Lineage and Early Life
Nuh (AS), known as Noah in Judeo-Christian texts, was a direct descendant of Idris (AS) and came ten generations after Prophet Adam (AS). He was born into a society that had gradually fallen into idol worship and sin after the death of righteous men.
His full name is sometimes mentioned as Nuh ibn Lamek ibn Methuselah ibn Idris (AS).
Prophethood and Mission
Allah sent Nuh (AS) as a Messenger to his people when they had deviated from the worship of Allah and started worshipping idols like Wadd, Suwa’, Yaghuth, Ya’uq, and Nasr.
“Indeed, We sent Nuh to his people, saying, ‘Warn your people before there comes upon them a painful punishment.'”
[Surah Nuh 71:1]
Nuh (AS) was one of the earliest messengers sent to mankind and is among the five greatest Prophets, known as Ulul ‘Azm (أُولُو الْعَزْم) — those with strong resolve. The others are Ibrahim (AS), Musa (AS), Isa (AS), and Muhammad (ﷺ).
His Dawah (Call to Islam)
Nuh (AS) spent 950 years preaching to his people!
“And We certainly sent Nuh to his people, and he remained among them for a thousand years minus fifty years…”
[Surah Al-‘Ankabut 29:14]
Despite his tireless efforts — day and night, publicly and privately, in various ways — only a few believed in him.
“My Lord, I invited my people night and day. But my invitation increased them not except in flight…”
[Surah Nuh 71:5-6]
The disbelievers mocked him, called him a madman, and even plugged their ears when he spoke. They said:
“He is no more than a man like yourselves, wishing to assert his superiority over you…”
[Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:24]
Construction of the Ark
After centuries of rejection, Allah revealed to Nuh (AS):
“None of your people will believe except those who have already believed…”
[Surah Hud 11:36]
Allah then commanded Nuh (AS) to build a massive ark (ship) in the middle of the land:
“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]
While building the ark, the disbelievers mocked him:
“You build a ship on land? You must be crazy!”
The Great Flood
When the ark was completed, Allah instructed Nuh (AS):
- Take on board pairs of every creature (male and female).
- Include those who believed — only a few people.
- Bring his family, except those whom Allah had decreed would not be saved.
Then, the heavens poured rain and the earth gushed water from underneath:
“And the command was carried out. The water gushed forth from the oven…”
[Surah Hud 11:40]
This marked the beginning of the flood.
The waves were so massive they were described as mountains.
The Tragic Loss of His Son
One of Nuh’s sons refused to believe and did not board the ark. Nuh (AS) pleaded with him:
“O my son, come aboard with us and be not with the disbelievers.”
[Surah Hud 11:42]
His son arrogantly replied:
“I will take refuge on a mountain to protect me from the water.”
But Nuh (AS) said:
“There is no protector today from the decree of Allah…”
[Surah Hud 11:43]
And the waves took him. Nuh (AS), heartbroken, turned to Allah, but Allah reminded him that his son was not of his family in faith.
The End of the Flood
Once all the disbelievers had perished, Allah commanded the earth and sky:
“O Earth, swallow your water, and O sky, withhold [your rain].”
[Surah Hud 11:44]
The ark came to rest on Mount Judi (in present-day Turkey or northern Iraq).
Nuh (AS) After the Flood
After the flood, Nuh (AS) and the believers began a new life. He lived many more years and continued teaching his descendants to worship Allah alone.
He is referred to in the Qur’an as:
- A grateful servant
[Surah Al-Isra 17:3] - A true messenger
[Surah Ash-Shu’ara 26:107]
Death and Legacy
The exact location of Nuh’s grave is not definitively known. Some traditions place it in Iraq or Lebanon (Valley of Bekaa), but there is no authentic proof.
He is remembered as:
- The second father of mankind (since humanity continued through his descendants)
- An example of patience and persistence in da’wah
- A Messenger of strong will (Ulul Azm)
🌟 Key Lessons from Nuh (AS)
| Lesson | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Patience in Dawah | He preached for 950 years with unwavering determination. |
| Trust in Allah | He followed Allah’s command even when it seemed illogical (building a ship on dry land). |
| Faith over blood | His own son did not believe, showing that faith matters more than lineage. |
| Obedience to Divine Command | He didn’t argue when told to stop preaching or leave behind the disbelievers. |
| Allah’s Mercy and Justice | The flood was a punishment for the wicked, but salvation for the believers. |
