وَهِىَ تَجْرِى بِهِمْ فِى مَوْجٍ كَٱلْجِبَالِ وَنَادَىٰ نُوحٌ ٱبْنَهُۥ وَكَانَ فِى مَعْزِلٍ يَـٰبُنَىَّ ٱرْكَب مَّعَنَا وَلَا تَكُن مَّعَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ 42
Translations
And it sailed with them through waves like mountains, and Noah called to his son who was apart [from them], "O my son, come aboard with us and be not with the disbelievers."
Transliteration
Wa-hiya tajree bihim fee mawjin ka-al-jibaal wa-nada Nuhun ibnahu wa-kana fee ma'zil ya-bunayya arkab ma'ana wa-la takun ma'a al-kafireen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah depicts the pivotal moment when the ark is sailing with the believers through massive waves like mountains, and Prophet Nuh calls out to his son who had separated himself from the believers, urging him to board the ark and not remain with the disbelievers. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this son (referred to as Kan'an in other sources) represents the ultimate rejection of faith despite being born to a prophet, illustrating that lineage alone does not guarantee salvation without personal submission to Allah.
Revelation Context
This verse occurs within Surah Hud's detailed narrative of Prophet Nuh's story, specifically during the flood when Allah's punishment upon the disbelievers was being executed. The surah emphasizes the patience of the prophets and the inevitability of Allah's judgment, with Nuh's son serving as a tragic example of how even proximity to a prophet cannot save one who chooses disbelief.
Related Hadiths
Ibn Abbas reported that Prophet Muhammad said regarding Nuh's son: 'He was among those who disbelieved' (related to the tafsir of this incident). Additionally, there are hadiths emphasizing that one's family relationship provides no benefit on the Day of Judgment if faith is absent, as referenced in various collections including Tirmidhi.
Themes
Key Lesson
Even the closest familial relationships cannot substitute for individual faith and obedience to Allah; each person is responsible for their own spiritual journey and will face the consequences of their choices. This ayah reminds believers that sincere belief requires personal commitment and that proximity to guidance without acceptance leads to destruction.
Related Ayahs
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦٓ إِنِّى لَكُمْ نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ
And We had certainly sent Noah to his people, [saying], "Indeed, I am to you a clear warner
فَإِلَّمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لَكُمْ فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَآ أُنزِلَ بِعِلْمِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَن لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ
And if they do not respond to you - then know that it [i.e., the Qur’ān] was revealed with the knowledge of Allāh and that there is no deity except Him. Then, would you [not] be Muslims?
وَلَا تَرْكَنُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ فَتَمَسَّكُمُ ٱلنَّارُ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَآءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ
And do not incline toward those who do wrong, lest you be touched by the Fire, and you would not have other than Allāh any protectors; then you would not be helped.
فَلَا تَكُ فِى مِرْيَةٍ مِّمَّا يَعْبُدُ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ۚ مَا يَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا كَمَا يَعْبُدُ ءَابَآؤُهُم مِّن قَبْلُ ۚ وَإِنَّا لَمُوَفُّوهُمْ نَصِيبَهُمْ غَيْرَ مَنقُوصٍ
So do not be in doubt, [O Muḥammad], as to what these [polytheists] are worshipping. They worship not except as their fathers worshipped before. And indeed, We will give them their share undiminished.