Prophet Noah (Nuh), peace be upon him, is one of the most significant prophets in Islam, revered for his patience, faith, and unwavering commitment to delivering the message of Allah. His story is one of the earliest and most detailed accounts of a prophet in the Quran, serving as a powerful example of perseverance and divine justice. Prophet Noah was sent by Allah to guide his people away from idolatry and towards monotheism, but despite his long and dedicated efforts, only a small number of people accepted his message. As a result, Allah sent the Great Flood as a punishment for the disbelievers while saving Noah and the believers who followed him.
This article will explore the life of Prophet Noah, his mission, the challenges he faced, and the lessons Muslims can learn from his story.
1. The Life and Mission of Prophet Noah (Nuh)
Prophet Noah is considered one of the greatest prophets in Islam and is one of the five prominent prophets referred to as Ulul Azm, or the prophets of great determination. He was sent by Allah to his people at a time when idolatry had become widespread. Noah’s people worshiped false gods and statues, straying far from the worship of the one true God, Allah.
Calling His People to Monotheism
The mission of Prophet Noah was clear: to call his people back to the worship of Allah alone and to abandon the idols they had taken as gods. The Quran describes his message as a direct and sincere appeal:
"Indeed, We sent Noah to his people, [saying], 'Warn your people before there comes to them a painful punishment.'"
(Quran 71:1)
Noah tirelessly warned his people of the consequences of their idolatry, urging them to repent and turn to Allah. He preached for over 950 years, calling his people to righteousness and to worship Allah without partners. Despite his long and patient efforts, the majority of his people rejected him and mocked his message.
The Quran captures Noah’s perseverance:
"He said, 'My Lord, indeed I invited my people [to truth] night and day. But my invitation increased them not except in flight. And indeed, every time I invited them that You may forgive them, they put their fingers in their ears, covered themselves with their garments, persisted, and were arrogant with [great] arrogance.'"
(Quran 71:5-7)
Despite the ridicule and rejection, Noah continued to preach, always maintaining his trust in Allah’s plan.
2. The Challenges Faced by Prophet Noah
Prophet Noah’s mission was marked by severe challenges and hardships. His people were stubborn in their disbelief, and they rejected his message despite the clear signs of Allah’s existence. They mocked him, ridiculed his call to worship Allah, and accused him of lying.
The Persistence of Disbelief
The disbelievers argued that Noah was just a man like themselves and questioned his claim to be a prophet. They were attached to their idols and refused to acknowledge the truth of Noah’s message. They claimed that if Allah truly wanted to send a message, He would have sent angels, not a mere human.
The Quran describes the disbelief of Noah’s people:
"And the eminent among his people who disbelieved said, 'This is not but a man like yourselves who wishes to take precedence over you. And if Allah had willed [to send a messenger], He would have sent down angels. We have not heard of this among our forefathers.'"
(Quran 23:24)
No matter how much evidence and reasoning Noah presented, his people continued in their disbelief and arrogance.
Mockery and Opposition
One of the most difficult challenges Prophet Noah faced was the mockery of his people. Despite his sincerity and the clear truth of his message, Noah’s people ridiculed him and belittled his warnings. This is particularly evident during the construction of the ark, when the disbelievers mocked him for building a large ship in the middle of dry land.
The Quran narrates:
"And he constructed the ship, and whenever an assembly of the eminent of his people passed by him, they ridiculed him. He said, 'If you ridicule us, then we will ridicule you just as you ridicule. And you are going to know who will get a punishment that will disgrace him and on whom will descend an enduring punishment.'"
(Quran 11:38-39)
Despite the opposition, Noah continued to follow Allah’s commands and remained firm in his mission, demonstrating the qualities of patience and resilience that all believers should strive to emulate.
3. The Construction of the Ark
One of the most well-known aspects of Prophet Noah’s story is the construction of the ark. After centuries of preaching with little success, Allah revealed to Noah that no more of his people would believe, and that He would send a great flood as a punishment for the disbelievers.
Allah instructed Noah to build an ark that would save him, his followers, and pairs of animals from the coming flood:
"And construct the ship under Our observation and Our inspiration and do not address Me concerning those who have wronged; indeed, they are [to be] drowned."
(Quran 11:37)
Noah, following Allah’s command, began building the ark in the middle of a land far from any sea or river. This task made Noah and his followers the subject of even more mockery from the disbelievers. However, Noah remained focused on his task, fully trusting in Allah’s plan.
