• Their remark, “bādiya al-ra’y” (“at first glance”) (Hud 27) means that those people hurried to believe in you, O Noah, without consulting anyone, without pausing to deliberate or reflect. Even if we assumed this to be literally true, it would still count as evidence for the truth itself; for truth comes clothed in proofs, light, majesty, beauty, veracity, and inward tranquility that make consultation unnecessary. One needs to consult only about hidden matters whose reality and benefit are unknown. Faith, however, is clearer than the sun in its brilliance and sweeter than everything (1); none stay away from it except every arrogant despot—people like these oppressive rebels.
• Their statement: “We do not see that you possess any superiority over us” (Hud 27)—is there any fairness at all in such words? They are merely speaking about themselves: it may express what is truly in their hearts, or they may be uttering something they do not actually believe. In either case, the truth must be accepted whether voiced by the eminent or the lowly, for truth stands above everything.
• Likewise, their claim: “Rather, we think you are liars” (Hud 27). Everyone knows that conjecture is the most false form of speech, and even had they said, “Rather, we know you are liars,” any false claimant could say the same. On what basis, then, have you judged the messengers to be lying? Your own “proofs” and “arguments” collapse of themselves, as you can see—how much more so when the messengers countered them with varied, decisive evidences that leave no room for anyone to doubt their falsehood.
- Among the prophets’ virtues—and among the strongest proofs of their mission—is their complete sincerity toward Allah: in their personal worship limited to Him alone, and in their outward acts that benefit creation, such as calling people to Allah, teaching, and all that follows from that. They make this plain and keep repeating it to their people; each one of them says, “O my people, I ask no payment from you for this; my reward rests only with Allah” (Hud 29).
(1) The original text inserts the word “thing” here.