In today’s age, Islam is subjected to heavy criticisms, and its teachings and commandments are often misunderstood. Since most of these criticisms arise from the misinterpretation of the Quranic text, an accurate and true explanation of the scripture is called for. As such, this series aims to present the authentic interpretation of the Holy Quran as provided by the leaders of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which we believe will do a great deal in dispelling the numerous misconceptions that have become associated with Islam.
In this instalment, we present the commentary of the Quranic verse 11:41 from Tafsir-e-Kabir (The Grand Exegesis) by Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra.
This abridged translation is not an official rendering but is published for the benefit of readers in view of the aforementioned objective. Light of Islam takes full responsibility for any errors in the translation or summary.
حَتّٰی اِذَا جَآءَ اَمرُنَا وَفَارَ التَّنُّورُ قُلنَا احمِل فِیھَا مِن کُلٍّ زَوجَینِ اثنَینِ وَاَھلَکَ اِلَّا مَن سَبَقَ عَلَیہِ القَولُ وَمَن اٰمَنَ وَمَا اٰمَنَ مَعَہٗ اِلَّا قَلِیلٌ
Till, when Our command came and the fountains (of the earth) gushed forth, We said, ‘Embark therein two of every kind, male and female, and thy family, except those against whom the word has already gone forth, and those who believe.’ And there did not believe (and live) with him except a few.
Holy Quran 11:41
Commentary
It is commonly understood that the phrase “from every kind” in this verse signifies all species in the world. However, the word kull (every) refers only to those animals that were present in Prophet Noah’s household. Generally, kull includes only such things that, according to common usage, are understood to be included in that context—not everything in the literal sense of the word.
In the Holy Quran, it is said regarding the Queen of Sheba: “she has been granted everything”.[1] If kull (every) here truly meant absolutely everything without exception, then it would necessarily follow that whatever Solomonas possessed should also have been in her possession. But no one interprets kull here to mean literally ‘everything’. The commentators also explain the verse to mean that she possessed all kinds of necessities and provisions she needed.[2]
Therefore, there is no reason why the same meaning should not be taken here as well—namely, that Prophet Noahas was only commanded to take those animals that could be of need or relevance to him. This is the only reasonable interpretation.
Otherwise, one would have to accept that millions of insects, land-creatures, and wild beasts were all gathered into Noah’s Ark. In that case, the Ark would have had to be unimaginably enormous, which is logically inconceivable.
It is also worth noting here that by saying “two of every kind”, emphasis is placed on limiting the number—that no more than pairs should be taken. This very emphasis indicates that the command concerned only necessary things, not the gathering together of every creature in the whole world.
END NOTES
[1] Holy Quran 27:24
[2] Tafsir Ruh al-Ma’ani, under the verse 27:23
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