Stories of The Prophet [Peace be upon them]

Imam Imaduddin Abul-Fida Isma‘il Ibn Kathir Ad-Dimashqi

Chapter 3

The Story of Noah

[Peace be upon him]

He is Noah bin Lamech bin Methuselah bin Enoch (Idris) bin

Jared bin Mahalalel bin Kenan bin Enos bin Seth bin Adam (‘Alayhis-

Salam – ―May peace be upon him‖).

Noah was born after one hundred and twenty-six years from

the death of Adam, as Ibn Jarir has mentioned it.

According to the history of the People of the Book, mentioned

previously, there were one hundred and forty-six years between the

death of Adam and the birth of Noah. Ibn Hibban reported in his

book Sahih that there were ten centuries between the two of them, as

is narrated from Abu Umamah: A man said:

―O Messenger of Allah! Was Adam a Prophet?‖ He replied ―Yes,

a Prophet to whom (Allah) spoke.‖ He then asked: ―How many

years were there between Adam and Noah?‖ The Prophet said:

―Ten centuries.‖ Ibn Hibban 6190 and Al-Hakim 2/262.

This Hadith is narrated according to the conditions of Imam

Muslim.

Imam Bukhari has narrated from Ibn ‗Abbas (Radia-Allahu 'Anhu

– ―May Allah be pleased with him‖), who reported from the Prophet (Salla-

Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam – ―Blessings and peace be upon him‖) saying:

―There were ten centuries between Adam and Noah, they all lived

according to Islam.‖ Al-Hakim 2/546.

If one hundred years is meant by a Qarn, as is generally

thought by many people, then there must be at least one thousand

years between them. However, it could be more, as Ibn ‗Abbas (Radia-

Allahu 'Anhu – ―May Allah be pleased with him‖), specified those ten

centuries as being to be according to Islam. So there should be later

centuries, which did not live according to the Islamic teachings, and

which required sending of a Messenger.

But if it is meant by Qarn, a generation of people, as the Qur‘an

sometimes takes it for, then there could be thousands of years

between Adam and Noah, as generations of people before Noah used

to live a long period of time, The Qur‘an says:

―And how many generations (Qurun) have We destroyed after

Noah?‖ Al-Isra’ 17:17.

It also says in this Verse:

(23:31)

―Then after them, We raised up another generation (Qarn).‖ Al-

Mu’minun 23:31.

As well as this Verse:

(25:38)

―…and many generations (Qarun) between them.‖ Al-Furqan

25:38,

And this Verse:

―and how many generations (Qarn) have We destroyed before

them…‖ Maryam 19:98.

Even our Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam – ―Blessings and

peace be upon him‖) used the word Qarn in the meaning of generation,

and said:

―The best of the generations is my generation...‖ Al-Bukhari

2651 and Muslim 2535.

Noah was sent by Allah when his people started worshipping

idols and false gods, and fell into the depth of darkness and

ignorance. He was the first Messenger to be sent upon this earth.

* * *

Allah the Almighty has mentioned his story and the story of his

people, and how He sent to them His punishment of Flood to those

who rejected his call. He has also mentioned how He saved him and

those on his Ark in different Chapters of the Qur‘an. For instance, in

Al-A’raf, Yunus, Hud, Al-Anbiya, Al-Mu’minun, Ash-shu’ara’, Al-

Ankabut, As-Saffat, Al-Qamar, and Nuh — a whole Chapter.

Allah says in Surat Al-A’raf:

(7:59)

(7:60)

(7:61)

(7:62)

(7:63)

(7:64)

―And We sent Noah to his people, and he said: ‗O my people!

Worship Allah. You have no God (worthy of worship) other than

Him. Truly I fear for you the chastisement of a Momentous

Day.‘ The leaders of his people said: ‗We see you are in obvious

error.‘ He said: ‗O my people! There is no error in me, but I am

a Messenger from the Lord of the worlds, I bring you the

Messages of my Lord, and I advise you, and I know from Allah

what you do not know,‘ ‗Do you wonder that an admonition

came to you from your Lord by a man from among you, so he

may warn you, and that you may fear Allah, and that you may

find mercy?‘ But they rejected him, so We rescued him, and

those with him in the Ark, and We drowned those who had

disbelieved in Our Signs. Indeed, they were a blind people.‖ Al-

A’raf 7:59-64.

And Allah says in Surat Yunus:

(10:71)

And relate to them the story of Noah, when he said to his

people: ‗O My people! If my stay in your midst has become hard

on you, and my reminding you of the Signs of Allah, then I have

put my trust in Allah. So muster your plan and get together

your associates and then let not your plan be ambiguous upon

you, then pass your judgement against me and give me no

respite.‘‖ Yunus 10:71.

(10:72)

(10:73)

―But if you turn away, I have not asked you for any reward. My

reward is only from Allah, and I have been commanded to be of

those who are Muslims.' But they rejected him, so We rescued

him and those with him in the Ark, and made them inherit the

earth (generations, coming one after another). And We drowned

those who rejected Our Signs. See, then, what was the end of

those who were warned.‖ Yunus 10:72,73.

In Surat Hud, the Qur‘an says:

(11:25)

(11:26)

(11:27)

―And We have sent Noah to his people (who said): ‗I am a clear

warner to you. That you worship none but Allah, indeed I fear

for you the chastisement of a grievous Day.‘ But the leaders of

the disbelievers from among his people said: ‗We see nothing in

you but a man like ourselves, and we see none following you but

the most abject of us, apparently, nor do we think that you have

any superiority over us, rather we think you are liars.‘‖ Hud

11:25-27.

(11:28)

(11:29)

(11:30)

(11:31)

―He said: ‗O my people! Just consider, if I have a clear sign from

my Lord, and He has bestowed His Mercy upon me, which has

been obscured from your sight, shall we compel you to accept it

when you are averse to it. O My people! I do not ask of you any

reward for this, my reward rests only with Allah. I shall not

drive away those who believe, indeed they shall meet their

Lord, but I see you are ignorant people. O My people! Who

would save me from Allah if I drive them away? Will you not

understand? And I do not say to you that I possess the

Treasures of Allah, or that I know the Unseen, or that I am an

angel, nor do I say to those your eyes despise, that Allah will

not grant them any good; Allah knows best what is in their

souls, and if I did that I would be among the unjust.‘‖ Hud

11:28-31.

