The Mission of Prophet Nuh (A.S.)
Prophet Nuh was sent to a nation that had deviated into idol worship and moral corruption. He preached for 950 years, as mentioned in the Qur'an:
"Indeed, We sent Noah to his people, and he remained among them a thousand years minus fifty years."
(Surah Al-‘Ankabut 29:14)
He called his people to monotheism and warned them of Allah's punishment if they did not repent. Despite his efforts, most of his people rejected him and ridiculed his message.
The Rejection by His People
The leaders and elites of his community, in particular, accused him of being a liar. They mocked him, saying that only the poor and insignificant people believed in his message:
"And indeed, every time I invited them that You might forgive them, they put their fingers in their ears, covered themselves with their garments, persisted, and were arrogant with pride."
(Surah Nuh 71:7)
They challenged him to bring the punishment he warned them about if he were truthful.
The Ark and the Flood
After centuries of rejection, Allah revealed to Prophet Nuh that no more of his people would believe, and instructed him to build an ark:
"And construct the ship under Our observation and Our inspiration, and do not address Me concerning those who have wronged; indeed, they are to be drowned."
(Surah Hud 11:37)
Prophet Nuh and his small group of followers began building the ark in obedience to Allah. The disbelievers mocked him as he built it far from water, saying, "Will it sail on land?"
When the ark was completed, Allah's command came, and Nuh was told to take pairs of each creature and his followers aboard. Soon, a mighty flood engulfed the land, with water gushing from the earth and pouring from the sky:
"So We opened the gates of the heaven with rain pouring down and caused the earth to gush forth with springs, and the waters met for a matter already predestined."
(Surah Al-Qamar 54:11-12)
The disbelievers were drowned, including Nuh's own son who chose to disbelieve, despite Nuh's plea for him to join the ark.
The Aftermath
The flood subsided after Allah's command, and the ark came to rest on Mount Judi:
"And it was said, 'O earth, swallow your water, and O sky, withhold [your rain].' And the water subsided, and the matter was accomplished. And the ship came to rest on the [mountain of] Judi."
(Surah Hud 11:44)
Prophet Nuh and his followers disembarked safely, and Allah blessed them to start a new generation of believers.
Lessons from the Story of Nuh (A.S.)
- Patience and Perseverance: Prophet Nuh demonstrated unwavering patience and dedication, even when faced with relentless mockery and rejection.
- Faith in Allah's Plan: Despite the odds, Nuh obeyed Allah's commands without hesitation.
- Warning Against Arrogance: The arrogance of Nuh's people led to their destruction, highlighting the consequences of rejecting divine guidance.
- Accountability: Each individual is responsible for their own choices, as seen in the fate of Nuh's disbelieving son.
This story is a powerful reminder of Allah’s mercy for the believers and His justice against those who persist in disbelief.