Noah’s Prayer
When what Allah willed had happened and the unbelievers were drowned, the rain stopped and the water sank away.
Noah stayed with his people for nine hundred and fifty years, calling them to Allah, but his people would not believe. They would not stop worshipping idols. They refused to return to Allah.
How long could Noah wait? How long could he watch the earth and its people being ruined? How long could he put up with his people worshipping stones? How long could he watch them eat from Allan’s provisions while they worshipped something else?
Why did Noah not get angry? He was more patient than anyone else could have been! Nine hundred and fifty years: Glory be to Allah!
Then Allah revealed to Noah: “None of your people will believe except those who have already believed.” (Hud 11:36)
When Noah called his people again, “they said, ’Noah! You have disputed with us and you have disputed often with us, so bring us what you promised us if you are speaking the truth’.” (Hud 11:32)
Noah became angry for Allah and despaired of those people. He called upon Allah not to leave even one of the unbelievers on the earth!
And Noah said: My Lord! Leave not one of the disbelievers in the land. (Nuh 71:26)
The Ark
Allah answered Noah’s prayer and He decided what the fate of the unbelievers would be. All of them would be drowned in a great flood.
Allah wanted to save Noah and the believers. He commanded Noah to build a great ship, and Noah began straightaway.
The unbelievers from his people saw him working busily and they mocked: ‘What is this, Noah? Since when have you become a carpenter? Didn’t we tell you not to sit with the carpenters and ironsmiths and now you have really become a carpenter!
‘Where is this ship going, Noah? Everything about you is unbelievable! Is it going to sail in the sand or climb up the mountains? The sea is a long way from here. Will the jinn carry it or will oxen pull it?‘
Noah heard all that and was patient. He had heard worse things and had been patient. But sometimes he would say to them, “If you mock us, we will mock you as you mock.” (Hud 11:38)
The Flood
The promise of Allah came. We seek refuge with Allah!
It rained and rained until the sky was like a sieve which could not hold the water. Water poured down and gushed up and flowed in until it surrounded the people on every side.
Then Allah revealed to Noah, Take with you those of your people and family who believe.’
Allah revealed to Noah to take with him a pair of every animal and bird, a male and a female, because the flood would cover the earth. Neither man nor beast would be saved from it. Noah did so. With him in the Ark were those of his people who believed in him and a pair of every bird and animal.
The Ark rode with them on waves like mountains. The people outside the Ark climbed onto every high place and every hill, fleeing from Allah’s punishment.
But there is no refuge from Allah except in Him.
Noah’s Son
Noan had a son who was with the unbelievers. Noah saw his son in the flood and said, “‘My son, embark with us and do not be with the unbelievers.’ He said, ‘I will seek refuge on a mountain that will protect me from the water.’
Noah said, ‘Today there is no protector from Allah’s command except for the one to whom He shows mercy.’
The waves came between them and Noah’s son was among the drowned.” (Hud 11: 42, 43)
Noah was sad about his son; How could he not be sad about his own son? He wanted to save him from the Fire on the Day of Judgment since he was not able to save him from the water. The Fire is worse than the water.
The punishment of the Next World is harsher. Did not Allah promise that He would save his family? Yes! And Allah’s promise is true. He wanted to speak to Allah on behalf of his son.
“He Is Not One of Your Family”
Noah called on his Lord and said, ‘My son is part of my family and Your promise is true. You are the most just of those that judge.’ (Hud 11:45)
But Allah does not look at people’s family trees. He looks at their actions. Allah does not accept pleas on behalf of idol-worshippers. The idol-worshipper is not part of a Prophet’s family, even if he is his son.
Allah made Noan aware of that. He said,”Noah, he is not part of your family; he is of evil conduct Do not ask of Me that about which you do not know, I warn you lest you be one of the ignorant.” (Hud 11:46)
Nun became aware and turned to Allah, repentant. He said; “My Lord, I take refuge with You lest I should ask of You something about which i have no knowledge. If you do not forgive me and show mercy to me, I will he among the losers.” (Hud 11:47)
After the Flood
When what Allah willed had happened and the unbelievers were drowned, the rain stopped and the water sank away.
The unbelievers of the people of Noah were destroyed. Neither the heavens nor the earth wept for them. It was said, “Away with the wrong-doing people!“ (Hud 11:44)
The Ark stopped on Mount Judi. It was said, ”Noah, get down in peace.” (Hud 11:48)
Noah and the people of the Ark got down and walked on the earth in peace. Allah blessed the descendants of Noah and they spread in the land and filled the earth.
There were communities among them and there were Prophets and kings among them.
Peace be upon Noah among all beings!
Peace be upon Noah among all the worlds! (As-Saffat 37:79)
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The article is an excerpt from the author’s Stories of the Prophets, UK Islamic Academy publications.
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