THE STORY OF PROPHET NUH A.S.

The Time After Prophet Idris (A.S.)

After Prophet Idris (A.S.), there was a long period during which Allah did not send any other prophet or messenger. The followers of Prophet Idris (A.S.) fell into despair after his death, as they no longer had a prophet among them. During this time, there were five exceptionally pious individuals among them, who were looked upon as guides by their community. People would turn to them for solutions to their problems. However, as time passed, these pious individuals also passed away, deepening the despair among the people.

Seeing their state, Iblis began to sow seeds of misguidance. He suggested to them that their devotion had weakened and that they should make statues of these righteous men and place them in their places of worship. This, Iblis claimed, would inspire them to worship more fervently and encourage future generations to follow suit. The people, unfortunately, fell into this trap and made statues of the deceased righteous men. Initially, they used these statues to inspire themselves to engage in more acts of worship. However, over time, as generations passed, Iblis further misled them into believing that their ancestors had worshipped these statues. Consequently, they began to worship the statues themselves, falling into the sin of shirk (associating partners with Allah). This was the first instance of such a grave sin on Earth.

The Birth and Emergence of Prophet Noah (A.S.)

Historians have traced Prophet Noah’s (A.S.) lineage back to Adam (A.S.), the first human on Earth. There is some debate over the exact lineage, but one account states that Noah (A.S.) was born 126 years after the death of Adam (A.S.). According to the People of the Book, the period between Adam (A.S.) and Noah’s (A.S.) birth was 146 years. Ibn Hibban narrates that there were ten generations between Adam (A.S.) and Noah (A.S.).

When Noah (A.S.) received prophethood, his age was also debated. Some say he was 50 years old, others say 350, and yet others believe he was 480 years old. The third opinion is supported by Ibn Jarir and Ibn Abbas (R.A.).

Noah’s Reasoning with His People and the Arguments of the Disbelievers

As people strayed from monotheism and began worshipping idols and indulging in sinful behaviors, Allah sent Noah (A.S.) as the first messenger to guide them back to the right path. Noah (A.S.) began his mission by urging his people to worship Allah alone, warning them of a great punishment the day of judgement if they continued in their ways. He reminded them of Allah’s creation of the heavens and the Earth, and how Allah would resurrect them after death. However, the leaders of his community accused him of being in clear error.

Noah (A.S.) defended his mission, emphasizing that he sought no material gain and that his reward was with Allah alone. Despite his sincere efforts, the disbelievers demanded that he expel the poor and lowly followers from his assembly if he wanted them to listen to him. Noah (A.S.) refused, stating that he could not turn away the believers, regardless of their social status, as this would anger Allah. The disbelievers mocked Noah (A.S.), insisting that if he were truthful, he should bring the punishment he warned them about. They even threatened to stone him to death if he did not stop preaching.

Noah Prays for the Destruction of the Disbelievers

Noah prayed for the end of the disbelievers. Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) called his community to guidance for 950 years, but the people of his community did not respond to his call. So, Prophet Noah prayed to Allah for the destruction of his community.

Noah said: “O my Lord! My community has disobeyed me and followed those whose wealth and children have only increased their loss. I have called my community night and day, but my call has only made them flee further away. Whenever I invited them to be forgiven by You, they put their fingers in their ears, covered themselves with their garments, persisted in their arrogance, and only grew more proud. Then I called them loudly, but they did not respond to my call. I spoke to them openly and also in private. I said to them: ‘Seek forgiveness from your Lord; indeed, He is Most Forgiving. He will send abundant rain from the sky upon you, increase your wealth and children, create gardens for you, and make rivers flow for you.'”

But they did not respond to my call. Instead, my community has called me a liar. So, please make a decisive judgment between me and them, and save me and my believing companions.”

Prophet Noah further said, “O my Lord! Do not leave any disbeliever on earth. Destroy all of them. If You leave them, they will lead Your servants astray, and their offspring will only be sinners and staunch disbelievers.

The Ark of Noah (A.S.)

Allah commanded Noah (A.S.) to build an ark under His watchful eye and with His guidance. He warned Noah (A.S.) not to plead for the disbelievers, as they were destined to be drowned. Allah instructed Noah (A.S.) to take pairs of every species, along with his family and the believers, and board the ark when the water began to gush forth from the earth. As Noah (A.S.) built the ark on dry land, his people mocked him, asking where he would sail it without any water nearby. But Noah (A.S.) warned them that they would soon realize who would suffer a humiliating punishment.

The Great Flood

When the time came, and the water gushed forth from the earth, Noah (A.S.) followed Allah’s command and took the believers and pairs of every creature onto the ark. His other sons boarded the ark, but one of them, named Canaan, refused to join them, choosing instead to seek refuge on a mountain. Noah (A.S.) pleaded with him to board the ark, but Canaan insisted that the mountain would protect him from the flood. Noah (A.S.) warned that no one could escape Allah’s command except those upon whom He had mercy, but Canaan was among those who were drowned.

As Allah commanded, the heavens poured down rain, and the earth released its water until the entire world was submerged. The flood engulfed everything, even the mountains, and the disbelievers were completely destroyed.

After the Flood

Once the disbelievers were destroyed, Allah commanded the earth to swallow its water and the sky to stop its rain. The water receded, the task was completed, and the ark rested on Mount Judi. Allah declared that the wrongdoers were cursed and told Noah (A.S.) and the believers to disembark with peace and blessings. Allah warned that future generations would enjoy worldly life but would later face His punishment.

The flood purified the Earth from the disbelievers and polytheists, restoring peace and allowing the believers to begin a new life.

The Death of Noah (A.S.)

Before his death, Noah (A.S.) advised his son to do two things and to avoid two things. He urged him to hold fast to the declaration of faith, “La ilaha illallah” (There is no god but Allah), as it outweighs the heavens and the earth. He also advised him to regularly recite “Subhanallah wa bihamdihi” (Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him), as this glorification suffices for all needs and sustains all creatures. He warned his son against associating partners with Allah (shirk) and against arrogance.

The exact location of Noah’s (A.S.) grave is disputed, with some believing it to be in Masjid al-Haram and others in a place called ‘Bika’.

The teaching from Nuh’s story.

• Equality in Islam: There is no distinction between rich and poor, black and white in spreading the message of Islam. The person who sincerely worships Allah is the best. However, it is also true that bringing a community leader to the right path can positively influence their followers, so special attention to such individuals is justified. But, we must never compromise the dignity of others to please them.
• Perseverance and Hard Work: Prophet Noah (A.S.) spent 950 years calling his people to the oneness of Allah. Despite only a few responding to his call, he remained steadfast and patient. This teaches us that Allah values sincere and hard work over numbers. Noah (A.S.) is considered one of the five greatest prophets, showing that persistence in righteous deeds is more important than the number of people we bring to the right path.
• Guidance Belongs to Allah: Prophet Noah’s (A.S.) wife and son were close to him, yet they did not accept the truth. This shows that guidance is solely in the hands of Allah, and even proximity to a prophet does not guarantee faith. Each person must strive for righteousness on their own.
• Allah’s Patience and Justice: Allah does not immediately punish wrongdoers but gives them time to repent. However, once that time is up, there is no escape from His punishment.
• New Beginnings: Sometimes destruction is not the end but the beginning of a new chapter. Allah used the flood to purify the Earth and start anew with the believers.