Tafsir of Nuh 71:7

Surah Nuh (7)

And indeed, whenever I called them so that You might forgive them...

Then the Almighty said: {And indeed, whenever I called them so that You might forgive them} (7:26).

Know that Noah (peace be upon him) only called them to worship, piety, and obedience for the purpose that they might be forgiven. The primary objective was the attainment of forgiveness. As for obedience, it was sought only as a means to achieve forgiveness. This is why, when he commanded them to worship, he said: {He will forgive you of your sins} (Nuh: 4). Since the primary goal of the call was the attainment of forgiveness, it is no wonder that he said: {And indeed, whenever I called them so that You might forgive them}.

Know that when he called them, they treated him in several ways:

1. First: His saying: {they put their fingers in their ears}. This means they reached such a degree of obstinacy that they put their fingers in their ears so they would not hear the proof and clear evidence.

2. Second: His saying: {and covered themselves with their garments}. Meaning, they covered themselves with their clothes, either to prevent seeing his face—as if they did not permit themselves to hear his speech, nor to see his face—or to exaggerate their refusal to hear. For if they put their fingers in their ears and then covered themselves with their garments despite that, the barrier to hearing became stronger.

3. Third: His saying: {and persisted}. This means they persisted in their doctrine or in their turning away from hearing the call to truth.

4. Fourth: His saying: {and grew arrogant with great arrogance}. Meaning, an arrogance that reached the utmost extreme.

{Then indeed, I called them openly. Then indeed, I announced to them publicly and I confided in them secretly} (7:27).