Story of Prophet Noah in the Quran
During the time at Mecca, God has revealed the Chapter Nooh (Noah) to mankind to learn from history. This is the 71st revelation and let's start from verse 1-4.
Prophet Noah lived for 950 years and have been persistently preached his people ever since. Based on history, they were 5 people that worshipped One true God named Wadd, Suwa', Yaguth, Ya'uq and Nasr'. They asked his people the right path, but as time goes on, when these 5 people passed away, their statues were carved and created to honor them. The earlier generations just treated them as their ancestor that worshipped and preached One true God, but the younger generations after them started to treat them as gods, they said "God is too far away up in the sky, while these 5 statues are here and they can send message to the One true God". This practice has become a norm to the community leaders and even kings at that time and God sent Noah to lead their people to the right path once again.
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
1 We sent Noah to his People (with the Command): "Do thou warn thy People before there comes to them a grievous Penalty."
2 He said: "O my People! I am to you a Warner, clear and open:
3 "That ye should worship Allah, fear Him and obey me:
4 "So He may forgive you your sins and give you respite for a stated Term: for when the Term given by Allah is accomplished, it cannot be put forward: if ye only knew."
Prophet Noah started preaching his people and the Chiefs at that time told him "Noah, we are the Chiefs of our people. Why have you called us here?" "Do you want us to really forsake the wirship of our idols? Our gods? Why?"
Some of the people began to asked questions "Did you hear what Noah said to some people yesterday at the gathering? About God?" "You know we have these legends on this man named Adam. Do you think Noah could be right?"
Then, the chapter continues with verse 5-16
5 He said: "O my Lord! I have called to my People night and day:
6 "But my call only increases (their) flight (from the Right).
7 "And every time I have called to them, that Thou mightest forgive them, they have (only) thrust their fingers into their ears, covered themselves up with their garments, grown obstinate, and given themselves up to arrogance.
8 "So I have called to them aloud;
9 "Further I have spoken to them in public and secretly in private,
10 "Saying, 'Ask forgiveness from your Lord; for He is Oft-Forgiving;
11 "'He will send rain to you in abundance;
12 "'Give you increase in wealth and sons; and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers (of flowing water).
13 "'What is the matter with you, that ye place not your hope for kindness and long-suffering in Allah,-
14 "'Seeing that it is He that has created you in diverse stages?
15 "'See ye not how Allah has created the seven heavens one above another,
16 "'And made the moon a light in their midst, and made the sun as a (Glorious) Lamp?
For a long time, Prophet Noah met with only disbelief, insults and threats and later even physical violence. Very few people followed him, however, Noah continued to preach with patience and gentleness, politeness and full sincerity. To his great disappointment, there were disbelievers even in his family. His own wife and one of his own sons continued to reject this message from God.
Verse 17-20 continues.
17 "'And Allah has produced you from the earth growing (gradually),
18 "'And in the End He will return you into the (earth), and raise you forth (again at the Resurrection)?
19 "'And Allah has made the earth for you as a carpet (spread out),
20 "'That ye may go about therein, in spacious roads.'"
Decades had passed, the arguments continued, but Prophet Noah and his message was still being rejected. A confrontation between Noah and his people has been described in Quran Chapter Hud 11:32-33
We also know Noah lived amongst his people for 950 years preaching with patience, yet only very few of his people believed him as stated in Quran Chapter Al-Ankaboot 29:14
14 We (once) sent Noah to his people, and he tarried among them a thousand years less fifty: but the Deluge overwhelmed them while they (persisted in) sin.
Finally the people had enough of Noah and now threatened to kill him which was foretold in verse 21-28
21 Noah said: "O my Lord! They have disobeyed me, but they follow (men) whose wealth and children give them no increase but only Loss.
22 "And they have devised a tremendous Plot.
23 "And they have said (to each other), 'Abandon not your gods: Abandon neither Wadd nor Suwa', neither Yaguth nor Ya'uq, nor Nasr';-
24 "They have already misled many; and grant Thou no increase to the wrong- doers but in straying (from their mark)."
25 Because of their sins they were drowned (in the flood), and were made to enter the Fire (of Punishment): and they found- in lieu of Allah. none to help them.
