Allah, the Exalted, says concerning Nuh, that he said to those whom he was commanded to carry them with him in the ship,

This means that its sailing upon the surface of the water, the end of its journeying and its anchoring, would all be with the Name of Allah. Abu Raja' Al-'Utaridi recited it,

"In the Name of Allah, Who will be the One Who moves its course, and rests its anchor."

Allah, the Exalted, said,

{And when you have embarked on the ship, you and whoever is with you, then say: "All the praises and thanks are to Allah, Who has saved us from the people who are wrongdoers. And say: "My Lord! Cause me to land at a blessed landing place, for You are the Best of those who bring to land."} 23:28-29

For this reason, it is preferred to mention the Name of Allah (Bismillah) at the beginning of all affairs. The Name of Allah should be mentioned when boarding a ship, or when mounting an animal. This is as Allah, the Exalted, says,

{And Who has created all the pairs and has appointed for you ships and cattle on which you ride, in order that you may mount on their backs.} 43:12-13

This practice (mentioning Allah's Name) has been encouraged in the Sunnah and is considered a preferred act. A discussion concerning this is forthcoming in the explanation of Surat Az-Zukhruf (43), if Allah wills.

In reference to Allah's statement,

Such statement is suitable while mentioning (His) vengeance upon the disbelievers by drowning all of them. Therefore, he (Nuh) mentions that His Lord is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.

This is similar to Allah's statement,

{Surely, your Lord is swift in retribution, and certainly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.} 7:167

He also says,

{But verily, your Lord is full of forgiveness for mankind inspite of their wrongdoing. And verily, your Lord is (also) severe in punishment.} 13:6

Likewise, there are many other verses that combine Allah's mercy and His vengeance.

Concerning Allah's statement,

This means that the ship sailed with them upon the surface of the water, which had completely covered the earth until it encompassed the tops of the mountains and even rose over them by a height of fifteen cubits. It was also said that the waves rose over the mountains by a height of eighty miles. Yet, this ship continued to move upon the water, sailing by the permission of Allah. It moved under His shade, His help, His protection and His blessing. This is as Allah, the Exalted, said,

{Verily, when the water rose beyond its limits, We carried you in the ship. That We might make it an admonition for you and it might be retained by the retaining ears.} 69:11-12

Allah also said,

{And We carried him on a (ship) made of planks and nails, floating under Our Eyes: a reward for him who had been rejected! And indeed, We have left this as a sign. Then is there any that will remember (or receive admonition)?} 54:13-15

The Story of the drowning of Nuh's Disbelieving Son

Allah continues the story, saying,

This was the fourth son of Nuh. His name was Yam and he was a disbeliever. His father, Nuh, called him at the time of boarding the ship, that he might believe and embark with them. If he did so, he would be saved from drowning like the other disbelievers.

He believed, in his ignorance, that the flood would not reach the tops of the mountains and that if he clung to the top of a mountain, he would be saved from drowning. His father, Nuh, said to him,

This means that nothing will be saved today from the command of Allah.