(11:32)

(11:33)

(11:34)

(11:35)

―They said: ‗O Noah! Certainly you have disputed with us, and

have prolonged our disputation. So bring now that which you

have threatened us with, if you are speaking truth,‘ He said:

‗Allah will bring it to you if He Wills, and you will not be able to

frustrate it. All my advice would be of no benefit to you if Allah

has ordained for you to be left astray, even if it is my desire to

advise you. He is your Lord and to Him shall you return.‘ Or do

they say: ‗He has forged it himself?‘ Say: ‗If I had forged it

myself, I shall bear the consequences, and I am clear of the

crime you are committing.‘‖ Hud 11:32-35.

(11:36)

(11:37)

(11:38)

(11:39)

―And it was revealed to Noah: ‗No more of your people shall

believe in you other than those who have already believed, so

grieve no longer at their misdeeds. Construct the Ark under

Our Eyes and according to Our Revelation, and address Me no

further on behalf of those who have been unjust; they shall be

drowned (in the Flood),‘ So he began to construct the Ark, and

whenever the leaders of his people passed him by, they jeered

at him. Noah said: ‗If you ridicule us now, we shall jeer at you

likewise. And you shall soon come to know who will have a

chastisement which will disgrace him, and who will be afflicted

with the inevitable and lasting calamity.‘‖ Hud 11:36-39.

(11:40)

(11:41)

―Until when Our Command came and the fountains of the earth

gushed forth, We said: ‗Load a pair of every kind in it, and your

family, except this one against whom the Word has gone forth

already, and take also those who have believed.‘ But only a few

believed with him. He said: ‗Embark in it, in the Name of Allah

it will move and shall cast anchor. Indeed, my Lord is All-

Forgiving, Most Merciful.‘‖ Hud 11:40-41.

(11:42)

(11:43)

―And the Ark sailed with them upon waves like mountains, and

Noah called out to his son who had kept himself at a distance:

‗O my son! Embark with us, and do not be with the unbelievers.‘

His son said: ‗I will betake myself to the mountain that will

protect me from the water.‘ Noah said: ‗There is no protector

today from Allah‘s punishment, except that He should have

mercy.‘ And the waves came between them, and he was among

the drowned.‖ Hud 11:42, 43.

(11:44)

(11:45)

(11:46)

―And then it was said: ‗O earth! swallow your water, and O sky!

cease your rain!‘ And the water abated and the Command was

fulfilled, and the Ark came to rest upon mount Judi, and it was

said: ‗Away with those who do wrong!‘ And Noah called upon

his Lord and said: ‗O my Lord! My son is of my family, and your

promise is true, and You are the Most Just of the judges.‘ Allah

said: ‗O Noah! He is not of your family, his conduct is

unrighteous. So do not ask Me about that of which you have no

knowledge, I admonish you lest you should become one of the

ignorants.‘‖ Hud 11:44-46.

(11:47)

(11:48)

(11:49)

―He said: ‗My Lord! In You I seek refuge, lest I should ask of

You anything of which I have no knowledge, so if You do not

forgive me and have mercy upon me, I shall be one of the

losers‘. It was said: ‗O Noah! Descend in peace from Us, and

with blessing upon you and upon the nations of those with you,

and some nations We shall give them enjoyment for a time, and

then We shall afflict them with a grievous chastisement. Such

is one of the stories of the Unseen which We have revealed to

you, which neither you nor your people knew of before this, so

be patient, ultimately the pious shall be successful.‖ Hud 11:47-

49.

Allah the Al-Mighty also says in Surat Al-Anbiya:

(21:76)

(21:77)

―And Noah when he called Us before, and We answered his

prayer, and rescued him and his family from the great distress;

and We helped him against those of his people who rejected Our

Signs, indeed they were evil people, so We drowned them all.‖

Al-Anbiya’ 21:76-77.

In Surat Al-Mu’minun, the Qur‘an says:

(23:23)

(23:24)

(23:25)

―And We sent Noah to his people, he said: ‗O my people!

Worship Allah, you have no other God (worthy of worship) but

Him, will you then fear.‘ The leaders of the disbelievers among

his people said: ‗He is no more than a human like yourselves,

who wishes to gain superiority over you; had Allah willed, He

would have sent down angels, we have not heard of this among

our forefathers. He is only a man possessed, so wait for him for

a time.‘‖ Al-Mu’minun 23:23-25.

(23:26)

(23:27)

―He said: ‗My Lord! Help me for they accused me of falsehood.‘

So We revealed to him: ‗Construct the Ark under Our Eyes and

as We reveal; and then when Our Command comes, and the

oven gushes forth, take aboard two pairs of every kind and your

family, except those of them against whom the Word has

already been spoken, and do not plead with Me concerning the

evildoers, for they shall be drowned.‘‖ Al-Mu’minun 23:26, 27.

(23:28)

(23:29)

(23:30)

―And when you have embarked upon the Ark and those with

you, say: ‗Praise be to Allah who has saved us from the

evildoers.‘ And say: ‗My Lord! Let my landing be blessed, for

You are the Best of those who bring to land.‘ Surely, in this

there are signs, even though We are ever putting people to

test.‖ Al-Mu’minun 23:28-30.

Allah says in Surat Ash-Shu’ara,

(26:105)

(26:106)

(26:107)

(26:108)

(26:109)

(26:110)

―The people of Noah disbelieved the Messengers, when their

brother Noah said to them: ‗Why do you not fear Allah? I am for

you a trustworthy Messenger. So fear Allah and obey me, and I

do not ask you for any reward for it, my reward is indeed only

with the Lord of the worlds. So fear Allah and obey me.‘‖ Ash-

Shu’ara’ 26:105 -1 10.

