قَالَ نُوحٌ رَّبِّ إِنَّهُمْ عَصَوْنِى وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ مَن لَّمْ يَزِدْهُ مَالُهُۥ وَوَلَدُهُۥٓ إِلَّا خَسَارًا 21
Translations
Noah said, "My Lord, indeed they have disobeyed me and followed him whose wealth and children will not increase him except in loss.
Transliteration
Qala Nuhun Rabbi innahum 'asawni wattaba'u man lam yazidhu maluhu wa waladuh illah khasara
Tafsir (Explanation)
Noah (peace be upon him) complains to his Lord that his people disobeyed him and followed leaders whose wealth and children only increased them in loss and destruction. The classical scholars, including Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, interpret this as a reference to the wealthy disbelieving leaders of Noah's community whose worldly possessions became a means of their spiritual ruin, as they used their wealth and influence to turn others away from monotheism. This ayah demonstrates that material abundance without divine guidance leads to perdition rather than prosperity.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs in the context of Surah Nuh, which recounts Noah's 950-year mission to his people. Noah is depicted here near the end of his preaching, expressing his despair at his people's persistent rejection despite his sincere efforts. The ayah reflects the tragic reality that some people's followers were swayed by the false leaders' material success, failing to recognize that true loss lies in spiritual corruption.
Related Hadiths
The theme relates to Sahih Muslim (2957), where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned: 'The love of this world and hatred of death hastens the approach of the Hour.' Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah contains hadith regarding those who follow leaders in misguidance despite their worldly status.
Themes
Key Lesson
Wealth and children are tests from Allah, not guarantees of truth or righteousness; believers must guard against being deceived by the outward success of those who reject divine guidance, remembering that true loss is the loss of the afterlife regardless of worldly gains.