Surah Hud (Hud) 11 : 25

Overview (Verses 25 - 27)

When a Prophet is Described as a Liar

“We sent forth Noah to his people: ‘I have come to you with a plain warning. Worship none but God. I certainly fear that suffering should befall you on a grievous day.” (Verses 25-26) These are practically the same words as used by Prophet Muĥammad (peace be upon him) and as outlined in the Qur’ān. This use of almost exactly the same wording to express the main theme is deliberate, as it emphasizes the unity of the message and the unity of the faith. We assume that what is given here is the meaning of what Noah said to his people, not the exact words, because we do not know what language was used by Noah and his community.

“We sent forth Noah to his people: I have come to you with a plain warning.” (Verse 25) The text does not include any intervening clause such as ‘and he said to them’, because the Qur’ān paints the scene and we see it as if it is happening now, not as a part of ancient history.

Moreover, it gives a brief statement summing up the purpose of the message in one fundamental truth: “I have come to you with a plain warning.” This is much more emphatic.

This is followed by another brief statement summing up the central theme of the message: “Worship none but God.” (Verse 26) This is the main issue of faith and the subject matter of the warning. But what is the warning all about: “I certainly fear that suffering should befall you on a grievous day.” (Verse 26) Thus the message is conveyed and the warning given in a few brief statements. It should be noted here that the Arabic wording should give the meaning that the day itself is in grief, awe or pain, but it is naturally not so. It is simply described as such to indicate that it senses the pain suffered by people. How about the people themselves, then?

“The notables of his people who disbelieved said: ‘We see you but a mortal man like ourselves. Nor can we see anyone following you except the most abject among us; those who are rash and undiscerning. We do not consider that you are in any way superior to us: indeed we think you are liars.’” (Verse 27) This is the response of the elders who assume leadership of the community. It is practically the same response Prophet Muĥammad received from the Quraysh elders, his own tribesmen. They express the same doubts, utter the same accusations, show the same arrogance and give overall the same answer that betrays their ignorance and stupidity.

We find here the same doubt entertained by the ignorant who think that the human race is too low to be entrusted with God’s message. If God wants to send a message, then let it be delivered by an angel or some other creature. This ignorant misgiving stems from a lack of trust in the human race. It stands to reason that God would have given man adequate abilities and talents to fulfil his function as vicegerent. He has also enabled certain individuals to carry and deliver God’s message. These are chosen by God who knows best the special qualities with which He has equipped them.

Another mark of ignorance is what such people say about the choice of messenger. They maintain that he should have been chosen from among the elders who exercise power and influence in the community. This betrays a total ignorance of the real values attached to human beings, the race assigned the task of building life on earth. These values have nothing to do with wealth, position, or influence in society.

Instead, they have much to do with the soul and its purity, openness, the ability to receive revelations, a willingness to be true to one’s trust, perseverance in the face of difficulties and other such noble qualities. But the notables among Noah’s people, like the notables among every prophet’s community, are blinded by their worldly positions and unable to perceive these more subtle qualities. They cannot visualize what is noble.

“We see you but a mortal man like ourselves.” (Verse 27) This is their first argument, but the second is much worse: “Nor can we see anyone following you except the most abject among us; those who are rash and undiscerning.” (Verse 27) They describe the poor among them as the most abject’. This is the way notables always look at the poor who have not been endowed with riches or power. Yet it is mainly such lowly folk who followed the earlier prophets. Such people are, by their nature, more likely to respond to a call which liberates the subjugated and establishes a bond between them and God Almighty. Their nature has not been corrupted by the power of wealth and luxury. Nor are they held back by their interests and social appearances. They have nothing to lose as a result of accepting the true faith. The faith based on God’s oneness is indeed the real message of liberating mankind at every stage in history. Hence, it was opposed by tyrants everywhere who try to turn people away from it, levelling at it all sorts of false accusations.

“Nor can we see anyone following you except the most abject among us, those who are rash and undiscerning.” This is an accusation which those in power level at the believers, accusing them of being rash, unthinking. The implication being that they would not follow suit. It does not become them to go along the same way as the unthinking, unreflecting masses or to sit idle without trying to turn the believers away from their faith.

“We do not consider that you are in any way superior to us: indeed we think you are liars.” (Verse 27) Here they group together the messenger and those who follow him. They see nothing in the believers that makes them more likely to be right or following proper guidance. Had the message being advocated been right and good, they would have seen it for what it is and accepted it, without allowing those who are ‘abject’ to beat them to it. They apply here the same erroneous standards that make honour commensurate with wealth, understanding with influence and position, and knowledge with power. Such standards and values gain the upper hand when the faith based on God’s oneness gives way to jāhiliyyah, and into some form of paganism, even though it may appear in bright attire.18 This is definitely a setback for humanity. It reduces the importance of the values that equip man to fulfil the task God has assigned to him on earth, and make him worthy of receiving God’s message.

“Indeed we think you are liars.” (Verse 27) This is the last accusation levelled at the Prophet Noah and his followers. The accusation is expressed in a gentle way that befits their social standing in society. They say, ‘we think you,’ because an accusation made in absolute and clear terms is more suited to the unthinking masses. Such a form of expression and blatant accusation is beneath the ruling classes in their higher status.

The same type of argument and accusation has been repeated time and again, ever since the Prophet Noah. This is the attitude of people who have full pockets but empty hearts and minds. Their arrogance is limitless.