Noah’s Flood and its Physical Cause

11.Surah Hud

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَأُوحِيَ إِلَى نُوحٍ أَنَّهُ لَن يُؤْمِنَ مِن قَوْمِكَ إِلاَّ مَن قَدْ آمَنَ...   

11: 36.    It was revealed to Noah:

"None of thy people will believe except those who have believed already!

C1529. The story of Noah is resumed.

A point was reached, when it was clear that there was no hope of saving the sinners, who were courting their own destruction. It was to be a great Flood. So Noah was ordered to construct a great Ark or Ship, a heavy vessel to remain afloat in the Flood, so that the righteous could be saved in it.

...فَلاَ تَبْتَئِسْ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَفْعَلُونَ ﴿٣٦﴾

So grieve no longer over their (evil) deeds.

وَاصْنَعِ الْفُلْكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا وَوَحْيِنَا وَلاَ تُخَاطِبْنِي فِي الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ...   

11: 37.   "But construct an Ark under Our eyes and Our inspiration, and address Me no (further) on behalf of those who are in sin:

C1530. It was to be built under the special instructions of Allah, to serve the special purpose it was intended to serve.

...إِنَّهُم مُّغْرَقُونَ ﴿٣٧﴾

for they are about to be overwhelmed (in the Flood)."

وَيَصْنَعُ الْفُلْكَ وَكُلَّمَا مَرَّ عَلَيْهِ مَلأٌ مِّن قَوْمِهِ سَخِرُواْ مِنْهُ...

11: 38.   Forthwith he starts constructing the Ark:

every time that the Chiefs of his People passed by him they threw ridicule on him.

C1531. The ridicule of the sinners, from their own point of view, was natural. Here was a Prophet turned carpenter! Here was a plain in the higher reaches of the Mesopotamian basin, drained by the majestic Tigris, over 800 to 900 miles from the sea Arabian Gulf in a straight line! Yet he talks of a flood like the Sea!

All material civilisations pride themselves on their Public Works and their drainage schemes. And here was a fellow relying on Allah! But did not their narrow pride seem ridiculous also to the Prophet of Allah!

Here were men steeped in sin and insolence! And they pit themselves against the power and the promise of Allah! Truly a contemptible race is man!

...قَالَ إِن تَسْخَرُواْ مِنَّا فَإِنَّا نَسْخَرُ مِنكُمْ كَمَا تَسْخَرُونَ ﴿٣٨﴾

He said: "If ye ridicule us now, we (in our turn) can look down on you with ridicule likewise!

C1532. The Arabic Aorist may be construed either by the present tense or the future tense, and both make good sense here.

Following Zamakhshari, I construe in the present tense, because the future is so tragic for the sinners.

For the time being the worldly ones looked down on the Believers as they always do: but the Believers relied on Allah, and pitied their critics for knowing no better!- for their arrogance was really ridiculous.

فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ مَن يَأْتِيهِ عَذَابٌ يُخْزِيهِ وَيَحِلُّ عَلَيْهِ عَذَابٌ مُّقِيمٌ ﴿٣٩﴾    

11: 39.   "But soon will ye know who it is on whom will descend a Penalty that will cover them with shame -- will be unloosed a Penalty lasting."

حَتَّى إِذَا جَاء أَمْرُنَا وَفَارَ التَّنُّورُ...   

11: 40.   At length, behold! there came Our Command, and the fountains of the earth gushed forth!

C1533. Far at tannuru. Two interpretations have been given:

-        the fountains or the springs on the surface of the earth bubbled over or gushed forth; or

-        the oven boiled over.

The former has the weight of the best authority behind it and I prefer it.

Moreover, the same phrase occurs in 23:27, where it is a clause coordinated (as here) with the coming of Allah's Command.

These two passages may be compared with 54:11-12, where it is said that water poured forth from the skies and gushed forth from the springs.

This double action is familiar to any one who has seen floods on a large scale. The rain from above would saturate the great Ararat Plateau, and give great force to the springs and fountains in the valley of the Tigris below.

...قُلْنَا احْمِلْ فِيهَا مِن كُلٍّ زَوْجَيْنِ اثْنَيْنِ...

We said:

"Embark therein, of each kind two, male and female,

C1534. Zaujaini: the dual number refers to the two individuals in each pair of opposite sexes.

Some of the most authoritative Commentators (e.g., Imam Razi) construe in this sense, though others construe it to mean two pairs of each species.

...وَأَهْلَكَ إِلاَّ مَن سَبَقَ عَلَيْهِ الْقَوْلُ وَمَنْ آمَنَ...

and your family -- except those against whom the Word has already gone forth -- and the Believers."

