وَيَصْنَعُ ٱلْفُلْكَ وَكُلَّمَا مَرَّ عَلَيْهِ مَلَأٌ مِّن قَوْمِهِۦ سَخِرُوا۟ مِنْهُ ۚ قَالَ إِن تَسْخَرُوا۟ مِنَّا فَإِنَّا نَسْخَرُ مِنكُمْ كَمَا تَسْخَرُونَ 38
Translations
And he constructed the ship, and whenever an assembly of the eminent of his people passed by him, they ridiculed him. He said, "If you ridicule us, then we will ridicule you just as you ridicule.
Transliteration
Wa yasna'u al-fulka wa kullama marra 'alayhi mala'un min qawmihi sakhiru minhu. Qala in taskharu minna fa-inna naskhharu minkum kama taskhirun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Nuh (Noah) constructing the Ark while the people of his nation mocked him, and his response to their ridicule. When the disbelieving elite passed by him, they laughed at him; Nuh responded with dignified resolve, saying that just as they mock him, so too will he mock them—implying through his patience that they will soon see the consequences of their arrogance when the flood arrives. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note this demonstrates Nuh's unwavering conviction and subtle warning that their mockery will be turned against them when divine punishment comes.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Nuh (Surah Hud, verses 25-49), which recounts one of the longest preaching periods in Islamic history—Nuh called his people for 950 years. The context shows the futility of his message as the people continuously rejected and mocked him, yet he persisted in his mission with patience and wisdom. This passage illustrates the typical response of disbelieving societies to messengers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who have the best character,' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3662). This relates to Nuh's dignified, controlled response to mockery. Additionally, Surah Al-'Ankabut 29:23 mentions the mockery of messengers, and Hadith in Sahih Muslim describes how the Prophet endured mockery with patience.
Themes
Key Lesson
When facing ridicule for one's faith or values, believers should respond with dignified patience and conviction rather than anger, trusting that Allah sees all and will ultimately vindicate the righteous. This ayah teaches that maintaining composure and moral integrity in the face of mockery is a mark of true strength, not weakness.
Related Ayahs
وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ طَرَفَىِ ٱلنَّهَارِ وَزُلَفًا مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلْحَسَنَـٰتِ يُذْهِبْنَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ذِكْرَىٰ لِلذَّٰكِرِينَ
And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ فَٱخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ ۚ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَفِى شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ مُرِيبٍ
And We had certainly given Moses the Scripture, but it came under disagreement. And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord, it would have been judged between them. And indeed they are, concerning it [i.e., the Qur’ān], in disquieting doubt.
وَيَـٰقَوْمِ مَن يَنصُرُنِى مِنَ ٱللَّهِ إِن طَرَدتُّهُمْ ۚ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ
And O my people, who would protect me from Allāh if I drove them away? Then will you not be reminded?
وَلَا يَنفَعُكُمْ نُصْحِىٓ إِنْ أَرَدتُّ أَنْ أَنصَحَ لَكُمْ إِن كَانَ ٱللَّهُ يُرِيدُ أَن يُغْوِيَكُمْ ۚ هُوَ رَبُّكُمْ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
And my advice will not benefit you - although I wished to advise you - if Allāh should intend to put you in error. He is your Lord, and to Him you will be returned."