The life of the Prophets is a life protected from error in matters of faith and delivering the Message, as Allah has chosen them with His Knowledge and Wisdom. It is a source of faith that teaches us patience and persistence. Moreover, it provides profound examples of how to call people to the way of Allah. Allah said in the Holy Quran, Surah Hud, Ayah 120:
”And each [story] We relate to you from the news of the messengers is that by which We make firm your heart. And there has come to you, in this, the truth and an instruction and a reminder for the believers.”
(وَكُلًّا نَّقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ أَنبَاءِ الرُّسُلِ مَا نُثَبِّتُ بِهِ فُؤَادَكَ ۚ وَجَاءَكَ فِي هَٰذِهِ الْحَقُّ وَمَوْعِظَةٌ وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ)
Therefore, reading the stories of the Prophets cannot be limited to reading a few lines to fill free moments but rather to strengthen the faith. The story of the Prophet Nuh (ﷺ) is an example of patience, trust in Allah, and full submission to Him.
Prophet Nuh (ﷺ) was a descendant of Prophet Idris (peace be upon them); Idris was his fourth great-grandfather. He was one of the five great Messengers of strong will and determination (Ulul-Azm): Muhammad, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, and Nuh (peace be upon them all). He was the first Messenger whom Allah sent to humanity as a mercy to them—calling them to pure monotheism, commanding them to worship Allah alone, and forbidding them from shirk and immoral deeds. After Prophet Idris (ﷺ) passed away, corruption on earth continued to increase. Then, one thousand years after the death of Prophet Adam, disbelief appeared for the very first time. The beginning of this deviation started with five righteous men whom people deeply loved. When these men died, Satan whispered to their followers, convincing them to place stones or markers at the spots where these righteous men used to sit, so they could ”preserve their memory.” The leaders and nobles of the people began commanding the weak and vulnerable among them to direct their worship toward these idols instead of Allah. The Qur’an narrates this in Surah Nuh, Ayah 23, saying:
And said, ‘Never leave your gods and never leave Wadd or Suwa’ or Yaghuth and Ya’uq and Nasr.
”وَقَالُوا لَا تَذَرُنَّ آلِهَتَكُمْ وَلَا تَذَرُنَّ وَدًّا وَلَا سُوَاعًا وَلَا يَغُوثَ وَيَعُوقَ وَنَسْرًا”
the Delivery of the Message
Disbelief had spread widely among humanity, so Allah sent Prophet Nuh (ﷺ). Allah says in Surah Nuh, Ayah 1:
”Indeed, We sent Noah to his people, [saying], “Warn your people before there comes to them a painful punishment.”
”إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ أَنْ أَنذِرْ قَوْمَكَ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ”
Prophet Nuh (ﷺ) was 50 years old when he was sent, and he continued calling his people to Allah for 950 years. He (peace be upon him) showed immense patience with his people. He warned them so that they might take heed and fear Allah in their actions, yet they did not respond. Despite their rejection, he remained patient, continuing to call them to worship Allah alone and to associate nothing with Him. Allah described Prophet Nuh’s (ﷺ) persistence in calling people and arguing with them, and said:
”He said: “O my Lord! I have called to my People night and day (5). But my call only increases (their) flight (from the Right) (6). And every time I have called to them, that Thou Mightest forgive them, they have (only) thrust their fingers into their ears, covered themselves up with their garments, grown obstinate, and given themselves up to arrogance (7). So I have called to them aloud (8). Further I have spoken to them in public and secretly in private (9).”
(قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي دَعَوْتُ قَوْمِي لَيْلًا وَنَهَارًا. فَلَمْ يَزِدْهُمْ دُعَائِي إِلَّا فِرَارًا. وَإِنِّي كُلَّمَا دَعَوْتُهُمْ لِتَغْفِرَ لَهُمْ جَعَلُوا أَصَابِعَهُمْ فِي آذَانِهِمْ وَاسْتَغْشَوْا ثِيَابَهُمْ وَأَصَرُّوا وَاسْتَكْبَرُوا اسْتِكْبَارًا. ثُمَّ إِنِّي دَعَوْتُهُمْ جِهَارًا. ثُمَّ إِنِّي أَعْلَنْتُ لَهُمْ وَأَسْرَرْتُ لَهُمْ إِسْرَارًا).
The story of Prophet Noah (ﷺ) teaches us patience and steadfastness in upholding the truth, even when people reject the message and persist in wrongdoing. Noah (ﷺ) serves as a remarkable example of perseverance in calling people to Allah with wisdom and gentle advice, staying true to his mission despite the challenges.
