Tafsir of As-Saffat 37:75

Surah As-Saffat (37): Verse 75

{And certainly did Noah call Us, and how excellent are We to respond!}

After stating previously, {And certainly, before them, most of the former peoples went astray} (37:71) and {So observe how the end of those who were warned was} (37:73), Allah (Exalted is He) follows this by explaining the accounts of the Prophets (peace be upon them). The first story is the account of Noah (peace be upon him).

Regarding the verse: {And certainly did Noah call Us, and how excellent are We to respond!} (37:75), there are several points of discussion:

Point 1: The Lam in {فلنعم المجيبون} (How excellent are We to respond)

The Lam (ل) in this phrase is the Lam of the answer to an implied oath. The subject of praise (the Makhsus bil-Madh) is omitted, meaning: "We are indeed the most excellent responders."

Point 2: The Context of Noah’s Call

Allah mentioned that Noah called out, but did not specify the circumstances of that call. Thus, there are two main opinions:

1. The Majority Opinion: Noah called upon his Lord to save him from the calamity of drowning and the distress of that event.
2. The Second Opinion: When Noah (peace be upon him) was busy inviting his people to the true religion, they went to extremes in harming him and intended to kill him. He then called upon his Lord, seeking victory over the disbelievers of his people. Allah answered him and prevented them from killing or harming him.

The proponent of the second opinion argues against the first by stating that Noah’s prayer for salvation from drowning was a known and certain outcome of his supplication, as Allah answered that prayer. Therefore, the purpose of this specific call mentioned here cannot merely be the attainment of that already-assured salvation.

Point 3: The Significance of "How Excellent Are We to Respond"

Allah follows Noah's call with: {فلنعم المجيبون} (How excellent are We to respond). This phrase indicates that the response was one of the greatest blessings. This is evident in several ways:

1. Use of the Plural Form: Allah referred to Himself using the plural form: {ونادانا نوح} (Noah called Us). A Great and Capable Being is only fittingly associated with a great favor.
2. Repetition of the Plural: The plural form is repeated in {فلنعم المجيبون}, which also indicates the magnification of that blessing, especially since the response itself is described as an excellent response (ni'mat al-ijabah).
3. The Particle Fa (فـ): The Fa in {فلنعم المجيبون} indicates that this response is directly linked to and consequent upon that call. A ruling connected to a suitable description implies that the description is the cause. This shows that the sincere call was the reason for the response.

Point 4: Details of the Blessing in the Response

After generally stating that Allah is the best responder, He details the specific bounties granted in that response:

1. {And We saved him and his family from the great distress} (37:76).
   • According to the first opinion, this distress was the fear of drowning.
   • According to the second opinion, this distress was the harm inflicted by his people.
2. {And We made his descendants the survivors} (37:77). This implies exclusivity (Hasr), indicating that everyone else, besides him and his descendants, perished. Ibn Abbas said his descendants were his three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Shem was the father of the Arabs, Persians, and Romans; Ham was the father of the Blacks; and Japheth was the father of the Turks.
3. {And We left upon him among the later generations: Peace be upon Noah among the worlds} (37:78-79). This means that people mention this phrase concerning him. When asked about the meaning of {among the worlds} (fi al-'alamin), the answer is that it is a supplication for this salutation to remain established among all of them—meaning no one should be exempt from it. It is as if Allah decreed that peace be established upon Noah and perpetuated among the angels and humankind, so they all send peace upon him.

Point 5: The Consequence of Goodness

After detailing the specifics of the favor, Allah states: {Indeed, thus do We reward the doers of good} (37:80). This means that Noah (peace be upon him) was singled out for these high honors—making his descendants fill the world and preserving his good memory on the tongues of all generations—because he was a muhsin (one who does good).

The reason for his being a muhsin is then clarified: {Indeed, he was a believing servant of Ours}. The purpose here is to demonstrate that the highest ranks and noblest stations belong to faith in Allah and submission to His obedience.

Surah As-Saffat (37): Verses 83–92

{And indeed, among His party was Abraham.} (37:83)

{When he came to his Lord with a pure heart,} (37:84)

{When he said to his father and his people, "What are those you worship?} (37:85)

{"Is it a falsehood—deities other than Allah—that you intend?} (37:86)

{"Then what is your opinion of the Lord of the worlds?"} (37:87)

{Then he looked a glance at the stars,} (37:88)

{And said, "Indeed, I am feeling ill."} (37:89)

{So they turned away from him, departing.} (37:90)

{Then he went to their gods and said, "Will you not eat?} (37:91)

{"What is wrong with you that you do not speak?"} (37:92)