The Great Flood of Prophet Noah AS

According to Ibn-e-Kathir , Hazrat Nuh AS (Noah) is 10th generation descendent of Hazrat Adam AS. Hazrat Nuh AS was the son of Lamak (Lamech) , who was the son of Mattushalkh (Methuselah), who was the son of Enoch (Hazart Idris AS).

In Qasas-ul-Anbiyaa : According to Ibn-e-Abbas Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) narrated that "the period between Hazrat Nuh (AS) and Hazrat Adam (AS) was 10 generations (quroon)" 

According to islamic eschatology , Hazrat Nuh AS (Noah) is the first Prophet to be sent after his great-grandfather Hazrat Idris AS (Enoch). He is also the first prophet on whom Islamic laws (sharia) were revealed. Moreover, he is mentioned in Quran 42 times and there are total of 115 verses related to him and his people. Even a complete Surah 71 is named after him.

In Quran Surah Al-Nisa verse 163 (4:163) "Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], as We revealed to Noah and the prophets after him (Noah)".

According to Ibn-e-Kathir, Hazrat Nuh AS was sent as Prophet for the people of Kufa and Mosul (Historical cities in Iraq). Some historians trace that they were people of Mesopotamia which included Sumerian, Babylonian and Assyrian civilisation  (modern day Iraq, Syria and Turkey). For many generations , people kept worshipping idols and believed that they bring them food, goods, protection, children and health. As a result they forget the concept of monotheism (worship only Allah). 

Today we have traces of remains of Mesopotamia civilisation in Iraq Museum in Baghdad. 

Who were the People of Hazrat Nuh AS ?

Hazrat Nuh AS (Noah):

In Quran :

Surah Al-Isra verse 3 (17:3) : "He ( Nuh AS) was indeed a grateful servant".

As years went by, people on Earth were practicing idolatry. This act came into practice such that whenever one of the good people died, their statues were made to keep a remembrance and eventually the coming generations began to worship them - treating idols as gods. Hence, Allah in his Mercy, sent Hazrat Nuh (AS) as His messenger, to guide the misguided people, to call them to repent for their sins, return to Allah and live according to Allah's revealed guidance.

In Bible (Genesis 5) : "Noah was born 146 years after the death of Adam"

In Quran Surah Al-Ankabut verse 14 (29:14) : "Indeed, We sent Nuh(Noah) to his people, and he remained among them for a thousand years, less fifty."

According to Ibn-e-Kathir: Ibn-e-Abbas mentioned that "Hazrat Nuh (AS) was appointed Prophet when he was 480 years old, He did prophethood teachings for 120 years and was instructed by Allah to build an Ark at the age of 600 years and he lived another 350 years more" 

Prophet Nuh AS began preaching his people and instructed them not to worship idols. He clarified to them how Satan (Shaitan) has deceived them. He would praise Allah consistently and urged his people to do the same, warning them about divine punishment they would face,  if they did not mend their ignorant ways. 

According to Ibn-e-Abbas, after Hazrat Idris AS , there were some righteous men , whom people of that time respected and consulted for their problems. Eventually, those pious men passed away, leaving people with no leader for guidance. Satan (Shaitan) disguised as man approached the people and suggested "Shall us make statues of these righteous men, it will be more pleasing in our worship and will remind everyone of them. Your forefathers used to worship these idols and they brought them goodness" People agreed and it is how for the first time Idolatry (Idol worshipping) began.

Quran surah Al-Nuh verse 23 (71:23) "urging (their followers) never leave your idols - Wadd, Suwa, Yaghuth, Yauq, and Nasr".

Hadith in Sahih-Bukhari 4920 : Ibn Abbas narrated that Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) narrated " All the idols which were worshipped by the people of Noah were worshipped by the Arabs later. Idol Wadd was worshipped by the tribe of Kalb, Suwa was idol for tribe of Hudhail , Yaghuth was idol for the tribe Murad and Ghutaif , Yauq was idol for Hamdan and Nasr for Himyar. These names belong to pious people among Noah and when they died satan inspired people to prepare and place idols at the places. They use to sit and call out their names to keep them remembered. But when the people (who initiated them) had also died , it was then idolatry started."

