قَالُوا۟ يَـٰنُوحُ قَدْ جَـٰدَلْتَنَا فَأَكْثَرْتَ جِدَٰلَنَا فَأْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَآ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ 32
Translations
They said, "O Noah, you have disputed [i.e., opposed] us and been frequent in dispute of us. So bring us what you threaten us, if you should be of the truthful."
Transliteration
Qāloo yā Nūḥu qad jādaltnā fa-aktharta jidālanā fa-'tinā bimā ta'idunā in kunta mina aṣ-ṣādiqīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The disbelieving people of Noah mocked him after prolonged debate, demanding that he bring upon them the threatened punishment if he truly spoke the truth. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this statement reflects their arrogant rejection and mockery—they wanted to see the actual punishment to prove Noah's claims, not realizing they were testing the patience of Allah's messenger. Their demand for immediate divine retribution showed their spiritual blindness and stubborn denial despite Noah's 950 years of preaching.
Revelation Context
This verse occurs within the narrative of Prophet Noah in Surah Hud, depicting the final stages of his people's rejection. The context shows Noah's lengthy struggle with his community; after centuries of calling them to monotheism with patience and wisdom, they resort to mocking demands, which precipitated Allah's final decision to send the Flood.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said regarding Noah: 'The most tested of people are the Prophets, then those nearest to them in righteousness' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Quran itself mentions Noah's people's mockery in 21:40, showing the recurring pattern of rejecting messengers.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that demanding proof on our own terms rather than accepting guidance with humility is a sign of spiritual arrogance, and that those who persistently reject truth despite clear signs ultimately hasten their own destruction. For believers, it exemplifies the patience required when conveying truth in the face of mockery and disbelief.
Related Ayahs
وَيَـٰقَوْمِ هَـٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةُ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ ءَايَةً فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِىٓ أَرْضِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٍ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌ قَرِيبٌ
And O my people, this is the she-camel of Allāh - [she is] to you a sign. So let her feed upon Allāh's earth and do not touch her with harm, or you will be taken by an impending punishment."
وَٱصْبِرْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
And be patient, for indeed, Allāh does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.
وَأُتْبِعُوا۟ فِى هَـٰذِهِۦ لَعْنَةً وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚ بِئْسَ ٱلرِّفْدُ ٱلْمَرْفُودُ
And they were followed in this [world] with a curse and on the Day of Resurrection. And wretched is the gift which is given.
وَقُل لِّلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمْ إِنَّا عَـٰمِلُونَ
And say to those who do not believe, "Work according to your position; indeed, we are working.