C1535. A disobedient and recalcitrant son (or step-son or grandson) of Noah is mentioned below (11:42-43, 45-56).

A member of the family, who breaks away from the traditions of the family in things that matter, ceases to share in the privileges of the family.

...وَمَا آمَنَ مَعَهُ إِلاَّ قَلِيلٌ ﴿٤٠﴾

But only a few believed with him.

وَقَالَ ارْكَبُواْ فِيهَا بِسْمِ اللّهِ مَجْرَاهَا وَمُرْسَاهَا...

11: 41.   So he said:

"Embark ye on the Ark, in the name of Allah, whether it move or be at rest!

...إِنَّ رَبِّي لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٤١﴾

For my Lord is, be sure, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful!"    

وَهِيَ تَجْرِي بِهِمْ فِي مَوْجٍ كَالْجِبَالِ...   

11: 42.   So the Ark floated with them on the waves (towering) like mountains,

C1536. The simile of mountains applies to the waves, which were mountain high,- literally, for the peaks were being submerged.

...وَنَادَى نُوحٌ ابْنَهُ وَكَانَ فِي مَعْزِلٍ...

and Noah called out to his son, who had separated himself (from the rest):

...يَا بُنَيَّ ارْكَب مَّعَنَا وَلاَ تَكُن مَّعَ الْكَافِرِينَ ﴿٤٢﴾

"O my son! embark with us, and be not with the Unbelievers!"

قَالَ سَآوِي إِلَى جَبَلٍ يَعْصِمُنِي مِنَ الْمَاء...   

11: 43.   The son replied: "I will be take myself to some mountain: it will save me from the water."

C1537. The Unbelievers refuse to believe in Allah, but have great faith in material things! This young man was going to save himself on mountain peaks, not knowing that the peaks were themselves being submerged.

...قَالَ لاَ عَاصِمَ الْيَوْمَ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللّهِ إِلاَّ مَن رَّحِمَ...

Noah said:

"This day nothing can save, from the Command of Allah, any but those on whom He hath mercy!" --

...وَحَالَ بَيْنَهُمَا الْمَوْجُ فَكَانَ مِنَ الْمُغْرَقِينَ ﴿٤٣﴾

and the waves came between them, and the son was among those over whelmed in the Flood.

وَقِيلَ ...

11: 44.   When the word went forth:

C1538. A wonderful passage. The whole picture is painted in just a few words. The chain of material facts are linked together, not only in their relations to each other, but also in their relation to the spiritual forces that control them, and the spiritual consequences of Sin and wrong-doing.

The drowning in the material sense was the least part of the Penalty. A whole new world came into existence after the Deluge. (R).

... يَا أَرْضُ ابْلَعِي مَاءكِ وَيَا سَمَاء أَقْلِعِي وَغِيضَ الْمَاء...

"O earth! swallow up thy water, and O sky! withhold (thy rain)!"

and the water abated,

...وَقُضِيَ الأَمْرُ وَاسْتَوَتْ عَلَى الْجُودِيِّ...

and the matter was ended.

The Ark rested on Mount Judi

C1539. Let us get a little idea of the geography of the place. The letters J.B. and K are philologically interchangeable, and Judi, Gudi, Kudi are sounds that can pass into each other. There is no doubt that the name is connected with the name "Kurd", in which the letter r is a later interpolation, for the oldest Sumerian records name a people called Kuti or Gutu as holding the middle Tigris region not later than 2000 B.C. (see E.B., Kurdistan).

That region comprises the modern Turkish district of Bohtan, in which Jabal Judi is situated (near the frontiers of modern Turkey, modern Iraq, and modern Syria), and the town of Jaziratibn 'Umar, (on the present Turco-Syrian frontier), and it extends into 'Iraq and Persia.

The great mountain mass of the Ararat plateau dominates this district. This mountain system "is unique in the Old World in containing great sheets of water that are bitter lakes without outlets, Lake Van and Lake Urumiya being the chief' (E.B., Asia).

Such would be the very region for a stupendous Deluge if the usual scanty rainfall were to be changed into a very heavy downpour. A glacier damming of Lake Van in the Ice Age would have produced the same result. The region has many local traditions connected with Noah and the Flood.

The Biblical legend of Mount Ararat being the resting place of Noah's Ark is hardly plausible, seeing that the highest peak of Ararat is over 16,000 feet high. If it means one of the lower-peaks of the Ararat system, it agrees with the Muslim tradition about Mount Judi (or Gudi), and this is in accordance with the oldest and best local traditions. These traditions are accepted by Josephus, by the Nestorian Christians, and indeed by all the Eastern Christians and Jews, and they are the best in touch with local traditions. See (Viscount) J. Bryce, "Transcaucasia and Ararat," 4th ed., 1896. p. 216.