Surah Al-A'raf verse 59 (7:59) : "Indeed, We sent Noah to his people. He said, O my people! Worship Allah — you have no other god except Him(Allah). I truly fear for you the torment of a tremendous Day".

But the leaders of the tribes refuse to believe Hazrat Nuh AS and make fun of him and tried to bribe him.

In Quran Surah Al-Mu'minun verse 24 (23:24): "But the disbelieving chiefs of his (Nuh's) people said to the masses - This is only a human like you, who wants to be superior to you".

Surah Al-A'raf verse 60 (7:60): "But the chiefs of his people said, “We surely see that you are clearly misguided (at error)"

Surah Al-Hud verse 29 (11:29): "O my people! I do not ask you for a payment for this ˹message˺. My reward is only from Allah. And I will never dismiss the believers, for they will surely meet their Lord. But I can see that you are a people acting ignorantly".

Surah Nuh verse 2 and 3: (71- 2 & 3): "Noah proclaimed - O my people! I am truly sent to you with a clear warning; worship Allah ˹alone˺, fear Allah and obey me". 

Hazrat Nuh (AS) respond with patiences to every kind of accusation against his belief. He reiterated his message over and over again. And he promised them on Allah’s behalf, that if they heeded his call and turned back to Allah and certainly, Allah would forgive them

Surah Nuh verse 4 (71:4): "He (Allah) will forgive your sins and delay your end until the appointed time (ref. to Great flood). Indeed, when the time set by Allah comes, it cannot be delayed, if only you knew!”

With passing time, the conflict between Hazrat Nuh (AS) and his people intensified. They shut their hearts and ears against Hazrat Nuh AS and his Message. Their desire to retain their power and customary way of life prevented them from admitting the truth, even though it may have been absolutely clear to them. Against their endless enmity, Hazrat Nuh (AS) with unshakable certainty took refuge in Allah's remembrance and ask Allah for help.

Surah Al-Shu'ara verse 111 (26:111) : "Should we believe you (Noah)?, while you are followed by the lowest (class of people)"

Among the disbelievers , were members of his own Family (his wife) and one son .Hazrat Nuh (AS) had four Sons namely Sam (Shem) , Yafith (Japheth), Ham and Yam(Canaan). Yam and Hazrat Nuh (AS) wife were always rejecting to believe in Allah.

In Surah Al-Tahrim verse 10 (66:10) : "Allah sets forth an example for the disbelievers: the wife of Nuh (Noah) and the wife of Lut (Lot). Each was married to one of Our righteous servants, yet betrayed them. So their husbands were of no benefit to them against Allah whatsoever. Both were told, 'Enter the Fire, along with the others!".

After such a long period, only a small group of people believed in Allah. Finally, his people challenged him.

Surah Al-Su verse 11 -12 (54:11-12) : In Surah Hud verse 32 (11:32): "They said, 'O Noah, you have disputed us and been frequent in dispute of us. So bring us what you threaten us, if you should be of the truthful".

Prophet Nuh AS realised that the number of disbelievers was rapidly rising , while the number of believers remained unchanged. He was very upset for his people and feared a terrible predicament for them, but he was left with no choice. 

Surah Al-Mu'minun verse 26 (23:26) : "My Lord (Allah) , help me because they have denied me".

Hadith in Sahih-Bukhari 3339 : Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) narrated that Hazrat Nuh AS (Noah) and his nation will come on the Day of Resurrection and Allah will ask Hazrat Nuh AS, "Did you convey (the Message)?" He will reply, 'Yes, O my Lord!" Then Allah will ask Hazrat Nuh AS's nation, "Did Noah convey My Message to you?" They will reply, 'No, no prophet came to us." Then Allah will ask Noah, 'Who will stand a witness for you?' He will reply, 'Muhammad and his followers (will stand witness for me)" So, I and my followers will stand as witnesses for him (that he conveyed Allah's Message)."

