The Quran

Preface

قالَ يا قَومِ أَرَأَيتُم إِن كُنتُ عَلىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِن رَبّي وَآتاني رَحمَةً مِن عِندِهِ فَعُمِّيَت عَلَيكُم أَنُلزِمُكُموها وَأَنتُم لَها كارِهونَ

Yusuf Ali

He said: “O my people! See ye if (it be that) I have a Clear Sign from my Lord, and that He hath sent Mercy unto me from His own presence, but that the Mercy hath been obscured from your sight?¹ shall we compel you to accept it when ye are averse to it?

Noah’s answer (like that of the Prophet of God who spoke in later ages in Mecca and Medīna) is a pattern of humility, gentleness, firmness, persuasiveness, truth, and love for his own people. First, he meekly (not exultingly) informs them that he has got a Message from God. Secondly, he tells them that it is a Message of Mercy even in its warning, though in their arrogance the Mercy may be hidden from them. Thirdly, he tells them plainly that there can be no compulsion in Religion: but will they not accept with goodwill what is for their own benefit? He pleads with them as one of their own.