Indexed OCR Text

abut Hadhrat Idrees v, "We elevated him to a high rank". Hadhrat Ka'b al das, stated
that Allaah once informed Hadhrat Idrees v that he would be granted the
rewards of all the good deeds that good people did every day.
This elated Hadhrat Idrees v and he wished that his life could be extended for a
very long time so that the rewards would continue to accrue to him. When he
discussed this with an angel who had become his good friend, the angel told
him to mount his wing, which Hadhrat Idrees v did. The angel then took him
into the heavens. When they reached the fourth heaven, the angel met with the
angel of death and related the wish of Hadhrat Idrees v to him. "Where is he?"
the angel of death asked. "He is right here on my back," the other angel replied.
The angel of death was astonished as he said, "I just now received the command
from Allaah to take the life of Idrees v in the fourth heaven and I had been
wondering how this would come to pass since he lived on earth." The angel of
death then extracted the soul of Hadhrat Idrees v in the heavens. It is this that
the verse refers to according to Hadhrat Ka'b il das.).
Ibn Abi Haatim ail Lau, has also related this incident, but many scholars have
questioned it. In fact, Allaama Ibn Katheer al., has termed it as an Israa'eeli
narration. We cannot base the interpretation of the Qur'aan upon this and
therefore state that the verse refers to his lofty status as a Nabi in this world and
the Aakhirah as well as the fact that he is presently residing in the fourth heaven,
as confirmed by the Mi'raaj narration in Bukhaari.
The narrations of Hadhrat Ka'b Ahbaar il are treated as historical reports only
and have been quoted in various works merely for their narrative value.
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2. More Details about Hadbrat Idres
While some historians claim that Hadhrat Idrees v was born in Egyptian town of
Munf, others state that it was in a Greek city and that the Greeks knew him as
Hurmusul Hiraamah (the first Greek astronomer). They therefore regard him to
be the Hurmus who fathered astronomy amongst them. However, there is no
evidence for this belief.
Some scholars believe that Hadhrat Idrees v was born in Babylon and that it was
here that he grew up. They claim that he was taught by Hadhrat Sheeth bin
Hadhrat Aadam v and was then given the task of guiding the people as a Nabi.
When most of the people opposed him, he eventually decided to migrate with
his small band of followers. However, the people found it difficult to leave a
place as beautiful as Babylon. Hadhrat Idrees v then managed to convince them
of the benefits and they eventually settled in Egypt. There, they found happiness
and abundance by the banks of the Nile. At the time, the people in Egypt spoke
72 languages and lived in 200 towns. Allaah granted Hadhrat Idrees v the
ability speak all these languages and he thus managed to propagate the
message of Deen to all the tribes there. Since astronomy was very much
vaunted in those parts at the time, Allaah granted Hadhrat Idrees v proficiency
in the science.
3. A Description of Hadbrat Idrees V
Hadhrat Idrees v was brown in complexion and tall, with thin hair and a full
beard. He was broad-shouldered, had powerful limbs, smoky eyes and though an
eloquent speaker, he preferred silence. He was a forthright person who looked
down when walking and was always deep in thought.
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He lived to an age of 82 and had an inscription on his ring, which read, "Success
is earned through patience and Imaan in Allaah".19
4. His Teachings in Brief
1. Believe in Allaah and in His Oneness
2.
Worship Allaah only
3. Adopt good deeds to be saved from the punishment of the Aakhirah
4. Ignore the temptation of this world
5. Place justice and equity at the forefront in everything you do
6. Carry out Ibaadah in the specified manner
7. Fast during the 13th, 14th and 15th of every month
8. Continue with Jihaad
9. Pay zakaah
10. Always observe cleanliness
11. Abstain from all intoxicants
12. Take only the name of Allaah when making vows and sacrificing animals
13. Always give the first fruits and flowers of the season in charity
5 . His Words of Wisdom
There have been many wise sayings and teachings of Hadhrat Idrees v, which
have been narrated as expressions and figures of speech in several languages.
Some of them are as followers:
1.
Man is incapable of thanking Allaah for all His favours
2.
When you are striving to attain perfection in knowledge and good deeds,
then never even approach anything linked to ignorance and immorality.
3. Sincerity of intention is required in the remembrance of Allaah as well as in
all good deeds
19 Taareekhul Hukamaa Vol. 1
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4. Never take false oaths, never use the name of Allaah for practice and never
force a liar take an oath because you will then share in the sin
5. Never adopt an occupation that is humiliating
6.
Obey your leaders and remain silent before your elders
7. Always keep your tongue moist with the Dhikr of Allaah
8. Wisdom is the life of the soul
9. Never envy the good life of people because it is fleeting
10. The one who desires more than the necessities of life will never be content
It is stated that all Hadhrat Idrees v was the father of all sciences that existed
before the floods of the time of Hadhrat Nooh v. The truths mentioned in the
books of philosophy and astronomy have also been attributed to him.
6. The Teachings of Hadbrat Idrees V
Hadhrat Idrees v informed his people that many Ambiyaa pul we will come to this
world to guide mankind and he even described their attributes. He told them
that the Ambiyaa pul k will be free of sin, be embellished with the finest traits of
men, will have knowledge of the system of the heavens and the earth, will make
du'aas that are always accepted and that their teachings will reform mankind.
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Sayyiduna Noch U
The First of the Rasools
After Hadhrat Aadam v, Hadhrat Nooh v was the first of the Ambiyaa pulle
classified as a Rasool. A Rasool is a Nabi who has been given a scripture or a new
Shari'ah and they number 313 in total. A Nabi is a person whom Allaah has
selected to convey His message to the people and they propagate the Shari'ah
and scripture of the Rasool before them. There had been over 100000 Nabis in
history.