Hazrat Nuh (AS)'s Ark (Kasht-e-Nuh):

Allah accepted Hazrat Nuh’s (AS) prayer. There came a day when Allah revealed to him that no need to wait and hope they would believe you. Allah informed Hazrat Nuh’s (AS) that his mission was complete and that he have remarkably carried out his duties and don't feel grief. As mentioned in Quran,

Surah Hud verse 36 (11:36): "No one will believe from your people except those who have already believed, so do not be distressed by what they have been doing".

Finally, Allah instructed Hazrat Nuh (AS) to build an Ark and give clear instructions. In Qasas-ul-Anbiyaa, it is mentioned that Hazrat Noah AS was a carpenter by profession ((Ref. in Hayat-ul-Qulub, Vol.1)

Hazrat Nuh AS obeyed Allah's command and started building an ark, with the help of small group of believers, away from the city. It was not an easy task. In Quran, Surah Hud verse 37 (11:37): "And build the Ark under Our ˹watchful˺ Eyes and directions...".

People of Harzat Nuh AS were surprised , as they could not find a valid reason that why Hazrat Nuh AS was  building a Huge Ark away from the city. Every time, whenever, they pass by, they laugh at him, mock him. As mentioned in Quran

Surah Hud 11 verse 38 (11:38) : "So he (Nuh) began to build the Ark, and whenever some of the chiefs of his people passed by, they mocked him. He said, “If you laugh at us, we will ˹soon˺ laugh at you similarly."

The Great Flood (Tufan-e-Noah) :

After the completion of Ark, which was build from planks and nails, came Allah's command as mentioned in Quran,

Surah Al-Hud verse 41 (11:41): “Board it! In the Name of Allah it will sail and cast anchor..."

Surah Al-Hud 11 verse 40 (11:40): "Load upon the ship , of [all kinds of creature] two mates of every, and your family, except those about whom the word has preceded, and [include] whoever has believed".

Soon after, Heavy rains began to pour from the sky and water began to rise from every corners of the earth. The oceans level reached sudden bursts creating huge waves which were of sizes of mountains. In Quran

Surah Al-Saba verse 16 (34:16) : " But they turned away and so we sent against them a devastating flood .... "

From the ark, Hazrat Nuh As (Noah) could see his son surrounded by the water. Hazrat Nuh AS implored him to come aboard the ark and to leave the non-believers. But he kept refusing till his last breathe and died. As mentioned in Quran

Surah Al-Hud verse 42 - 43 (11:42 - 43) : And Noah called out to his son, who had separated himself (apart), ‘O my son! Embark with us and be not with the disbelievers.’ The son replied, ‘I will betake myself to a mountain; it will save me from the water.’ Noah said: ‘This day there is no saviour from the Decree of God except him and on whom He has mercy.’ And a wave came in between them so he (the son) was among the drowned.”

Hazrat Nuh AS (Noah) was Allah's beloved prophet but he was also a father. When he saw the situation of his son, he prostrated (sajda) to Allah: Surah Al-Hud verse 45 (11:45) : “O my Lord! Verily my son is of my family! And certainly your promise is true and you are the Most Just of the judges.”

Allah responded to Hazrat Nuh AS prayer by replying Surah Al Hud verse 46 (11:46) : ‘Oh Noah! Surely, he is not of your family; verily, his work is unrighteous, so ask not of Me that of which you have no knowledge!"

Hazrat Nuh AS understood and politely replied to Allah, in Quran Surah Al-Hud verse 47 (11:47): “O my Lord! I seek refuge with You from asking from You that of which I have no knowledge. And unless You forgive me and have Mercy on me, I would indeed be one of the losers.”

To be continued .... PART C

In Part C, will continue the journey of Hazrat Nuh (AS), focusing on the period spent aboard the Ark and the events that unfolded after the water receded. Given the many assumptions and speculations surrounding this era, will carefully filter through the narratives to distinguish authentic accounts from misconceptions.

By grounding our discussion in the Quran and Sahih Hadith, will present the verified facts of his legacy. Furthermore, will explore modern scientific discoveries and geological evidence of a Great Flood. While some dismiss this event as a myth, next Blog will examine the physical evidence and historical records that affirm its reality.