۞ 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.
Related Ayahs
وَٱنتَظِرُوٓا۟ إِنَّا مُنتَظِرُونَ
And wait; indeed, we are waiting."
ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلْقُرَىٰ نَقُصُّهُۥ عَلَيْكَ ۖ مِنْهَا قَآئِمٌ وَحَصِيدٌ
That is from the news of the cities, which We relate to you; of them, some are [still] standing and some are [as] a harvest [mowed down].
إِن نَّقُولُ إِلَّا ٱعْتَرَىٰكَ بَعْضُ ءَالِهَتِنَا بِسُوٓءٍ ۗ قَالَ إِنِّىٓ أُشْهِدُ ٱللَّهَ وَٱشْهَدُوٓا۟ أَنِّى بَرِىٓءٌ مِّمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ
We only say that some of our gods have possessed you with evil [i.e., insanity]." He said, "Indeed, I call Allāh to witness, and witness [yourselves] that I am free from whatever you associate with Allāh
وَإِلَىٰ عَادٍ أَخَاهُمْ هُودًا ۚ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥٓ ۖ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا مُفْتَرُونَ
And to ʿAad [We sent] their brother Hūd. He said, "O my people, worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him. You are not but inventors [of falsehood].