Nuh (AS) “Noah” and the Flood – Part 2

A man once asked al-Imam al-Shaf’i, “O Imam, I have a great deal of debts, what should I do?”  “Seek Allah’s forgiveness,” al-Imam al-Shaf’i replied.  Another man then asked, “O Imam, my wife cannot bear children.  What am I to do?”  “Seek Allah’s forgiveness,” the Imam replied.  A third man said, “I have sinned!” and once again the Imam replied, “Seek Allah’s forgiveness.”  The three dazzled men then said, “Don’t you have anything else to say?”  He replied, “Allah says what can be translated as, ‘‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord, for He is always forgiving.” (TMQ, 71:10).[1]  The point here is that a Muslim gets all his guidance, not only spiritual but in real situations too, from Allah’s words.  Whether you are facing financial problems, indebted, or cannot have children, just seek Allah’s forgiveness.

“Ask forgiveness from your Lord, for He is always forgiving. He will send rain in abundance, and grant you wealth, children, gardens and rivers. How can you forget and not give Him the respect (admiration, and fear) that He deserves.” (TMQ, 71: 10-13).  Place your trust in these words, just like Nuh (AS) trusted in Allah (SWT) for 1,000 long years.  Looking at the Ayat (verses), can you feel Nuh’s dedication?  Can you see how much Nuh (AS) cares and strives in his Da’wa (missionary call for Islam)?  Through the Ayat, one can feel how desperate and keen he was to show people the true path.

Let us remember Abu-Bakr’s life and his fervor towards Allah’s religion.  Abu-Bakr (RA) said, “By Allah, I have never slept long enough to dream!  I have no time for sleeping or dreaming, because my mind is always busy thinking about religion.”  He was an amazing example of dedication to Allah (SWT).

Omar Ibnul-Khattab (RA) also said, “When can I sleep?  I would rather spend the night praying and worshipping Allah, and I cannot sleep through the day because I have a responsibility to my people, so when can I sleep?”  It is quite ironic to think how people can find the time to sleep twelve hours and more these days! 

Let us go back to Nuh (AS) now.  “What is the matter with you?” he questioned his people with an aching heart!  He was literally taking them by the hand and asking them why they were not respecting Allah (SWT).  In our current time, I would like to ask those young people who ridicule their religion everywhere, How can you forget and not give Him the respect that He deserves? I would like to ask the young ladies that put on the most revealing of clothes, how can you forget and not give Him the respect that He deserves?  The people who are not praying, don’t you have enough respect for Allah (SWT) to get down on your knees and pray?  Life is one of the many blessings that Allah (SWT) has given us, so does he not deserve some respect?  He sees us and we know that he sees us, so are we not shamed?  Anyone who prays correctly would tell you that it is not just a mechanical body movement and a show of respect, but also a form of relaxation and a feeling of security while being between Allah’s hands. 

A young man once said to me, “I cannot think of a single sin that I have not already committed, more than once!  I never used to feel guilt or think twice before doing any of them.  Now, after repenting and finding the true path, things have changed.  When the slightest thought of sinning crosses my mind, I find myself biting my tongue and keeping my head down like a little kid who just broke something.  I start thinking to myself, ‘He’s looking at me.  Allah (SWT) can see me!’”

This is how you should respect Allah (SWT) in your hearts.  I will repeat what Nuh (AS) said, because it should really move something inside your hearts, “How can you forget and not give Him the respect (admiration, and fear) that He deserves”. (TMQ, 71: 13).

Up until now, we have been talking about seeking forgiveness and how Allah (SWT) should be always on our minds and in our hearts; in other words: living with a conscience.  That is the first step you should work on when convincing people during Da’wa.  The next step is reflecting upon Allah’s creation.  Nuh (AS) said to his people what can be translated as, “He has created you in (different) stages,” (TMQ, 71:14).  There are so many blessings to reflect upon, and he started with the most basic one by reminding them of their own biological creation: the different stages the human goes through inside the womb, and how he changes through the aging process of life.  Being a human itself is a blessing; the smartest and most beautiful creature on this earth.  He reminds them of the different stages their bodies go through while they grow up and become more mature by age.  “He has created you in (different) stages. Can you not see how Allah has created the seven heavens on top of each other? And has made the moon a light within them, and the sun a lamp?” (TMQ, 71:14-16).