(26:111)

(26:112)

(26:113)

(26:114)

(26:115)

(26:116)

―They said: ‗How should we believe in you while only the

meanest followed you?‘ He said: ‗And what they did before is not

my concern, surely their account is only the concern of my Lord,

if you could understand, And I am not one to drive away the

believers, I am only a clear warner.‘ They said: ‗O Noah! If you

do not desist, you will be stoned.‘‖ Ash-Shu’ara’ 26:111-116.

(26:117)

(26:118)

(26:119)

(26:120)

(26:121)

(26:122)

―He said: ‗My Lord! My people have rejected me. So make

judgement between me and them, and rescue me and the

believers with me.‘ So We rescued him, and those with him in

the laden Ark; then We drowned the rest afterwards. Surely,

there is a sign in this, but most of them are not believers. And

indeed your Lord is the Almighty, the Most Merciful.‘‖ Ash-

shu’ara’ 26: 117-122.

In Surat Al-Ankbut, the Qur‘an says:

(29:14)

(29:15)

―And We sent Noah to his people, and he lived among them one

thousand years less fifty, then the Flood seized them, and they

were evildoers. We rescued him, then, and those in the Ark, and

made it a sign to the worlds.‖ Al-‘Ankabut 29:14, 15.

And in Surat As-Saffat, it says:

(37:75)

(37:76)

(37:77)

(37:78)

(37:79)

(37:80)

(37:81)

(37:82)

―And Noah called to Us and how excellent were We to answer

the prayer. And We rescued him and his family from the great

distress; and made only his progeny to endure (on the earth).

And We left this blessing for him among the generations to

come. Peace be upon Noah among (mankind, jinn and all that

exists). Thus do We reward the good doers, He is indeed one of

Our believing slaves. Then we drowned the others.‖ As-Saffat

37:75-82.

In Surat Al-Qamar, it says:

(54:9)

(54:10)

(54:11)

(54:12)

―Before them the people of Noah disbelieved, they rejected Our

slave and said: ‗A man possessed!‘ and he was repulsed. So he

called to his Lord, saying: ‗I am overcome, so administer Your

victory.‘ So We opened the gates of heaven with pouring water;

and We caused the ground to gush forth springs, so the water

met according to the decree which has been ordained.‖ Al-

Qamar 54:9-12.

(54:13)

(54:14)

(54:15)

(54:16)

(54:17)

―And We carried him upon a vessel well planked and nailed;

floating before Our Eyes, a reward for him who was denied.

And We left it as a sign, so is there any who will be

admonished. See how was My punishment and how true My

warnings! And We have indeed made this Qur‘an easy for

remembrance, is there any that will remember?‖ Al-Qamar

54:13-17.

And lastly, Allah has revealed a whole Surat about Noah and

his people, it says:

―In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.‖

(71:1)

(71:2)

(71:3)

(71:4)

―We sent Noah to his people: ‗Warn your people before there

comes to them a severe chastisement.‘ He said: ‗O my people! I

am a clear warner to you, That you should worship Allah and

fear Him and obey me; so He may forgive you your sins, and

give you respite for an appointed term. When the term given by

Allah is accomplished, it cannot be deferred, if only you know.‘‖

Nuh 71:1-4,

(71:5)

(71:6)

(71:7)

(71:8)

(71:9)

(71:10)

(71:11)

(71:12)

―He said: ‗O my Lord! I have called my people night and day,

but my calling has only increased them in aversion. And

whenever I have called them, that You might forgive them, they

put their fingers in their ears, and covered themselves up with

their clothes, and persisted, and given themselves up to

arrogance. Then indeed I invited them openly. Further I have

spoken to them in public, and I have appealed to them in

private; and I have said: ‗Ask for forgiveness from your Lord,

indeed He is the Most Forgiving. He will send rain to you in

abundance, and He will bestow upon you wealth and sons, and

provide for you gardens, and will make for you rivers.‘‖ Nuh

71:5-12.

(71:13)

(71:14)

(71:15)

(71:16)

(71:17)

(71:18)

(71:19)

(71:20)

―What is the matter with you that you are not conscious of

Allah's Majesty? He has created you in stages. Did you not see

how Allah has created seven heavens one above another, and

made the moon a light therein and made the sun a lamp? And

Allah has produced you from the earth as a growth. And

afterwards, He shall make you return there, and, then, raise

you forth (again at the Resurrection). And Allah has made the

earth for you as a carpet, so that you may travel along its roads

and the paths of valleys.‖ Nuh 71:13-20.

(71:21)

(71:22)

(71:23)

(71:24)

―Noah said: ‗My Lord! They have disobeyed me, and followed

him whose wealth and children increase him only in loss. And

they have devised a tremendous plot. And they have said: Do

not forsake your gods, and do not forsake Wadd nor Suwa‘,

neither Yaghuth nor Ya‘uq nor Nasr. And they led many astray;

and grant no increase to the evildoers but error.‘‖ Nuh 71:21-24.

(71:25)

(71:26)

(71:27)

(71:28)

―Because of their sins they were drowned, and cast into the

Fire, and they found none apart from Allah to help them. And

Noah said: ‗My Lord! Leave not even one of the disbelievers

upon the earth. For, if You leave them, they will lead astray

Your slaves and will not beget any but wicked, ungrateful ones.

My Lord! Forgive me, and my parents, and whoever enters my

house as a believer, and all believing men and believing women,

and do not increase the evildoers except in perdition.‘‖ Nuh

71:25-28.

We have already mentioned the Hadith narrated by Ibn ‗Abbas

(Radia-Allahu 'Anhu – ―May Allah be pleased with him‖) that:

―There were ten Qarn between Adam and Noah, all lived

according to Islam.‖ Al-Hakim 2/246.

We said there that Qarn meant either a century or a generation

of people.

