Tafsir of Hud 11:35-36

Surah Hud (11:35-36)

"Or do they say, 'He has fabricated it'?"

Know that the meaning of "fabricated it" (افتراه) is that he invented it and made it up from himself. The pronoun (الهاء) refers back to the Revelation that he conveyed to them.

"Then upon me is my crime." (فعلى إجرامى)

• الإجرام (Crime/Sin) means proposing and acquiring forbidden things.
• This construction involves the omission of a noun (حذف المضاف), as the meaning is: "Then upon me is the punishment (عقاب) for my crime (إجرامي)."
• There is another omission in the verse. The full meaning is: "If I fabricated it, then upon me is the punishment for my crime, and if I am truthful and you deny me, then upon you is the punishment for that denial." However, this latter part was omitted because the context implies it, similar to the verse: "Is one who is devoutly obedient during the hours of the night..." (Az-Zumar: 9), where the rest of the comparison is omitted.
• "And I am innocent of what you are committing." (وأنا برىء مما تجرمون) means: I am innocent of the punishment for your crime.

Most commentators hold that this statement belongs to the words of Noah (peace be upon him). The assertion that this verse is part of the narrative about Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) occurring during the account of Noah is very remote.

Furthermore, His saying: "Say, 'If I fabricated it, then upon me is my crime'" (قل إن افتريته فعلى إجرامى) does not indicate that he (Noah) was doubtful. Rather, it is a statement made in denial when despair sets in regarding acceptance.

[11:36] And it was revealed to Noah, "Indeed, none will believe from your people except those who have already believed, so do not grieve over what they have been doing."