In a narration of Muslim from Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah t, it is reported that Allaah
said to Hadhrat Nooh u that he was the first of all the Rasools. He came three
generations after Hadhrat Idrees v and, after intensive research, genealogists
have stated that he lived approximately 1026 years after Hadhrat Aadam v.
There are some historians who have criticised this figure as exaggerated. They
reason that if Hadhrat Nooh v lived 6 to 8 generations after Hadhrat Aadam v,
their distance in years would be only between 500 to 800 years. This is based on
the assumption that every generation lasted for about 80 to 100 years. However,
their assumption is flawed because people during those times lived lives much
longer than ours.
lineage
The lineage of Hadhrat Nooh v is as follows: Nooh, who was the son of Maalik,
who was the son of Matu Shaalih, who was the son of Akhnukh and he was the
son of Yaard, who was the son of Mahaa'eel, who was the son of Qinaan, who
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was the son of Anoosh, who was the son of Sheeth v, who was the son of Aadam
0.
Hadhrat Noch U in the Qur'aan
Since the purpose of the Qur'aan in narrating stories is to provide advice and
lessons, various portions of a story are recounted in various passages of the
Qur'aan according to the context. For this reason, some portions are recounted
in detail in some passages and in brief in other passages. There is seldom an
occasion when an entire story has been narrated in one place. This manner of
narrating portions of a story according to the lesson being taught at the time
allows us to gather a wealth of valuable lessons and advices.
Hadhrat Nooh v is mentioned in this manner in 28 Surahs of the Qur'aan, with
the details of his story appearing in Surahs A'raaf, Hood, Mu'minoon, Shu'araa,
Qamar and Nooh. The 28 Surahs are as follows:
1. Surah Aal Imraan, verse 33
2. Surah Nisaa, verse 163
3. Surah An'aam, verse 84
4.
Surah A'raaf, verses 59-69
5. Surah Taubah, verse 70
6.
Surah Yunus, verse 71
7. Surah Hood, verses 25, 32, 36, 42, 45, 46, 48, 89
8. Surah Ibraaheem, verse 9
9. Surah Israa, verses 3, 17
10. Surah Maryam, verse 58
11. Surah Ambiyaa, verse 76
12. Surah Hajj, verse 42
13. Surah Mu'minoon, verse 23
14. Surah Furqaan, verse 37
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15. Surah Shu'araa, verses 105, 106, 116
16. Surah Ankaboot, verse 14
17. Surah Ahzaab, verse 7
18. Surah Saaffaat, verses 75-79
19. Surah Saad, verse 12
20. Surah Mu'min, verse 5, 31
21. Surah Shura, verse 13
22. Surah Qaaf, verse 12
23. Surah Dhaariyaat, verse 46
24. Surah Najm, verse 52
25. Surah Qamar, verse 9
26. Surah Hadeed, verse 26
27. Surah Tahreem, verse 10
28. Surah Nooh, verse 1-28
The Da' walk of Hadbrat Noch U and the Opposition of the People
During the more than 1000 years between Hadhrat Aadam v and Hadhrat Nooh
v, mankind had greatly increased in number and had spread over large areas of
the earth. Ambiyaa pull Me like Hadhrat Sheeth v and Hadhrat Idrees v propagated
the Shari'ah of Hadhrat Aadam v, which emphasised Towheed primarily.
However, in the duration of time that elapsed, Shaytaan gradually got people to
worship idols. In fact, when Hadhrat Nooh v started to propagate, the people
were virtually unaware of Towheed and were worshiping thousands of idols,
with five of them being the most important.
In keeping with His practice of guiding nations when they stray, Allaah sent
Hadhrat Nooh v to preach to the people. However, the people, especially their
leaders, mocked and jeered at him and rejected his message. The affluent ones
refused to hearken to his call because he was not as wealthy as them. When
they saw the meek and poor follow Hadhrat Nooh v, they jibed at them, saying
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that these people did not know any better due to their poverty. They felt it
below their dignity to affiliate with people of lower standing. Therefore, when
Hadhrat Nooh v called them to accept his message, they demanded the poor
should be first expelled from his company before they arrive. Hadhrat Nooh v
refused to do that and told them that Allaah's punishment would soon arrive if
these people were to be expelled since Allaah valued them. He emphasised to
them that wealth did not hold status in the sight of Allaah. It was obedience to
Allaah and sincerity that He valued most.
When they eventually threatens to banish him from their lands, Hadhrat Nooh v
made it clear to them that he only willed good for them and never desired their
wealth or status.
In the Words of the Qur' aan
Allaah states in verses 1-4 of Surah Nooh:
إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَا نُوْحًا إِلَى قَوْمِمَ أَنْ أَنْذِرْ قَوْمَكَ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَّأْتِيَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ (١) قَالَ يُقَوْمِ إِنِّيْ لَكُمْ نَذِيْرٌ
مُّبِيِنٌ (٢) أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللهَ وَ اتَّقُوْهُ وَ أَطِيْعُوْنِ " (٣) يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ مِّنْ ذُنُوْبِكُمْ وَ يُؤَخِّرْكُمْ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُسَمَّى * إِنَّ أَجَلَ
اللهِ إِذَا جَآءَ لَا يُؤَخَّرُ لَوْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَّمُوْنَ (٣)
TRANSLATION: Verily We sent Nooh v (as a Nabi) to his nation instructing him, "Warn your
people (against committing Shirk) before a painful punishment afflicts them." He (Nooh v)
said, "O my people! Indeed I am a clear warner to you. Worship Allaah, fear Him and obey
me (in belief and action). Allaah will then forgive your sins and grant you respite (will not
punish you and allow you to live) until a specified period (the time when your death is destined).