After those pious generations, people gradually started to

worship idols. Imam Bukhari has narrated from Ibn ‗Abbas (Radia-

Allahu 'Anhu – ―May Allah be pleased with him‖) who explained under the

commentary of this Verse, how they did so: ―And they have said: ‗Do

not forsake your gods, and do not forsake Wadd nor Suwa‘, neither

Yaghuth nor Ya‘uq nor Nasr‘‖. He says: They were the names of pious

people from among them. Following their death, Satan inspired their

people to erect statues in the places where they used to sit, and to

name the statues with the names (of those men). They did so, but

they were not worshipped until that generation died and the

knowledge (of what those statues were erected for) was lost. Then,

they were worshipped. Ibn ‗Abbas (Radia-Allahu 'Anhu – ―May Allah be

pleased with him‖) further said: the Arabs afterwards worshipped those

idols that were among the people of Noah.

Ibn Jarir reported from Muhammad bin Qais saying: They were

pious people of the period between Adam and Noah, and they had

followers who took them as their models. When they died, their

followers said: ‗If we could make statues of them, it will encourage us

to worship whenever we remember them.‘ So they built statues of

them. But when they died and other generations came after them,

Iblis crept into their minds saying: ‗Your forefathers used to worship

them, and through them they sought rain. Hence, they began to

worship them.

And it is reported from Abul-Mutahhir, who said: People

mentioned Yazid bin Al-Muhallab near Abu Ja‘far (Al-Baqir) while

he was in prayer. When he finished his prayer, he said to them: You

have mentioned Yazid bin Al-Muhallab; he was killed in a land

where idols were first worshipped. Then he mentioned Wadd, and

said: He was a pious man, loved by his people. But when he died,

they converged around his grave in Babylon and were overwhelmed

by grief. When Iblis saw their sorrow caused by his death, he came to

them disguised as a man, and said: ‗I have seen your grief on the

death of this man; so shall I make a statue like him which could be

erected in your place of assembly, thus you may remember him by it?

They answered: ‗Yes.‘ So he made a statue like him. They erected it

up in their assembly, and so they remembered him. When Iblis

observed their keenness to remember him, he suggested: ‗Shall I

build a statue of him in the homes of everyone of you, so that each

one of you could remember him in his home?‘ They agreed. So, he

made a statue like him for every family. Then, they accepted this and

began to remember him by it. The generation of their children saw

what their fathers did with it (for their remembrance). However, the

children‘s children came and they had no idea of how their fathers

remembered them, and so gradually they took it as a god,

worshipping it instead of Allah. So, the first one to be worshipped

instead of Allah was Wadd, i.e. the idol that they named ‗Wadd‘.

The corollary of this point is that every idol was worshipped by

a different group of people. And after long ages had passed by, people

started making idols of them for themselves, so that their authority

could be fully recognised, and so they were worshipped instead of

Allah.

It is narrated that when Umm Salamah and Umm Habibah

(Radia-Allahu 'Anha – ―May Allah be pleased with her‖) mentioned to the

Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam – ―Blessings and peace be upon him‖)

the church called ‗Maria‘, which they had seen in Abyssinia, and

described to him its beauty and images therein, he said:

―When a righteous man among them dies, they build a place of

worship over his grave. Then they depicted those images

therein. They are the worst of all creatures before Allah.‖ Al-

Bukhari 427 and Muslim 528.

Noah’s Mission

The point to be elaborated here is that when corruption took its

root in the earth and people started worshipping idols instead of

worshipping Allah, Allah sent Noah as His Messenger, who called

them to worship none other than Allah, Who has no partners nor

equals, and he forbade them from worshipping anything besides Him.

He was the first Messenger to be sent on the earth, as the

Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam – ―Blessings and peace be upon him‖)

said in the Hadith of Shifa’ah, which is narrated from Abu Hurairah

(Radia-Allahu 'Anhu – ―May Allah be pleased with him‖):

―...Then people will come to Adam and say: ‗O Adam! You are

the father of mankind. Allah created you by His Hand, then

breathed into you the soul which He created for you, and

commanded the angels to prostrate before you, and then caused

you to dwell in Paradise. Would you not then intercede for us

with your Lord? Do you not see our plight?‘ Adam would reply:

‗My Lord is very angry; He has never been so angry before and

will not be so angry after. He had forbidden me from the Tree,

but I disobeyed Him. I am only concerned with myself, I am

only concerned with myself. Go to somebody else. Go to Noah.‘

People would, then, go to Noah and say: ‗O Noah! You were the

first Messenger to the people of the earth, and Allah had called

you a grateful slave. Do you not see our plight, do you not see in

what condition we are? Would you not intercede for us with you

Lord?‘ He would reply: ‗My Lord is very angry; He has never

been so angry before and will not be so angry after. I am only

concerned with myself, I am only concerned with myself...‘‖ Al-

Bukhari 3340 and Muslim 194.

When Allah sent Noah as a Messenger, he called people to

worship Allah Alone, without associating with Him any partner. He

asked them not to worship any idols, any statue, and any false deities

(Taghut). He required of them to believe in the Oneness of Allah,

with no God other than Him, and with no Lord other than Him; just

as Allah sent every Messenger with the same mission after him; and

all of those Messengers were from Noah‘s progeny, as the Qur‘an

said: ―And We made his progeny to endure (on this earth).‖ (37:77) as

it says in another Verse about him and Abraham:

(57:26)

―...and We made the Prophethood and Book in their progeny...‖

Al-Hadid 57:26.

What it meant is that every Prophet after Noah was from his

progeny, and so is the case with Abraham.

The Qur‘an says:

―And We certainly sent among every people a Messenger who

said: ‗Worship Allah and avoid false deities (Taghut).‘‖ An-Nahl

16:36.

And it also says:

(43:45)

―And ask those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you:

‗Did We appoint any deities other than the Most Gracious, to be

worshipped?‖ Az-Zukhruf 43:45.

As it says again:

(21:25)

―And We sent no Messenger before you except that We revealed

to him that there is no God (worthy of worship) but I, so

worship Me.‖ Al-Anbiya 21:25.

