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.
———————————
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.
———————————
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.
Safaafromcaeg's Blog 