ثُمَّ إِنِّى دَعَوْتُهُمْ جِهَارًا 8
Translations
Then I invited them publicly.
Transliteration
Thumma innī da'awtuhum jihāran
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Noah is recounting how he called his people openly and publicly to worship Allah alone, after having warned them privately. Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that 'jihāran' (openly/publicly) indicates Noah's bold proclamation of the message without fear or concealment, contrasting with his earlier private admonitions. This ayah emphasizes the completeness of Noah's da'wah (call to Islam) - he exhausted all methods of preaching, from private counsel to public announcement, demonstrating his sincere commitment to guiding his people.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Nuh, a Meccan surah that narrates Noah's message and his people's rejection of it over 950 years. The verse is part of Noah's account of his various strategies in calling people to tawhid (monotheism), reflecting the broader theme of the surah regarding the patience required of prophets in facing rejection and mockery from their communities.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 'The best jihad is a word of truth spoken in front of a tyrant ruler' relates thematically to the courage required to preach openly. Additionally, the hadith about Noah preaching for 950 years (mentioned in Surah Nuh 29:14) contextualizes this verse's emphasis on persistent public proclamation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that sincere da'wah requires both private guidance and public proclamation, and that one should not fear ridicule or opposition when calling people to monotheism and the worship of Allah alone. The example of Noah's openness reminds modern Muslims to be bold yet wise in sharing their faith.