Tafsir of Hud 11:49

(These): An indication of the story of Noah, peace be upon him; it is in the feminine form because it refers to the distant status of the affair. It is also possible that the distal demonstrative is used to indicate the loftiness of its rank. Some say the references are to the verses of the Quran, but that is not sound. It is in the nominative case as an initial subject (mubtada').

His saying, the Exalted: (of the tidings of the unseen): Meaning, some of its news which is significant. Its being "some" of it is considered in the sense that, because of the passage of long ages, it remained unknown to anyone except Him, the Exalted—to the extent that the Magians, as is said, deny it entirely. It is also said that its being "unseen" is relative to those who are not People of the Book. Many have mentioned that the "unseen" is of two types: that which no created being has knowledge of at all (the Absolute Unseen), and that which a specific created being does not know (the Relative Unseen), which is what the jurists mean when discussing the excommunication of a ruler regarding the unseen.

His saying, the Exalted: (which We reveal to you): A second predicate for "These," and the pronoun refers to it, meaning "revealed to you." Or it is the predicate, and "of the tidings" is related to it. The benefit of fronting it is to negate that this knowledge was acquired through divination or learning from others. The use of the imperfect tense is to narrate the past event as if it were present. Alternatively, "of the tidings" is the predicate, and "We reveal to you" is in the state of being a circumstantial qualifier (hal) for "tidings." The intent behind mentioning that it is revealed is to compel his people, may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him, to believe in his prophethood, and to warn them of what befell the deniers.

His saying, the Exalted: (You did not know them, nor did your people): Another predicate, meaning they were unknown to you and your people (before this): That is, before this revelation to you, known from what has passed. It is also said: before this time, or before this knowledge acquired through revelation. In the codex of Ibn Mas'ud, it reads "before this Quran." It is possible that it is a circumstantial qualifier for the pronoun in "We reveal it to you" or the pronoun in "to you," meaning: you and your people were ignorant of it. The mention of the people along with him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is for the purpose of escalation (taraqqi), as when you say, "This matter is unknown to Zayd and the people of his town," because if they, with their multitude, do not know it, how could one of them know it? Especially when it is known he did not mingle with others.

(So be patient): Derived from the revelation or from the knowledge derived from it, indicated by "before this." That is, since We have revealed it to you and you have learned it through that, be patient with the hardships of conveying the message and the harm of your people, just as Noah, peace be upon him, was patient with the various types of calamities you have heard of during this long period. It is also said this refers back to His saying: "Perhaps you might leave out some of what is revealed to you," etc. (For the outcome—through victory in this world and success in the Hereafter—belongs to the righteous.)

(49): As you heard that in Noah, peace be upon him, and his people. It is said this is a justification for the command to be patient and a consolation for him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. "Righteousness" refers to its first degree. It is permitted that it refers to its third degree, and in that sense, it includes patience, as if it were said: "Be patient, for the outcome is for the patient." Others say the verse is a summary of what preceded and an explanation of the wisdom in revealing it: as guidance for him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and a threat to his people who deny him. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.