(25–49) “We certainly sent Noah to his people: ‘Indeed, I am a clear warner to you.’”
And so on, to the end of the account (1). That is, We sent Our Messenger Noah, the first of the messengers, to his people to call them to Allah and forbid them from associating partners with Him. He said to them: “Indeed, I am a clear warner to you.” That is, I have clearly explained what I am warning you against, leaving no room for confusion.
“Worship none but Allah.” That is, devote worship sincerely to Allah alone and forsake everything worshipped besides Him. “Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a painful Day” if you do not affirm Allah’s oneness and obey me.
(27) “The chiefs of his people who disbelieved said”—that is, the nobles and leaders, rejecting Noah’s call, peace be upon him. As is customary among their ilk, they were the first to reject the messengers’ call.
“We see you as nothing but a human being like ourselves.” They claimed that his being human was grounds for refusing to follow him, even though, in reality, this was precisely what was right and no other arrangement would have been fitting: human beings can learn from another human being and consult him about every matter, unlike angels.
“We see that none have followed you except the lowest among us.” That is, in their estimation, none of their people had followed him except the lowliest and most contemptible.
In truth, however, they were the noble and intelligent ones who submitted to the truth. They were not like those base men called the chiefs, who followed every rebellious devil, took stones and trees as gods, sought to draw near to them, and prostrated themselves before them. Can you imagine anyone more base or contemptible than such people?
Their words, “at first thought,” mean: They followed you without reflection or deliberation; they followed you as soon as you called them. By this, they meant that his followers lacked clear insight into what they were doing. They failed to realize that manifest truth immediately appeals to sound reason: as soon as it reaches people of understanding, they recognize it and become convinced of it. It is not like obscure matters that require prolonged reflection and thought.
“Nor do we see that you have any superiority over us.” That is, you are no better than we are, such that we should submit to you. “Rather, we think you are liars.” Their statement was false, for they had seen signs with which Allah supported Noah that should have given them complete certainty of his truthfulness.
Therefore Noah replied to them: “O my people, consider: if I stand upon clear evidence from my Lord”—that is, upon certainty and firm conviction. He was the consummate Messenger and exemplary model to whom people of understanding submit; even the intellects of the most formidable men pale beside his. He was truly truthful, so when he said, “I stand upon clear evidence from my Lord,” that statement alone was sufficient testimony and confirmation of his truthfulness.
“And He has granted me mercy from Himself”—that is, He revealed to me, sent me as a messenger, and graciously granted me guidance—“but it was obscured from you.” That is, it remained hidden from you, and you found it burdensome.
“Are we to compel you to accept it?” That is, are we to compel you to accept what we know with certainty while you yourselves doubt it? “While you are averse to it”—so averse that you strove to reject what I brought. That does us no harm, nor does it detract from our certainty concerning it. Neither your words ⦗381⦘ nor your fabrications against us can turn us away from the course we follow.
Their utmost effect is merely to bar you yourselves and prevent you from submitting to the truth that you claim is false. Once matters reach this point, we cannot compel you to accept what Allah has commanded or force upon you what you recoil from. Hence he said: “Are we to compel you to accept it while you are averse to it?”