26 And Noah, said: "O my Lord! Leave not of the Unbelievers, a single one on earth!
27 "For, if Thou dost leave (any of) them, they will but mislead Thy devotees, and they will breed none but wicked ungrateful ones.
28 "O my Lord! Forgive me, my parents, all who enter my house in Faith, and (all) believing men and believing women: and to the wrong-doers grant Thou no increase but in perdition!"
For so long (950 years), Noah had preached with immense patience and sacrifice. Now, however there was finally a threat on his life, and a plan to kill him. The wickedness of his people had reached a point of no return, and Noah realized that any hope of salvation for his people had now over. Finally, the faithful, perseverant Prophet complained to Allah about his people and his fateful prayer forms the Chapter of Noah in the Quran.
There then came the day when Allah told Noah that from that day on, no others would believe. He was not to grieve for them, as his mission was complete. From then on, it was the duty of Noah to guide and save the believers (the few that had believed in him). A most severe punishment of Allah has to descend soon to the disbelievers.
Allah accepted, Noah's prayer and one day Allah gave the divine order to Noah and his followers to build an Ark with His knowledge and instructions and with help of His Angels. They started to build the Ark with Noah. Over a great period of time, they built a huge ship, unlike anything ever built before or since. Only God knows the truth about the magnitude of the Ark.
The people at that time were laughing and mocking at Noah, they said "Look at Noah! Building ship when the sea is so far away!" Another said "Maybe his Prophet business wasn't very successful, he's decided to become a carpenter instead!"
Finally, the Ark was complete. The hour for the punishment of the unbelievers was at hand, awaiting for the order of Allah.
As per Allah's command, they loaded the Ark of each animal two mates (male and female pair). The animals were made subservient to Noah by Allah's Divine Will. They loaded supplies into the Ark. Food supplies for them and the animals as well as other necessities required for the historical journey.
As soon as the believers were safely on board the Ark, suddenly the gates of the heavens opened and heavy rain downpour began. At the same time, the earth burst open and springs of water gushed out, spreading panic and chaos.
Very soon all land was awash with the deluge. The water rose so quickly that no one had the time to escape. No place, no matter how high offered any safety, nor was there any place of refuge except the Ark, which floated on the waves, safe by Allah's grace.
While safely abroad the Ark, Noah tried desperately to search for his disbelieving son amidst the rising water. Finally he spotted him on top of the hill trying to survive. He said "O my son, come abroad with us and be not with the disbelievers!"
The son replied "I will take refuge on a mountain to protect me from the water" However, this son remained stubborn until the very end of his life. The wave came between the mountains and the son was among the drowned.
The Ark continued to float safely amidst the turbulent waves that covered the land. The entire population of unbelievers were drowned and the believers which was the only humans alive in the world chosen by God were safe on the Ark.
Moral of the Story
1. Prophet Noah preached amongst his people for 950 years and even very few people followed him, he did not get discouraged and bore all the insults and threats with full patience, putting his faith firmly in Allah alone. This was a lesson for Prophet Muhammad, who was preaching amongst his people of Arab Quraish. He also faced disbelief, insults and threats and Allah revealed the storey of Noah to him as an example to follow. It is also lesson to mankind from this story to study the truth until the clear answer in found and to not reject the truth that God has revealed to us.
2. Prophet Noah used multiple methods to preach to his people. He spoke to them aloud, in public, he spoke to them individual by night and day. Prophet Muhammad also preached Islam via multiple means, in Mecca, he preached to the public at fairs, pilgrimage and market place. He also preached individually, at first was amongst his family and relatives which then preached publicly until the message was reached throughout Arabia and the world.
3. We should not deny or discriminate other religion without researching the message in detail. Like the people of Noah didn't research they just stick to tradition without researching the authenticity of Noah's message to them at their time.
4.The power of prayers especially those who's been oppressed and have patience will be answered by God.
5. The story of disbelieving son of Noah. This son was drowning, he was engaged in the sin of disbelief and his father pleaded with him to no avail. even the last minute warnings did not sway him and the end came to him as he stubbornly clung to his sin. The importance of finding out the truth and to not hold on stubbornly to false belief is very important.
