Verses and Translation
أَوَعَجِبۡتُمۡ أَن جَآءَكُمۡ ذِڪۡرٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ۬ مِّنكُمۡ لِيُنذِرَڪُمۡۚ وَٱذۡڪُرُوٓاْ إِذۡ جَعَلَكُمۡ خُلَفَآءَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ قَوۡمِ نُوحٍ۬ وَزَادَكُمۡ فِى ٱلۡخَلۡقِ بَصۜۡطَةً۬ۖ فَٱذۡڪُرُوٓاْ ءَالَآءَ ٱللَّهِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ (٦٩)
“Then do you wonder that there has come to you a reminder from your Lord through a man from among you, that he may warn you? And remember when He made you successors after the people of Noah and increased you in stature extensively. So remember the favors of Allah that you might succeed.”
Commentary
The Arabic word ala means (1) “blessings” (2) Demonstrations of nature and (3) Praiseworthy qualities. Thus the verse can be elaborated to mean, “Remember the blessings and favors of Allah and do not forget that He also has the power to take away these from you” [Maududi]
Prophet Hud (peace be upon him) said, do not wonder because Allah sent a Messenger to you from among yourselves to warn you about Allah’s Days (His torment) and meeting with Him. Rather than wondering, you should thank Allah for this bounty.
“And remember that He made you successors (generations after generations) after the people of Nuh…” meaning remember Allah’s favor on you in that He made you among the offspring of Nuh, because of whose supplication Allah destroyed the people of the earth after they defied and opposed him.
“and increased you amply in stature.” making you taller than other people. Similarly, Allah said in the description of Talut (Saul), “And has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature.” [Quran; 2:247]
Hud continued, “So remember the graces (bestowed upon you) from Allah.” in reference to Allah’s favors and blessings “so that you may be successful.”
Foundational Attributes