Verily, when Allaah's specified period (the time for your death) arrives, it is not delayed. If
only you knew (the truth of this, you would accept immediately)."
Verses 59-64 of Surah A'raaf state:
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لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُؤْحًا إِلَى قَوْمِمٍ فَقَالَ يُقَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ الْمٍ غَيْرُهَ * إِنِّيْ آَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيْمِ
(٥٩) قَالَ الْمَلَأُ مِنْ قَوْمِمْ إِنَّا لَذَرُسَكَ فِىْ ضَلْلٍ مُّبِينٍ (٢٠) قَالَ يُقَوْمِ لَيْسَ بِئْ ضَلْلَةٌ وَّلَكِنِّى رَسُوْلٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّ
الْعُلَمِيْنَ (٢١) أُبَلَّغُكُمْ رِسُلْتِ رَبِّئْ وَ انْصَحُ لَكُمْ وَأَعْلَمُ مِنَ اللهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُوْنَ (٢٢) أَوَ عَجِبْتُمْ أَنْ جَاءَكُمْ ذِكْرٌ
مِّنْ رَّبِّكُمْ عَلَى رَجُلٍ مِّنْكُمْ لِيُنْذِرَكُمْ وَ لِتَتَّقُوْا وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُوْنَ (٢٣) فَكَذَّبُوْهُ فَانْجَيْتُهُ وَالَّذِيْنَ مَعَهَّ فِى الْقُلْكِ وَ
أَغْرَقْنَا الَّذِيْنَ كَذَّبُوا بِأَيْتِنَا ﴿ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا قَوْمًا عَمِيْنَ (٢٣٪)
TRANSLATION: Undoubtedly We sent Nooh v to his nation and he told them, "O my
people, worship only Allaah. There is no Ilaah for you besides Him. I fear the punishment
of a great day (the Day of Qiyaamah) for you (if you continue committing Shirk)." The leaders of
his people said (to him), "We see that you are obviously deviated (misled)." He (Nooh v)
said, "O my people! There is no deviation with me. On the contrary, I am a Rasool from
the Rabb of the universe. I convey to you the messages (divine guidance and knowledge) of
my Rabb, advise you and I know things from Allaah about which you have no knowledge.
Are you surprised that a reminder from your Rabb should come to you through a man
from among you, so that he may warn you (of Allaah's punishment for kufr), so that you may
fear (His punishment) and so that mercy may be shown to you?" They rejected him, and
(when Allaah sent a flood to punish them) We rescued him and those with him in the ark, while
We drowned those who rejected (and lied about) Our verses. Without doubt they (the
majority of them) were a blind nation.
Verses 25-31 of Surah Hood state:
TRANSLATION: Indeed We sent Nooh v (as a Rasool) to his nation. (He told them)
"Undoubtedly I am one who clearly warns you that you should worship only Allaah (and
not your idols, otherwise) I truly fear for you the punishment of a painful day." The
disbelieving leaders (chiefs) of his nation said, "We consider you to be a mere human like
ourselves and we see that only those people follow you who are of low class and who are
simple minded. We see no superiority in you over us (we therefore see no reason why we
should follow you). In fact, we deem you to be liars (and will therefore not follow you)." (Like
many nations, the people of Nooh v failed to realise that a Nabi has to be a human being. Angels are
unable to be effective as Ambiyaa because they do not have the same needs as humans have and can
therefore not identify with humans. Nevertheless, even if Allaah did send angels as Ambiyaa to
humans, stubborn people would have rejected them on the grounds that they are not human.) Nooh
v replied, "O my people! Tell me. If I am on (If I have) a (very clear) proof from my Rabb (a
miracle which proves that I am Allaah's Nabi) and He has granted me a mercy (prophethood)
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from Himself that is unclear to you (because you are adamant that a Nabi has to be an angel),
can we force it onto you when you disapprove of it?" (The duty of a Nabi is only to convey the
message to people and not to force them. People are required to accept his message willingly.) O my
people! I do not ask you for any wealth. My reward is with my Rabb, and I cannot discard
(drive away) those who have Imaan (Nooh v said this when the people expressed that they would
only follow him if he disassociated himself from his followers who were poor). Surely, they (the poor
Mu'mineen) will meet their Rabb (after death when they will be able to complain to Allaah about
those who discarded them). However, I deem you to be foolish people (people who make foolish
statements, who speak without proof). O my people! Who will assist me (in any way) against
(the punishment of) Allaah if I discard them (the poor Mu'mineen)? Will you not take heed
(ponder over the situation)? I do not say to you that I possess the treasures of Allaah (I can
neither produce miracles nor punishment as and when I please), nor do I have knowledge of the
unseen (which no Nabi has), nor do I say that I am an angel (as you claim I should be) and I
cannot say concerning those whom you look down upon that Allaah will never grant them
good. Allaah knows best what is in their hearts (Allaah will elevate their status in the Aakhirah
because of their Imaan). In that case (if I say these things), I will certainly be of the (worst)
wrongdoers."
Hadhrat Noch U Give Up on the People
Hadhrat Nooh v made a great effort to get the people to accept his message and
thereby be saved from the punishment of Allaah. However, rather than obeying
him, they became more obstinate and even threatened and prepared to harm
Hadhrat Nooh v and his followers. To counteract the message of Hadhrat Nooh
0, the people decided to place their fingers in their ears every time he spoke and
to cover themselves in their shawls as if they did not even recognise him. The
leaders then encouraged the people never to forsake their idols.