That is why Noah also said to his people: ―Worship Allah, you

have no God but him, I fear for you the punishment of a Dreadful

Day.‖ (7:59), and he said: ―Do not worship but Allah, I fear for you the

punishment of a Grievous Day.‖ (11:26)

As he said:

(7:65)

―O my people! Worship Allah, you have no God (worthy of

worship) except Him, will you not fear Him?‖ Al-A’raf 7:65,

He also said to them: ―O my people! I am for you a clear warner,

that you worship Allah, and fear Him, and obey Him.‖ (71:2, 3)

The Qur‘an has mentioned in these Verses that Noah called

them to the way of Allah with different means, day and night, in

public and in private. But none of the means succeeded. They carried

on in their error and deviation, and worshipping of idols. They

treated Noah and his followers as their enemies and held them in

utter contempt. They threatened them with stoning and expulsion

(from their town): ―The leaders of his people said we find you in a

clear error.‖ (7:60)

Noah answered them: ―O my people! There is no error in me, I

am a Messenger from the Lord of the worlds. I convey to you the

Messages of my Lord, and advise you, and I know from Allah what

you do not know.‖ (7:61, 62). He explained to them: I am not in any

error as you claim, rather I am on the Straight Path, as a Messenger

of the Lord of this universe, Who creates things only by saying ‗Be‘

and it is. He was clear in his Message, a sincere advisor and the most

knowledgeable of the people about Allah.

When they replied to him, they said: ―We do not see you but a

human like ourselves, and we do not see your followers but those who

are apparently most abject of us, nor do we find in you any merit over

us, in fact, we think of you as liars.‖ (11:27)

His people were in astonishment about how a human could

become a Messenger. They demeaned his followers as the most abject

of them.

The word Badi ar-Ra’e in the above Verse translated as

‗apparently‘ means that as soon you put to them your Message, they

accepted it without any reflection or contemplation. But what they

were accused of was exactly what they were praised for by Allah,

Because truth is apparent, and it does not need any reflection or deep

thinking. Truth, as soon as it becomes dear, must to be followed.

This is why the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam

– ―Blessings and peace be upon him‖) said to Abu Bakr (Radia-Allahu 'Anhu –

―May Allah be pleased with him‖):

―I did not call anyone to Islam but he had stumbled except Abu

Bakr, he never faltered.‖ Ibn Kathir 4/317 and Ad-Dailami

6635.

It was due to this merit of his that people pledged their Bai’ah

to him on the day of Saqifah without any reflection and hesitation.

His precedence over all others was obvious to the Companions.

He said: ―O my people! Just consider, if I have a clear sign from

my Lord, and He has bestowed His Mercy upon me, which has been

obscured from your sight, shall we compel you to accept it when you

are averse to it.‖ (11:28), Noah addressed them in all politeness and

called them towards Truth with gentleness, as Allah said to Moses

and Aaron:

(20:44)

―And speak to him a gentle word, that he may be mindful or he

may fear.‖ Ta-Ha 20:44.

Or as He said in another Verse:

―Invite all to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful

preaching, and argue with them in ways that are most

gracious.‖ An-Nahl 16:125.

The Verse: ―if I have a clear sign from my Lord, and He has

bestowed His Mercy upon me‖ means Prophethood and being sent as

Messenger. And ―which has been obscured from your sight‖ meant

that you were unable to understand or grasp it, so you were not

guided towards it. And ―shall we compel you to accept it when you

are averse to it‖ means that we are not going to force you to accept it,

nor to impose it upon you as long as you do not seek it and want it.

―O My people! I do not ask of you any reward for this, my reward

rests only with Allah‖ means that I do not seek any reward in return

for my duty of conveying to you that (Message) which will benefit you

in both worlds. The reward is only from Allah, Whose reward is the

best and lasting. [So you do not have to fear that I might seek some

financial benefit or political gain, or social status out of it].

―I shall not drive away those who believe, indeed they shall

meet their Lord, but I see you are ignorant people.‖ (11:29). This

Verse indicates that his people asked him to expel those with him,

whom they called as abject people. They gave their promise to him

that if he did so, they would join him. He refused to do so, and said:

―indeed they shall meet their Lord‖ which means: I fear to drive them

out, [because if I drive them out, they will have a point against me

when they meet their Lord].

This was also the case with our Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa

Sallam – ―Blessings and peace be upon him‖) when the disbelievers of

Quraish asked him to repel those ‗abject‘ and weak Muslims who

believed in him, like ‗Ammar, Suhaib, Bilal and others; Allah forbade

him to do so.

―And I do not say to you that I possess the Treasures of All5h,

or that I know the Unseen, or that I am an angel.‖ (11:31) This Verse

meant that I am only his slave and Messenger. I do not possess any

of the knowledge of Allah, except what Allah has taught me, and I do

not have any power upon anything except what Allah has made me

capable of, neither can I benefit myself or harm myself except what

Allah Willed, ―...nor do I say to those whom your eyes despise (i.e. his

followers) that Allah will not grant them any good; Allah knows

better what is in their souls, and if I did that, I would be among the

unjust.‖ (11:31) Means that I cannot bear any witness that they will

not get any good on the Day of Judgement as reward. Allah knows

better of their deeds, and He will reward them good if they had done

good and bad if they had done bad. As He said in another Verse:

―They said: ‗How should we believe in you while only the meanest

followed you?‘ He said: ‗And what they did before is not my concern,

surely their account is only the concern of my Lord, if you could

understand. And I am not one to drive away the believers, I am only

a clear warner.‘‖ (26:111-115)

* * *

Ages passed by, but the arguments continued between Noah

and his people, and they rejected his call, as Allah says in the Qur‘an:

―...and he lived among them one thousand years less fifty, then the

Flood seized them and they were evildoers.‖ (29:14) After such a long

period of time only a few of them believed in him.

Whenever a generation passed, it advised the succeeding one

not to heed Noah or believe in him, and to fight him and oppose him.

When a child was grown up, he was warned by his father that he

should never believe in Noah, It became their characteristics to

refuse belief in Allah and not to follow the way of truth. Noah said:

―And will not beget any but wicked ungrateful ones.‖ (71:27)

―They said: ‗O Noah! Certainly you have disputed with us, and

have prolonged our dispute. So bring now that which you have

threatened us with, if you are speaking truth.‘ He said: ‗Allah will

bring it to you if He wills, and you will not be able escape.‘‖ (11:32,

33). The Verse means that it is only Allah Who can bring this

punishment, nothing could stop Him. He is the One Who creates

things by saying ‗Be.‘ – and it comes into existence.