...وَقِيلَ بُعْداً لِّلْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿٤٤﴾

and the word went forth:

"Away with those who do wrong!"

وَنَادَى نُوحٌ رَّبَّهُ فَقَالَ رَبِّ إِنَّ ابُنِي مِنْ أَهْلِي...   

11: 45.   And Noah called upon his Lord, and said:

"O my Lord! surely my son is of my family!

...وَإِنَّ وَعْدَكَ الْحَقُّ وَأَنتَ أَحْكَمُ الْحَاكِمِينَ ﴿٤٥﴾

and Thy promise is true, and Thou art the Justest of Judges!"

قَالَ يَا نُوحُ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ...   

11: 46.   He said:

"O Noah! he is not of thy family:

C1540. See n. 5135 above.

Like all Prophets of Allah, Noah was kind-hearted, but he is told that there can be no compromise with evil. And Noah acknowledges the reproof.

There was a wife of Noah, who was also an unbelieving woman (66:10), and she suffered the fate of Unbelievers.

...إِنَّهُ عَمَلٌ غَيْرُ صَالِحٍ...

for his conduct is unrighteous.

...فَلاَ تَسْأَلْنِ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ...

So ask not of Me that of which thou hast no knowledge!

...إِنِّي أَعِظُكَ أَن تَكُونَ مِنَ الْجَاهِلِينَ ﴿٤٦﴾

I give thee counsel, lest thou act like the ignorant!"

قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ مَا لَيْسَ لِي بِهِ عِلْمٌ...   

11: 47.   Noah said:

"O my Lord! I do seek refuge with Thee, lest I ask Thee for that of which I have no knowledge.

...وَإِلاَّ تَغْفِرْ لِي وَتَرْحَمْنِي أَكُن مِّنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ ﴿٤٧﴾

And unless Thou forgive me and have Mercy on me, I should indeed be lost!"

C1541. Noah, in his natural affection and respect for ties of relationship, was overcome with human weakness in wishing to reverse the Decree of Allah.

It was not sin but ignorance. His ignorance was corrected by divine inspiration, and he immediately saw the full Truth, acknowledged his error, and asked for Allah's forgiveness and mercy. This is the standard set for us all.

قِيلَ يَا نُوحُ اهْبِطْ بِسَلاَمٍ مِّنَّا وَبَركَاتٍ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَى أُمَمٍ مِّمَّن مَّعَكَ...   

11: 48.   The word came:

"O Noah! come down (from the Ark) with Peace from Us, and Blessings on thee and on some of the Peoples (who will spring) from those with thee:

...وَأُمَمٌ سَنُمَتِّعُهُمْ ...

but (there will be other) Peoples to whom We shall grant their pleasures (for a time),

C1542. Cf. 2:126.

... ثُمَّ يَمَسُّهُم مِّنَّا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴿٤٨﴾  

but in the end will a grievous Penalty reach them from Us."

C1543. Those who truly seek Allah's light and guidance and sincerely bend their will to His Will are freely admitted to Allah's grace. Notwithstanding any human weaknesses in them, they are advanced higher in the stage on account of their Faith, Trust, and Striving after Right. They are given Allah's Peace, which gives the soul true calmness and strength, and all the blessings that flow from spiritual life.

This was given not only to Noah and his family but to all the righteous people who were saved with him. And their descendants were also promised those blessings on condition of righteousness. But some of them fell from grace, as we know in history. Allah's grace is not a social or family privilege. Each people and each individual must earnestly strive for it and earn it.

Other versions:

11: 36

Yusuf Ali 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.

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

Transliteration Wa u_hiya ila_ nu_hin annahu_ lay yu'mina min qaumika illa_ man qad a_mana fala_ tabta'is bima_ ka_nu_ yaf'alu_n(a).

11: 37

Asad But build, under Our eyes and according to Our inspiration, the ark [that shall save thee and those who follow thee]; [note 60] and do not appeal to Me on behalf of those who are bent on evildoing – for, behold, they are destined to be drowned!”

Yusuf Ali "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)."

Pickthall Build the ship under Our Eyes and by Our inspiration, and speak not unto Me on behalf of those who do wrong. Lo! they wilt be drowned.

Yuksel "Construct the Ship under Our eyes and Our inspiration, and do not speak to Me regarding those who are wicked. They will be drowned."

Transliteration Wa-sna'il fulka bi a'yunina_ wa wahyina_ wa la_ tukha_tibni fil lazina zalamu_ innahum mugraqu_n(a).