Do you want to get closer to Allah (SWT)?  Do you want to help the person sitting next to you get closer to Allah (SWT)? Just sit there and meditate about Allah’s creation!  Deep meditation is a form of worship that has been forgotten by many people these days.  When you stand in front of the beach this summer to watch a sunrise or a sunset with your friends, try to ask yourselves, “Who is the creator?”  Observe the waves and say to yourself, “These waves are alive, and that sound is their voice, glorifying Allah.”  It is very important for a Muslim to sit there, wonder and reflect on everything around him.  That is why Nuh (AS) was reminding his people, and why we should remind ourselves and our friends during Da’wa.

Ayah 18 takes us to the third step, in what can be translated as, “Afterwards He will return you into it (the earth), and bring you forth (again on the Day of Resurrection)?” (TMQ, 71:18).  Nuh (AS) concentrates here on the issue of death and the Day of Judgment.  You cannot really convince people without reminding them of death.  You should not scare them away of course; just ask them what they are planning to say when they meet Allah (SWT).  Nobody can deny that the time will come, so why shouldn’t you plan and prepare for it like you prepare for everything else in life?

The fourth step is in Ayat 19 and 20, in what can be translated as, “And Allah has made for you the earth such a wide expanse, so that you may travel through it freely in broad roads." (TMQ, 71:19-20).  The point here is to remember Allah’s generosity.  Nuh (AS) was trying to remind his people of this by showing them how the earth has been created in a way that serves us as humans, with its food, water resources, and environment.  It is also placed miraculously in a fixed position in this solar system so that it remains so balanced and suitable.  How do you think that happened?  Is it enough to be thankful for? 

Let us now summarize these Ayat and list the methods that we should use to invite people to Islam, i.e. the act of Da’wa:

1-     Love your religion with all your heart and be determined to spread the truth.  (Ayat 5 and 7).

2-     Be friendly with people, not angry or impatient. (Ayat 7 and 10).

3-     Use more than one method of convincing them: organize a gathering, show them a video, or give a lecture. (Ayat 8 and 9).

4-     Concentrate on reflecting upon Allah’s magnificent creations. (Ayat 15-17).

5-     Remind them of the Day of Judgment. (Ayah 18).

6-     Remind them of the bounties and blessings that Allah (SWT) has literally showered them with. (Ayat 19 and 20).

Following these points will help you have a great influence on people.

Let us move on to the next ayah.  After all these efforts that Nuh (AS) made in order to bring his people back to the right path, this is what he gets, “Nuh said, "My Lord! They have disobeyed me.” (TMQ, 71:21).  How many people had actually followed him?  The total number, by the greatest estimates, is 80 people only.  This is a prophet who was doing this for almost 1,000 years!  That gives an average of one person every 12 years!  Can you imagine how frustrating that would be for one of us?  Did he lose hope?  No. 

Our duty is to talk to people and try to convince them and that is all; we will not be held responsible for any negative results.  If they do not believe, that should not worry us as long as we are doing our part.  Our duty is not to force people into believing in Allah (SWT) and drag them into Islam.  Nobody believes by a twist of the arm anyway!  We should do our best to deliver the message peacefully, but leave it up to them to decide.  Look at what Allah (SWT) says to Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) about this, in what can be translated as, “This is not an issue for you to worry about,” (TMQ, 3:128), “You (Muhammad) are only there to warn.” (TMQ, 35: 23).

Nuh (AS) says what can be translated as, "My Lord! They have disobeyed me, and followed one whose wealth and children will do him no good.  They have plotted a mighty plot.  And they have said, “You shall not leave your gods: you shall not leave Wadd, Suwa‘, Yaghuth, Ya‘uq or Nasr (the names of their idols).  They have led many astray.  And (O Allah), grant no power to these Zalimun (polytheists and disbelievers).” (TMQ, 71:20-25).

Allah (SWT) then decreed that the non-believers from Nuh’s people would be drowned because of their sins, at which point Nuh (AS) began to pray, “And Nuh said, "My Lord!  Leave not one of the disbelievers on this earth!” (TMQ, 71: 26).  They were given so many chances, but still refused to believe.  What Nuh (AS) asked for would be answered.