6. God saves us but we have to do our part. It was God that saved Noah and the believers, yet they had to do their part which was building the Ark.
| Chronological Order | Chapter Name | Number of Verses | Location of Revelation | Traditional Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | Nooh | 28 | Mecca | 71 |
Prophet Noah lived for 950 years and have been persistently preached his people ever since. Based on history, they were 5 people that worshipped One true God named Wadd, Suwa', Yaguth, Ya'uq and Nasr'. They asked his people the right path, but as time goes on, when these 5 people passed away, their statues were carved and created to honor them. The earlier generations just treated them as their ancestor that worshipped and preached One true God, but the younger generations after them started to treat them as gods, they said "God is too far away up in the sky, while these 5 statues are here and they can send message to the One true God". This practice has become a norm to the community leaders and even kings at that time and God sent Noah to lead their people to the right path once again.
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
1 We sent Noah to his People (with the Command): "Do thou warn thy People before there comes to them a grievous Penalty."
2 He said: "O my People! I am to you a Warner, clear and open:
3 "That ye should worship Allah, fear Him and obey me:
4 "So He may forgive you your sins and give you respite for a stated Term: for when the Term given by Allah is accomplished, it cannot be put forward: if ye only knew."
Prophet Noah started preaching his people and the Chiefs at that time told him "Noah, we are the Chiefs of our people. Why have you called us here?" "Do you want us to really forsake the wirship of our idols? Our gods? Why?"
Some of the people began to asked questions "Did you hear what Noah said to some people yesterday at the gathering? About God?" "You know we have these legends on this man named Adam. Do you think Noah could be right?"
Then, the chapter continues with verse 5-16
5 He said: "O my Lord! I have called to my People night and day:
6 "But my call only increases (their) flight (from the Right).
7 "And every time I have called to them, that Thou mightest forgive them, they have (only) thrust their fingers into their ears, covered themselves up with their garments, grown obstinate, and given themselves up to arrogance.
8 "So I have called to them aloud;
9 "Further I have spoken to them in public and secretly in private,
10 "Saying, 'Ask forgiveness from your Lord; for He is Oft-Forgiving;
11 "'He will send rain to you in abundance;
12 "'Give you increase in wealth and sons; and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers (of flowing water).
13 "'What is the matter with you, that ye place not your hope for kindness and long-suffering in Allah,-
14 "'Seeing that it is He that has created you in diverse stages?
15 "'See ye not how Allah has created the seven heavens one above another,
16 "'And made the moon a light in their midst, and made the sun as a (Glorious) Lamp?
For a long time, Prophet Noah met with only disbelief, insults and threats and later even physical violence. Very few people followed him, however, Noah continued to preach with patience and gentleness, politeness and full sincerity. To his great disappointment, there were disbelievers even in his family. His own wife and one of his own sons continued to reject this message from God.
Verse 17-20 continues.
17 "'And Allah has produced you from the earth growing (gradually),
18 "'And in the End He will return you into the (earth), and raise you forth (again at the Resurrection)?
19 "'And Allah has made the earth for you as a carpet (spread out),
20 "'That ye may go about therein, in spacious roads.'"
Decades had passed, the arguments continued, but Prophet Noah and his message was still being rejected. A confrontation between Noah and his people has been described in Quran Chapter Hud 11:32-33
32 They said: "O Noah! thou hast disputed with us, and (much) hast thou prolonged the dispute with us: now bring upon us what thou threatenest us with, if thou speakest the truth!?"
33 He said: "Truly, Allah will bring it on you if He wills, and then, ye will not be able to frustrate it!
We also know Noah lived amongst his people for 950 years preaching with patience, yet only very few of his people believed him as stated in Quran Chapter Al-Ankaboot 29:14
14 We (once) sent Noah to his people, and he tarried among them a thousand years less fifty: but the Deluge overwhelmed them while they (persisted in) sin.
Finally the people had enough of Noah and now threatened to kill him which was foretold in verse 21-28
21 Noah said: "O my Lord! They have disobeyed me, but they follow (men) whose wealth and children give them no increase but only Loss.
22 "And they have devised a tremendous Plot.
23 "And they have said (to each other), 'Abandon not your gods: Abandon neither Wadd nor Suwa', neither Yaguth nor Ya'uq, nor Nasr';-
24 "They have already misled many; and grant Thou no increase to the wrong- doers but in straying (from their mark)."
25 Because of their sins they were drowned (in the flood), and were made to enter the Fire (of Punishment): and they found- in lieu of Allah. none to help them.