The ark is described as a large, sturdy vessel that would be able to withstand the coming deluge. When the time of the flood approached, Noah was instructed to take his followers, pairs of animals, and provisions onto the ark:
"Until when Our command came and the oven overflowed, We said, 'Load upon the ship of each creature two mates and your family, except those about whom the word has preceded, and [include] whoever has believed.' But none had believed with him, except a few."
(Quran 11:40)
The number of people who believed in Noah’s message was small, but those who had faith were granted salvation.
4. The Great Flood
The Great Flood is the climax of Prophet Noah’s story. After years of rejection and disbelief, Allah’s punishment for the disbelievers finally arrived. The skies poured rain, and water burst forth from the ground, flooding the earth and submerging everything in its path.
The Quran describes the flood:
"So We opened the gates of the heaven with rain pouring down and caused the earth to burst with springs, and the waters met for a matter already predestined."
(Quran 54:11-12)
The disbelievers who had mocked Noah and rejected his message were swallowed by the waters, while Noah and his followers remained safe aboard the ark. The flood was a manifestation of Allah’s power and justice, wiping away the corruption and idolatry of Noah’s people.
Noah’s Son and the Importance of Faith
One of the most poignant moments of the flood narrative is the fate of Noah’s son. Despite Noah’s plea for him to board the ark, his son refused, thinking he could save himself by climbing to higher ground. This event illustrates the importance of faith, as even being the son of a prophet could not save someone who rejected Allah’s message.
The Quran narrates this moment:
"And it sailed with them through waves like mountains, and Noah called to his son who was apart [from them], 'O my son, come aboard with us and be not with the disbelievers.' [But] he said, 'I will take refuge on a mountain to protect me from the water.' [Noah] said, 'There is no protector today from the decree of Allah, except for whom He gives mercy.' And the waves came between them, and he was among the drowned."
(Quran 11:42-43)
This tragic event underscores the necessity of faith and submission to Allah’s will. It serves as a reminder that no amount of worldly planning can protect someone from Allah’s decree if they reject His message.
5. The Aftermath of the Flood and the New Beginning
After the floodwaters receded, the ark came to rest on Mount Judi, as mentioned in the Quran:
"And it was said, 'O earth, swallow your water, and O sky, withhold [your rain].' And the water subsided, and the matter was accomplished, and the ship came to rest on the [mountain of] Judi. And it was said, 'Away with the wrongdoing people.'"
(Quran 11:44)
Those who survived the flood—Prophet Noah, his followers, and the animals aboard the ark—were the beginning of a new generation. They were given the responsibility to rebuild society based on the worship of Allah and righteousness. Noah’s survival and the survival of his followers symbolize Allah’s mercy and the rewards of patience and faith.
6. Lessons from the Story of Prophet Noah
The story of Prophet Noah is filled with important lessons for Muslims, highlighting the virtues of patience, faith, and resilience. Some of the key lessons include:
1. Patience and Perseverance in Adversity
Prophet Noah preached for over 950 years, yet only a small number of people believed in his message. His patience and perseverance in the face of such overwhelming rejection serve as a reminder
that believers must remain steadfast in their faith, no matter how difficult the circumstances.
2. The Importance of Faith
The story of Noah’s son illustrates that lineage or worldly status cannot save someone who rejects the truth. Faith and submission to Allah are the keys to salvation, and this message is reinforced throughout Noah’s story.
3. Trusting in Allah’s Plan
Prophet Noah’s trust in Allah was unwavering, even when he was ridiculed and mocked by his people. His story teaches Muslims to trust in Allah’s wisdom and plan, even when it is difficult to see the outcome. The ultimate success lies in obedience to Allah, regardless of worldly challenges.
4. The Consequences of Rejection
Noah’s people were given ample time and opportunity to repent and accept Allah’s message, but they chose to persist in their disbelief. Their fate serves as a warning to all humanity about the consequences of rejecting the truth.
Conclusion: The Legacy of Prophet Noah (Nuh)
Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) is remembered in Islam as a model of patience, faith, and perseverance. His story, as recounted in the Quran, highlights the importance of steadfastness in the face of adversity, the necessity of faith, and the consequences of rejecting Allah’s message. The Great Flood serves as a reminder of Allah’s power and justice, while Noah’s salvation demonstrates His mercy toward the faithful.
Muslims today can draw inspiration from the story of Prophet Noah by practicing patience, maintaining trust in Allah, and remaining committed to righteousness, even in the most challenging circumstances.