―All my advice would be of no benefit to you if Allah has

ordained for you to be left astray, even if it is my desire to advise you.

He is your Lord and to Him shall you return.‖ (11:34) It means that if

Allah wanted to put you to trial, then there is none who could provide

you with guidance. He is the One Who guides and He is the One Who

makes one go astray.

The Ark and the Flood

―And it was revealed to Noah: ‗No more of your people shall

believe in you other than those who have already believed, so grieve

no longer at their misdeeds.‘‖ (11:36). This Verse is a comfort for

Noah as well as a consolation. Your mission is complete and you have

carried out your duties. Now you should not grieve for them, Allah

will soon be sending His help for you, and His punishment for them.

―Construct the Ark under Our Eyes and as Our Revelation, and

address Me no further on behalf of those who have been unjust; they

shall be drowned (in the Flood).‖ (11:37). It happened that when

Noah gave up his hope and saw no good in his people, and that they

harmed him by every means and rejected the truth outright, he

prayed to Allah against them to send to them His punishment. Allah

says: ―And Noah called to Us and how excellent were We to answer

the prayer. And We rescued him and his family from the grievous

distress.‖ (37:75-76). And He said: ―And Noah when he called Us

before, and We answered his prayer, and rescued him and his family

from the great distress.‖ (21:76). And also said: ―He said: ‗My Lord!

My people have rejected me. So make judgement between me and

them, and rescue me and the believers with me.‘‖ (26:117,118). And

He said: ―So he called to his Lord, saying: ‗I am overcome, so

administer Your victory.‘‖ (54:10). And said: ―He said: ‗My Lord! Help

me, for they accused me of falsehood.‘‖ (23:26/39). Allah says: ―And

because of their sins they were drowned, and cast into the Fire, and

they found none apart from Allah to help them. And Noah said: ‗My

Lord! Leave not even one of the disbelievers upon the earth. For, if

You leave them, they will lead astray Your slaves and will not beget

any but wicked, ungrateful ones.‘‖ (71:25-27)

All their sins were accumulated, their disbelief and obscenity,

in addition to the prayer of their Prophet against them.

When it reached this point, Allah commanded Noah to start

constructing the Ark. It was a huge ship with no precedence.

―So he began to construct the Ark, and whenever the leaders of

his people passed by him, they jeered at him...‖ (11:38). Because they

could not believe that any such Flood, which could drown all people,

will ever happen. ―He (Noah) said: ‗if you ridicule us now, we shall

jeer at you likewise.‘‖ (11:38). This Verse means: You are ridiculing

us for making this ark and expecting a flood, but we ridicule you for

not being guided, and being persistent in the disbelief and ignorance

which will cause you to be drowned. ―And you shall soon come to

know who will have a chastisement which will disgrace him, and who

will be afflicted with the inevitable and lasting calamity.‖ (11:39)

Disbelief and stubbornness became their characteristics in this

world, and likewise it will be in the Hereafter, as they denied that

Noah ever came to them as Messenger. Abu Sa‘id, says that the

Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam – ―Blessings and peace be upon him‖)

said:

―Noah (‘Alayhis-Salam – ―May peace be upon him‖) and his people

would come (on the Day of judgement). Allah will say: ‗Did you

convey My Message?‘ Noah will answer: ‗Yes, my Lord.‘ Then

Allah will ask his people: ‗Did he convey to you My Message?‘

They will answer: ‗No! No Prophet came to us.‘ Then He will say

to Noah: ‗Who could bear witness for you?‘ He will reply:

‗Muhammad and his Ummah.‘ So we will bear witness that

Noah conveyed the Message.‖ And Allah says: ―And thus We

have made you a justly balanced people that you will be witness

over the people, and the Messenger will be a witness over you.‖

Al-Baqarah 2:143, Al-Bukhari 3339.

This Ummah will bear witness on the basis of the witness of

their Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam – ―Blessings and peace be upon

him‖) that Allah sent Noah in truth, and revealed the truth to him,

and he conveyed that truth to his people fully and completely. He told

them every thing that was of benefit to them, forbade them from

every thing that was evil.

This is what every Prophet did to his people. Noah even warned

them of Dajjal (Antichrist), though he was not expected to come out

in his days. Abdullah bin ‗Umar (Radia-Allahu 'Anhu – ―May Allah be

pleased with him‖) narrated: Once the Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa

Sallam – ―Blessings and peace be upon him‖) stood among the people,

praised Allah the Almighty, and then mentioned Dajjal and said:

―I warn you from him, and no Prophet came but he warned his

people from him. Even Noah warned his people. But I am

telling you one of his characteristics which no Prophet told his

people about him. Know that he is one-eyed, and Allah is not

one-eyed.‖ Al-Bukhari 3337.

This Hadith is narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allahu 'Anhu –

―May Allah be pleased with him‖) that the Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa

Sallam – ―Blessings and peace be upon him‖) said:

―Shall I tell you something about Dajjal which no Prophet told

his people before? He is one-eyed, and he shall bring with him

the likeness of Paradise and Hell. But what he claimed to be

Paradise is Hell. I warn you as Noah warned his people of him

before.‖ Al-Bukhari 3338 and Muslim 2936.

Thauri said: Allah commanded him to build the Ark eighty

cubits (Dhira) in length, and to paint it with tar inside and outside,

and its bow to be curved, so it could easily sail in the water.

Qatadah says: Its length was three hundred cubits (Dhira) with

a width of fifty cubits. That is how it is in the Torah as I saw it.

Hasan Basri said: Its length was six hundred cubits, with three

hundred cubits width. But Ibn ‗Abbas said: Its length was one

thousand cubits, with a width of six hundred cubits. It is also said

that its length was two thousand cubits and width was one hundred

cubits.