Here is a point I would like to stop at.  Prophet Muhammad (SAWS[2]) said that every prophet has an answered dua’a (supplication), and that all of them used that chance during their life on Earth except him.  He saved his dua’a until the Day of Judgment so that he can intercede for his Umma (nation).  Can you imagine the love that the Prophet (SAWS) has for us?  He was tortured and hurt by many non-believers during his time, but nevertheless, he did not supplicate against them at that time.  Why?  He believed that being patient at that time would enable him to ask for our forgiveness on the Day of Judgment.  He wants to save us!  He wants to save all the Muslims who may have sinned; peace and blessings be upon him.

Back to Nuh (AS) and what he said in Ayah 27 in what can be translated as, “If You leave them, they will mislead Your slaves, and their offspring will be nothing but wicked disbelievers.” (TMQ, 71:27).  Nuh (AS) worried that these people would affect others.  His intention was to save others from their mischief, and not out of revenge for the way they treated him.  His intention was for Allah (SWT) alone.  Does anyone today have such true intentions?

Take the example of Oqba Ibn-Nafi’(RA), who stood in front of the Atlantic ocean after conquering North Africa and said, “O ocean, if I knew that there was more land beyond you, I would cross to make sure that its people worship Allah.”  These examples show us how a Muslim should really feel responsible towards his religion, and spreading the peace and truth that lies within it.  Even if the people out there had not believed, at least they would have lived under Islamic law, the fairest law that ever existed.

The Ayah we will study now is very important.  It teaches us how to make dua’a (supplication).  A great deal of people wonder: what is the best way to make dua’a?  What should I ask for and in which order?  We have a great example over here!  Let us learn from Nuh (AS), “My Lord! Forgive me, my parents, whoever enters my home as a believer, and all the men and women who believe. And destroy the Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, and disbelievers)." (TMQ, 71:28).  Therefore, you start by making dua’a for yourself, and then your parents.  Many people have not made dua’a for their parents in years!  They are not to be forgotten.  Then make dua’a for your friends, followed by one for the whole Muslim Ummah (nation).  Do you make dua’a for the martyrs in Palestine?  Do you make dua’a for al-Aqsa mosque, and for all the believers on this earth?  It is selfish to restrict our dua’a to ourselves and our children, when we are part of a whole nation.  You should not forget that Nuh (AS) also ended his dua’a by asking Allah (SWT) to punish the enemies of Islam and the wrongdoers.  Some critics think that Islam is a violent religion because we do this last part, so let us just stress on the word ‘enemies,’ because we are a very peaceful and fair religion.

Let us put this guide for dua’a in point form:

1.      Yourself

2.      Your parents

3.      Your friends

4.      All the Muslims, and finally

5.      Against the wrongdoers

One might wonder now, how can a prophet supplicate against the people he was sent to help?  Is that possible?  The answer is found in Surat (chapter) Hud where Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And it was revealed to Nuh: "None of your people will believe except those who have believed already.”” (TMQ, 11:36).  Only after that did Nuh (AS) make his dua’a against his own people; only when Allah (SWT) informed him that no one else will follow him except for the 80 who already had.  Some might think that he suddenly gave up and turned against them?  Well, he did not.

Let us remember an incident that took place in the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).  A man called Tufayl was sent to his tribe by the Prophet (SAWS) to invite them to Islam.  Tufayl remained in his tribe for 7 years but only four people accepted Islam; his wife, his parents and Abu-Huraira (RA). The rest of his tribe refused and abused him so he returned to the Prophet (SAWS) after he had given up, and said, “O Messenger of Allah, the people of Dawth (his city) have rejected Islam and you, the Messenger of Allah.”

The Prophet (SAWS) performed ablution (wudu’) and raised his hands to the heavens, getting ready to make dua’a.  Tufayl saw this and put his hands on his head, afraid that the Prophet (SAWS) would make a dua’a against his people.  The Prophet (SAWS) then said, “O Allah, guide the people of Dawth and bring them here.  O Allah, guide the people of Dawth and bring them here.” He then said to Tufayl, “Return to your people and be compassionate with them.”  Five years later, Tufayl came back with the whole tribe of Dawth behind him, all Muslims.