[[ Asad’s note 60 - …the noun ‘fulk’ (lit., “ship”)…..]]

11: 38 [Hud, Mecca 52]

Yusuf Ali Forthwith he starts constructing the Ark: every time that the Chiefs of his People passed by him they threw ridicule on 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!

Pickthall 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;

Transliteration Wa yasna'ul fulk(a), wa kullama_ marra 'alaihi mala'um min qaumihi sakhiru_ minh(u), qa_la in taskharu_ minna_ fa inna_ naskharu minkum kama_ taskharu_n(a).

11: 39

Yusuf Ali "But soon will ye know who it is on whom will descend a Penalty that will cover them with shame will be unloosed a Penalty lasting."

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

Transliteration Fa saufa ta'lamu_n(a), may ya'tihi 'aza_buy yukhzihi wa yahillu 'alaihi 'aza_bum muqim(un).

11: 40

Asad Till, when Our Judgment came to pass, and waters gushed forth in torrents over the face of the earth [note 62], We said : “Place on board of this one pair of each of either sex, as well as the family – except those on whom sentence has already been passed – and all who have attained to faith! – for, only a few shared his faith.

Yusuf Ali 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.

Pickthall (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.

Yuksel So, when Our command came and the volcano erupted. We said, "Carry in it two from every pair, and your family; except those against whom the word has been issued; and whoever acknowledged." But those who acknowledged with him were few.*

Transliteration Hatta_ iza_ ja_'a amruna_ wafa_rat tannu_r(u), qulna-hmil fiha_ min kullin zaujaini-snaini wa ahlaka illa_ man sabaqa 'alaihil qaulu wa man a_man(a), wa ma_ a_mana ma'ahu_ illa_ qalil(un).

[Asad’s note 62 – Lit., “the face of the earth boiled over” ( fara ‘t-tannur ). ……fara- which literally means “it boiled over” - ..This gushing forth of water over the face of the earth” seems to point to the inundation of the huge valley now covered……….]

[[ Ali’s notes - 1533 Far-at-tannuru. Two interpretations have been given: (1) the fountains or the springs on the surface of the earth bubbled over or gushed forth; or (2) the oven boiled over. The former has the weight of the best authority behind it and I prefer it. Moreover, the same phrase occurs in xxiii. 27, where it is a clause coordinated (as here) with the coming of Allah's Command. These two passages may be compared with liv. 11-12, where it is said that water poured forth from the skies and gushed forth from the springs. This double action is familiar to any one who has seen floods on a large scale. The rain from above would saturate the great Ararat Plateau, and give great force to the springs and fountains in the valley of the Tigris below. (11.40)

1534 Zaujaini: the dual number refers to the two individuals in each pair of opposite sexes. Some of the most authoritative Commentators (e.g., Imam Razi) construe in this sense, though others construe it to mean two pairs of each species. (11.40)

1535 A disobedient and recalcitrant son (or step-son or grandson) of Noah is mentioned below (xi. 42-43, 45-56). A member of the family, who breaks away from the traditions of the family in things that matter, ceases to share in the privileges of the family. (11.40) ]]

[[ Yuksel’s notes - 011:040-44 Noah's ark was a simple watercraft made of logs connected with ropes (54:12). The flood was limited to the Dead Sea region and Noah's people (7:59; 9:70; 11:25,36,89; 22:42; 25:35-39; 38:12; 40:5,31; 50:12; 51:46; 53:52; 54:9; 71:1-11). The animals taken to the watercraft were a few domesticated animals in Noah's farm. The holy storytellers mutated the story, and with time, it was exaggerated into a global event. Perhaps public interest encouraged the storytellers to exaggerate a bit more, until it became a mythology about a worldwide flood.

The mythology found its way to the Old Testament; three chapters of Genesis, chapters 6-8, are allocated to the story of a universal flood (See Genesis 7:21-23). The letters of the New Testament also refer to a worldwide flood (1 Peter 3:18-20; 2 Peter 2:5; 2 Peter 3:6). Also, see 2:93; 16:103; 26:101-105; 71:1-28. ]]

11; 41

Yusuf Ali 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!"

Pickthall And he said: Embark therein! In the name of Allah be its course and its mooring. Lo! my Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.

Transliteration Wa qa_la_rkabu_ fiha_ bismilla_hi majreha_ wa mursa_ha_, inna rabbi lagafu_rur rahim(un).

11: 42

Asad …..Noah cried out to a son of his, sho had kept himself aloof: “O my dear son! {note 65]……………….

Yusuf Ali 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!"

