قِيلَ يَـٰنُوحُ ٱهْبِطْ بِسَلَـٰمٍ مِّنَّا وَبَرَكَـٰتٍ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰٓ أُمَمٍ مِّمَّن مَّعَكَ ۚ وَأُمَمٌ سَنُمَتِّعُهُمْ ثُمَّ يَمَسُّهُم مِّنَّا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ 48
Translations
It was said, "O Noah, disembark in security from Us and blessings upon you and upon nations [descending] from those with you. But other nations [of them] We will grant enjoyment; then there will touch them from Us a painful punishment."
Transliteration
Qila ya Noohu ihbeet bi-salamin minna wa barakatun alayka wa ala umamin mimman ma'ak wa umamun sa-numatti'uhum thumma yamasshuhum minna adhabun aleem
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands Prophet Nuh (Noah) to descend from the ark with peace and blessings upon him and the believing communities that were with him. However, there will be other nations from among those who were aboard the ark whose descendants will be granted worldly enjoyment, but they will eventually be afflicted with a painful punishment from Allah. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to the progeny of Noah's sons who would later disbelieve and turn away from the path of Allah, illustrating that prophethood and divine guidance do not guarantee the righteousness of all descendants.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs near the conclusion of the story of Prophet Noah in Surah Hud (11:25-48), specifically at the moment when the flood has ended and Noah is commanded to disembark from the ark. The context reflects the aftermath of the great deluge, where only the believers were saved with Noah, yet it acknowledges that even among Noah's own family and descendants, some would later reject faith and face divine punishment.
Related Hadiths
The Quran itself references in 11:46 that one of Noah's sons refused to board the ark and drowned. Additionally, Hadith in Sahih Muslim (Book of Prophets) describes how Noah complained to Allah about his people's rejection, and how his call was answered with the flood. The theme of distinguishing between the guided and misguided is found throughout prophetic traditions.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that righteousness and divine favor are not inherited automatically through family lineage; each individual must choose to follow Allah's guidance. It also provides hope for believers that their patient struggle in da'wah (calling to Allah) will ultimately bear fruit through Allah's justice, even if some reject the message.
Related Ayahs
مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتَهَا نُوَفِّ إِلَيْهِمْ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ فِيهَا وَهُمْ فِيهَا لَا يُبْخَسُونَ
Whoever desires the life of this world and its adornments - We fully repay them for their deeds therein, and they therein will not be deprived.
قَالَ يَـٰنُوحُ إِنَّهُۥ لَيْسَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ عَمَلٌ غَيْرُ صَـٰلِحٍ ۖ فَلَا تَسْـَٔلْنِ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ ۖ إِنِّىٓ أَعِظُكَ أَن تَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْجَـٰهِلِينَ
He said, "O Noah, indeed he is not of your family; indeed, he is [one whose] work was other than righteous, so ask Me not for that about which you have no knowledge. Indeed, I advise you, lest you be among the ignorant."
فَلَوْلَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ أُو۟لُوا۟ بَقِيَّةٍ يَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ ٱلْفَسَادِ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّمَّنْ أَنجَيْنَا مِنْهُمْ ۗ وَٱتَّبَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مَآ أُتْرِفُوا۟ فِيهِ وَكَانُوا۟ مُجْرِمِينَ
So why were there not among the generations before you those of enduring discrimination forbidding corruption on earth - except a few of those We saved from among them? But those who wronged pursued what luxury they were given therein, and they were criminals.
وَلَقَدْ جَآءَتْ رُسُلُنَآ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ بِٱلْبُشْرَىٰ قَالُوا۟ سَلَـٰمًا ۖ قَالَ سَلَـٰمٌ ۖ فَمَا لَبِثَ أَن جَآءَ بِعِجْلٍ حَنِيذٍ
And certainly did Our messengers [i.e., angels] come to Abraham with good tidings; they said, "Peace." He said, "Peace," and did not delay in bringing [them] a roasted calf.