However, it is reported unanimously that its height was thirty

cubits, and it was three-story deck ship, every deck with a height of

ten cubits. The bottom deck was kept for animals and cattle, the

middle deck was for human beings, and the upper deck was for birds.

* * *

Allah says: ―He said: ‗My Lord! Help me for they accused me of

falsehood.‘ So We revealed to him: ‗Construct the Ark under Our

Eyes and as We reveal...‘‖ (23:26, 27). These Verses mean: Build it as

per Our Command, and as We watch you building it, so We will be

guiding you how to construct it in a way that it could cope with this

mighty Flood.

―...And then when Our Command comes, and the oven gushes

forth, take aboard two pairs of every kind and your family, except

those of them against whom the Word has already been spoken, and

do not plead with Me concerning the evildoers for they shall be

drowned.‖ (23:27). Allah the Almighty commanded him that when

His Decree has come and the punishment befallen, he should load in,

that Ark a pair from every kind of animals, male and female, and all

those which have a soul, so that the species could survive. He should

also take with him his family except those who have rejected his call,

because Allah has decreed against them. He also commanded him not

to speak to Him about them when the Punishment has arrived.

The Majority of the scholars are of opinion that Tannur – which

is translated with oven – denotes the face of the earth; meaning that

the earth started gushing forth water from everywhere, even the

ovens which are generally clay-built into the earth to bake breads,

gushed forth with water. But in another opinion from Ibn ‗Abbas,

Tannur is a fountainhead in India, while Ash-Sha‘bi said it was in

Kufah, and Qatadah said it was in Arabian Peninsula. However, this

second opinion does not stand to any evidence.

And Allah said: ―Until when Our Command came and the

fountains of the earth gushed forth, We said: ‗Load a pair of every

kind in it, and your family, except this one against whom the Word

has gone forth already, and take also those who have believed.‘ But

only a few believed with him.‖ (11:40)

It is said in the Book of Ahlul-Kitab (Bible): He was commanded

to load seven pairs of domestic animals, and only one pair from wild

animals. However, it contradicts the Qur‘anic concept which uses the

word ‘Ithnain’ denoting two,

―...and your family, except this one against whom the Word has

gone forth already.‖ means: Take only those of your family who

believed, and leave those who did not. His son Yam was one of the

disbelievers, as we will explain later.

―...also those who have believed.‖ means: Take those of your

people who believed in you. ―But only a few believed with him.‖ – this

happened despite the fact that Noah called them to the way of Allah

for a very long time, calling them day and night, in public and

private, sometimes making threats (of punishment) and sometimes

promises (of reward).

Muslim scholars hold contradicting opinion regarding how

many people boarded the Ark with Noah:

It is reported from Ibn ‗Abbas (Radia-Allahu 'Anhu – ―May Allah be

pleased with him‖) that they were eighty people with their wives. Ka‘b

Al-Ahbar said that they were seventy-two people.

It is said that from Noah‘s family, there were Noah himself, his

three sons, with his four daughters-in-law together with the wife of

Yam who did not believe in Noah, nor did he board the ship. If we

take this opinion, it will contradict the Qur‘an which states that a

group of those who believed other than his family bordered the ship.

In another opinion it is said that there were seven from his family.

Noah‘s wife, who gave birth to all of his children, died before

the Flood. In another report, it is said that she was drowned with

disbelievers. According to the Ahlul-Kitab (People of the Book) she

was in the Ark, so it is possible that she disbelieved afterwards.

* * *

Allah, the Most High, says: ―And when you have embarked

upon the Ark and those with you, say: ‗Praise be to Allah Who has

saved us from the evildoers.‘ And say: ‗My Lord! Let my landing be

blessed, for You are the Best Who give harbour.‘‖ (23:28, 29). Allah

the Almighty commands Noah that he should praise Him as He has

subjected the Ark for his rescue. He saved him [and those who

believed, and drowned those who went astray].

(43:12)

(43:13)

(43:14)

―The One who created all the pairs, and made for you ships and

cattle on which you ride. That you may be seated upon them,

and when you are seated upon them, you may remember your

Lord‘s favours, and say: ‗Glory be to the One Who has subjected

this to us, and we could have never been able to control it, and

to our Lord surely we will return.‘‖ Az-Zukhruf 43:12-14.

Allah commanded us to say prayers or supplications before we

start something so we could gain His blessing and goodness, and

reach a favourable outcome. Allah has also commanded his Prophet

(Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam – ―Blessings and peace be upon him‖) when he

migrated, to say this prayer:

(17:80)

―And say: ‗My Lord! Lead me in with the Truth, and lead me

out with the Truth, and grant me strength to help me.‘‖ Al-Isra’

17:80.

Noah abided by Allah‘s Command and said: ―Embark in it, in

the Name of Allah it will move and shall cast anchor. Indeed, my

Lord is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.‖ (11:41) It meant that the Ark

will start in the Name of Allah and will finish its journey in the

Name of Allah, the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

―And the Ark sailed with them upon waves like mountains.‖

(11:42). Waves like mountains; it was so huge a flood that the earth

had never witnessed at any time such a catastrophic calamity. The

heaven opened itself in all generosity, and the earth gushed forth

water from every place. As the Qur‘an says in Surat Al-Qamar: ―So

he called to his Lord, saying: ‗I am defeated, so administer Your

victory.‘ So We opened the gates of heaven with pouring water; and

We caused the ground to gush forth springs, so the water met

according to the decree which has been ordained. And We carried him

upon a vessel well planked and nailed; floating before Our Eyes, a

recompense for he who was denied.‖ (54: 10-14). ―...floating before

Our Eyes,‖ means that it sailed in Our Security and Safety, in Our

Protection and Guardianship.

Ibn Jarir has mentioned that the Flood came on the 13th of Aab

(August) in Coptic year.

In Surat Al-Haqqah, it is said:

(69:11)

(69:12)

―Surely, We bore you in the floating Ark when the water

overflowed, that We might make it a reminder for you, and

heeding ears may bear its (lessons) in remembrance.‖ Al-

Haqqah 69:11, 12.