Pickthall 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.

Transliteration Wa hiya tajri bihim fi maujin kal jiba_l(i), wa nu_da_ nu_hun-ibnahu_ wa ka_na fi ma'ziliy ya_ bunayya-rkam ma'ana_ wa la_ takum ma'al ka_firin(a).

[[Asad’s note 65 – The diminutive in “ya bunayya (lit., “O my little son”) in as expression of endearment irrespective of a son’s age: for instance, Noah’s son appears in the above story as a grown man,…….]]

11: 43

Yusuf Ali The son replied: "I will be take 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.

Pickthall 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.

Transliteration Qa_la sa a_wi ila_ jabaliy ya'simuni minal ma_'(i), qa_la la_ 'a_simal yauma min amrilla_hi illa_ mar rahim(a), wa ha_la bainahumal mauju faka_na minal mugraqin(a).

11: 44

Asad ……..O sky, cease!

Yusuf Ali When 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!"

Pickthall 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!

Transliteration Wa qila ya_ ardu_bla'i ma_'aki wa ya_ sama_'u aqli'i wa gidal ma_'u wa qudiyal amru wa-stawat 'alal ju_diyyi wa qila bu'dal lil qaumiz za_limin(a).

[[ Ruby’s note- Note that the water was swallowed by the earth]

[[ Asad’s note 66 – The mountain, known in ancient Syriac as Qardu, is situated in the region of Lake Van, almost twenty-five miles north-east of the town Jazirat Ibn Umar, capital of the modern Syrian district of Al-Jazirat. It “owes its fame to the Mesopotamian tradition which identifies it, and not Mount Ararat, with the mountain on which Noah’s ark rested…..This localization of the ark’s resting-place….is certainly based on Babylonian tradition” (Encyclopedia of Islam 1, 1059). We should however remember that the designantion Ararat (the Assyrian Urartu) at one time included the whole area to the south of Lake Van, in which Jabal Judi is situated: this might esplain the Biblical statement that “the ark rested…..upon the mountain of Ararat: (Genesis viii, 4) ]]

11: 45

Yusuf Ali 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!"

Pickthall 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 art the Most Just of Judges.

Yuksel Noah called on his Lord, and he said, "My Lord, my son is from my family, and your promise is the truth, and you are the Wisest of all Judges."

Transliteration Wa na_da_ nu_hur rabbahu_ faqa_la rabbi inna_bni min ahli, wa inna wa'dakal haqqu wa anta ahkamul ha_kimin(a).

11: 46

Yusuf Ali 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!"

Pickthall 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.

Yuksel He said, "O Noah, he is not from your family, he committed sin, so do not ask what you have no knowledge of. I advise you not to be of the ignorant."*

Transliteration Qa_la ya_ nu_hu innahu_ laisa min ahlik(a), innahu_ 'amalun gairu sa_lihin fala_ tas'alni ma_ laisa laka bihi 'ilm(un), inni a'izuka an taku_na minal ja_hilin(a).

[[ Yuksel’s note - 011:046 Intercession is a false hope and it contradicts the monotheistic theology advocated by the Quran. Neither Abraham could help his father, Noah to his son, nor Muhammad to his relatives (2:48,123,254; 6:70,94; 7:53; 9:80; 10:3; 39:44; 43:86; 74:48; 82:17-19).

11: 47

Yusuf Ali 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!"

Pickthall 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 he among the lost.

Transliteration Qa_la rabbi inni a'u_zu bika an as'alaka ma_ laisa li bihi 'ilm(un), wa illa_ tagfir li wa tarhamni akum minal kha_sirin(a).

11: 48

Yusuf Ali The word came: "O Noah! come down (from the Ark) with Peace from Us and Blessings 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."

Pickthall 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.

Transliteration Qila ya_ nu_hu-hbit bi sala_mim minna_ wa baraka_tin 'alaika wa 'ala_ umamim mimmam ma'ak(a), wa umamun sanumatti'uhum summa yamassuhum minna_ 'aza_bun alim(un).

11: 49

Yusuf Ali 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.

Pickthall 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).

Transliteration Tilka min amba_'il gaibi nu_hiha_ ilaik(a), ma_ kunta ta'lamuha_ anta wa la_ qaumuka min qabli ha_za_, fa-sbir, innal 'a_qibata lil muttaqin(a).

