He also encouraged them with the immediate blessings of this world, saying, “He will send down abundant rain upon you”—that is, continuous rain that waters the mountain passes and valleys and revives the land and its people.
“And give you increase in wealth and sons”—that is, He will multiply your wealth, through which you obtain what you seek of this world, and your children—“and provide you with gardens and provide you with rivers.” These are among the greatest worldly pleasures and objects of desire.
“What is the matter with you that you do not hold Allah in due reverence?” That is, you do not stand in awe of Allah’s greatness, and you accord Him no esteem.
“When He has created you in stages”—that is, one stage of creation [following] another: in the mother’s womb, then during nursing, then in childhood, then at the age of discernment, then in youth, and onward to the final stage a person reaches (1). The One who alone creates and directs all things in such wondrous fashion must necessarily be worshipped alone and affirmed as the only God. Mentioning the beginning of their creation also calls them to affirm the resurrection: the One who brought them into being from nothing is able to restore them after their death.
He also presented as evidence against them the creation of the heavens, which are greater than the creation of humankind. He said, “Have you not considered how Allah created seven heavens in layers?” That is, each heaven lies above the next.
“And made the moon therein a light” for the inhabitants of the earth, “and made the sun a lamp.”
This draws attention to the immensity of these created things and to the numerous benefits of the sun and moon, which demonstrate His mercy and the vastness of His benevolence. One so majestic and merciful deserves to be revered, loved, worshipped, feared, and hoped in.
“Allah brought you forth from the earth like a plant,” when He created your father Adam while you were in his loins.
“Then He will return you to it” at death, “and bring you forth once again” for the resurrection and rising. He alone controls life, death, and resurrection.
“Allah has made the earth an expanse for you”—that is, spread out and prepared for your benefit.
“So that you may traverse its spacious paths.” Had He not spread it out, this would not have been possible. Nor would people have been able to plough it, plant trees and crops in it, build upon it, or dwell on its surface.
“Noah said,” complaining to his Lord that all this discourse, admonition, and reminder had neither influenced nor benefited them:
“They have disobeyed me” in what I commanded them, “and followed one whose wealth and children have only increased him in loss.” That is, they disobeyed the sincere messenger who directed them to what was good, and followed the chiefs and notables whose wealth and children only increased them in loss—that is, in destruction and forfeiture of all gain. What, then, of those who submitted to and obeyed them?!
“They devised a mighty plot”—that is, an immense and far-reaching scheme in their obstinate opposition to the truth.
“And they said” to their followers, calling them to polytheism and making it attractive to them, “Do not abandon your gods.” They called upon them to cling zealously to their polytheism and not abandon the way of their earliest forefathers. They then named their gods, saying, “And do not abandon Wadd, Suwā, Yaghūth, Yaūq, or Nasr.” These were the names of righteous men. After they died, Satan made it seem attractive to their people to make images of them so that—as they claimed—the sight of those images would spur them to obedience. Much time then passed, and later generations arose. Satan told them, “Your forefathers used to worship them, seek access through them, and receive rain through them.” They therefore worshipped them. For this reason, their leaders urged their followers not to abandon the worship of these gods (2).
“They have led many astray”—that is, through their appeals, the chiefs and leaders led many people astray. “And do not increase the wrongdoers except in error.” That is, if their straying when I called them to the truth could have led to reform, that would have served some good; but the leaders’ calls only increase them in error. Thus, no prospect remained for their success or reform. Allah therefore mentions their punishment and chastisement in this world and the Hereafter, saying, “Because of their sins they were drowned” in the waters that engulfed them, “and then admitted into a Fire.” Their bodies perished by drowning, while their souls went to the Fire to burn. All of this was because of their sins, against which their prophet Noah had come to warn them, informing them of their evil and ultimate consequences. Yet they rejected what he said until exemplary punishment overtook them. “They found no helpers besides Allah” to aid them when the calamity befell them, and no one can oppose divine decree and predestination.
“Noah said: My Lord, do not leave upon the earth a single disbelieving inhabitant” to walk upon its surface. He then mentioned the reason, saying, “For if You leave them, they will lead Your servants astray and beget none but wicked, inveterate disbelievers.” That is, their continued existence was an unmitigated source of corruption for themselves and others. Noah—peace be upon him—said this only because his extensive interaction with them and close acquaintance with their character enabled him to know what their deeds would ultimately lead to. No wonder, then, that Allah answered his supplication (3), drowning them all and saving Noah and the believers who were with him.
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“My Lord, forgive me, my parents, and whoever enters my house as a believer.” He singled out those mentioned because of their especially strong claims and because kindness toward them takes precedence. He then made his supplication universal, saying, “And forgive the believing men and believing women, and do not increase the wrongdoers except in ruin”—that is, loss, devastation, and destruction.
The commentary on the surah of Noah—peace be upon him—is complete. [And all praise is due to Allah.]