The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (Part 26)
Doubt and Answer: Noah’s Prayer for His Son
How did Prophet Noah pray for the salvation of his son, knowing that Allah had already decreed the destruction of the infidels, and he (his son) was also one of them, and it is unlikely that his son’s condition was hidden from him?
The answer to this doubt is as follows:
The first possibility: It is possible that Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) thought that when he saw his son away from the infidels, he had turned to faith and had become one of the believers whom Allah had promised to save.
The second possibility: It is possible that Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) understood that his son was not included in the generality of the verse: «إنه لن یؤمن من قومك إلا من قد آمن» Translation: “None of your people will believe except those who have already believed”.[1] because Allah had divided the saved into two categories: “His people” except those who have been exempted, and “the believers among his people.” Therefore, in Prophet Noah’s (peace be upon him) understanding, it was permissible for some of his people, who were infidels, to believe; Because they were considered an independent group and were not part of the second group (the believers from his people). This understanding was confirmed and strengthened by fatherly mercy and compassion, and for this reason Noah (peace be upon him) asked Allah for what he wanted for his son.
After that, Allah Almighty rebuked Noah for this request and said: “فَلاَ تَسْأَلْنِ مَا لَیسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ” Translation: “So do not ask of Me that of which you have no knowledge.”[2]
And then He said: “إِنِّی أَعِظُكَ أَن تَكُونَ مِنَ الْجَاهِلِینَ” Translation: “Indeed, I advise you not to be of the ignorant.”[3]
This prohibition from Allah Almighty to His Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) is a rebuke accompanied by the utmost compassion and kindness. It is as if Allah Almighty is telling him: Your position is very great and your dignity is that you do not ask such a question which you do not know whether it is correct or not, or you are not aware of its end and conclusion, and whether it is good or otherwise. I advise you that by means of it you will become one of the perfect and be free from the characteristics of the ignorant.
Qurtubi writes: Ibn al-Arabi says about this meaning: This (Allah’s command) is an elevation and admonition by which He raises Noah (peace be upon him) from the status of the ignorant and raises him to the status of the scholars and mystics.[4]
Therefore, what Allah Almighty said to Noah (peace be upon him) is in no way a criticism of the infallibility of the prophets, as some have mentioned; Rather, this rebuke is carried over to abandoning the first (better deed) and: «حسنات الأبرار سیئات المقربین»(The good deeds of the righteous are sometimes considered bad deeds for those close to them.)[5]
Prophet Noah (peace be upon him)’s request for forgiveness from his Lord
When Allah Almighty rebuked Noah (peace be upon him) for asking to save his son from destruction, he turned to his Lord, blamed himself, regretted what had befallen him, and asked Allah Almighty for forgiveness and mercy. Allah says: “قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّی أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ مَا لَیسَ لِی بِهِ عِلْمٌ وَإِلَّا تَغْفِرْ لِی وَتَرْحَمْنِی أَكُن مِّنَ الْخَاسِرِینَ” Translation: “Noah said: My Lord! I seek refuge in You from asking You of which I have no knowledge, and if You do not forgive me and have mercy on me, I will be among the losers”. [6]
Here we see that Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) began his apology by seeking refuge in Allah the Almighty. This is a sign of exaggeration in repentance and expressing his desire and seriousness in it, and in this way he sought blessings from mentioning what Allah Almighty had taught him. This way is more eloquent than saying: I repent from asking you; because this expression indicates that the matter (asking for the salvation of the child) was great and there is no way of salvation except by seeking refuge in Allah Almighty from it, and that his power to save himself from abominations is incomplete without the help of Allah.[7]
After seeking refuge in Allah, Noah asked Him for forgiveness and repentance for what had resulted from his question and said: “وَإِلَّا تَغْفِرْ لِی وَتَرْحَمْنِی أَكُن مِّنَ الْخَاسِرِینَ” Translation: “If You do not forgive me and have mercy on me, I will be among the losers.”[8]
Because repentance is based on two pillars:
The future: which is the determination to abandon (sin), and this is referred to in this part of the verse:
«إِنِّی أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ مَا لَیسَ لِی بِهِ عِلْمٌ» Translation: “Indeed, I seek refuge in You from asking You for something of which I have no knowledge.”
The past: which is the regret for what has befallen him, and this is referred to in this part of the verse:
«وَإِلَّا تَغْفِرْ لِی وَتَرْحَمْنِی أَكُن مِّنَ الْخَاسِرِینَ» “I will be among the losers unless You forgive me and have mercy on me.”[9]
Finally, Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) concluded his apology with the hope that Allah, the Almighty, would accept this apology and regret, otherwise he would be among those whose deeds have caused losses.[10]