[[ Ali’s notes - 1529 The story of Noah is resumed. A point was reached, when it was clear that there was no hope of saving the sinners, who were courting their own destruction. It was to be a great Flood. So Noah was ordered to construct a great Ark or Ship, a heavy vessel to remain afloat in the Flood, so that the righteous could be saved in it. (11.36)

1530 It was to be built under the special instructions of Allah, to serve the special purpose it was intended to serve. (11.37)

1531 The ridicule of the sinners, from their own point of view, was natural. Here was a Prophet turned carpenter! Here was a plain in the higher reaches of the Mesopotamian basin, drained by the majestic Tigris, over 800 to 900 miles from the sea Arabian Gulf in a straight line! Yet he talks of a flood like the Sea! All material civilisations pride themselves on their Public Works and their drainage schemes. And here was a fellow relying on Allah! But did not their narrow pride seem ridiculous also to the Prophet of Allah! Here were men steeped in sin and insolence! And they pit themselves against the power and the promise of Allah! Truly a contemptible race is man! (11.38)

1532 The Arabic Aorist may be construed either by the present tense or the future tense, and both make good sense here. Following Zamakhshari, I construe in the present tense, because the future is so tragic for the sinners. For the time being the worldly ones looked down on the Believers as they always do: but the Believers relied on Allah, and pitied their critics for knowing no better!-for their arrogance was really ridiculous. (11.38)

1533 Far-at-tannuru. Two interpretations have been given: (1) the fountains or the springs on the surface of the earth bubbled over or gushed forth; or (2) the oven boiled over. The former has the weight of the best authority behind it and I prefer it. Moreover, the same phrase occurs in xxiii. 27, where it is a clause coordinated (as here) with the coming of Allah's Command. These two passages may be compared with liv. 11-12, where it is said that water poured forth from the skies and gushed forth from the springs. This double action is familiar to any one who has seen floods on a large scale. The rain from above would saturate the great Ararat Plateau, and give great force to the springs and fountains in the valley of the Tigris below. (11.40)

1534 Zaujaini: the dual number refers to the two individuals in each pair of opposite sexes. Some of the most authoritative Commentators (e.g., Imam Razi) construe in this sense, though others construe it to mean two pairs of each species. (11.40)

1535 A disobedient and recalcitrant son (or step-son or grandson) of Noah is mentioned below (xi. 42-43, 45-56). A member of the family, who breaks away from the traditions of the family in things that matter, ceases to share in the privileges of the family. (11.40)

1536 The simile of mountains applies to the waves, which were mountain high, -literally, for the peaks were being submerged. (11.42)

1537 The Unbelievers refuse to believe in Allah, but have great faith in material things! This young man was going to save himself on mountain peaks, not knowing that the peaks were themselves being submerged. (11.43)

1538 A wonderful passage. The whole picture is painted in just a few words. The chain of material facts are linked together, not only in their relations to each other, but also in their relation to the spiritual forces that control them, and the spiritual consequences of Sin and wrong-doing. The drowning in the material sense was the least part of the Penalty. A whole new world came into existence after the Deluge. (11.44)

1539 Let us get a little idea of the geography of the place. The letters J.B. and K are philologically interchangeable, and Judi, Gudi, Kudi are sounds that can pass into each other. There is no doubt that the name is connected with the name "Kurd", in which the letter r is a later interpolation, for the oldest Sumerian records name a people called Kuti or Gutu as holding the middle Tigris region not later than 2000 B.C. (see E.B., Kurdistan). That region comprises the modern Turkish district of Bohtan, in which Jabal Judi is situated (near the frontiers of modern Turkey, modern 'lraq, and modern Syria), and the town of Jazirat ibn 'Umar, (on the present Turco-Syrian frontier), and it extends into 'Iraq and Persia. The great mountain mass of the Ararat plateau dominates this district. This mountain system "is unique in the Old World in containing great sheets of water that are bitter lakes without outlets, Lake Van and Lake Urumiya being the chief," (E.B., Asia). Such would be the very region for a stupendous Deluge if the usual scanty rainfall were to be changed into a very heavy downpour. A glacier damming of Lake Van in the Ice Age would have produced the same result. The region has many local traditions connected with Noah and the Flood. The Biblical legend of Mount Ararat being the resting place of Noah's Ark is hardly plausible, seeing that the highest peak of Ararat is over 16,000 feet high. If it means one of the lower-peaks of the Ararat system, it agrees with the Muslim tradition about Mount Judi (or Gudi), and this is in accordance with the oldest and best local traditions. These traditions are accepted by Josephus, by the Nestorian Christians, and indeed by all the Eastern Christians and Jews, and they are the best in touch with local traditions. See (Viscount) J. Bryce, "Transcaucasia and Ararat," 4th ed., 1896. p. 216. (11.44)