Surah Ankaboot informs us that Hadhrat Nooh v persevered with the people
for 950 years before he lost hope in them ever following him. In fact, Surah
Shu'araa tells us that they even threatened to stone him to death. Hadhrat Nooh
v eventually realised that they were never going to submit, he prayed to Allaah
to destroy them.
In the Words of the Qur'aan
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Allaah says in verses 71-73 of Surah Yunus:
وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَاَ نُوْحٍ ﴿ إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِمٍ يُقَوْمِ إِنْ كَانَ كَبُرَ عَلَيْكُمْ مَّقَامِىٌ وَتَذْكِيْرِى بِأَيْتِ اللهِ فَعَلَى اللهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ
فَأَجْمِعُوا أَمْرَكُمْ وَشُرَكَآءَكُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَكُنْ آَمْرُكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ غُمََّ ثُمَّ اقْضُوْا إِلَىَّ وَلَا تُنْظِرُوْنِ (٧١) فَإِنْ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَمَا
سَلْتُكُمْ مِّنْ أَجْرٍ * إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَى اللهِ ◌ٌ وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ (٧٢) فَكَذَّبُوْهُ فَنَجَّيْتُهُ وَمَنْ مَّعَهُ
فِى الْفُلْكِ وَجَعَلْنُهُمْ خَلَئِفَ وَأَغْرَقْنَا الَّذِيْنَ كَذَّبُوا بِأَيْتِنَا وَّ فَانْظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُنْذَرِيْنَ (٧٣)
TRANSLATION: (O Rasulullaah p) Recite to them the incident of Nooh v. (Tell them of the time)
When he said to his people, "O my people! If my stay (among you) and my reminders of
Allaah's Aayaat are difficult upon you (unpleasant to you and you wish to get rid of me), then
only in Allaah do I trust. So you and your partners (may all join forces and) decide your affair
(decide what you want to do about me). Then do not let your affair (your decision) be a secret,
pass your sentence on me (do to me what you have decided) and do not grant me any respite
(any relief because I am not at all afraid of you). If you turn away (refuse to accept my message),
then (remember that) I have never asked any reward from you (so you cannot claim that you
have rejected my message because you were unable to give me what I had asked for). My reward
shall be from Allaah and I have been commanded to be from those who submit (only to
Him)." They (the people of Nooh v) rejected him, so We rescued him and those (Mu'mineen)
with him in the ark (when the flood came) and made them successors (they succeeded the
others as owners of their property). And We drowned those who rejected Our Aayaat. So see
what was the plight of those who were warned (about the consequences of kufr but still did not
accept Imaan)!
Verses 23-26 of Surah Mu'minoon state:
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوْحًا إِلَى قَوْمِمٍ فَقَالَ يُقَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ اِلْمٍ غَيْرُهَ * أَفَلَا تَتَّقُوْنَ (٢٣) فَقَالَ الْمَلَؤُا الَّذِيْنَ
كَفَرُوْا مِنْ قَوْمِهِ مَا بُذَا إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِثْلُكُمْ نٌ يُرِيِدُ أَنْ يَتَفَضَّلَ عَلَّيْكُمْ * وَ لَوْ شَاءَ اللهُ لَأَنْزَلَ مَلَئِكَةَّ ◌ٌُّ مَّا سَمِعْنَا
بِهَذَا فِىْ أَبَائِنَا الْأَوَّلِينَ (٢٣) إِنْ بُوَ إِلَّا رَجُلُّ بِمِ جِنَّةٌ فَتَرَبَّصُوْا بِم حَتَّى حِيْنٍ (٢٥) قَالَ رَبِّ انْصُرْنِى بِمَا
گَذْبُونِ (٢۶)
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TRANSLATION: We sent Nooh v to his nation and he told them, "O my people! Worship
only Allaah. There is no Ilaah for you besides Him. Do you not fear (His punishment for not
taking heed) ?" The Kuffaar leaders from his nation said (to the others), "He (Nooh v) is only a
human like yourselves, who intends to gain superiority over you (when you follow him). If
Allaah desired (to send a Nabi), he would have rather sent angels (instead of a human). We
have never heard of such a thing (happening) among our forefathers. He is but a man
afflicted by insanity. So bear with him a while longer (until he dies, when we will be rid of
him)." (After preaching to his people for 950 years without a favourable response from them) Nooh v
said, "O my Rabb! Assist me (against them by destroying them), for they have rejected me."
Verses 105-122 of Surah Shu'araa state:
TRANSLATION: The people of Nooh v rejected those sent (as Ambiyaa). (Although the people
during his time rejected his message, they are said to have rejected all the Ambiyaa because all the
Ambiyaa carried the same message.) (Remember the time) When their brother Nooh v said to
them, "Do you not fear (Allaah's punishment for committing Shirk) ? I am certainly a
trustworthy Rasool to you. So fear Allaah and obey me. I do not ask you for any payment
for this (for preaching Towheed to you). My payment (reward) is the responsibility of Allaah,
the Rabb of the universe. So fear Allaah and obey me (accept this sincere call)." They replied,
"Should we believe in you when the lowest of people follow you (How can we follow you
when those who are poor and who do menial jobs follow you? How can we mix with them? Are they
perhaps not after wealth and status) ?" He (Nooh v) said, "Why should I be concerned about
their deeds (their occupation? What difference does their occupations make to their Imaan) ? (If
they are insincere, I cannot verify this because) Their reckoning is the duty of my Rabb (I cannot
turn them away as long as they profess Imaan). If only you would perceive (understand this, you
would not look down on them)! I shall never drive away the Mu'mineen (just so that you may sit
with me). I am merely a clear warner (warning you of a grave punishment if you continue to make
absurd demands and refuse to accept Imaan)." They said, "O Nooh! If you do not desist (from
preaching to us), you will certainly be of those who are stoned (to death)." (Finally, after
preaching to them for 950 years) He (Nooh v) said, "O my Rabb! My people have rejected me
(and called me a liar). So decide between me and them (by punishing them), and rescue me
and those Mu'mineen who are with me." So We rescued him (from the flood) and those with
him in a laden ark (which contained all the Mu'mineen as well as a pair of every living species).
