prophet Noah and 3) what is the flood? It is = Allah’s Will cleared the road of obstacles so that human life could continue its march along the road assigned to it. However, the Atheists who are not aware of that said: Noah is maniac.

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In the first article of this series [Atheists in Quran (1) Noah and the Atheists] we have seen that,

Allah sent Noah to his people to tell them:

• My people, you have no other god save Allah
• My people, profess Allah’s divine Oneness, and worship and obey him.
• Will you not then fear His punishment in worshipping gods other than Him?

However, the chieftains Atheists among his folk, said to their followers:

We never heard of such, an affirmation of God’s Oneness as that which Noah summons us, among our ancestors or among past communities.

Then what happened?

The verses 23: 23:25-27 say:

The chieftains Atheists among Noah’s folk, said to their followers:

Noah is just a man possessed by madness, a case of dementia.

So wait and bear with him for a while until he dies.

The Atheists are incapable of understanding that they are imprisoned within their narrow walls, unable to break into the wide universe! They accuse those who advocate freedom of thought of being mad, calling on them to think and reflect.

When they are reminded of the pointers to the truth all around them, their reply is full of arrogance, reiterating accusations: “He is but a madman; so bear with him for a while.”

Bear with him until he dies when we will be relieved of him, his message and his persistent advocacy of faith.

At this moment, Noah could not find any way by which he could soften such stonehearted people. He could only protect himself against their ridicule by putting his complaint to God and seeking His support

In his supplication to Allah, Noah, said,

‘O My Lord, my people denied me and called me a liar, so please help me against them. Help me through sending a punishment upon them’

Allah, exalted be He, says, responding to his supplication:

Then We inspired in him, We sent Gabriel to him saying:

Make the ship, start building a ship Our gaze and through that which We inspired you.

Build the Ark, the ship, under Our watch, under Our observation and protection, and by Our revelation, Our command

Then, when Our command and Our punishment comes and the water gushes out of the oven introduce therein and transport in the ship two spouses of every kind: a male and a female

When the oven, of the baker, gushes, with water — and this was Noah’s sign— bring into it, admit into the ship, of every kind [of animal] two mates, a male and a female and

Take those of your household who believe in you save him thereof against whom the Word that he will be punished has already gone forth.

It is said that all those who were on the ship numbered eighty, half of them were men and half were women.

Moreover, do not plead with Me (by means of supplications) on behalf of those who have done wrong

This means do not plead with Allah to save those who disbelieved among your people

Lo! The unbelievers will be drowned in the flood.

It was Allah’s Will that the road should be cleared of obstacles so that human life could continue its march along the road assigned to it.

Nevertheless, what about the command of “do not plead with Allah to save those who disbelieved among your people?”

See the next article.

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The verses 23:25-27 in different translations:

QARIB:

25- He is nothing else except a man who is mad, so watch him for awhile.

26- He (Noah) said: ‘Lord, help me, for they belie me. ‘

27- We said to him: ‘make the ark under our eye, and our revelation, and then when our command comes and the oven gushes water, take onboard a pair from every kind and your family, except him against whom the decision has already been passed. do not address me concerning those who have done evil; they shall be drowned.

SHAKIR:

25- He is only a madman, so bear with him for a time

26- He said: o my Lord! Help me against their calling me a liar

27- So we revealed to him, saying: make the ark before our eyes and (according to) our revelation; and when our command is given and the valley overflows, take into it of every kind a pair, two, and your followers, except those among them against whom the word has gone forth, and do not speak to me in respect of those who are unjust; surely they shall be drowned

PICKTHAL:

25- He is only a man in whom is a madness, so watch him for a while.

26- He said: my Lord! Help me because they deny me.

27- Then we inspired in him, saying: make the ship under our eyes and our inspiration. then, when our command cometh and the oven gusheth water, introduce therein of every (kind) two spouses, and thy household save him thereof against whom the word hath already gone forth. and plead not with me on behalf of those who have done wrong. lo! they will be drowned.

YUSUFALI:

25- (And some said): “he is only a man possessed: wait (and have patience) with him for a time.”

26- (Noah) said: “o my Lord! Help me: for that they accuse me of falsehood!”

27- So we inspired him (with this message): “construct the ark within our sight and under our guidance: then when comes our command, and the fountains of the earth gush forth, take thou on board pairs of every species, male and female, and thy family- except those of them against whom the word has already gone forth: and address me not in favour of the wrong-doers; for they shall be drowned (in the flood).