Translation
It was revealed to Noah: “None of your community, except those who already attained faith, will accept faith. Therefore, do not feel distressed but go ahead and start the construction of the Ark under Our [God’s] protection [sight] and supervision [revelation] and do not make any petition on behalf of those who wronged themselves. They will all drown.”
He (Noah and his followers) began the construction of the Ark. Whenever the leaders of his community would pass by, they would make fun of him. He said to them: “If you laugh at us, then we too laugh at you, in return for your unwelcome conducts. Soon you will come to know (and see)—the consequence (of one’s denial and misconduct) which will bring disgrace (in this life) and will have similar but permanent consequence (in the life to come).
Finally, God’s command was executed, and water gushed forth from the valley (from all directions) [farat-tannur]. We [God] instructed: “Take on board all (your possessions), pairs (of domesticated animals), your family members, expect those who have already proven to be unworthy and all those who believed (with you).” But there were only few who believed with him. Noah said to all: “Come on board. We entrust its sailing and its anchoring to the will of God. Indeed, my Sustainer God is full of Forgiveness and Mercy!” 496
Interpretation
496 Prophet Noah is believed to have lived more than 950 years (see 29:14–15) among his people, trying to convince his community to accept faith and to conduct themselves with truth and justice, but they refused, except a few. They even made fun of him when he was building the ark to save him, his few followers, domesticated animals, and animals that sought refuge on the ark. As mentioned here in verse 40, and further detailed in verses 54:11–17, water poured forth from the ground, and a heavy downpour came from above flooded the area, including the valley in which his community lived, such that even the mountains went under water and there were no places to save oneself from being drowned. The Bible narrative of the entire earth being flooded and popular Hollywood movies depicting thousands of animals being in the ark are untenable, but the message is the same: God will protect people of faith and goodness, even if others dislike it, and those who deny faith and do evils will perish eventually, face disgrace on this earth, and will face permanent chastisement in the life to come after death.
***
REFLECTION
The narrative of Prophet Noah is an example of God’s guidance that was delivered with patience and humility and without any demand for compensation over a period of nine hundred years, yet few believed, and he was ridiculed and mocked as he constructed the ark.
ACTION
People of faith and goodness are always protected and rescued by God as long as we do not taint our faith with impatience, injustice, and lack of empathy for others.
_____________________
Key Arabic Term
146. farat tannur (11:40): water boiling over the face of the earth (5:11: the floodgate from sky was opened, implying a heavy downpour