The Story of Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

Centuries passed, and Allah decided to send a Prophet to guide the idolaters back to the truth. The Prophet chosen for this sacred task was Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) (the judeo-Christian equivalent to the Prophet Noah).

Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) blessed his loyal disciple with eloquent speech and immense patience so that he may carry out his duty with success. So Prophet Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) began to preach to his people about the mysteries of the vast universe—he informed them about the night and the day, the stars and the moon, the plants and animals, and the heavens and the earth.

He explained to them that man was created by Allah to glorify and worship Him. Nuh then told them about the oneness of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) — that the mysteries of the world were only proof of the existence of one true God, and that is none other than Allah the Most High. He explained to them that Satan had misled them into worshiping idols and warned them of a terrible punishment from Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) if they continued their idol worship.

The People of Prophet Nuh listened to him with great confusion and patience.

The most miserable and desperate amongst Nuh's people began to find hope and solace in the Prophet's words and gradually entered into the fold of Islam, whilst the affluent watched on with rage.

They said to Nuh:“We see you but a man like ourselves.”

Prophet Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) explained to them that he was certainly a human being, and Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) had explicitly chosen a human messenger as the earth was predominantly occupied by humans after all.
And if angels occupied the earth, Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) would have surely sent an angelic messenger to convey his message.

Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) was well aware of the ignorance of the wealthy men. He knew that he had to remain calm in order to explain to them that materialistic possessions were worthless in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), and it was what is within one's heart that really mattered to Him.

The idolaters were furious. They had tolerated Nuh's ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) incessant preaching and arguments for far too long.

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They angrily challenged Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) :
“O Nuh( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) ! You have disputed with us and have prolonged the dispute with us, now bring upon us what you threaten us with, if you are of the truthful.”

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Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) replied:
“Only Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) will bring the punishment on you, if He wills, and then you will not be able to escape. And my advice will not profit you, even if I wish to give you counsel, if Allah's Will is to keep you astray. He is your Lord! And to Him you shall return.”

The disbelievers, who had lost all patience with Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), resorted to hurl insults at the Messenger of Allah in attempt to frighten him from preaching the religion of Islam.

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They said:
“Verily, we see you in plain error”

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Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) patiently replied:
“O my people! There is no error in me, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of the worlds! I convey unto you the Messages of my Lord and give sincere advice to you. And I know from Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) what you know not.”

Each child that reached an age of understanding was clearly warned against the teachings of Prophet Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ). Whenever the Prophet approached them, they ran away from him. They found every excuse to escape from the presence of Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ).

Before long, Prophet Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) realized that the number of disbelievers was rapidly rising while the number of believers remained unchanged. He was very upset for his people and feared a terrible predicament for them, but he was left with no choice.

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So Prophet Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) prayed to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ):
“My Lord! They have disobeyed me, and followed one whose wealth and children give them no increase but only loss. They have plotted a mighty plot. They have said: 'you shall not leave your gods, nor shall you leave Wadd, Suwa, Yaghuth, Ya'uq, nor Nasr (names of the idols)'. Indeed they have led many astray. O Allah! Grant no increase to the disbelievers.”

Outside the city limits, away from the sea, Prophet Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) began to build the ark through day and night with the support and guidance of the Angels.The construction of the ark continued amidst the constant mockery of the people.

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They jeered at Prophet Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ), saying:
“O Nuh! Does carpentry appeal to you more than prophethood? Why are you building an ark so far from the sea? Are you going to drag it to the water or is the wind going to carry it for you?”

Prophet Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) answered:
“You will come to know who will be put to shame and suffering.”

Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) then instructed to Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) that when the oven at his home begins to gush forth water, collect the believers and board the ark for it was the first sign of the beginning of the floods that would destroy the disbelievers. Not long after, the terrible day dawned as water began gushing forth from the oven at Prophet Nuh's house. Nuh knew it was time to board the ark. Along with the believers, Nuh also took with him pairs of animals, birds, and insects.