You Have to Do Your Part

So it's not the ark — it's not this ship that Nūḥ built — that gave them safety. It is not this ark that saved them from these waves. These are only the asbāb. This is the part that Allah (swt) told Nūḥ to do. Otherwise that ark would be like a matchbox in these waves; it would not be able to survive at all.

Allah (swt) wants Nūḥ to do his part: just build the ark. But it's not the ark that will do anything for you. It is the will of Allah (swt), and the care of Allah (swt), that will take care of you and save you. So Allah (swt) told Nūḥ to build the ark, because you have to do your part. You have to do your part. You have to take the first step. In mashayta ilayya harwaltu ilayk: Allah (swt) says, if you walk towards Me, I will run towards you. You have to take the first step.

Wa-lladhīna htadaw zādahum hudā: the ones who seek guidance — you seek it, you look for it — Allah (swt) will guide them. The victory of Allah (swt) comes after you do your part. And that is what Nūḥ is able to do: build an ark. But the rest is on Allah (swt).