Surah Nuh — Verse 7

Word Meanings:

• جَعَلُوا أَصَابِعَهُمْ فِي آذَانِهِمْ — They placed their fingers in their ears to block out the sound of his call.
• وَاسْتَغْشَوْا ثِيَابَهُمْ — They covered themselves with their garments, pulling them over their faces and heads.
• وَأَصَرُّوا — They persisted stubbornly and remained firm upon their disbelief.
• وَاسْتَكْبَرُوا اسْتِكْبَارًا — They showed extreme arrogance and pride, refusing to submit to the truth.

Explanation of the Verse:

Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him) continues his complaint to his Lord, describing the stubbornness and rejection of his people. He says: "O my Lord, whenever I called them to faith in You and to obedience — a call that would have been the very means of Your forgiveness for their sins — they did not merely ignore me. Instead, they reacted with hostility and defiance. They thrust their fingers deep into their ears so that they would not hear a single word of the truth I conveyed. They wrapped themselves in their clothes, covering their faces, so that they would not even see me or be moved by my presence. They persisted firmly upon their polytheism and wrongdoing, refusing to change their ways. And they swelled with arrogance — a profound, deeply-rooted pride that prevented them from bowing to the truth or accepting guidance."

This verse paints a vivid picture of a people who closed every door to guidance. They blocked their ears, veiled their eyes, hardened their hearts, and inflated their egos. Their rejection was not passive; it was an active, deliberate, and aggressive refusal to hear the message of monotheism and salvation.

A Da'wah Reflection:

Dear reader, reflect on the contrast between the patience of Nuh (peace be upon him) and the arrogance of his people. He called them for centuries — day and night, publicly and privately — with love and concern for their salvation. Yet they met his compassion with hostility. This teaches us the value of perseverance in calling others to goodness, even when the response is harsh. It also warns us against the diseases of the heart: arrogance and stubbornness. These are the very traits that barred a nation from the mercy of Allah. If you find within yourself any trace of pride that prevents you from accepting the truth, or any habit of covering your ears and eyes when the Quran is recited, then know that you are following the footsteps of those who rejected Nuh. Open your heart, lower your ego, and respond to the call of your Lord — for He is Al-Ghaffar (The Oft-Forgiving), ever ready to pardon those who turn back to Him. The door of repentance is open, and the mercy of Allah is vast. Do not let arrogance close that door upon yourself.