Description

LINEAGE

Prophet Nuh (AS) is recognized in Islam as a prophet and messenger of Allah. Nuh (AS) is one the greatest prophets of all time and that is because of his patients over many years. He was born 126 years after the death of Prophet Adam (AS) and it is related that there were 10 Prophets before him. Prophet Nuh (AS) preached and lived amongst his people for 950 years. His life span is mentioned by some to be 2500 years. He is one of the Ulu’l azm prophets. Nuh (AS)’s mission was to warn his people, who were plunged into depravity and sin.

LIFE

He preached to his people about the oneness of Allah and asked them not to worship other gods, but the chiefs and the people just ignored him, mocked him, and even beat him up. At times Prophet Nuh (AS) was buried under piles of stones and Jibraeel used to come and remove the stones and tend the wounds. The people then decided to leave him alone saying he was mad (Qur’an 23:25).

Prophet Nuh (AS) after many years of preaching to no avail complained to Allah saying that although he called them night and day, they were getting worse and would not listen putting their finger in their ears and covering their faces so he could not see them, nor could they hear him. Allah stopped raining on them for 40-70 years, but the people were so stubborn that they refused to believe and listen. Allah stopped granting them children too.

Allah asked Prophet Nuh (AS) to build an ark as he was going to see his punishment in the form of a flood. When the people saw him and the believers making an ark, they started laughing at him. The ark was made at a place that is now known as Masjid-e-Kufa. It was 1200 yards in length, 800 yards in width, and 80 yards in height.

It had three stories – the 1st for the animals, the 2nd for the birds, and the 3rd for the believers inclusive of Prophet Nuh (AS) and his family. When the ark was ready Allah asked Prophet Nuh (AS), his wife, his three sons, Haam, Saam, and Yaafis, 72 believers, and a pair of each kind of animal and bird to board the ark. Prophet Nuh (AS) had another son called Kan’aan who refused to board the ark and was not a believer. When they had all boarded the ark, they were asked to say a little prayer to Allah – Qur’an 23:28 (All praise be to Allah who delivered us from an unjust people). The water started pouring from the sky and gushing out of the land. (There is a spot marked in Masjid-e-Kufa where the water first started gushing out)

The ark started moving. Prophet Nuh (AS)’s son who had refused to enter the ark thought he would be saved by climbing on a mountain and did not listen to his father. He was drowned. Soon there was so much water that all that could be seen was the sky and water. There was a solar eclipse. It is related that the ark was pushed by the waves until it reached Mecca where it circled the Ka’aba. The whole world was submerged in water except the spot where Ka’aba stood.

Prophet Nuh (AS) was scared as the ark was tossed into the high waters. He recited “La Ilala Illallah’ 1000 times. He also prayed as commanded by Allah “O my Lord! Make us land with a blessed landing for you are the best of all who cause to land”.

When hearing the prayers from Prophet Nuh (AS) the earth swallowed in water, the sky stopped raining and the ark came to rest on Mount Juda (Qur’an 11:44). Prophet Nuh (AS) and the others came out at Mosul and here the foundation of the city of Madinatuth Thamaanin was laid. Prophet Nuh (AS) lived for quite a long time after this.

When the angel of death Izraeel came to him, Prophet Nuh (AS) asked him whether there was time for him to go into the shade of the sun. Izraeel said there was and Prophet Nuh (AS) told him that the life of the world was just like passing from the sun into the shade i.e. entering from one door and leaving through another.

Although he lived such a long time, he never constructed a house for himself. He lived in a small hut.

MIRACLES

1. In the Holy Quran Allah says: “So We delivered him and the Inmates of the Ark and made it a sign to the nations”. Also, Allah says: “When Our edict came and the oven gushed [a stream of water], We said,” Carry in it a pair of every kind [of animal], along with your family except those [of them] against whom the edict has already been given and those who have faith.” And none believed with him except a few.”
2. Build the Ark (at a place where there was no sea) that saved Him and those with Him: “In the Holy Quran Allah says: “Build the ark before Our eyes and by Our revelation, and do not plead with Me for those who are wrongdoers: they shall indeed be drowned.”
3. Long Life: None of the Prophets (AS) have lived a lifetime as the Prophet Nuh (AS). He had lived more than 2500 years, though His strength had never decreased through the ages neither His teeth fell out.

LEGACY

Prophet Nuh (AS) was an exemplar of patience. He called his people to worship Allah for 950 years but only a few people believed in him.