The Essence of Prophetic Daʿwah
Surah Nūḥ tells the story of Prophet Nūḥ (ʿalayhis-salām) who called his people to Allah with tireless perseverance. Despite the few who believed and the ridicule of the deniers, he remained steadfast. This Sūrah offered reassurance to the Prophet ﷺ and provides timeless lessons for all who strive to remain firm in their dīn.
In this Sūrah, Nūh (ʿalayhis-salām) presents to Allah the final outcome of the 950 years he spent exerting such efforts in his daʿwah.
Allah says:
قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ إِنِّيْ لَكُمْ نَذِيْرٌ مُّبِينٌ. أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللّٰهَ وَاتَّقُوْهُ وَأَطِيْعُوْنِ
“He said: O my people, I openly warn you that you must worship Allah and fear Him, and obey me.” (71:2-3)
- Those who call to Allah must do so with gentleness, choosing the most effective ways to reach hearts and minds. A sincere caller seeks only the pleasure of Allah, not personal glory or worldly gain. True guidance cannot flourish when it is mixed with self-interest.
- This is the essence of every reformer’s mission throughout history: Worship Allah alone, fear His punishment, and obey His Messengers.
The Struggle of Calling to Truth
قَالَ رَبِّ اِنِّىْ دَعَوْتُ قَوْمِىْ لَيْلًا وَّنَهَارًا. فَلَمْ يَزِدْهُمْ دُعَآءِىْٓ اِلَّا فِرَارًا. وَاِنِّىْ كُلَّمَا دَعَوْتُهُمْ لِتَغْفِرَ لَهُمْ جَعَلُوْٓا اَصَابِعَهُمْ فِىْٓ اٰذَانِهِمْ وَاسْتَغْشَوْا ثِيَابَهُمْ وَاَصَرُّوْا وَاسْتَكْبَرُوا اسْتِكْبَارًا
“He said: My Lord, I have called my people night and day, but my calls only made them run farther away. And whenever I invite them to be forgiven by You, they press their fingers into their ears, cover themselves with their clothes, persist (in denial), and act very arrogantly.” (71:5-7)
- Calling to Allah (daʿwah) requires unwavering dedication. A caller who carries the responsibility of guiding others works tirelessly, day and night, without counting hardship or fatigue.
- Even when faced with rejection or mockery, the mission of reform demands steadfastness, patience, and perseverance, with the certainty that ultimate success lies with Allah alone.
Reflect: Do we truly carry the concern of daʿwah? If so, how dedicated and sincere are we in our efforts?
The Power and Promise of Seeking Forgiveness
فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوْا رَبَّكُمْ اِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا. يُّرْسِلِ السَّمَآءَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِّدْرَارًا وَّيُمْدِدْكُمْ بِاَمْوَالٍ وَّبَنِيْنَ وَيَجْعَلْ لَّـكُمْ جَنّٰتٍ وَّيَجْعَلْ لَّـكُمْ اَنْهٰرًا
“So I said, ‘Pray to your Lord for your forgiveness: Indeed He is Ever-Forgiving. He will cause the heavens to rain upon you in abundance, supply you with wealth and children, and give you gardens as well as rivers.” (71:10-12)
This āyah highlights the importance of seeking forgiveness (istighfār). Nūḥ (ʿalayhis-salām) describes Allah as al-Ghaffār, the Ever-Forgiving: a promise that He responds to those who turn to Him in sincere repentance.
Knowing that people naturally love immediate benefits, Nūḥ ﷺ used the path of encouragement, linking forgiveness to tangible blessings. He promised that those who seek Allah’s pardon would receive:
- Abundant rain to nourish the earth.
- Wealth and provisions, in all forms.
- Children, a source of joy and continuity.
- Gardens and orchards to enjoy.
- Flowing rivers, sustaining their lands and lives.
Imām al-Shawkānī (raḥimahullāh) explains: “This āyah shows that seeking forgiveness (istighfār) is among the greatest causes of rain and the attainment of sustenance.”
Reflect: How often do you sincerely seek Allah’s forgiveness in a day?
Revering Allah
Allah says:
مَّا لَكُمْ لَا تَرْجُونَ لِلّٰهِ وَقَارًا. وَقَدْ خَلَقَكُمْ أَطْوَارًا
“What is the matter with you that you are not in awe of the Majesty of Allah? When He truly created you in stages (of development).” (71:13)
- This āyah reminds us that true reverence for Allah is more than outward words. It is a deep sense of awe and humility in the heart.
