Story of Prophet Nuh (AS)
Prophet Nuh (AS) was the Prophet sent from Allah Almighty. Allah (SWT) has dedicated a whole surah (Surah Nuh) to him in the Holy Quran. Allah Almighty praised Nuh (AS) in the Quran as: “Grateful Servant of God” and “True Messenger of God”. Patient, Nuh (AS) told his people not to worship anyone except Allah and the punishment of the Hellfire if they disobeyed.
People of Nuh (AS) gave names to their idols such as Waddan, Suwa’an, Yaghuthah, Ya’augah, and Nasran. They thought these gods possessed manly power; mutability, beauty; brute strength, swiftness, sharp sight, and insight power. Originally these gods were the people who had lived among them. After their deaths, statues of them were raised to keep their memories alive. After some time, however, people began to worship these statues. Later generations did not even know why they had been erected; they only knew their parents had prayed to them. In this way idol worshipping developed. These people had no understanding of Allah the Almighty Who would punish them for their evil deeds, they became cruel and immoral.
Allah (SWT) sent the Prophet Nuh (AS) to guide His people on Allah’s path. Nuh (AS) told his people not to worship anyone except Allah Almighty and the punishment of the Hellfire if they disobeyed Him. The poor people believed him but not the rich ones. The rich people latter bargained with the poor ones and told Prophet Nuh (AS) to back off from his motive. However, Prophet Nuh (AS) refused them and provided logical reasons. Despite his truthful arguments and efforts for over 900 years convincing people, his efforts were in vain. The disbelievers further argued and said: “O Nuh (Noah)! You have disputed with us and much have you prolonged the dispute with us, now bring upon us what you threaten us with if you are of the truthful.” (Quran, 13:32)
Hazrat Nuh (AS) then said to them: “Only Allah will bring it (the punishment) on you if He will, and then you will escape not. And my advice will not profit you, even if I wish to give you good counsel if Allah’s Will is to keep you astray. He is your Lord! and to Him, you shall return.” (Quran, 13:33-34)
Consequently, Prophet Nuh (AS) asked Allah Almighty to destroy the non-believers and accepted his prayer. In the Holy Quran, it is stated in these words: “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” (Quran, 71:26-27). Allah SWT asked Noah (AS) to build an Ark away from the sea with wood and tools. Non-believers mocked at him thinking that he went mad. When the Ark was built, Prophet Nuh (AS) and his believers patiently waited for Allah’s command. Then, water miraculously fell over the residents as heavy rain. Then Prophet Nuh (AS) opened the Ark and allowed the believers and animals to come inside. The non-believers, including Prophet Noah’s wife and son, did not enter despite Noah (AS)’s call. Ultimately, all disbelievers drowned due to their sins.
Afterward, when the water was absorbed, Prophet Nuh (AS) was sad and cried for the fact that his son and wife did not obey Allah (SWT). Yet, Prophet Noah (AS) sought Allah’s (SWT) mercy. He released everybody from the Ark and life came back to normal practice on Earth. Eventually, Hazrat Nuh (AS) passed away and his last advice to his son was to worship Allah (SWT) alone.
