Surah al-Mu'minun (The Believers ) 23 : 27

Explanatory Note

When the living decide to freeze in this way, while life wants to move forward towards the high standards it can achieve, such people constitute a clear impediment. Hence, they are either broken or life moves on, leaving them where they are. The former is what happened to Noah’s people, for God willed that they should be removed:

It was God’s will that the road should be cleared of obstacles so that human life could continue its march along the road assigned to it.

Humanity had become prematurely old by Noah’s time. It was like a young tree affected by a pest that stops it from growing. It soon dries up and dies whilst still young. At the time of Noah, humanity was in a similar position. Therefore, the remedy was the great flood that swept away everything, washing off the soil and leaving the land ready for a new crop with healthy seeds and a clean environment.

“We revealed to him to build the ark, under Our eyes, and according to Our inspiration.” The ark was the means of safety at the time of the flood. It also served to preserve the seeds of life so that they could grow again. God had willed that Noah should make the ark with his own hands, because man must take responsible action and utilize all means, doing his utmost so that he deserves God’s help. Divine help is not given to those who sit on their laurels waiting for something to happen. Since Noah was chosen by God to be the second father of humanity, God instructed him to take the necessary measures, helping him and teaching him how to build the ark so that His purpose was accomplished and His will was done.

God gave Noah a sign which would announce this total process of purification of the entire planet: “When Our judgement comes to pass, and water gushes forth over the face of the earth...” At this point Noah was to move quickly and place on board the ark the new seeds of life: “Place on board this ark one pair of every species.” These included all types of animal, bird and plant that were known to Noah at the time, and which man could easily handle. He was also to place on board his “family, except those on whom sentence has already been passed.” This is a reference to the unbelievers who denied the word of God and incurred His displeasure. They thus deserved to endure the working of God’s law that engulfed with His punishment those who persistently denied His signs.

Noah was ordered not to argue about anyone or try to save anyone even though they may be very close to him: “Do not plead with Me for the wrongdoers; for they shall be drowned.” God’s law does not try to appease anyone. It does not change its course for the sake of any friend or relative.

The sūrah does not give any details here of what happened to Noah’s people after that. The whole matter is settled with the statement: “They shall be drowned.”