مَّا لَكُمْ لَا تَرْجُونَ لِلَّهِ وَقَارًا 13
Translations
What is [the matter] with you that you do not attribute to Allāh [due] grandeur
Transliteration
Mā lakum lā tarjūna lillāhi waqāran
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah's messenger Noah addresses his people, asking them why they do not hold Allah in proper reverence and awe (waqār). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that waqār refers to dignified fear, respect, and reverence due to Allah's majesty and power. This ayah emphasizes the people's negligence in recognizing Allah's greatness despite Noah's 950 years of preaching, highlighting their spiritual blindness and arrogance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the middle of Surah Nuh, which recounts Noah's preaching to his people over nine and a half centuries. The surah is Meccan and addresses the Quraysh's rejection of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by drawing parallels to Noah's experience. This specific ayah reflects Noah's exasperation at his people's refusal to acknowledge Allah's dignity and power despite clear signs.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest ayah in the Qur'an is Ayat al-Kursi' (Surah 2:255), which similarly emphasizes Allah's majesty. Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim regarding taqwa (God-consciousness) relates thematically to the concept of waqār mentioned here.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should cultivate sincere reverence (waqār) and awe of Allah in their hearts, recognizing His infinite majesty and power. This internal reverence protects against arrogance, pride, and spiritual heedlessness, serving as a foundation for genuine obedience and submission to Allah's will.