لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ فَقَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥٓ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ 59
Translations
We had certainly sent Noah to his people, and he said, "O my people, worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a tremendous Day."
Transliteration
Laqad arsalnā nūḥan ilā qawmihi faqāla yā qawmi uʿbudū allāha mā lakum min ilāhin ghayruhu innī akhāfu ʿalaykum ʿadhāba yawmin ʿaẓīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah introduces Prophet Nuh (Noah) and his mission to call his people to the worship of Allah alone, warning them of the punishment of a great day (the Day of Judgment). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, Nuh's message emphasizes pure monotheism (tawhīd) and the rejection of idolatry, while his warning reflects the merciful nature of prophethood—a combination of invitation to guidance and caution against divine punishment. The phrase 'a great day' refers to Yawm al-Qiyāmah (Day of Resurrection) or the worldly punishment that would befall the disbelievers.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-A'raf, a Meccan surah revealed during the early Meccan period. It marks the beginning of the narrative of Prophet Nuh, whose story is used as a foundational example of prophethood and the struggle against idolatry—themes central to the Meccan period when Prophet Muhammad faced similar resistance from the Quraysh.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad said: 'The best supplication is the supplication of Nuh, and the best people are the people of Nuh' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Prophet stated that Nuh preached to his people for 950 years, which contextualizes the lengthy struggle reflected in his warning (mentioned in Surah Nuh 29:14).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that the primary duty of a believer is to invite others to pure monotheism with both sincere concern and earnest warning. It reminds us that true guidance combines both the positive invitation to worship Allah and the compassionate caution about consequences, reflecting the balanced approach required in Islamic da'wah (calling to Islam).