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 (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).

Atheists in Quran (10) they will blame each other

One day, the entire Atheists’ falsehood values have been naked, and they are put face to face with the absolute truth and they blame themselves; however, it is too late!

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The verse 34:31 grabs the Atheists’ attitude of the Prophet Muhammad’s message.

Indeed their attitude established on the fact that they are full of pride and their riches make them having what this life can offer of amusements, thinking that this indicates they are favored.

Therefore, the verse shows them their situation in the life to come, as though it is happening now.

Thus, the verse shows their attitude in the life of this world and in the Afterlife on the Day of Judgment.

Their attitude in the life of this world:

The verse speaks about a determined attitude to reject all divine guidance.

The Atheists say to their followers especially the lowly and weak among people in order to provoke disbelief [in them]:

“We will never believe in this Quran, nor in any earlier revelations.”

They make it clear that they will never believe, neither in the Quran nor in any divine book that preceded the Quran.

They are not prepared to believe in any of this at any time in the future either. They are determined to disbelieve, deliberately refusing even to consider anything that points to faith.

Their attitude in the Afterlife

Then the verse puts before their eyes what happens to them on the Day of Judgment because of their stubborn rejection:

But if you were to see, O Muhammad

If only you O believers could see,

• How the Atheists stand before their Lord, their Almighty Creator
• How they are hurling reproaches at one another.
• How they are blaming each other.

The lowly and weak Atheists in the life of this world will say to those who had deemed themselves mighty:

Had it not been for you, we would certainly have been believers.’

The Atheists made their assertion that they will never believe in any revealed book in this life.

Now, what will they say in a very different situation? If only we could see these Atheists when they are ‘made to stand’, i.e. forced into it against their will. They are guilty, made to stand and await a decision by their Lord, in whose words and scriptures they profess they will never believe.

Yet now they stand before Him. If you could watch them, you would see how they reproach one another, exchanging accusations and trying to blame each other.

“Those of them who were weak on earth will say to those who had deemed themselves mighty: Had it not been for you, we would certainly have been believers.”

The Atheists will blame their leaders and their Media.

The Atheists are now accusing them of being responsible for this humiliation.

The Atheists are now cursing them of what will come next of great and eternal suffering.

Today, all the falsehood values have been naked, and they are put face to face with the absolute truth; however, it is too late!

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The verse 34:31 in different translations:

QARIB:

The unbelievers say: ‘we will not believe in this Koran, nor in (the books) that were before it. ‘If you could only see the harmdoers when they are brought before their Lord! They will argue against each other. Those who had been abased will say to those who were proud: ‘but for you, we would have been believers. ‘

SHAKIR:

And those who disbelieve say: by no means will we believe in this quran, nor in that which is before it; and could you see when the unjust shall be made to stand before their Lord, bandying words one with another! those who were reckoned weak shall say to those who were proud: had it not been for you we would certainly have been believers

PICKTHAL:

And those who disbelieve say: we believe not in this qur’an nor in that which was before it; but oh, if thou couldst see, when the wrong-doers are brought up before their Lord, how they cast the blame one to another; how those who were despised (in the earth) say unto those who were proud: but for you, we should have been believers.

YUSUFALI:

The unbelievers say: “we shall neither believe in this scripture nor in (any) that (came) before it.” couldst thou but see when the wrong-doers will be made to stand before their Lord, throwing back the word (of blame) on one another! Those who had been despised will say to the arrogant ones: “had it not been for you, we should certainly have been believers!”

Atheists in Quran (1) Noah and the Atheists

The history of Atheists is deep-rooted ever since the time of the Prophet Noah.

Chapter 23 of the Noble Quran discloses the story of the great Prophet Noah and the Atheists.

The meanings of the verses 23:23-24:

Verily Allah sent Noah to his people to tell them:

• My people, worship God, obey God and profess Allah’s divine Oneness.
• You have no other god besides Him
• You have no other god save the One in whom I command you to believe
• Will you not then fear Him?
• Will you not then fear His punishment in worshipping gods other than Him?
• Will you not ward off evil the worship of other than Allah?

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

• Noah would like to make himself superior to you by claiming his message and prophet hood
• Noah is only a mortal, a human being like you.
• This is just a human being like you who desires to gain superiority, to have the honor, over you, by acquiring followers, you being his followers
• And had God willed, that none other than Him be worshipped,

He surely would have sent down angels, with that Message, and not assigned a human being for it.

• We have not heard that which Noah is saying in the time of our fathers of old.
• We never heard of such, an affirmation of God’s Oneness as that which Noah summons us, among our ancestors or among past communities.

To be continued.

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The verses 23:23-24 in different translations:

QARIB:

23-We sent Noah to his nation. ‘Worship Allah, my nation, ‘ he said, ‘for you have no god except He. Will you not be cautious? ‘

24-The unbelieving assembly of his nation said: ‘this is but a human like you, who desires to gain superiority over you. had Allah willed, he could have sent down angels. we never heard of this among our ancient forefathers.

SHAKIR:

23-And certainly we sent nuh to his people, and he said: o my people! Serve Allah, you have no god other than him; will you not then guard (against evil)?

24-And the chiefs of those who disbelieved from among his people said: he is nothing but a mortal like yourselves who desires that he may have superiority over you, and if Allah had pleased, he could certainly have sent down angels. we have not heard of this among our fathers of yore:

PICKTHAL:

23-And we verily sent Noah unto his folk, and he said: o my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other Allah save him. Will ye not ward off (evil)?

24-But the chieftains of his folk, who disbelieved, said: this is only a mortal like you who would make himself superior to you. Had Allah willed, he surely could have sent down angels. we heard not of this in the case of our fathers of old.

YUSUFALI:

23- (Further, we sent a long line of prophets for your instruction). We sent Noah to his people: he said, “o my people! Worship Allah! ye have no other god but him. Will ye not fear (him)?”

24-The chiefs of the unbelievers among his people said: “he is no more than a man like yourselves: his wish is to assert his superiority over you: if Allah had wished (to send messengers), he could have sent down angels; never did we hear such a thing (as he says), among our ancestors of old.”