In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
A brief commentary on the book *ID Cards for Surahs of the Noble Qur'an*
by Dr. Muhammad
ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz ibn 'Umar Naseef, may Allah preserve him.
Surah Nuh. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
We are still presenting the brief commentary on the ID cards of the surahs.
We have reached Surah Nuh, regarding which I have three main points to make.
The first point pertains to what was mentioned regarding its name.
He stated that it was named for the recount of his story within it, which encompasses all the verses of the surah.
It is worth adding here that no other surah shares this unique feature with it.
Someone might object and say: "What about Surah Yusuf?"
Surah Yusuf indeed focuses on his story, but if you look closely at Surah Yusuf,
you will find that the first three verses and the final page of the surah—and this is quite clear—
are not part of the narrative itself, even though they are undoubtedly connected to it.
As for Surah Nuh, from the statement of Allah Almighty, "Indeed, We sent Noah," to the very last word of the surah,
it speaks exclusively about Nuh and his story with his people, peace be upon him.
This is a remarkable feature, especially since Nuh, peace be upon him, is mentioned in many other surahs;
in fact, the discussion about Nuh, peace be upon him, in Surah Hud, for example,
is even longer than the total length of this entire surah.
This observation connects directly to the third point that will follow.
The second point concerns the surah's placement and relevance to Surah al-Ma'arij. He mentioned that because al-Ma'arij
concluded with a threat of destruction, this surah presents the narrative of Nuh's destroyed people.
The end of al-Ma'arij contains a threat of destruction and punishment, and this surah details the story of Nuh's destroyed people,
as if serving as an elaboration of the former, following the hermeneutical rule I have highlighted on multiple occasions,
which was also mentioned by al-Suyuti. However, what I would like to add
is that I also noticed a profound connection regarding the haste mentioned in Surah al-Ma'arij,
which includes the verse: "The angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years."
I noticed the relevance of addressing this human haste through this narrative,
which was exceptionally long by human standards: the story of Nuh, peace be upon him.
His call spanned an immense duration that is well known to you all.
Yet, in the final analysis, if you contemplate it, the matter drew to a close
and became merely a concise story, summarized in this succinct manner,
encapsulated within these few verses that represent that vast span of time.
This serves as a remedy for human haste as well: do not be hasty.
Nuh spent all those centuries, and ultimately, everything that happened to him
became a brief story we listen to and draw moral lessons from.
Likewise, every trial we experience that weighs heavily upon us,
making us long for its swift conclusion and relief from hardship, will all
eventually become nothing more than a short story to be told.
I ask Allah to make us among those who excel in righteous deeds and are blessed with His acceptance.
As for the third and final point, it concerns the core theme of the surah.
He noted that from its title and content, we know it is dedicated entirely to the story of Nuh, peace be upon him,
with his people, as noted in the first point.
Within it lies a magnificent model for calling people to Allah (da'wah).
This is what I wish to focus on in this third point:
that it provides a magnificent model for calling people to Allah.
Those engaged in calling to Allah often turn their attention to the righteous reformers
who made noble endeavors in propagating Islam throughout history,
and this is commendable.
However, the best exemplary models are those connected to the Prophets and Messengers,
“Those are they whom Allah guideth, so follow their guidance. Say (O Muhammad, unto mankind): I ask of you no fee for it. Lo! it is naught but a Reminder to (His) creatures.” (6:90)
led by their master, the leader of the children of Adam, peace and blessings be upon him.
This surah offers us a sublime model of the methods and approaches of calling to Allah,
to which we ought to dedicate our time, contemplation, and deep reflection.
I ask Allah to grant me and you the success to achieve all that He loves and is pleased with.
May Allah send peace and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon all his family and Companions.
And all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.