Surah Nuh — Verse 13

Word Meanings:

• Tarjūna (تَرْجُونَ): From *rajā’*, which here means fear, reverence, and awe — not hope in the usual sense. It conveys a deep sense of veneration and dread of Allah’s majesty.
• Waqāran (وَقَارًا): Greatness, majesty, solemnity, and supreme authority. It refers to the awe-inspiring grandeur of Allah that should fill a believer’s heart with reverence and submission.

Explanation of the Verse:

This verse is a profound rhetorical question posed by Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him) to his people, rebuking them with gentle severity: *“What is the matter with you that you do not revere Allah’s majesty?”* The meaning is: Why do you not fear His immense power and stand in awe of His supreme authority? Why do you act as if He has no right over you, disobeying Him without the slightest hesitation or dread?

The Prophet Nuh is not merely asking a question — he is awakening their hearts. He points out that their lack of reverence for Allah is utterly illogical. They witness His creation around them: the heavens raised without pillars, the sun blazing as a luminous lamp, the moon shining as a reflected light, and their own selves formed in stages from a drop of fluid into a perfect human being. How could they see all this and still not feel the weight of Allah’s glory? How could they deny His power while living within it every moment?

The deeper lesson here is that true faith begins with *taqwā* — a conscious awareness of Allah’s greatness that restrains the soul from sin and drives it toward obedience. When a person truly grasps who Allah is — the Creator, the Sustainer, the King of all kings — their heart naturally fills with humility, and their limbs submit in worship. The absence of this reverence is the root of all rebellion and heedlessness.

A Call to the Heart:

Dear reader, pause and reflect: Do you truly stand in awe of Allah? When you raise your hands in supplication, do you feel the weight of standing before the Lord of the Worlds? When you sin, does your heart tremble at the thought of His watchful gaze? This verse is a gentle wake-up call — it invites you to restore that reverence in your heart. For when you revere Allah, you find peace; when you fear His majesty, you find protection; and when you submit to His greatness, you find true honor. Let this question echo in your soul today: *What is the matter with you that you do not revere Allah’s majesty?* Answer it by turning back to Him with humility, and you will taste the sweetness of faith that no worldly pleasure can match.