Thereafter (after rescuing them) We drowned the rest (all the Kuffaar). There is certainly a
great Aayah (lesson) in this. However, most of them do not have Imaan. Verily your Rabb
is Mighty, the Most Merciful.
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Verses 14-15 of Surah Ankaboot state:
(١٣) وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوْحًا إِلَى قَوْمِ فَلَبِثَ فِيْهِمْ الْفَ سَنَةٍ إِلَّا خَمْسِيْنَ عَامًا ن* فَأَخَذَبُمُ الطُّوْفَانُ وَبُمْ
ظْلِمُوْنَ (١٣) فَانْحَيْتُهُ وَ أَصْحُبَ السَّفِيْنَةِ وَ جَعَلْنُهَا أَيَةَّ لَّلْعُلَمِيْنَ (١٥)
TRANSLATION: Without doubt, we sent Nooh v (as a Rasool) to his nation, where he
remained (preaching Towheed to them) for a thousand years less fifty years (950 years). Then
(when they refused to accept his message and continued to harass him, he prayed to Allaah to
destroy them. Consequently,) a storm (flood) struck them (and they were all drowned) while they
were oppressive (the oppressed themselves by refusing to accept Imaan). We rescued Nooh v
and the people (with him) on the ark, making it (the incident) a lesson for the (people of the)
universe (to remind them about the consequences of rejecting the Ambiyaa).
Verses 75-82 of Surah Saaffaat recount the incident in the following words:
وَ لَقَدْ نَادُنَا نُوْحٌ فَلَنِعْمَ الْمُجِيْنُوْنَ (٧٥٣) وَ نَجَّيْتُهُ وَ أَبْلَمْ مِنَ الْكَرْبِ الْعَظِيْمِ (٧٢) وَ جَعَلْنَا ذُرِّيَّتَهُ بُمُ
الْبَقِيْنَ (٧٧) وَ تَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِى الْأُخِرِيْنَ (٧٨) سَلُّمٌ عَلَى نُوْحٍ فِى الْعَلَمِيْنَ (٧٩) إِنَّا كَذْلِكَ نَجْزِى
الْمُحْسِنِينَ (٨٠) إِنَّمَ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (٨١) ثُمَّ أَغْرَقْنَا الْآخَرِيْنَ (٨٢)
TRANSLATION: Indeed Nooh v called (prayed) to Us (to save him from his people). (We
accepted his du'aa and sent a flood to destroy them.) How excellently do We respond (to the one
who pleads for help)? We rescued him and his family from a great calamity (the flood, while all
the Kuffaar were drowned). We made his progeny (the Mu'mineen) the only survivors. And, in
his favour, We left (as praise and remembrance of him) among those to come after (the prayer)
"Peace be to Nooh v in the universe." (He is therefore remembered with words like this by all
Mu'mineen.) Thus do We reward those who do good. He (Nooh v) was certainly from Our slaves
who were Mu'mineen. Thereafter (after saving Nooh v and the Mu'mineen), We drowned the rest.
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In more detail, verses 5-24 of Surah Nooh illustrate the entire incident, when it
says:
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّيْ دَعَوْتُ قَوْمِيْ لَيْلًا وَّ نَهَارًا " (٥) فَلَمْ يَزِدْبُمْ دُعَاءِى إِلَّا فِرَارًا (٢) وَ إِنِّيْ كُلَّمَا دَعَوْتُهُمْ لِتَغْفِرَ
لَهُمْ جَعَلُوْا أَصَابِعَهُمْ فِئْ أَذَانِهِمْ وَ اسْتَغْشَوْا ثِيَابَهُمْ وَ أَصَرُّوْا وَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا اسْتِكْبَارًا (٧) ثُمَّ إِنِّيْ دَعَوْتُهُمْ
جِهَارًا "(٨) ثُمَّ إِنِّىْ أَعْلَنْتُ لَهُمْ وَ أَسْرَرْتُ لَهُمْ إِسْرَارًا " (٩) فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوْا رَبَّكُمْ ﴿ إِنَّهَ كَانَ غَفَّارًا (١٠)
يُرْسِلِ السَّمَآءَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِّدْرَارًا (١١) وَ يَمْدِدْكُمْ بِأَمْوَالٍ وَّ بَنِيْنَ وَ يَجْعَلَ لَّكُمْ جَنَّتٍ وَ يَجْعَلْ لَّكُمْ أَنْهُرًا (١٢٠)
مَا لَكُمْ لَا تَرْجُوْنَ لِلْهِ وَقَارًا (١٣٩) وَ قَدْ خَلَقَكُمْ أَطْوَارًا (١٣) آلَمْ تَرَوْا كَيْفَ خَلَقَ اللهُ سَبْعَ سَمُوتٍ طِبَاقًا
(١٥) وَ جَعَلَ الْقَمَرَ فِيْهِنَّ نُؤْرًا وَّ جَعَلَ الشَّمْسَ سِرَاجًا (١٢) وَ اللهُ أَنْبَتَكُمْ مِّنَ الْأَرْضِ نَبَاتًا (١٧) ثُمَّ
يُعِيْدُكُمْ فِيْهَا وَ يُخْرِجُكُمْ إِخْرَاجًا (١٨) وَ اللهُ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَرْضَ بِسَاطًا (١٩) لَّتَسْلُكُوْا مِنْهَا سُبُلَا فِجَاجًا
(٢٠٪) قَالَ نُوْحٌ رَّبِّ ◌ِنَّهُمْ عَصَوْنِى وَ اتَّبَعُوْا مَنْ لَّمْ يَزِدْهُ مَالُهَ وَ وَلَدُهُ إِلَّا خَسَارًا (٢١٩) وَمَكَرُوْا مَكْرًا
كُبَّارًا (٢٢) وَ قَالُوْا لَا تَذَرُنَّ أُلِهَتَكُمْ وَ لَا تَذَرُنَّ وَدَّا وَّ لَا سُوَاعًا نَةٌ وَّ لَا يَغُوْثَ وَ يَعُوْقَ وَ نَسْرًا (٢٣٩) وَ قَدْ
أَضَلَّوْا كَثِيْرًا لَّ وَ لَا تَزِدِ الظَّلِمِيْنَ الَا ضَللًا (٢٣)
(However, besides a limited few people, the rest of his nation rejected his message despite his tireless
efforts. When he grew frustrated after 950 years of preaching to them,) He said, "O my Rabb!