Allah (SWT) says, in the next Ayah, what can be translated as, “And construct the ship …” (TMQ, 11:37).  Do you know how long it took to build the ship?  Historians and scholars say that it took 300 years, and this number does not surprise me.  Although it is not mentioned in the Qur’an, I think that this figure can be a good approximate.  Keep in mind that Nuh (AS) was in a desert.  He was required to build a ship and place in it a male and female from every species; camels, cows, donkeys, chickens, roosters, insects, birds… etc.  Can you imagine the size of that ship?

Moreover, a ship requires tough, strong wood, so where would he get all this wood from in the middle of the desert?  He would have to start by planting some trees of course!  Nuh (AS) had a great deal of patience to wait for that indeed!  You may feel so lazy sometimes to do the simplest things in religion! Nuh (AS) began planting trees in the desert!  If his people were ridiculing him when he was inviting them to believe in Allah (SWT), can you imagine what they did when he began planting trees to build a ship?  However, that was what he did.  He planted the trees, waited for them to grow, becoming a farmer and a carpenter just to serve Allah (SWT).

Here is an interesting question: if Allah (SWT) said that no one else would believe in Him after the 80 that already did, why did He not destroy them straight away?  Why spend 300 years building a ship?  The people of ‘Aad were taken by a strong wind, and the people of Lut (AS) (Lot) had their village destroyed, so why was it not so simple in Nuh’s case?

It was a test for the 80 believers; not a chance for the rest.  Allah (SWT) sometimes postpones victory, not because He wants to let the non-believers commit more and more sins, but to test the faith of the believers.  To all the people out there, especially the young ones; have patience.  Some girls may say, “I want to wear Hijab (veil) but my parents are refusing,” and others may wonder why they have been afflicted by a sickness or disease.  Be patient, because Allah (SWT) is testing your faith.  Sometimes Allah (SWT) is testing the faith of the whole nation: why is the al-Aqsa mosque in such a terrible situation?     

Why test 80 believers for 300 years? He (SWT) wants to strengthen their belief.  This is why I tell you young men, if you find that you are constantly being tempted to do wrong, and that as you are increasing in faith the temptation of women is sometimes too much, do not ask why Allah (SWT) is doing this, and just remember this story.  Always remember that the closer you are to the Straight Path, the more Iblis (Satan) will try to move you further; it gets tougher and tougher as you move along, so are you going to hang in there?   Show the strength of your faith and fight any temptations that may come in your way!  Can you see now why the ship had to be built from scratch?  If you believe that your life is a test, you have found the strength to face all your problems, and the way to content, the endless treasure in life.

“Construct the ship under Our Eyes and with Our Revelation, and call not upon Me on behalf of those who did wrong; they are surely to be drowned” (TMQ, 11:37).  In this Ayah, Allah (SWT) reminds Nuh (AS) and his followers that He is watching them in order to comfort them, especially when the others would be making fun of them.  However, after all that Nuh (AS) was put through, and all the ill treatment he received from his people, he still made dua’a to Allah (SWT) for them to be forgiven and guided!  How caring and forgiving can you get? A mother can be patient with her son, but a man so patient with his people? Can you appreciate the passion that he held for his religion, and how keen he was on saving these people?  Where is our passion for the truth, and for helping others find their path?  Allah (SWT) orders him to stop his dua’a, and tells him that they have already had their chance.

The following Ayah can be translated as, “And as he was constructing the ship, the chiefs of his people passed by, mocking him.  He said, "If you mock us now, we will mock you later.” (TMQ, 11:38).  I wish that, if Allah (SWT) wills, we could meet Nuh (AS) and his 80 believers in Jannah (paradise).  I want to ask them how they felt when they were helping Nuh (AS) build the ship! Do you have the confidence and trust in Allah (SWT) that those 80 believers had?  They were building a ship in the middle of the dry desert!

How is your trust in Allah (SWT)?  To those people who cannot sleep at night because they are worried about earning a living, have you not read the Ayah in the Qur’an where Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And in the heaven is your provision, and that which you are promised. Then by the Lord of the heaven and the earth, it is the truth (i.e. what has been promised to you), just as it is the truth that you can speak.” (TMQ, 51:22, 23).

