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
وَٱذْكُر رَّبَّكَ فِى نَفْسِكَ تَضَرُّعًا وَخِيفَةً وَدُونَ ٱلْجَهْرِ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْلِ بِٱلْغُدُوِّ وَٱلْـَٔاصَالِ وَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلْغَـٰفِلِينَ
And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear without being apparent in speech - in the mornings and the evenings. And do not be among the heedless.
ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَا مِنۢ بَعْدِهِم مُّوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَإِي۟هِۦ فَظَلَمُوا۟ بِهَا ۖ فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ
Then We sent after them Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his establishment, but they were unjust toward them. So see how was the end of the corrupters.
وَٱخْتَارَ مُوسَىٰ قَوْمَهُۥ سَبْعِينَ رَجُلًا لِّمِيقَـٰتِنَا ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلرَّجْفَةُ قَالَ رَبِّ لَوْ شِئْتَ أَهْلَكْتَهُم مِّن قَبْلُ وَإِيَّـٰىَ ۖ أَتُهْلِكُنَا بِمَا فَعَلَ ٱلسُّفَهَآءُ مِنَّآ ۖ إِنْ هِىَ إِلَّا فِتْنَتُكَ تُضِلُّ بِهَا مَن تَشَآءُ وَتَهْدِى مَن تَشَآءُ ۖ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَٱرْحَمْنَا ۖ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْغَـٰفِرِينَ
And Moses chose from his people seventy men for Our appointment. And when the earthquake seized them, he said, "My Lord, if You had willed, You could have destroyed them before and me [as well]. Would You destroy us for what the foolish among us have done? This is not but Your trial by which You send astray whom You will and guide whom You will. You are our Protector, so forgive us and have mercy upon us; and You are the best of forgivers.
إِنَّ وَلِـِّۧىَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ ۖ وَهُوَ يَتَوَلَّى ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
Indeed, my protector is Allāh, who has sent down the Book; and He is an ally to the righteous.