(But the chieftains of his folk, who disbelieved, said: This) i.e. Noah (is only a mortal) a human being (like you who would make himself superior to you) through the message and prophethood. (Had Allah willed) to send us a messenger, (He surely could have sent down angels) one of the angels. (We heard not of this) that which Noah is saying (in the case) in the time (of our fathers of old).
- 23:2424
فَقَالَ الْمَلَأُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ قَوْمِهِ مَا هَٰذَا إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِثْلُكُمْ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَتَفَضَّلَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَأَنْزَلَ مَلَائِكَةً مَا سَمِعْنَا بِهَٰذَا فِي آبَائِنَا الْأَوَّلِينَ
The chiefs of his people, who did not believe, said: "He is only a man like you. He wishes to acquire ascendancy over you. If God had willed He would have sent down angels. We never heard this from our elders.
- common.revelation-Meccan
- common.hizb : 137