1540 See n. 5135 above. Like all Prophets of Allah, Noah was kind-hearted, but he is told that there can be no compromise with evil. And Noah acknowledges the reproof. There was a wife of Noah, who was also an unbelieving woman (lxvi. 10), and she suffered the fate of Unbelievers. (11.46)

1541 Noah, in his natural affection and respect for ties of relationship, was overcome with human weakness in wishing to reverse the Decree of Allah. It was not sin but ignorance. His ignorance was corrected by divine inspiration, and he immediately saw the full Truth, acknowledged his error, and asked for Allah's forgiveness and mercy. This is the standard set for us all. (11.47)

1542 Cf. ii. 126. (11.48)

1543 Those who truly seek Allah's light and guidance and sincerely bend their will to His Will are freely admitted to Allah's grace. Notwithstanding any human weaknesses in them, they are advanced higher in the stage on account of their Faith, Trust, and Striving after Right. They are given Allah's Peace, which gives the soul true calmness and strength, and all the blessings that flow from spiritual life. This was given not only to Noah and his family but to all the righteous people who were saved with him. And their descendants were also promised those blessings on condition of righteousness. But some of them fell from grace, as we know in history. Allah's grace is not a social or family privilege. Each people and each individual must earnestly strive for it and earn it. (11.48)

1544 Cf. n. 1528 to xi. 35. The sum of the whole matter is that the righteous, who work for Allah and their fellow-men, may be traduced, insulted, and persecuted. But they will be sustained by Allah's Mercy. They must go on working patiently, for the End will all be for them and their Cause. (11.49)]]

23 . Sura Al-Muminun

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَى قَوْمِهِ فَقَالَ...Ali

Ali 23: 23. (Further, We sent a long line of prophets for your instruction.)

C2882. The material gifts having been mentioned, which we receive from a wise and kindly Providence, our attention is now directed to Allah's Providence in spiritual matters. He sent Teachers to instruct and guide us, and though they were mocked, rejected, and accused of falsehood and selfishness, they were protected by Allah, and Allah's Truth at length prevailed.

We sent Noah to his people: he said,

C2883. "People" here is almost equivalent to "contemporaries".

...يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَهٍ غَيْرُهُ...

"O my people! worship Allah! Ye have no other god but Him:

C2884. Cf. 7:59.

To fear Allah is to lead righteous lives and eschew evil.

...أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ ﴿٢٣﴾

will ye not fear (Him)?"

فَقَالَ الْمَلَأُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن قَوْمِهِ...

23:24. The chiefs of the Unbelievers among his people said:

...مَا هَذَا إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُرِيدُ أَن يَتَفَضَّلَ عَلَيْكُمْ...

"He is no more than a man like yourselves: his wish is to assert his superiority over you:

...وَلَوْ شَاء اللَّهُ لَأَنزَلَ مَلَائِكَةً...

إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا رَجُلٌ بِهِ جِنَّةٌ ...

23: 25. (And some said:) "He is only a man possessed:

C2886. I construe this to be a speech of another group among them.

They thought he was mad, and best left alone. His madness would run out, or he would come to an evil end.

... فَتَرَبَّصُوا بِهِ حَتَّى حِينٍ ﴿٢٥﴾

wait (and have patience) with him for a time."

قَالَ رَبِّ انصُرْنِي بِمَا كَذَّبُونِ ﴿٢٦﴾

23: 26. (Noah) said:

"O my Lord! help me: for that they accuse me of falsehood!"

فَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْهِ أَنِ اصْنَعِ الْفُلْكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا وَوَحْيِنَا...

Faawhayna ilayhi ani isnaAAi alfulka bi-aAAyunina

23: 27. So We inspired him (with this message):

"Construct the Ark within Our sight and under Our guidance:

C2887. Cf. this whole passage with 11:35-48, and notes thereon.

...فَإِذَا جَاء أَمْرُنَا وَفَارَ التَّنُّورُ ...

fa-itha jaa amruna wafara alttannooru

then when comes Our command, and the fountains of the earth gush forth,

C2888. See n. 1533 to 11:40, where the word Tannur is explained.

... فَاسْلُكْ فِيهَا مِن كُلٍّ زَوْجَيْنِ اثْنَيْنِ...

faosluk feeha min kullin zawjayni ithnayni

take thou on board pairs of every species, male and female,

C2889. See. n. 1534 to 11:40.

...وَأَهْلَكَ إِلَّا مَن سَبَقَ عَلَيْهِ الْقَوْلُ مِنْهُمْ...

waahlaka illa man sabaqa AAalayhi alqawlu minhum

and thy family -- except those of them against whom the Word has already gone forth:

C2890. See n. 1535 to 11:40.