Indeed I called my people (to Towheed) day and night. However, my calling only made
them run further away. Whenever I called them so that You may forgive them, they
(rejected my message to such an extent that the actually) placed their fingers in their ears (not to
hear me), covered themselves with their shawls (so not to even see me), remained
implacable and expressed great pride. I then called to them publicly and explained (the
Deen) to them openly and privately. I said to them, 'Seek forgiveness from your Rabb (for
your kufr by accepting Imaan). Indeed He is Most Forgiving.' (If you do this,) He will send
(much-needed) rain to you in torrents, increase your wealth, your sons and make orchards
and rivers for you (He will cause you to prosper even in this world).' What is the matter with
you that you are not convinced of Allaah's majesty when He has created you in so many
phases (He created the food from which blood is formed, then the semen from the blood, then the
foetus from the semen, then the many stages of foetal development before the birth of a child)?
Have you not seen how Allaah has created the seven skies in layers, has made the moon a
celestial light in them (in the skies) and the sun a (bright) lamp (from which you derive immense
benefit)? Allaah has created you (your father Aadam v) from the earth in a unique manner.
He will then return you to the earth and then remove you from it in a unique manner
(when you are resurrected on the Day of Qiyaamah). And Allaah has made the earth a bedding
for you so that you travel in its wide roads."" (Allaah has created all these bounties for man so
that he recognises Allaah through them and expresses gratitude for them by worshipping Him Alone.)
(Eventually after 950 years of extensive preaching,) Nooh v said, "O my Rabb! They have
refused to obey me and have followed people whose wealth and children have only
increased their loss (by causing them to fall deeper into kufr and sin). (In addition to this,) They
have devised mighty plots (to oppose the true Deen). They say (to others), 'Never forsake
your gods! Do not forsake Wadd, Suwa, Yaghooth, Ya'ooq and Nasr!" (These were names of
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their idols.) (By doing this,) They have certainly led (people) many astray. Do increase the
deviation (sinful ways) of the oppressors (so that they become deserving of more punishment).
Asking for Destruction
After Hadhrat Nooh u had exhausted all avenues of trying to convince the people
to believe in Allaah and they still refused to submit, they issued him the
ultimatum. They told him that it was time that he showed to them the
destruction that would meet them on account of their opposition. However,
Hadhrat Nooh u still tried to make them understand that it would be best for
them to accept his message since he was sincerely trying to help them. At the
very end, he told them that the punishment was not within his control, but when
the time for the punishment arrived, they would then have no recourse.
In the Words of the Qur' aan
Verses 32-34 of Surah Hood depict this episode in the following words:
قَالُوا يُنُوْحُ قَدْ جَدَلْتَنَا فَأَكْثَرْتَ جِدَالَنَا فَأْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَا إِنْ كُنْتَ مِنَ الصُّدِقِينَ (٣٢) قَالَ إِنَّمَا يَأْتِيْكُمْ بِهِ اللهُ إِنْ شَآءَ
وَمَا أَنْتُمْ بِمُعْجِزِيْنَ (٣٣) وَلَا يَنْفَعُكُمْ نُصْحِى إِنْ آَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَنْصَحَ لَكُمْ إِنْ كَانَ اللهُ يُرِيِّدُ أَنْ يُّغْوِيَكُمْ +ْ بُوَ
رَبُّكُمْ وَ اِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُوْنَ (٣٣)
TRANSLATION: They (the people) said, "O Nooh! You have disputed with us and disputed to
a great extent (after 950 years of preaching). So bring forth what (punishment) you promise us
if you are of the truthful ones." He said, "Only Allaah will bring it (the punishment) if He
wills, and (when it comes) you will be unable to escape. My advice to you shall not benefit
you if I intend to advise you while Allaah intends to send you astray (allows you to stray).
He is your Rabb (who controls your affairs) and to Him shall you be returned (for reckoning
after death)."
