Prophet Nuh (Noah), peace be upon him, is one of the prophets in Islam, well-known for his unwavering faith and determination. His story, as narrated in the Quran, carries thoughtful lessons for all of us.
The Early Days
Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him) was chosen by Allah to guide his people, who had strayed far from the path of righteousness. They worshipped idols and lived in sin, ignoring Nuh’s call to worship Almighty Allah. Despite facing mockery and hostility, Nuh (peace be upon him) remained steadfast in his mission, preaching for 950 years. Quran says:
“And We certainly sent Noah to his people, and he remained among them a thousand years minus fifty years…”.
(Quran 29:14)
Building the Ark
Allah commanded Nuh (peace be upon him) to build a massive ark, a task that seemed impossible in the eyes of his people. With unwavering faith, Nuh (peace be upon him) and a small group of believers began constructing the ark, enduring further ridicule. Allah instructed Nuh (peace be upon him) to gather pairs of every animal and bring them aboard, along with his followers. Quran says:
“And it was revealed to Noah that, ‘No one will believe from your people except those who have already believed, so do not be distressed by what they have been doing. 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 11:36-37)
The Great Flood
Once the ark was completed, Allah’s command came to pass. The skies opened, and water gushed forth from the earth, creating a great flood that surrounded everything. Hazrat Nuh (peace be upon him), his family, and the believers were safely aboard the ark. Unfortunately, one of his sons, who refused to believe, was among those who perished. Quran says:
“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)
A New Beginning
After the floodwaters receded, the ark came to rest on Mount Judi. Allah granted a fresh start to Nuh and the survivors, establishing them as the new generation of humanity. The story of prophet Nuh in Quran reminds us of the importance of patience, faith, and obedience to Allah’s commands. Allah says:
“And it was said, ‘O earth, swallow your water, and O sky, withhold [your rain].’ And the water subside, 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)
Lessons for All Ages
The story of Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him), is a timeless story that resonates with both children and adults. It teaches us the value of determination in the face of adversity and the importance of unwavering faith in Allah. For children, the adventure of building the ark and the survival of the animals captivates their imagination, while adults draw deeper lessons of spirituality and moral strength.
