وَلَقَد تَّرَكْنَـٰهَآ ءَايَةً فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ 15
Translations
And We left it as a sign, so is there any who will remember?
Transliteration
Wa laqad taraknāhā āyatan fahall min muddakir
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Ark of Nuh (Noah), which Allah left as a sign for humanity. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the Ark itself or its remains served as evidence of Allah's punishment upon those who rejected His message and His preservation of the believers. The ayah is a rhetorical question calling mankind to reflect upon this sign and take heed from the historical account of Noah's people.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Qamar, which recounts multiple instances of Allah's punishment upon nations that rejected their prophets. Verses 11-15 specifically detail the story of Noah and the flood, with this ayah concluding that narrative as a reminder for subsequent generations. The surah emphasizes the Qur'an's frequent repetition of such stories to warn and remind people.
Related Hadiths
Hadith in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim regarding the Ark: The Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned that the Ark is preserved in Al-Judi (a mountain), and it remains as a sign. Additionally, hadiths about learning from the stories of previous nations emphasize contemplation of divine punishment and mercy.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah urges believers to contemplate the material and historical evidence of Allah's power and justice, recognizing that even physical remnants are left as reminders for those willing to reflect. In our modern context, it teaches us to seek wisdom from history and to be receptive to the signs around us, moving beyond mere observation to sincere contemplation and behavioral change.