...وَلَا تُخَاطِبْنِي فِي الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا إِنَّهُم مُّغْرَقُونَ ﴿٢٧﴾

wala tukhatibnee fee allatheena thalamoo innahum mughraqoona

and address Me not in favor of the wrongdoers; for they shall be drowned (in the Flood).

Asad’s Version:

23:23 [al-Muminun, Mecca 74]

Asad AND, INDEED, We sent forth Noah unto his people, 10 and he said: "O my people! Worship

God [alone]: you have no deity other than Him. Will you not, then, become conscious of

Him?"

(23:24) But the great ones among his people, who refused to acknowledge the truth, replied: "This [man] is nothing but a mortal like yourselves who wants to make himself superior to you! For, if God had willed [to convey a message unto us], He would surely have sent down angels; [moreover,] we have never heard [anything like] this from our forebears of old! 11

(23:25) [al-Muminun, He is nothing but a madman: so bear with him for a while."

23:26 Said [Noah]: "O my Sustainer! Succour me against their accusation of lying!"

(23:27)

Thereupon We inspired him thus: "Build, under Our eyes 12 and according to Our inspiration, the ark [that shall save thee and those who follow thee]. 13 And when Our judgment comes to pass, and waters gush forth in torrents over the face of the earth, place on board of this [ark]

one pair of each [kind of animal] of either sex, as well as thy family - excepting those on whom sentence has already been passed -; and do not appeal to Me [any more] in behalf of those who are bent on evildoing - for, behold, they are destined to be drowned!

[[Asad’s notes -

8 I.e., the olive-tree, native to the lands around the eastern Mediterranean, where so many pre-Qur'anic prophets (here symbolized - because of its sacred associations - by Mount Sinai) lived and reached.

9 Lit., "of them".

10 Sc, "who had lost sight of all the multiform evidence of the Creator's uniqueness and, thus, all gratitude for the innumerable blessings which He bestows upon man".

1 1 Lit., "in connection with (fi) our early forebears" - a Qur'anic allusion to the fact that people often reject a new ethical proposition on no better grounds than that it conflicts with their "inherited" habits of thought and ways of life, [ndirectly, this allusion implies a condemnation of all blind taqlid, i.e., an unthinking acceptance of religious doctrines or assertions which are not unequivocally supported by divine revelation, the explicit teachings of a prophet, or the evidence of unprejudiced reason.

12 I.e., "under Our protection".

13 Regarding this interpolation, see surah 1 1, note 60. For an explanation of the passage that follows, see 1 1 :40 and the corresponding notes 62-64. The reason for the (abbreviated) repetition

of Noahs story - given in much greater detail in 1 1 :25-48 - becomes evident from verse 29. ]]

23:28 [al-Muminun, Mecca 78]

فَإِذَا اسْتَوَيْتَ أَنتَ وَمَن مَّعَكَ عَلَى الْفُلْكِ فَقُلِ...

28. And when thou hast embarked on the Ark -- thou and those with thee -- say:

C2891. For istawa see 1386 to 10:3.

Here the meaning is:

- mounted on board,

- ascended,

- embarked.

...الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي نَجَّانَا مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿٢٨﴾

"Praise be to Allah, Who has saved us from the people who do wrong."

23:29

وَقُل رَّبِّ أَنزِلْنِي مُنزَلًا مُّبَارَكًا ...

29. And say: [Ali]

"O my Lord! enable me to disembark with Thy blessing:

C2892. This second prayer was inspired when the Flood subsided, and the time came for disembarkation.

... وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الْمُنزِلِينَ ﴿٢٩﴾

for Thou art the Best to enable (us) to disembark."

23:30 [al-Muminun, Mecca 78]

إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ وَإِن كُنَّا لَمُبْتَلِينَ ﴿٣٠﴾

30. Verily in this there are Signs (for men to understand);

(thus) do We try (men).

C2893. Noah's contemporaries had all sorts of chances and warnings. But they refused to believe and perished. But Allah's Truth survived, and it went to the next and succeeding generations. Will not mankind understand?

[[Asad’s notes - 14 Lit., "Cause me to alight with a blessed alighting" - i.e., in a blessed condition of alighting, or at a blessed place of alighting (Tabari); both these meanings are implied in the word "destination".

1 5 Lit., "the best of all who cause [man] to alight", i.e., at his true destination. In this prayer enjoined upon Noah - and, by implication, on every believer - the story of the ark is raised to symbolic significance: it reveals itself as a parable of the human soul's longing for divine

illumination, which alone can show man how to save himself and to reach his true destination in the realm of the spirit as well as in worldly life. ]]