قَالَ قَدْ وَقَعَ عَلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ رِجْسٌ وَغَضَبٌ ۖ أَتُجَـٰدِلُونَنِى فِىٓ أَسْمَآءٍ سَمَّيْتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمْ وَءَابَآؤُكُم مَّا نَزَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَـٰنٍ ۚ فَٱنتَظِرُوٓا۟ إِنِّى مَعَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْمُنتَظِرِينَ 71
Translations
[Hūd] said, "Already have defilement and anger fallen upon you from your Lord. Do you dispute with me concerning [mere] names you have named them, you and your fathers, for which Allāh has not sent down any authority? Then wait; indeed, I am with you among those who wait."
Transliteration
Qala qad waqa'a 'alaikum min rabbikum rijsun wa ghadab. A-tujadilunani fi asma' sammaytumouha antum wa aba'akum ma nazzala allahu biha min sultan. Faintaziru inni ma'akum mina al-muntazirun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him) responds to his people's argumentation by reminding them that punishment from their Lord has already befallen them due to their idolatry and rejection. He challenges them for disputing with him about the names they have ascribed to idols—names that Allah has never authorized or revealed proof for—and calmly declares that he and they both await the outcome of their dispute, demonstrating his unwavering conviction and patience. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah illustrates how Nuh confronted the people's polytheism by emphasizing that their invented deities had no divine sanction, while he maintained steadfast resolve despite centuries of rejection.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Prophet Nuh's preaching to his people over 950 years, found in Surah Al-A'raf (Meccan chapter). The context shows Nuh's response after his people mockingly reject his message and question him about the idols their ancestors worshipped. This narrative serves as a powerful example for Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Meccan believers facing similar ridicule and polytheism.
Related Hadiths
The message echoes themes in Hadith Qudsi where Allah speaks of His patience with those who reject Him. Related also is the hadith in Sahih Bukhari about patience in da'wah (preaching), emphasizing the believer's duty to remain steadfast like the Prophets despite rejection.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that when facing opposition for truth, we should remain calm and patient like Nuh, confident that false beliefs have no divine basis and that Allah's justice will ultimately prevail. It reminds us that persistence in calling others to monotheism, even when rejected, is a noble act whose outcome rests with Allah alone.