Pearls from the Qur’an (11)Noah (pbuh)

The Story of Prophet Noah in the Quran

Noah’s Messengership

Indeed, We sent Noah to his people (as Messenger), and he remained among them a thousand years save fifty years; and in the end, the Flood overtook them as they were wrongdoers (who persisted in associating partners with God and committing grave injustices). (al-Ankabut 29:14)

Noah’s Calling Out to His People

Relate to them the exemplary history of Noah when he said to his people: “O my people! If my presence (among you) and my reminding (you) by God’s Revelations are offensive to you – well, in God have I put my trust. So, coming together, decide upon your course of action, and (call to your aid) your (so-called) associates of God; then let not your affair be a worry to you. And then carry out against me (whatever you have decided), and give me no respite! Then if you turn away (from the Message that I convey to you), then (know that it will cause me no loss, just as your accepting it will gain me nothing) I ask you for no wage; my wage is only due from God, and I have been commanded to be of the Muslims (those who have submitted to Him). “ (Yunus 10:71-72)

We sent Noah as Messenger to his people (and commanded him): “Warn your people before a painful punishment comes to them.” He said: “O my people! I am indeed a plain warner to you (and I urge you): Worship God alone, and keep from disobedience to Him in reverence for Him and piety; and obey me, so that He may forgive you your sins (which you have committed so far) and grant you respite until a term appointed by Him (instead of destroying you because of your sins). The term appointed by God, when it comes, is never deferred. If you but knew!” (After long ages spent in conveying God’s Message, he turned to his Lord in prayer and) he said: “My Lord, I have surely called my people night and day; but my call has only caused them to flee more and more (from accepting the truth).” (Nuh 71:1-6)

Noah Being Rejected by His People

The leading ones who disbelieved from among his people reacted, saying (among themselves and to each other): “This is but a mortal like you. He only wishes to gain superiority over you. Had God willed (to send us a Messenger to convey His Message), He would surely have sent down angels (to communicate His Message). Further, we have never heard of anything like this in the case of our forefathers of old. He is but a man in whom there is madness, so watch him for a while (to see) whether he will recover.” (al-Mu’minun 23:24-25)

Noah’s Pleading For God’s Help And Building The Ark

Noah prayed: “My Lord, help me because they have denied me!” Thereupon We revealed to him: “Build the Ark (which We have described to you), under Our eyes and in accordance with Our instructions to be revealed (to you). Then finally, when Our command comes to pass and the boiler starts boiling over, take on board a pair of each kind of animal, as well as your family, except those of them against whom Our sentence (of destruction) has already been passed. Do not plead with Me for those people who have persisted in wrongdoing. They are bound to be drowned. Then, when you are seated in the Ark, you and those who are with you, say: ‘All praise and gratitude are for God, Who has saved us from the wrongdoing people.’ And pray: ‘My Lord, let me land in a blessed place (in peace and safety and) with blessings from You. You are the Best to cause people to land in peace and safety.’” (al-Mu’minun 23:26-29)

What Happens Before And After The Flood

And it was revealed to Noah (by Us): “Never will any of your people believe except those who have already believed. Then, do not be distressed because of what they have been doing. Build the Ark (which We have described to you) under Our eyes, and in accordance with Our instructions to be revealed (to you), and do not plead with Me for those who have persisted in wrongdoing. They are bound to be drowned.” And so Noah set to building the Ark. And every time the leading ones among his people passed by him, they mocked at him. He said: “Now you are mocking us, but (a day will come when) we mock you just as you mock us.

And so shall you know upon whom will come a punishment which will disgrace him, and upon whom will alight a lasting punishment (in the Hereafter).” (And so it went on) until the time when Our command came, and the boiler started boiling over. We said (to Noah): “Embark in it a pair of each kind (of living creature), and your family, except those against whom Our sentence has already been passed, and those who believe. “

And those who believed with him were few. Noah said, “Board it!” (and all the people and the pairs of creatures God willed should be saved were settled in the Ark). “In God’s Name be its course and its mooring. Surely my Lord is All-Forgiving, All-Compassionate.” So the Ark floated with them amid waves like mountains, and Noah cried out to a son of his who was standing apart: “Embark with us, my son, and do not be with the unbelievers!” He said: “I will betake myself to a mountain that will protect me from the waters!” He (Noah) said: “Today there is no protection from God’s judgment except for him on whom He has mercy.” And the waves came between them, and he (the son) was among the drowned.

And it was said: “O earth, swallow up your waters! And, O sky, cease (your rain)!” And the waters were made to subside, and (by God’s will) the affair was accomplished. Then the Ark came to rest on al-Judi, and it was said: “Away with the wrongdoing people!” (Hud 11:36-44)