وَأُوحِىَ إِلَىٰ نُوحٍ أَنَّهُۥ لَن يُؤْمِنَ مِن قَوْمِكَ إِلَّا مَن قَدْ ءَامَنَ فَلَا تَبْتَئِسْ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَفْعَلُونَ 36
Translations
And it was revealed to Noah that, "No one will believe from your people except those who have already believed, so do not be distressed by what they have been doing.
Transliteration
Wa uhiya ila Nuh anna-hu lan yu'mina min qawmika illa man qad amana fala tabtais bima kanu yaf'alun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah revealed to Prophet Noah that none from his people would believe except those who had already believed, and therefore he should not grieve over their disbelief and actions. This ayah provides consolation to Noah after 950 years of preaching with minimal response, establishing that guidance is ultimately from Allah alone and the messenger's responsibility is only to convey the message. Ibn Kathir notes this represents a turning point where Noah is relieved of the burden of converting those already determined in their disbelief, while Al-Tabari emphasizes this demonstrates Allah's foreknowledge and the futility of Noah's continued sorrow.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the narrative of Prophet Noah within Surah Hud, revealed in the Meccan period when Prophet Muhammad was also facing rejection from the Quraysh. It reflects the broader context of Noah's mission where, despite calling his people for centuries, only a small group believed. The revelation serves as both historical account and parallel comfort to Muhammad regarding inevitable disbelief.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim (2365) where the Prophet said, 'The most tried of people are the prophets, then the righteous, then the next best and so on,' relates to Noah's patience despite universal rejection. Additionally, Surah Al-An'am (6:35) contains related meaning about the messenger's limited role: 'If their turning away is hard on you...'
Themes
Key Lesson
When efforts to guide others meet with resistance despite sincere endeavor, one should find peace in knowing that ultimate guidance belongs to Allah alone, and the believer's responsibility is only to convey the message truthfully without bearing the weight of others' rejection. This teaches modern Muslims to balance conviction with acceptance of outcomes beyond their control.