۞ وَقَالَ ٱرْكَبُوا۟ فِيهَا بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ مَجْر۪ىٰهَا وَمُرْسَىٰهَآ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ 41
Translations
And [Noah] said, "Embark therein; in the name of Allāh [are] its course and its anchorage. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful."
Transliteration
Wa qala irkaboo feeha bismillahi majreeha wa mursaha. Inna rabbee laghafoorun raheem.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah records Prophet Nuh's (Noah's) command to his followers to board the Ark, invoking Allah's name at its launching. He affirms that the ship's movement and anchorage are under Allah's divine control, emphasizing complete reliance on Allah's sovereignty. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this demonstrates the proper etiquette of beginning any action with Allah's name (Bismillah) while maintaining trust in His mercy and forgiveness, even in dire circumstances.
Revelation Context
This verse occurs within the narrative of Prophet Nuh in Surah Hud, detailing the moment when the Great Flood was about to commence. The context shows Nuh commanding the believers to board the Ark as Allah's punishment for those who rejected his message for 950 years. This is part of the larger thematic discussion in Hud about prophets facing rejection and divine judgment.
Related Hadiths
The practice of saying 'Bismillah' (In the name of Allah) before any action is encouraged in numerous hadiths. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, 'Every important matter that is not begun with the remembrance of Allah is deficient' (reported in various hadith collections). This ayah exemplifies this principle in the most critical moment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that we should begin all our endeavors by invoking Allah's name and maintaining complete trust in His control over outcomes, not our own efforts. Even in moments of fear or uncertainty, remembering Allah's mercy and forgiveness provides spiritual strength and proper perspective on our dependence upon Him.