Nūḥ (peace be upon him) is one of the greatest prophets. His people had begun to worship idols instead of Allah, and Allah sent Nūḥ (as) to guide them back to the truth. He is remembered above all for his patience over a very long time.
A long and patient call
Nūḥ (as) invited his people to worship Allah alone, night and day, in public and in private. The Qur'an tells us he stayed among them for a very long time:
"And We certainly sent Nūḥ to his people, and he remained among them a thousand years, less fifty." (29:14)
Though he called them with kindness and warning for so long, only a small number believed. Still, he never gave up his mission.
Building the ark
By Allah's command, Nūḥ (as) began to build a great ark. Some of his people mocked him for building a ship on dry land, but he trusted Allah completely. Allah instructed him:
- To build the ark under Allah's watchful care.
- To take on board the believers.
- To take pairs of the animals.
Those who believed were saved
When the great flood came, the believers who boarded the ark were kept safe, while those who had rejected Allah's guidance were not. As the ark set sail, Nūḥ (as) said:
"In the name of Allah is its course and its anchorage." (11:41)
The believers were rescued by Allah's mercy because they had trusted and obeyed Him.
Lessons for us
- Keep calling to good and doing good, even when few respond.
- Be patient over a long time, as Nūḥ (as) was.
- True safety is found in trusting and obeying Allah.
Put these events in the story of Nūḥ (as) in order:
- Nūḥ (as) calls his people to worship Allah alone for centuries
- By Allah's command, Nūḥ (as) begins building the ark
- The believers and pairs of animals board the ark
- The flood comes and the believers are kept safe