The Final Episode
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When Hadhrat Nooh v saw that it would be useless trying to persuade
them further, he became despondent since there were only 80
people who believed in him. Allaah reassured him that his efforts
would not be wasted and that the people would soon meet with the end
they demanded. He then raised his hands and prayed to Allaah thus, "o
my Rabb! Do not leave even one of the Kaafiroon (alive) on earth. Surely if You leave them
(to live on earth) they will mislead Your (Mu'mineen) bondsmen and only sinners and Kuffaar
will be born to them (thereby causing more kufr and sin to reign on earth)".20
This du'aa was not made because he lacked perseverance, but were merely the
words of a person who is forced to make such a du'aa after much frustration and
torment. This was similar to the du'aa that Hadhrat Moosa u made when he
prayed, "O our Rabb! Indeed you have granted splendour (luxuries, riches) and wealth to
Fir'oun and his ministers in this worldly life. O our Rabb! This (they use) to lead (others)
astray from Your path (from Towheed). O our Rabb! Destroy their wealth (so that they cannot
use it for evil purposes) and harden their hearts so that they do not have Imaan until they
witness a painful punishment (a time when having Imaan will be futile since it will be too late)."21
Allaah says further, "(Since Haaroon v also joined Moosa v in this du'aa by saying "Aameen") He
(Allaah) said, "The prayer that the two of you have made has been accepted. So remain
upright (steadfast on your mission) and never follow the path of those without knowledge."
(Do not follow those who fail to understand that We have sound reasons for not punishing people
immediately.)
It has always been the practice of Allaah to delay the destruction of
those who rebel against the Ambiyaa >ul Mak until a time when the
Mu'mineen can leave their midst and be safe. Once this happens, the
evil ones are given no more respite. Destroying them entails the
preservation of the good ones on earth since these evil ones will not
leave the good ones to remain as such and will always be trying to
either change or destroy them. When Hadhrat Nooh v was assured that
no more people would become his followers, he prayed that Allaah
destroy the evil ones.
In the Words of the Qur'an
Allaah states in verses 26-28 of Surah Nooh:
20 Surah Nooh, verses 26-27.
21 Surah Yunus, verses 88-89.
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وَ قَالَ نُوحٌ رَّبِّ لَا تَذَرْ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ مِنَ الْكُفِرِيْنَ دَيَّارًا (٢٢) إِنَّكَ إِنْ تَذَرْبُمْ يُضِلُّوْا عِبَادَكَ وَ لَا يَلِدُوا إِلَّا فَاجِرًا كَفَّارًا
(٢٧) رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِى وَ لِوَ الِدَيَّ وَلِمَنْ دَخَلَ بَيْتِىَ مُؤْمِنًا وَّ لِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَالْمُؤْمِنُتِ ﴿ وَ لَا تَزِدِ الظَّلِمِيْنَ إِلَّا تَبَارًا (٢٨٪)
TRANSLATION: Nooh v said, "O my Rabb! Do not leave even one of the Kaafiroon (alive)
on earth. Surely if You leave them (to live on earth) they will mislead Your (Mu'mineen)
bondsmen and only sinners and Kuffaar will be born to them (thereby causing more kufr
and sin to reign on earth). O my Rabb! Forgive me, my parents, whoever enters my home
as a Mu'min and all the Mu'mineen and Mu'minaat. (As for the Kuffaar, I pray that you)
Increase the oppressors (the Kuffaar) only in destruction (Do not let any of them
survive)!"
The Ark and the Mockery of the People
After Hadhrat Nooh u had made the du'aa, Allaah revealed to him that the
promised punishment would soon be coming. Hadhrat Nooh v was therefore
instructed to build an ark, which would be a source of safety for him and his
followers.
Hadhrat Nooh v and his followers then started to collect wood from the forest
and worked day and night to complete the construction. Since the task was a
strange one, the unbelieving people started to mock at Hadhrat Nooh v, asking
him why he needed to build such a large ark on dry land. In fact, they now
claimed that Hadhrat Nooh v was an insane man because of this task.
Undeterred, Hadhrat Nooh u told them that the time was near when they will be
the ones to be mocked at.
In the Words of the Qur'aan
Allaah says in verses 36-39 of Surah Hood:
(٣٥٪) وَ أُوْحِىَ إِلَى نُوْحِ أَنَّهُ لَنْ يُّؤْمِنَ مِنْ قَوْمِكَ إِلَّا مَنْ قَدْ أَمَنَ فَلاَ تَبْتَئِسْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَفْعَلُوْنَ (٣٣)
وَاصْنَعِ الْفُلْكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا وَوَحْيِنًا وَلَا تُخَاطِبْنِيْ فِى الَّذِيْنَ ظَلَمُوْا إِنَّهُمْ مُّغْرَقُوْنَ (٣٧) وَيَصْنَعُ الْقُلْكَ وَكُلَّمَا مَرَّ
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عَلَيْهِ مَلَأَ مِّنْ قَوْمِهِ سَخِرُوْا مِنْهُ - قَالَ إِنْ تَسْخَرُوْا مِنَّا فَإِنَّا نَسْخَرُ مِنْكُمْ كَمَا تَسْخَرُوْنَ (٣٨٢) فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُوْنَ "
مَنْ يَّأْثِيْهِ عَذَابٌ يُخْزِيْهِ وَيَحِلُّ عَلَيْهِ عَذَابٌ مُّقِيمٌ (٣٩)
TRANSLATION: It was revealed to Nooh v, "None of your people shall ever have Imaan (in
future) but those who already have Imaan, so do not be grieved by what (Shirk) they do.
Build an ark before Us (under our guidance and protection) and by Our revelation (commands)
and do not address Me regarding the oppressors (do not intercede on behalf of any of the
Mushrikeen). They shall certainly be drowned (in the flood that is to come)." (Complying with
Allaah's command,) He (Nooh v) continued to build the ark. Whenever the leaders of his
people passed by him, they mocked him (among other statements, they told him that he was
foolish to build an ark when there was no water about). He (Nooh v) said, "If you mock us, then
we shall also (have an opportunity to) mock you just as you do to us (when you realise that you
have no cause to mock). Soon (when Allaah's punishment comes) you shall come to know who
will be afflicted by a humiliating punishment (in this world) and to whom shall an eternal
punishment come (in the Aakhirah)."
