Surah Nuh (Peace be upon him)

28 Verses, Meccan

Surah Nuh (Noah): Verse 1

إنا أرسلنا نوحا إلى قومه أن أنذر قومك

Regarding the phrase أَنْ أُنذِرْ (that you warn), there are two interpretations:

1. First Interpretation: It originates from بِأَنْ أُنذِرَ (by saying, "Warn!"). The preposition bi (by/with) was omitted, and the verb was made transitive (directly taking an object). The meaning is: We sent him with the command to warn.
2. Second Interpretation (Al-Zajjaj): The an here can be a Mufassirah (explanatory an). The implied meaning is: We sent Noah to his people, meaning, "Warn your people." Ibn Mas'ud recited it as أَنذِرْ (Warn!) without the an, intending the meaning of a direct command (as if saying, "We sent him, saying: Warn!").

من قبل أن يأتيهم عذاب أليم

Muqatil said this refers to the drowning by the Flood.

Know that when Allah commanded him [to warn], he immediately obeyed that command.

Surah Nuh: Verses 2–4

{ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ إِنِّي لَكُمْ نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ * أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاتَّقُوهُ وَأَطِيعُونِ * يُغْفِرْ لَكُم مِّن ذُنُوبِكُمْ وَيُؤَخِّرْكُمْ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى إِنَّ أَجَلَ اللَّهِ إِذَا جَاءَ لَا يُؤَخَّرُ لَوْ كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ }

(He said: "O my people! Truly, I am a clear warner to you. Worship Allah, fear Him, and obey me. He will forgive you of your sins and delay you for a specified term. Indeed, the term of Allah, when it comes, is not delayed—if only you knew!")