تَجْرِى بِأَعْيُنِنَا جَزَآءً لِّمَن كَانَ كُفِرَ 14
Translations
Sailing under Our observation as reward for he who had been denied.
Transliteration
Tajree bi-a'yunina jazaa-an liman kana kufira
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Ark of Nuh sailing before the eyes of Allah as a reward for those who had disbelieved and were destroyed. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that the Ark sailed smoothly and safely under Allah's divine watch and protection, while those who rejected Nuh's message perished in the flood. The phrase 'bi-a'yunina' (before Our eyes) emphasizes Allah's constant oversight and care, demonstrating both His mercy toward the believers and His justice toward the disbelievers.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Qamar, which recounts stories of various prophets and their peoples who rejected divine guidance. The specific context is the story of Prophet Nuh and the Great Flood, wherein this verse describes the Ark's miraculous journey as evidence of Allah's power and as a sign for those who reflect. The surah emphasizes the recurring pattern of rejection and divine punishment throughout human history.
Related Hadiths
The story of Nuh is referenced in multiple hadiths, including in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet Muhammad mentions the great number of believers Nuh called to faith over 950 years. Additionally, hadiths in Jami' at-Tirmidhi discuss the Ark and its significance as a mercy from Allah upon those who believed.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that Allah's oversight and protection extend to those who believe and obey Him, while those who persistently reject divine guidance face inevitable consequences. Modern readers should reflect on the importance of heeding divine guidance and recognizing the signs of Allah's mercy and justice in the world around us.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ هَمَّ قَوْمٌ أَن يَبْسُطُوٓا۟ إِلَيْكُمْ أَيْدِيَهُمْ فَكَفَّ أَيْدِيَهُمْ عَنكُمْ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ
O you who have believed, remember the favor of Allāh upon you when a people determined to extend their hands [in aggression] against you, but He withheld their hands from you; and fear Allāh. And upon Allāh let the believers rely.
قُلْ مَن يَكْلَؤُكُم بِٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ مِنَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ۗ بَلْ هُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّهِم مُّعْرِضُونَ
Say, "Who can protect you at night or by day from the Most Merciful?" But they are, from the remembrance of their Lord, turning away.
وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ
And from the evil of darkness when it settles
وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ وَرَحْمَتُهُۥ لَهَمَّت طَّآئِفَةٌ مِّنْهُمْ أَن يُضِلُّوكَ وَمَا يُضِلُّونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۖ وَمَا يَضُرُّونَكَ مِن شَىْءٍ ۚ وَأَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَعَلَّمَكَ مَا لَمْ تَكُن تَعْلَمُ ۚ وَكَانَ فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ عَظِيمًا
And if it was not for the favor of Allāh upon you, [O Muḥammad], and His mercy, a group of them would have determined to mislead you. But they do not mislead except themselves, and they will not harm you at all. And Allāh has revealed to you the Book and wisdom and has taught you that which you did not know. And ever has the favor of Allāh upon you been great.