Signs of the Coming Punishment
Once the ark had been completed, Hadhrat Nooh v was commanded to take on
board a male and female from every species of animal together with his family
and the Mu'mineen. He was also told that the non believers would be destroyed,
as would his wife be since she sided with them. He was then inspired to recite
the following du'aas when boarding:
الْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ الَّذِى نَجُنَا مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الظُّلِمِيْنَ
All praise be to Allaah, Who has rescued us from the oppressive (sinful) nation22
بِسْمِ اللهِ مَّنْجْرِ بِهَا وَمُرْسُهَا - إِنَّ رَبِّى لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
22 Surah Mu'minoon, verse 28.
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With the name of Allaah shall it travel and anchor. Surely my Rabb is the Most Forgiving,
the Most Merciful23
رَّبِّ أَنْزِلْنِىْ مُنْزَلًا مُبْرَكًا وَّ أَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْمُنْزِلِيْنَ
O my Rabb! Settle me in a blessed settlement. You are surely the Best of hosts24
In addition to this, Hadhrat Nooh v was also informed that he was not to give
any regard to the Kuffaar at this stage, nor consider interceding for them since
they were bound to be destroyed.
Before the floods came, Hadhrat Nooh v was informed that a sign would arrive
to signal the event. The sign was that water would start to flow from people's
ovens in their homes. When this happened, Hadhrat Nooh v was able to board
the ark together with the Mu'mineen and a pair of every creature. The time
eventually arrived and the skies were commanded to unleash their waters, as
was the ground. In no time at all, houses and hills were submerged and the
Kuffaar started to climb the mountains to seek safety.
It was at this juncture that the Kaafir son of Hadhrat Nooh u by the name of
Kan'aan also started to climb. When Hadhrat Nooh v saw him from the ark, he
called out to him to board the ark with them. However, he refused, saying that
the mountain will rescue him from the rising waters. Little did he realise that
23 Surah Hood, verse 41.
24 Surah Mu'minoon, verse 29.
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there would be no saviour other than Allaah and a huge wave then suddenly
swelled and drowned him. Eventually, it was only the people upon the ark who
were saved.
In the Words of the Qur'aan
Allaah describes the flood in verses 40-44 of Surah Hood:
حَتَّى إِذَا جَاءَ أَمْرُنَا وَفَارَ التَّنُّوْرُ " قُلْنَا احْمِلْ فِيْهَا مِنْ كُلِّ زَوْجَيْنِ اثْنَيْنِ وَ أَبْلَكَ إِلَّ مَنْ سَبَقَ عَلَيْهِ الْقَوْلُ وَمَنْ
أُمَنَ * وَمَا أُمَنَ مَعَمَّ إِلَّا قَلِيْلٌ (٢٠) وَقَالَ ارْكَبُوْا فِيْهَا بِسْمِ اللهِ مِّنْ جْرِبِهَا وَمُرْسُهَا ﴿ إِنَّ رَبِّى لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
(٣١) وَبِىَ تَجْرِئْ بِهِمْ فِئْ مَوْجٍ كَالْحِبَالِ وَنَادَى نُوْحٌّ ابْنَهُ وَكَانَ فِىْ مَعْزِلٍ يُبُنَىَّ ارْكَبْ مَّعَنَا وَلَا تَكُنْ مَّعَ
الْكُفِرِيْنَ (٣٢) قَالَ سَاوِى إِلَى جَبَلٍ يَّعْصِمُنِى مِنَ الْمَاءِ ﴿ قَالَ لَا عَاصِمَ الْيَوْمَ مِنْ آَمْرِ اللهِ إِلَّا مَنْ رَّحِمَّ
وَحَالَ بَيْنَهُمَا الْمَوْجُ فَكَانَ مِنَ الْمُغْرَقِيْنَ (٢٣) وَ قِيْلَ يَاَرْضُ ابْلَعِى مَآءَكٍ وَ يُسَمَاءُ أَقْلِعِى وَغِيْضَ الْمَآءُ
وَقُضِىَ الْأَمْرُ وَاسْتَوَتْ عَلَى الْجُوْدِىِّ وَقِيْلَ بُعْدًا لَلْقَوْمِ الظَّلِمِيْنَ (٣٣)
TRANSLATION: Until (the time when) Our command came (for the punishment to commence)
and water began to gush from the oven (as a sign to Nooh v that the flood was imminent). We
said (to Nooh v), "Load on the ark a pair (male and female) from every (species) and your
family; except those against whom the decision (to be punished) has been passed (his wife
and one of his sons); and (also load on the ark) whoever has Imaan (all the Mu'mineen)." With
him, there were only a few (people) who had Imaan. (Various reports cite various numbers,
ranging from six to eighty-two.) He (Nooh v) said, "Embark on it! With the name of Allaah shall
it travel and anchor. Surely my Rabb is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful." And it (the
ark) travelled (without danger) with them amid waves that were like mountains (in size).
Nooh v called unto his (Kaafir) son who was detached (stood apart from them outside the ark)
saying, "O my son! Board with us and do not be of the Kaafiroon!" He replied, "I shall
shortly take refuge (shelter) on a mountain that will rescue me from the water." Nooh v
said, "Today none can rescue (another) from the command (punishment) of Allaah except
him on whom Allaah has mercy." Then a wave separated the two (Nooh v and his son) and
he (the son) became of those who were drowned. (After all the Kuffaar were drowned) The
order was issued (from Allaah), "O Earth! Swallow your water and O sky! Stop (raining) !"
The water subsided, the decision (to destroy the people of Nooh v) was over and the ark
settled on Mount Judi. It was announced, "May the oppressive nation be (far) distanced
(from Allaah's mercy)."
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