قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ لَيْسَ بِى ضَلَـٰلَةٌ وَلَـٰكِنِّى رَسُولٌ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ 61
Translations
[Noah] said, "O my people, there is not error in me, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds.
Transliteration
Qala ya qawmi laysa biyya dalalun wa lakinni rasulun mir rabbi al-alameen
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him) responds to his people's accusation of being misguided (dall), clarifying that he is not astray but rather a Messenger sent by the Lord of all worlds. This statement emphasizes the divine authority behind Nuh's message and refutes the false claims of his opponents. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that Nuh's declaration demonstrates his conviction in his prophetic mission despite centuries of rejection, establishing that the source of guidance is Allah alone, not human opinion.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Prophet Nuh's preaching to his people over 950 years, as mentioned in Surah Nuh 29:14. The broader context (7:59-64) presents Nuh's monotheistic message and his people's rejection, with this specific verse serving as Nuh's authoritative response to their ridicule and accusation that he was misguided.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3439) where the Prophet Muhammad said, 'The most severe trial will be to the Messengers' relates thematically to the challenges Nuh faced in conveying his message despite opposition. Additionally, the Quran 23:23-29 provides the detailed account of Nuh's similar declaration to his people.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers facing criticism or accusations should anchor themselves firmly in truth and divine purpose, recognizing that conviction comes from Allah's guidance, not from worldly approval. This teaches us that maintaining clarity about one's mission and source of authority provides spiritual strength against opposition and doubt.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ ٱهْبِطُوا۟ بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ ۖ وَلَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَـٰعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ
[Allāh] said, "Descend, being to one another enemies. And for you on the earth is a place of settlement and enjoyment [i.e., provision] for a time."
قَالَ ٱلْمَلَأُ مِن قَوْمِ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَسَـٰحِرٌ عَلِيمٌ
Said the eminent among the people of Pharaoh, "Indeed, this is a learned magician
۞ هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ وَجَعَلَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا لِيَسْكُنَ إِلَيْهَا ۖ فَلَمَّا تَغَشَّىٰهَا حَمَلَتْ حَمْلًا خَفِيفًا فَمَرَّتْ بِهِۦ ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَثْقَلَت دَّعَوَا ٱللَّهَ رَبَّهُمَا لَئِنْ ءَاتَيْتَنَا صَـٰلِحًا لَّنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ
It is He who created you from one soul and created from it its mate that he might dwell in security with her. And when he [i.e., man] covers her, she carries a light burden [i.e., a pregnancy] and continues therein. And when it becomes heavy, they both invoke Allāh, their Lord, "If You should give us a good [child], we will surely be among the grateful."
وَٱتَّخَذَ قَوْمُ مُوسَىٰ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ مِنْ حُلِيِّهِمْ عِجْلًا جَسَدًا لَّهُۥ خُوَارٌ ۚ أَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّهُۥ لَا يُكَلِّمُهُمْ وَلَا يَهْدِيهِمْ سَبِيلًا ۘ ٱتَّخَذُوهُ وَكَانُوا۟ ظَـٰلِمِينَ
And the people of Moses made, after [his departure], from their ornaments a calf - an image having a lowing sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to a way? They took it [for worship], and they were wrongdoers.