- This reverence includes recognising Allah’s greatness, obeying Him, avoiding His prohibitions, and feeling a sense of shame before Him even in private, greater than one might feel before the most respected humans.
- Each stage of human life demonstrates His wisdom, knowledge, and power. Reflecting on our own creation should lead us to acknowledging His grandeur, making belief and obedience not only natural but inevitable.
Contemplating the Signs of Allah’s Creation
Allah says:
اَلَمْ تَرَوْا كَيْفَ خَلَقَ اللّٰهُ سَبْعَ سَمٰوٰتٍ طِبَاقًا. وَّجَعَلَ الْقَمَرَ فِيْهِنَّ نُوْرًا وَّجَعَلَ الشَّمْسَ سِرَاجًا
“Do you not see how Allah created seven heavens, one above the other, placing the moon within them as a light, and the sun as a lamp?” (71:15-16).
- Those who contemplate Allah’s magnificent creation (the heavens, the sun, and the moon) inevitably recognise His greatness and majesty, submitting humbly to His commands and guidance.
- This āyah invites reflection on the evidence of Allah’s power and Oneness. He created seven heavens stacked above one another, perfect in design and order. In them, He placed the moon as a reflective light in the nearest heaven, while the sun shines as a self-luminous lamp, providing energy and essential illumination to the earth.
- This precise distinction — between the sun’s inherent light and the moon’s reflected light — was not scientifically understood until the last two centuries. The Qur’ān revealed this subtle truth over 1,400 years ago, highlighting the miraculous knowledge and wisdom of Allah.
Reflect: Do we pause to truly marvel at the signs of Allah in the skies and earth, letting them strengthen our īmān?
From Creation to Resurrection
Allah says:
وَاللّٰهُ أَنْبَتَكُمْ مِّنَ الْأَرْضِ نَبَاتًا. ثُمَّ يُعِيْدُكُمْ فِيْهَا وَيُخْرِجُكُمْ إِخْرَاجًا
“Allah (alone) caused you to grow from the earth like a plant. Then He will return you to it, and then bring you forth again.” (71:17-8)
In just a few words, this āyah summarises the entire journey of human existence: from creation to resurrection. It invites deep reflection: our life in this world is fleeting, and our deeds should be for the Eternal Life to come, not for temporary gains.
Reflect: Are our actions today truly preparing us for the life to come?
A Mighty Plot
وَمَكَرُوْا مَكْرًا كُبَّارًا
“And they devised a mighty plot.” (71:22)
This was the testimony of Prophet Nūḥ (ʿalayhis-salām) about the disbelievers from among his people. After centuries of calling them to Allah, he expresses their reality.
- This has been the way of the disbelievers and the hypocrites across all ages: they spare no effort, leave no path of deception, and persist relentlessly in corruption. We must recognise our enemy and remain cautious of their schemes.
- The enemies of truth are steadfast upon their falsehood. They stand firm and support one another despite the emptiness of what they uphold.
- If such determination is shown for falsehood, are the people of truth not more deserving of patience, unity, and steadfastness upon the truth?
Reflect: Do we show the same perseverance and unity in upholding the truth and pleasing Allah?
Long Journey of Daʿwah: Ending in Forgiveness
رَّبِّ اغْفِرْ لِيْ وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِمَنْ دَخَلَ بَيْتِيَ مُؤْمِنًا وَّلِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَلَا تَزِدِ الظَّالِمِيْنَ إِلَّا تَبَارًا
“My Lord! Forgive me, my parents, and whoever enters my house as a believer, and the believing men and women. And increase the wrongdoers only in destruction.” (71:28)
- For almost a thousand years, Prophet Nūḥ (ʿalayhis-salām) tirelessly called his people to Allah. He warned, guided, and persevered, yet only a few believed. Despite all his efforts, they rebelled, blocked every path to guidance, and clung to falsehood.
- After all this long struggle, Nūḥ turned to Allah with humble supplication, seeking forgiveness for himself, acknowledging his own human limitations and shortcomings, even after giving everything he could in the path of Allah.
Reflect: After all our efforts, do we, like Nūḥ (ʿalayhis-salām), turn to Allah in humility and seek forgiveness, or do we boast and take pride in our deeds?
