Surah Nuh 71:1
سُورَةُ نُوحٍ · Meccan · Verse 1 of 28
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ إِنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦٓ أَنْ أَنذِرْ قَوْمَكَ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ
Translation
We sent Noah to his people: ‘Warn your people, before a painful punishment comes to them.’
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
Surah Nuh opens with a powerful declaration from Allah, setting the stage for the long and challenging mission of Prophet Nuh (Noah), peace be upon him. It begins by stating: "Indeed, We sent Nuh to his people to warn them before a painful punishment comes to them." (71:1)
The Weight of the Message
The verse begins with the emphatic particle "إِنَّآ" (Inna), meaning "Indeed, We." As Ibn Ashur points out, this is not merely to affirm a fact for someone who might doubt it, but to underscore the *importance* of the news being delivered. When Allah begins with "Indeed, We," it immediately signals to the listener that what follows is profoundly significant and deserving of full attention. It's a divine emphasis, making us lean in to hear what important matter is being conveyed.
The Clear Command
Allah states, "أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦٓ أَنْ أَنذِرْ قَوْمَكَ" (We sent Nuh to his people *that* warn your people). Scholars like al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi highlight the word "أَنْ" (an) before "أَنذِرْ" (warn). This "أن" can be understood in two ways: it could be an "أن" that introduces a verbal noun, meaning "by warning," or it could be an "أن" that clarifies or explains what Allah commanded, meaning "that is, warn." Both interpretations convey a direct and explicit command. The act of "sending" (أرسلنا) inherently carries the meaning of a message or instruction, and "أن أنذر" then makes that instruction undeniably clear: Nuh's core mission was to warn.
His Own People
The wording "إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦٓ" (to his people) and then "أَنذِرْ قَوْمَكَ" (warn *your* people) is particularly poignant. Instead of simply saying "warn humanity" or "warn the people," Allah emphasizes the familial and communal connection Nuh had with his audience. Ibn Ashur observes that this specific phrasing was meant to "inflame Nuh's soul" (إلْهابًا لِنَفْسِ نُوحٍ). It was a reminder that those he was warning were his kin, his family, his beloved community. This personal bond would naturally intensify his sincerity and perseverance in calling them, urging him to strive harder for their salvation from the impending "عذاب أليم" (painful punishment). The word *qawm* (قوم) refers to a group united by common land or lineage, highlighting this deep connection.
A Timely Warning
The phrase "مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ" (before a painful punishment comes to them) underscores the urgency of Nuh's mission. The word "مِن" (min) before "قبل" (before) can add emphasis, highlighting the critical timing. It's not just "before," but firmly, certainly, "from before." The punishment is described as "أَلِيمٌ" (aleem), meaning intensely painful or agonizing. This isn't a light reprimand, but a severe consequence (like the Flood, as mentioned by Muqatil through al-Razi). Nuh was sent to offer a chance, a window of mercy, before this inevitable and grievous consequence befell them for their disobedience.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Nuh 71:1 is discussed in 2 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Nuh 71:1 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.