وَنَادَىٰ نُوحٌ رَّبَّهُۥ فَقَالَ رَبِّ إِنَّ ٱبْنِى مِنْ أَهْلِى وَإِنَّ وَعْدَكَ ٱلْحَقُّ وَأَنتَ أَحْكَمُ ٱلْحَـٰكِمِينَ 45
Translations
And Noah called to his Lord and said, "My Lord, indeed my son is of my family; and indeed, Your promise is true; and You are the most just of judges!"
Transliteration
Wa nada Nuhun Rabbahu fa-qala Rabbi inna ibnee min ahlī wa inna wa'daka al-haqqu wa anta ahkamul-hakimīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Noah calls upon his Lord in anguish after witnessing his son refuse to board the ark and perish in the flood. Despite his profound grief, Noah affirms his complete trust in Allah's promise and acknowledges His supreme wisdom and justice. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this ayah demonstrates how even the greatest prophets submitted to divine decree, showing that Allah's wisdom transcends human emotion and parental longing, and that His promises regarding punishment for the disbelievers are absolutely true.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Prophet Noah's final moments before the flood waters consumed those who rejected his 950-year call to monotheism. The broader context of Surah Hud presents Noah's story as a complete account of his mission, his people's rejection, and the inevitable consequences. This particular moment reveals the emotional depth of Noah's trial—losing his son despite his righteousness—illustrating that prophethood does not exempt one from worldly hardship.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported in Sahih Muslim to have mentioned the four sons of Adam who will intercede: among them is Noah, who will grieve over his son's fate on the Day of Judgment. Additionally, there are hadiths emphasizing submission to Allah's decree in the face of loss, such as those in Sahih Bukhari regarding patience (sabr) during trials.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true faith means accepting Allah's wisdom even when it conflicts with our deepest desires and emotions; true strength lies not in avoiding pain, but in acknowledging Allah's supreme justice while enduring it. For modern believers, it emphasizes that tragedy and loss, even for the righteous, are part of divine wisdom, and that maintaining trust in Allah's promises is the path to spiritual peace.