A group of exegetes hold the opinion that the water went fifteen

cubits above the highest mountain of the earth. This is also the

opinion in the Ahlu-l-Kitab (People of the Book). (Bible, Genesis 7:20)

In another opinion it is suggested that it was eighty cubits above it,

and encompassed the whole earth from its east to its west, its plains

and mountains, its deserts and wilds. Everything died as a result of

this Flood.

―And Noah called out to his son who had kept himself at a

distance: ‗O my son! Embark with us, and do not be with the

disbelievers.‘ His son said: ‗I will betake myself to the mountain that

will protect me from the water.‘ Noah said: ‗There is no protector

today from Allah‘s Decree, except that He should have mercy.‘ And

the waves came between them, and he was among the drowned.‖

(11:42, 43). This was Noah‘s son Yam, who was the brother of Shem,

Ham and Japheth. Some said that his name was Kenan. He was a

disbeliever and wrongdoer. He opposed his father and refused to

accept his teachings, so he was drowned. But those who, though, not

related to his father, but were his followers, escaped the Punishment.

―And then it was said: ‗O earth! swallow your water, and O sky!

cease your rain!‘ And the water abated and the Command was

fulfilled, and the Ark came to rest upon Mount Judi, and it was said:

‗Away with those who do wrong!‘‖ (11:44). When no one was left, of

those who were wrongdoers, and who worshipped other than Allah,

Allah commanded the earth to swallow up the water, and

commanded the heaven to cease raining. The Command was fulfilled

and the punishment was inflicted. They were deprived of the Mercy

of Allah and from His forgiveness because of their stubborn attitude

towards Him.

* * *

Allah, then, mentioned Noah‘s appeal to Him regarding his son,

and his request to Him not to drown his son. He said that You

promised me that You will save my family with me, and my son was

one of my family, so how was he drowned?

He was answered that his son was not from his family members

whom Allah promised to rescue. What He said was: ―and your family,

except those of them against whom the Word has already been

spoken…‖ (23:27). This son of his was from those against whom

Allah‘s Decree to drown them, was already ordained, because of his

disbelief and disobedience. So he sided with the disbelievers, and

headed for the same natural consequences.

―It was said: ‗O Noah! Descend in peace from Us, and with

blessing upon you and upon the nations of those with you, and some

nations We shall give them enjoyment for a time, and then We shall

afflict them with a grievous chastisement.‘‖ (11:48). Allah

commanded Noah to come out from the Ark after it descended upon

the mountain Judi, and the water seeped away in the ground and

dried up. ―...in peace from Us, and with blessing upon you...‖ means

that you descend and come out with no fear and with blessing upon

you, and upon those who will be born afterwards from your coming

generations. Allah did not grant any children to those of the believers

who were saved with Noah. So, all human lineage goes to Noah‘s

sons. [So they are either the posterity of Shem, or Ham, or Japheth].

Allah said: ―And We made only his progeny to endure (on the earth).‖

(37:77)

Sa‘id bin Musaiyab said: Noah had three sons: Shem, Japheth

and Ham. Each of them had three children. From the progeny of

Shem came Arabs, Persians and Romans. From Japheth posterity

came Turk, Saqalibah and Ya‘juj and Ma‘juj (Gog and Magog people).

And Ham started the lineage of Copts. Sudanese, and Berbers,

It is also said that all of Noah‘s three children were born after

the Flood. His son Kenan was born before the Flood and died in it,

and ‗Abir who was born before the Flood, died before it. However, the

correct position is that his three children were aboard with him with

their wives and mother. This is also what we find in the Torah.

Noah’s Will

Imam Ahmad has narrated from Abdullah bin ‗Umar (Radia-

Allahu 'Anhu – ―May Allah be pleased with him‖), saying: While we were

sitting with the Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam – ―Blessings and

peace be upon him‖) a Bedouin came to him wearing a long garment

(Jubbah) made in Saihan, Syria, woven with silk. The Prophet (Salla-

Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam – ―Blessings and peace be upon him‖) said: ―This

friend of yours has put on a pure Persian style, and erased every sign

of being shepherd.‖ Then he seized him with his Jubbah and said:

―Do I not see upon you the cloth of those who do not employ their

intelligence?‖ Then he said to him: ―When death approached the

Prophet Noah (‘Alayhis-Salam – ―May peace be upon him‖), he gave his last

advice to his children, and said: ‗I am going to tell you my will: I am

enjoining upon you two things and forbidding you from two things. I

enjoin upon you to keep with the belief that there is no God (worthy

of worship) but Allah. If the seven heavens and seven earths were to

be put on one side of the scale, and the word ‘La ilaha illallah’ on the

other, the latter will outweigh and excel the former. And I forbid you

from Shirk (associating equals and partners to Allah) and arrogance

or haughtiness.‘‖

Ibn ‗Umar ((Radia-Allahu 'Anhu – ―May Allah be pleased with him‖)

says that it was said to the Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam –

―Blessings and peace be upon him‖): ―O Messenger of Allah! We know

what Shirk means; but what is haughtiness? Does that mean when

one of us has a pair of beautiful shoes with beautiful laces?‖ The

Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam – ―Blessings and peace be upon him‖)

answered; ―No.‖ Then somebody said: ―Is it to have a good dress and

wear it?‖ The Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam – ―Blessings and

peace be upon him‖), replied again: ―No.‖ Another person asked him

whether or not it is to have an animal to ride on it? The Prophet

(Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam – ―Blessings and peace be upon him‖) said:

―No.‖ He was again asked whether it has anything to do with

friendship and sitting together with them? The Prophet (Salla-Allahu

‘Alayhi wa Sallam – ―Blessings and peace be upon him‖) said: ―No.‖ They

then asked him: ―Then, what is haughtiness (Kibr)?‖ The Prophet

(Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam – ―Blessings and peace be upon him‖) said:

―Haughtiness is to reject the Truth and despise people.‖

(Stories of The Prophet [Peace be upon them] Imam Imaduddin Abul-Fida

Isma‘il Ibn Kathir Ad-Dimashqi 700-774H p. 58 – 89)