This treatise examines and interprets verses 60 to 64 of Surah Al-Arf from the Holy Quran, verses dedicated to the story of the Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) and his confrontation with his people. These verses present a lucid depiction of the divine mission, the denial by the people, and Gods justice in the salvation of the believers and the destruction of the disbelievers. Through contemplation of these verses and the associated lectures, an effort has been made to elucidate the profound Quranic concepts in a refined and dignified language, so as to preserve the spirit of the verses while establishing a spiritual connection with the audience. This text, adopting a mystical and ethical perspective, analyses Noahs sagacious conduct, the objectives of his mission, and the consequences of rejecting divine signs, offering lessons for guidance and avoidance of spiritual blindness.
The chiefs of his people said: Indeed, we see you in clear error. (Surah Al-Arf, 7:60)
The chiefs of Noahs people, who held social and material authority, accused him of misguidance. This accusation stemmed from their arrogance and ignorance, as they presumed that a divine mission should be entrusted to individuals possessing material resources or superior social status. This viewpoint reflects spiritual blindness and estrangement from the truth, as if they sought truth solely in outward material appearances.
He said: O my people, there is no misguidance in me; rather, I am a messenger from the Lord of the Worlds. (Surah Al-Arf, 7:61)
In response to this accusation, Noah (peace be upon him) replied with unparalleled composure. Neither with anger nor harshness, but with tranquility and wisdom, he proclaimed his mission. He did not claim it out of self-conceit but introduced himself as a messenger from the Lord of the Worlds, as though opening a gateway to divine light to rescue his people from the darkness of ignorance.
I convey to you the messages of my Lord and give you sincere advice, and I know from God that which you do not know. (Surah Al-Arf, 7:62)
In this verse, Noah delineates three fundamental roles: conveying divine messages, offering sincere counsel, and possessing knowledge from God unknown to his people. He does not speak of himself but, like a clear mirror, reflects the light of revelation to his people. This knowledge transcends human comprehension and is connected to divine sciences unfamiliar to the community.
The lectures pose the question regarding the nature of the knowledge of the prophets, answering that Whatever we do not know, he knows. This response emphasizes human cognitive limitation and the grandeur of divine knowledge. The knowledge of the prophets is like a profound spring of divine understanding, of which only a drop reaches the ordinary human. This limitation invites humility before the truth and acceptance of divine guidance.
Do you wonder that a reminder from your Lord has come to a man from among you, to warn you and that you might fear Allah and that perhaps you will be granted mercy? (Surah Al-Arf, 7:63)
The peoples astonishment at the selection of a man from among themselves for the mission stems from their arrogance and desire for superiority. They presumed the mission should be bestowed upon aristocrats with material means, whereas God exercised His wisdom in choosing Noah. This astonishment acted as a veil of ignorance over their eyes, concealing the truth from them.
The verse enumerates three lofty objectives of Noahs mission: warning, piety, and mercy. Warning functions as a wake-up call, rousing the people from heedlessness; piety is the path to purity and salvation; and mercy is the ultimate destination, leading believers into the embrace of divine grace. These three aims, like three branches of a mighty tree, extend toward the guidance and felicity of the community.
But they denied him, so We saved him and those with him in the ark, and We drowned those who denied Our signs. Indeed, they were a blind people. (Surah Al-Arf, 7:64)
The denial of Noahs people was a grave sin and the final stage of separation from truth. The lectures, citing the noble hadith The greatest of sins is lying, emphasise that falsehood marks the boundary between truth and falsehood. Denying divine signs not only denies reality but also constitutes rebellion against God, closing all avenues of guidance.
God saved Noah and his followers aboard the ark and drowned those who denied the signs. This event is an embodiment of divine justice that shelters the believers and recompenses the disbelievers according to their deeds. Noahs ark was like a secure island amid the storm of disbelief, conveying the faithful to the shore of salvation.
The Quran describes Noahs people as a blind people deprived of understanding the truth. This blindness resulted from arrogance, ignorance, and denial of divine signs. The lectures stress that this community, due to their rebellion and rejection, no longer deserved guidance.
The lectures critique sentimental views of divine mercy, portraying God as the Breaker of the oppressors, who acts based on wisdom and justice rather than emotions. Contrary to some who perceive God solely as merciful, He is just and recompenses the spiritually blind according to their deeds. This justice is a double-edged sword, saving the believers and bringing destruction to the disbelievers.
The lectures warn that the rise of spiritual blindness and denial of truth in the contemporary world can lead to great calamities. The modern human, if devoid of fear of God and heedlessness of guidance, risks divine punishment similar to the people of Noah. This warning serves as an alarm, urging reflection on ones deeds.
The lectures emphasize that, unlike parents who may pardon a childs sins out of affection, God is just and recompenses sinners according to their actions. This distinction draws a clear line between divine wisdom and human emotions, inviting humanity to avoid falsehood and spiritual blindness.
This treatise, reflecting upon verses 60 to 64 of Surah Al-Arf, reviewed the story of the Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) as an exemplar of divine mission and confrontation with the denial of his people. Noahs composure in the face of accusations, his role as messenger and advisor, and the objectives of his mission (warning, piety, and mercy) were introduced as pillars of divine invitation. The denial by the people, as a grave sin, closed the path of guidance and resulted in their destruction. Divine justice, grounded in wisdom, saved the believers and recompensed the disbelievers for their spiritual blindness. These lessons, as a beacon on the path of guidance, invite contemporary humanity to eschew falsehood and spiritual blindness and embrace divine truth.