26 And Noah, said: "O my Lord! Leave not of the Unbelievers, a single one on earth!
27 "For, if Thou dost leave (any of) them, they will but mislead Thy devotees, and they will breed none but wicked ungrateful ones.
28 "O my Lord! Forgive me, my parents, all who enter my house in Faith, and (all) believing men and believing women: and to the wrong-doers grant Thou no increase but in perdition!"
For so long (950 years), Noah had preached with immense patience and sacrifice. Now, however there was finally a threat on his life, and a plan to kill him. The wickedness of his people had reached a point of no return, and Noah realized that any hope of salvation for his people had now over. Finally, the faithful, perseverant Prophet complained to Allah about his people and his fateful prayer forms the Chapter of Noah in the Quran.
There then came the day when Allah told Noah that from that day on, no others would believe. He was not to grieve for them, as his mission was complete. From then on, it was the duty of Noah to guide and save the believers (the few that had believed in him). A most severe punishment of Allah has to descend soon to the disbelievers.
Allah accepted, Noah's prayer and one day Allah gave the divine order to Noah and his followers to build an Ark with His knowledge and instructions and with help of His Angels. They started to build the Ark with Noah. Over a great period of time, they built a huge ship, unlike anything ever built before or since. Only God knows the truth about the magnitude of the Ark.
The people at that time were laughing and mocking at Noah, they said "Look at Noah! Building ship when the sea is so far away!" Another said "Maybe his Prophet business wasn't very successful, he's decided to become a carpenter instead!"
Finally, the Ark was complete. The hour for the punishment of the unbelievers was at hand, awaiting for the order of Allah.
As per Allah's command, they loaded the Ark of each animal two mates (male and female pair). The animals were made subservient to Noah by Allah's Divine Will. They loaded supplies into the Ark. Food supplies for them and the animals as well as other necessities required for the historical journey.
As soon as the believers were safely on board the Ark, suddenly the gates of the heavens opened and heavy rain downpour began. At the same time, the earth burst open and springs of water gushed out, spreading panic and chaos.
Very soon all land was awash with the deluge. The water rose so quickly that no one had the time to escape. No place, no matter how high offered any safety, nor was there any place of refuge except the Ark, which floated on the waves, safe by Allah's grace.
While safely abroad the Ark, Noah tried desperately to search for his disbelieving son amidst the rising water. Finally he spotted him on top of the hill trying to survive. He said "O my son, come abroad with us and be not with the disbelievers!"
The son replied "I will take refuge on a mountain to protect me from the water" However, this son remained stubborn until the very end of his life. The wave came between the mountains and the son was among the drowned.
The Ark continued to float safely amidst the turbulent waves that covered the land. The entire population of unbelievers were drowned and the believers which was the only humans alive in the world chosen by God were safe on the Ark.
Moral of the Story
1. Prophet Noah preached amongst his people for 950 years and even very few people followed him, he did not get discouraged and bore all the insults and threats with full patience, putting his faith firmly in Allah alone. This was a lesson for Prophet Muhammad, who was preaching amongst his people of Arab Quraish. He also faced disbelief, insults and threats and Allah revealed the storey of Noah to him as an example to follow. It is also lesson to mankind from this story to study the truth until the clear answer in found and to not reject the truth that God has revealed to us.
2. Prophet Noah used multiple methods to preach to his people. He spoke to them aloud, in public, he spoke to them individual by night and day. Prophet Muhammad also preached Islam via multiple means, in Mecca, he preached to the public at fairs, pilgrimage and market place. He also preached individually, at first was amongst his family and relatives which then preached publicly until the message was reached throughout Arabia and the world.
3. We should not deny or discriminate other religion without researching the message in detail. Like the people of Noah didn't research they just stick to tradition without researching the authenticity of Noah's message to them at their time.
4.The power of prayers especially those who's been oppressed and have patience will be answered by God.
5. The story of disbelieving son of Noah. This son was drowning, he was engaged in the sin of disbelief and his father pleaded with him to no avail. even the last minute warnings did not sway him and the end came to him as he stubbornly clung to his sin. The importance of finding out the truth and to not hold on stubbornly to false belief is very important.
6. God saves us but we have to do our part. It was God that saved Noah and the believers, yet they had to do their part which was building the Ark.
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