A great deal of our young people nowadays feel embarrassed to show their strong faith, or to talk about it with their friends.  Nuh (AS), however, had complete trust in Allah (SWT) and was not ashamed of his convictions.  He had self-confidence in spite of his weak position.  The day you become linked to Allah (SWT), and follow His book, is the day you become the strongest person on earth.

“(So it was) Till Our Command came, and the oven gushed forth (water like fountains from the earth)” (TMQ, 11:40).  What does the ‘oven gushed forth’ mean?  That was the sign Allah (SWT) gave Nuh (AS) to indicate when the flood would take place; the oven in his house would begin to spurt out water.  This would be the sign for Nuh (AS) to bring everyone together and get on the ship.

Allah (SWT) set a deadline for Lut (AS), when his people would be destroyed, in what can be translated as, “Indeed, morning is their appointed time.” (TMQ, 11:81).  A deadline was also given to Saleh (AS), in what can be translated as, “Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days.”(TMQ, 11:65).  Why was Nuh (AS) not given a known deadline, but a mere sign?

If a specific time was allocated, how would the relationship between Nuh (AS) and the believers have been?  After 300 years of working together, they would go off to their normal lives and get together later on the pre-determined date.  On the other hand, if they were waiting for a specific sign and had no knowledge of the date, they would stay close and in contact with each other and with Nuh (AS).  They would constantly ask about the oven and keep each other informed about their whereabouts and their minute-by-minute movements just in case the sign takes place.  This constant contact creates strong bonds within the group.

We pray that our families follow this example.  Try strengthening your family relationships by eating together at least once a week.  Being a closely-knit society is part of our religion.  I urge the young people to spend more time at home and not distance themselves from their families.  The people back then kept their daily timetables with Nuh (AS) and the others so do not get angry when your parents keep asking, “Where are you going?”  This creates a family bond and love, and also makes the parents very happy.  The young ones usually understand the importance of this point after they grow up and have their own children.  Our society is suffering from these social problems, although it is very clear in our religion that a happy family is one of the first priorities. 

“(So it was) Till when Our Command came and the oven gushed forth (water like fountains from the earth). We said, "Embark therein, two of each kind (male and female), and your family - except those we mentioned before - and those who believe” (TMQ, 11: 40).  Why should there be two of each kind of species, a male and female? The earth was going to be flooded, and life would have to start again by reproduction.  The Ayah mentions the family first, and then the rest of the believers; another indication of the importance of the family, and how one should set his priorities, so when a single man or woman wants to get married, what should they look for?  Is wealth, education, and beauty all what they think about?  Does the fact that their future partner is a good Muslim have any effect on the decision? It should play a big role, because Allah’s blessing is the key to a successful and happy marriage. 

In Nuh’s case, his own family had its disbelievers too.  His parents were believers, but his wife and one of his four sons were disbelievers.  That was another important test for Nuh (AS); inside his own household.  Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Allah sets forth an example for those who disbelieve: the wife of Nuh and the wife of Lut.  They were under two of our righteous slaves, but they betrayed them (their husbands).” (TMQ, 66:10). It is important to understand that the meaning of betrayal in this Ayah is not what comes first to most people’s minds.  Of course it was not an affair!  It was a betrayal in faith, by not believing in their husbands’ doctrines.  If she did not believe, why did Nuh (AS) not divorce her then?  Yes, my brothers and sisters, the Qur’an is full of meanings and hidden statements when you look at it.  Nuh’s patience with his wife shows us that divorce should not be a decision that is taken lightly as it is nowadays.  He was patient and did not take that decision despite the difference in their beliefs.

Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said, “Satan usually sits on his throne, and sends out his sons to misguide the people on earth, whispering bad thoughts and intentions into their heads.  At the end of the day, they all come back and report to him.  One of them comes back and says, ‘I made someone commit adultery!’  Satan replies, ‘You have achieved nothing; he will soon repent and be forgiven.’  The second one says, ‘I made two Muslims argue and fight!’  ‘You have achieved nothing either! They will make up soon, and it will be done with,’ Satan replies.  This goes on for a while until one of them says, ‘I have been working on this guy for some time, and I got him to divorce his wife!’  Satan approaches him happily and exclaims, ‘You are my true son!  You are my true son!’ He embraces him, and places him by his side on the throne.” (Authentic Hadith, Muslim)

How many of these reports are making Satan happy every day?  We are witnessing an increasing trend in divorce in our countries!  What is happening to our homes?  How can men let go of their wives so easily?  We should put a great deal of effort into keeping the family together, and not just quit after the first argument!  Our religion is a fair one that allows divorce, but we should not take advantage of that blindly.  We should try our best to make things work, and then look at it as the last possible resort.

Allah (SWT) says, in the next Ayah, what can be translated as, “And he (Nuh) said, ‘Embark therein: in the Name of Allah will be its (moving) course and its (resting) anchorage. Surely, my Lord is Oft-Forgiving, and Most Merciful.’” (TMQ, 11: 41).  Notice how he sets the ship to sail in the name of Allah (SWT).  Nuh (AS) invoked Allah’s name even though Allah (SWT) already granted them safety on that ship.  A good way of keeping Allah’s name alive in our hearts is by constantly repeating it.  It is a habit, and a good habit it is.

Why did Nuh (AS) say what can be translated as, “…For my Lord is, be sure, Oft-Forgiving, and Most Merciful!” (TMQ, 11:41).  Was it not a situation where Allah (SWT) was wiping out the disbelievers?  Why not say, “He is The Compeller and Lord of Retribution,” for example?  It is certainly not a misplacement of words.  It was a very tense moment for everybody on the ship. Everything around them was drowning and the earth was in chaos, so they needed some comforting words.  Some words that will set their hearts and ease, and let them know that their small sins will be forgiven, and they will be saved.

Allah (SWT) goes on to describe the flood for us in what can be translated as, “So it (the ship) sailed with them amidst waves like mountains.” (TMQ, 11:42).  We all know that the power of Allah (SWT), through natural disasters and storms, is something simply too tough for us to handle.  That is exactly why they occur; to remind us that we can never be in total control.  Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “So We opened the gates of the heaven with water pouring forth.  And We caused springs to gush forth from the earth.  So the waters (of the heaven and the earth) met for a matter predestined. And We carried him on a (ship) made of planks and nails.” (TMQ, 54:11-13).  Imagine Allah’s might.  Imagine the level of the water and how the whole earth was sinking except that lonely ship.  Wouldn’t you feel special if you were on that ship?  Is it not the taste of victory, and the reward after all that patience?  If you obey Allah (SWT) you will be rewarded as well.  This ship is a metaphor, if we really study the circumstances and replace them with those in our current time.  There is a ship that is going to be saved, but not a tangible ship like that one.  It is a ship for the believers, constructed from their faith and willpower.  The way to this ship is through the Qur’an and Hadith, and the way overboard is that of committing sins.  At the end of the path, some people will be drowning in their sins, while others will be raised and saved by their good deeds.  Which group would you like to be with then?  Of course, we will all make mistakes no matter how hard we try, but Allah (SWT) will forgive us with His vast mercy if we prove that we are worthy, so let us all board Nuh’s ship, and let us be patient.

Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said, “On every single day, the ocean says to its Lord, ‘O Allah, give me permission to drown the son of Adam, for he eats from what you have given him, but worships another god!’  Likewise, the earth says to its Lord, ‘O Allah, give me permission to engulf the son of Adam, for he eats from what you have given him, but worships another god!’ The skies also say, ‘O Allah, give us permission to crush the son of Adam, for he eats from what you have given him, but worships another god!’  Allah (SWT) replies to all of them every day saying, ‘Let them be! If you had created them you would have had mercy on them.’”

Board the ship, Nuh’s ship was made of planks of wood and of nails and our ship today is the Qur’an and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).  “Embark therein: in the Name of Allah will be its (moving) course and its (resting) anchorage.” (TMQ, 11: 41). People may laugh because you are boarding our imaginary ship, just like they were laughing at Nuh (AS) and his followers, so you must show your patience.  Be careful though, because Satan will try to tempt you in every weak spot you have.

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