Hazrat Nuh (AS) : Life story and Lesson
Hazrat Nuh (AS) was the Prophet and messenger of Allah Almighty. The mission of Hazrat Nuh was to warn his people and advise them to stop idolatry and worship the one true God that is Allah. Allah sent a whole Surah i.e Surah Nuh which is dedicated to him. Allah also praised Nuh in Quran,
“Grateful Servant of Allah” and “True Messenger of Allah”
Many years ago, people on earth used to worship idols. This act is increasing day by day. Whenever some good people die among them, they made their statues in order to remember them and worship them as Gods. They also believed that these fake Gods would bring them good and protect them from bad spirits. They also gave names to theirs Gods like Waadan, Nasran and so on. These are eventually the names of the people that died.
Hazrat Nuh was sent to preach the religion of Allah among his people and told them to worship the one true God Allah Almighty. He was such a pateint person and a great speaker. He pointed out his people the mysteries and wonders of this universe. He repeatedly told them not to praise anyone except Allah. He described them that devil was deceiving them for so long and now the time had come to stop. There will be a severe punishment of Hellfire for those who disobey the teachings of Allah. He continued to preach for almost 900 years of his life but only a few people agreed to him. Most of them were poor and labours. The rich one's full of cold mistrust told Hazrat Nuh to back off from his motive. According to Quran they said,
" We do not see you but as a man like ourselves, and we do not see you followed except by those who are the lowest of us [and] at first suggestion. And we do not see in you over us any merit; rather, we think you are liars. (Surah Hud 13:27)
Hazrat Nuh provided further logical reason but they argued and said,
" They said: "O Nuh (Noah)! You have disputed with us and much have you prolonged the dispute with us, now bring upon us what you threaten us with, if you are of the truthful." (Surah Hud 13:32),
Hazrat Nuh again warned them about the punishments of disobeying and said,
"Only Allah will bring it (the punishment) on you, if He will, and then you will escape not. And my advice will not profit you, even if I wish to give you good counsel, if Allah's Will is to keep you astray. He is your Lord! and to Him you shall return." (Surah Hud 13:33-34)
He again continued his efforts to make them believe in Allah but his people rejected his teachings. Whenever he called them for Allah they either ran away or put their fingers into their ears and became too proud to listen to the truth. Hazrat Nuh realized that all of his efforts are in vain. He prayed to Allah,
" And Nuh (Noah) said: "My Lord! Leave not one of the disbelievers on the earth! If You leave them, they will mislead Your slaves, and they will beget none but wicked disbelievers." " (Surah Nuh 71:26-27)
Allah accepted his prayer and asked him to build an Ark away from the sea with wood and tools. When the disbelievers saw these arrangements made by Hazrat Nuh, they mocked at him and thought that he was totally gone mad. Allah said in Quran,
"And construct the ship under Our Eyes and with Our Inspiration, and address Me not on behalf of those who did wrong; they are surely to be drowned." (Surah Hud 13:37)
Hazrat Nuh (AS) replied to the disbelievers which is narrated in Holy Quran as,
"And you are going to know who will get a punishment that will disgrace him [on earth] and upon whom will descend an enduring punishment [in the Hereafter]." (Surah Hud 13:39)
When the Ark was built, Hazrat Nuh and his believers waited for the command.of Allah Almighty. Allah soon commanded them, when the rain streamed from the oven at Prophet Noah's(AS) house, it is a sign of the flood and the sign for Hazrat Nuh to take action.
And the day arrived when the rain started heavily upon the residents and Hazrat Nuh ordered his people to come inside the Ark along with animals. There were almost 80 people. Hazrat Nuh called one of his son who was a disbeliever to come with him. He said,
"O my son, come aboard with us and be not with the disbelievers." (Surah Hud 13:42)
His son refused to come with him and said,
"I will take refuge on a mountain to protect me from the water." [Noah] said, "There is no protector today from the decree of Allah, except for whom He gives mercy." And the waves came between them, and he was among the drowned. (Surah Hud 13:43)
The wave swept all the disbelievers including the wife and son of Hazrat Nuh (AS). Later on when the water was absorbed, he released everyone from the Ark and life came back to normal on Earth.
Lesson from the life of Hazrat Nuh (AS)
We can learn countless lessons from the story of Hazrat Nuh (AS). We learnt that as Hazrat Nuh warned the people that if they keep on disobeying Allah, there will be a severe punishment for them. So it is our duty to obey the teachings of Allah Almighty and worship him as he is the only true God. We learnt another lesson that never make fun of others.
We should always ask for forgiveness for all our wrong doings. If you seek forgiveness from Allah sincerely, he will surely forgive you as he is the Most Merciful and the Most Beneficiant.