Prophet Nuh
Prophet Nuh (Noah) is a story about disbelievers. Prophet Noah was sent down to prevent the Muslims that were following Prophet Idris from going astray after his passing.
There are two opinions on theProphetic timeline of Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)The first is the opinion of many Historians likeIbn Katheer, who wrote ProphetNuh as coming after Prophet Idris; may peace be upon them.However, some scholars believe thatayah 163 of Surah Nisa suggests he came first before Idrees,
We present both views so you, as a student of knowledge, are aware. There isn't enough evidence to conclude with absolute certainty, nor is there any benefit in investigating this matter further. This piece is written with the perspective that Nuh (as) came after Idris.
TheMuslims were left strandedfollowing the death ofProphet Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). Since no other man from amongst them was chosen as a Prophet,people began to look to the pious companions of Idris for guidance.Theyrespected and followed these righteous menand consulted them whenever they faced a problem. Eventually, as time passed by, the pious men also passed,leaving the Muslims again with no leader for guidance.They feared and were worried that they wouldstray from the path ofAllah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ)
Satan, who watched on with shrewd eyes, approached the wailing men and women disguised as a man and whispered into their ears:"If we make statues of these righteous men, it will be more pleasing to us in our worship and will remind us of them."
Satan had successfully planted his corrupt seed.He was patient for he knew that getting man to worship another was a slow process.
When that generation had passed, and the new generation of people had forgotten the intention behind the erecting of statues, Satan whispered into the ears of the men:"Your forefathers used to worship these idols. These statues brought them goodness."
Thus, idolatry took root in the hearts of man.
Centuries passed, and Allah decided to send a Prophet to guide the idolaters back to the truth. The Prophet chosen for this sacred task wasNuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)(the judeo-Christian equivalent to the Prophet Noah).Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ)blessed his loyal disciple witheloquent speech and immense patienceso that he may carry out his duty with success. SoProphet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)began to preach to his people about the mysteries of the vast universe—he informed them about the night and the day, the stars and the moon, the plants and animals, and the heavens and the earth.He explained to them thatman was created by Allah to glorify and worship Him. Nuh then told them about theoneness of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ)— that the mysteries of the world were only proof of theexistence of one true God, and that is none other thanAllah the Most High. He explained to them thatSatan had misled them into worshiping idolsand warned them of aterrible punishment from Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ)if they continued their idol worship.
The People of Prophet Nuh listened to him with great confusion and patience.The most miserable and desperate amongst Nuh's people began to findhope and solace in the Prophet's wordsand gradually entered into the fold of Islam,whilst the affluent watched on with rage.They said to Nuh:“We see you but a man like ourselves.”
Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)explained to them thathe was certainly a human being, and Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) had explicitly chosen a human messengeras the earth was predominantly occupied by humans after all.And if angels occupied the earth,Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ)would have surely sent an angelic messenger to convey his message.
One day, thewealthy mastersof the city approachedProphet Nuhand said to him:"Listen Nuh, if you want us to believe in you, then dismiss your believers. They are meek and poor, while we are elite and rich; no faith can include us both."
Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)was well aware of theignorance of the wealthy men. He knew that he had to remain calm in order to explain to them that materialistic possessions were worthless in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), and it was what is within one's heart that really mattered to Him.
Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)replied to them:O my people! I ask for no wealth for it, my reward is from none but Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). I am not going to drive away those who have believed. Surely, they are going to meet their Lord, but I see that you are ignorant people. O my people! Who will help me against Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) , if I drove them away? Will you not then give a thought? And I do not say to you that with me are the Treasures of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) nor that I know the unseen, nor do I say that I am an angel, and I do not say of those whom your eyes look down upon that Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) will not bestow any good on them. Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) knows what is in their inner selves. In that case, I should, indeed be one of the wrongdoers.”—Surah Hud, Ayat 29-31
Each child that reached an age of understanding was clearly warned against the teachings of Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). Whenever the Prophet approached them, they ran away from him.They found every excuse to escape from the presence of Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).Before long,Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) realized that the number of disbelievers was rapidly risingwhile the number of believers remained unchanged. He was very upset for his people andfeared a terrible predicament for them,but he was left with no choice.
Sad and frustrated, Prophet Nuh replied to Allah:"My Lord! Leave not one of the disbelievers on the earth. If you leave them, they will mislead Your slaves and they will beget none but wicked disbelievers."
Prophet Nuh's prayer was accepted by his Lord.
He instructed Prophet Nuh:"And construct the ark under Our Eyes and with Our Inspiration and address Me not on behalf of those who did wrong."
Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) then instructed to Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)that when the oven at his home begins to gush forth water, collect the believers and board the ark for it was the first sign of the beginning of the floods that would destroy the disbelievers. Not long after, the terrible day dawned as water began gushing forth from the oven at Prophet Nuh's house. Nuh knew it was time to board the ark.Along with the believers, Nuh also took with him pairs of animals, birds, and insects.
Soon after, heavy rains began to pour down from the angry skies, and water began to rise through every crack on earth. It didn't take long before the oceans completely conquered the once-dry land.Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) witnessed the terrible calamity that had befallen his people.He knew the disbelievers had no escape from the wrath of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ).Amongst the disbelievers was Prophet Nuh's wife and son, who refused to board his ark.
Before long,Nuh's son was engulfed by the angry waves, never to be seen again.
When every single disbeliever had perished, Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ ordered the skies and the earth:"O Earth! Swallow up your water, and O sky! Withhold your rain."The skies immediately cleared, and the sun shined brightly on the land. Meanwhile, Nuh's ark peacefully landed on Mount Judi. Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ instructed His Prophet:"O Nuh! Come down (from the ship) with peace from Us and blessings on you and on the people who are with you."
As instructed,Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), along with the believers, got off the ark,releasing the rescued animals, birds and insects across the green land.Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) placed his forehead on the ground, prostrated to his Lord, and thanked Him immensely for His mercy and blessings. The believers were grateful to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) for safeguarding them from the terrible ordeal and observed a day of fasting as an act of gratitude to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) .
There are atotal of 47 different instanceswhere Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) directly refers to Prophet Noah (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in the Qur'an. Here we provide reference to all for you to explore. We've also created a dedicated page onall the verses of Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)to be read on a single page.