The Holy Quran 23:24 — Surah Al-Mu'minun

Arabic text

فَقَالَ ٱلْمَلَؤُا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن قَوْمِهِۦ مَا هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُرِيدُ أَن يَتَفَضَّلَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَأَنزَلَ مَلَـٰٓئِكَةً مَّا سَمِعْنَا بِهَـٰذَا فِىٓ ءَابَآئِنَا ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

Translation

The Kuffaar leaders (who love fame) from his nation said (to the others), "He (Nooh عليه الصلاة والسلام) is only a human like yourselves who intends to gain superiority over you (when you follow him). If Allaah desired (to send a Nabi), he would have rather sent angels (instead of a human). We have never heard of such a thing (happening) among our forefathers."

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

The disbelievers' objections against Nuh ﵇: that is, what difference is there between him and you, that he should become a messenger and you not? that is, he wants to make himself great, which is why he has set up this whole sham; otherwise, if Allah were to send someone as a messenger, was he the only one left for this task? Could He not have sent an angel?

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