And O my people! I do not ask you for wealth (as a reward) for it, my reward is with none but Allah and I am not going to drive away those who believe, they will certainly meet their Fosterer, but I see that you are an ignorant people. And O my people! who will help me against Allah if I drive them away, will you not then mind? (Al Quran, Surah Hud, Chapter 11: Verses 29-30)
Commentary:
Details of the efforts put in by Nuh (PBH) in propagating Islam are given, these verses should be read in context with the following verses:
11-25: And We had sent Nuh to his people, (he said), “I am a clear warner for you
11-26: that you should not serve anyone except Allah, I fear for you the punishment of a painful day.”
11-27: So the leaders of those who did not believe from among his people said, “We see that you are only a man like us and we do not see anyone following you except those who are the lowest among us, immature in judgment, and we do not see in you any excellence (in anything) over us. No! we think you are liars.”
11-28: He said, “O my people! you see, if I am on a clear proof from my Fosterer and mercy has come to me from His presence but it has been made obscure to you, shall we compel you to accept it while you dislike it?
11-29: And O my people! I do not ask you for wealth (as a reward) for it, my reward is with none but Allah and I am not going to drive away those who believe, they will certainly meet their Fosterer, but I see that you are an ignorant people.
11-30: And O my people! who will help me against Allah if I drive them away, will you not then mind?
11-31: And I do not say to you that with me are treasures of Allah, nor do I know the unseen, and I do not say to you that I am an angel and I do not say about those whom your eyes hold in low estimation that Allah will never grant them good, Allah knows best that which is there in their souls, then I will certainly be of those who are unjust.”
11-32: They said, “O Nuh,! you have disputed with us and disputed too much with us, so bring upon us that which you threaten us with, if you are of the truthful.”
11-33: He said. “Only Allah can bring it upon you if He wills and you will not be able to frustrate (it).
11-34: And my advice will not profit you, if I intend to advise you while Allah intends to leave you in error, He is your Fosterer and towards Him you will be returned.”
11-35: Or do they say, “He has forged it.” Say, “If I have forged it then on me is my crime and I am free from the crimes which are committed by you.”
11-36: And it was communicated to Nuh that, “None of your people will believe except those who have already believed, so do not grieve because of what they do.
11-37: And build the ship {1} before Our eyes and (according to) Our communication and do not speak to Me about those who are unjust, they will certainly be drowned.”
11-38: And he (became engaged in) building the ship. So every time the leaders of his people passed by him, they ridiculed him, he said, “If you ridicule us (now) then we (too) will certainly ridicule you as you ridicule,
11-39: then you will know, who it is on whom the punishment will come which will disgrace him, and on whom will the eternal punishment be let loose.”
11-40: (This dispute continued) until when Our commandment came and the water gushed forth from the (reservoir in the) valley (and) We said, “Load in the (ship) two from every pair and your people and whoever believes, except him against whom the word has already gone forth,” and a small number believed with him.
11-41: And he said, “Embark in it. In the name of Allah be its sailing and its anchoring, your Fosterer is certainly Protectively Forgiving, Merciful.”
11-42: And it sailed with them in waves like mountains and Nuh called out to his son while he was separate (from those in the ship), “O my son! embark with us and do not be with the infidels.”
11-43: He said, “I will betake myself to a mountain, it will protect me from the water.” He said, “This day there is no protector (for anyone) against the commandment of Allah except for him on whom He has mercy,” and a wave came in between them so he was among those who were drowned.
11-44: And it was said, “O earth! swallow your water and O sky! withhold (the rain).” And the water was absorbed (in the earth) and the affair was decided and the (ship) rested on (the mountain) Al Judi. And it was said, “Away with the unjust people.”
11-45: And Nuh called out to his Fosterer and said, “My Fosterer! my son is certainly from my people and your promise is certainly true and you are the Best Judge of (all) the judges.”
11-46: He said, “O Nuh! he (your son) is certainly not from your people, his work is certainly other than righteous, so do not ask of Me that of which you have no knowledge, I admonish you lest you be of the ignorant.”
11-47: He said, “My Fosterer! I seek Your protection lest I ask You that of which I have no knowledge, and if You do not protectively forgive me and have mercy on me I will be of the losers.”
11-48: It was said, “O Nuh! go down (from the ship and the mountain) with peace from Us and blessings on you and on communities from him who is with you. And (there will be) communities whom We will give provision, then a painful punishment from Us will afflict them.”
11-49: That is from the news of the unseen which We communicate to you, before this you did not know it, you nor your people, so be patient, the (best) end is certainly for those who guard (against evil).
{1} The ship appears to be the first invention of man but in accordance with Divine instructions. Are the later inventions and discoveries too products of Divine instructions of which man is not conscious?