Prophet Nooh (Noah) firmly continued his efforts in calling hispeople
to the way of Allaah Almighty. The rulers were tired ofNooh's
arguments. Allaah, the Exalted, related their attitude in the
following verses (which mean): "They said: 'O Nooh! You have disputed
[i.e., opposed] us and been frequent in dispute of us. So bring us
what you threatenus with, if you should be of the truthful.' He said:
'Allaah will onlybring it to you if He wills, and youwill not cause
[Him] failure. And my advice will not benefit you – although I wished
to advise you –if Allaah should intend to put youin error. He is your
Lord, and to Him you will be returned.'" [Quran: 11:32-34]
The battle continued; the arguments between the disbelievers and Nooh
became prolonged. When all the refutations of the disbelievers
collapsed and they had no more to say, they began to be offensiveand
insulted Allaah's prophet as in the verse (which means): "Said the
eminent among his people: 'Indeed, we see you in clear error.'"
[Quran: 7:60]
Nooh responded in the manner of the prophets; he said (what means):
"…'O my people! There is not error in me, but I ama messenger from the
Lord of theworlds. I convey to you the messages of my Lord and advise
you; and I know from Allaah what you do not know.' " [7: 61-62]
Nooh continued appealing tohis people to believe in Allaah hour after
hour, day after day andyear after year. He admonished his people and
called them to Allaah day and night, in secret and openly. He gave
them examples, explained Allaah's signs and illustrated Allaah's
ability in the formation of His creatures. But whenever he calledthem
to Allaah, they ran away from him. Whenever he urged them to ask
Allaah to forgive them, they put their fingers in their ears and
became too proud to listen to the truth.
Allaah, the Almighty, relates whatNooh faced, Saying (what means):
"Indeed, We sent Nooh to his people, [saying]: 'Warn your people
before there comes to them a painful punishment.' He said: 'O my
people! Indeed I am to you a clear warner, [Saying]: 'Worship Allaah,
fear Him and obey me. He [i.e. Allaah] will forgive you of your sins
and delay you for a specified term. Indeed, the time [set by] Allaah,
when it comes, will not be delayed, if you only knew.'' He said: 'My
Lord! Indeed I invited mypeople [to truth] night and day. But my
invitation increased them not except in flight [i.e. aversion].And
indeed, every time I invited them that You may forgive them, they put
their fingers in their ears, covered themselves with their garments
[in refusal], persisted, and were arrogant with [great] arrogance.
Then I invited them publicly. Then I announced to them and [also]
confided to them secretly. And said: 'Ask forgiveness of your Lord.
Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. He will send [rain from] the
sky upon you in [continuing] showers. And give you increase in wealth
and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers.
What is [the matter] with you that you do not attribute to Allaah
[due] grandeur, while He has created you in stages? Do younot consider
how Allaah has created seven heavens in layers, and made the moon
therein a [reflected] light and made the sun a burning lamp? And
Allaah has caused you to grow from the earth a [progressive] growth.
Then He will return you into it and extract you [another] extraction.
And Allaah has made for you the earth an expanse. That you may follow
therein roads of passage.'' Nooh said: 'MyLord! Indeed they have
disobeyedme and followed him whose wealth and children will not
increase him except in loss. And they conspired an immense conspiracy,
and said: 'Never leave your gods and never leave Wadd or Suwaa' or
Yaghooth and Ya'ooq and Nasr [i.e., the names of their idols]' And
already they have misled many. And, [my Lord], do not increase the
wrongdoers except in error.' Because of their sins they were drowned
and put into the Fire, and they found not for themselves besides
Allaah [any] helpers." [Quran: 71:1-25]
Nooh continued to call his people to believe in Allaah for nine
hundred and fifty years. Allaah, the Almighty, Says (what means): "And
We certainly sent Nooh to his people, and he remained among them a
thousand years minus fifty years…" [Quran: 29:14]
Insistence on disbelief
It happened that every passing generation admonished the succeeding
one not to believe Nooh and to wage war against him. The father would
teach his child about the matter that was between himself and Nooh and
counsel him to reject his call when he reached adulthood. Their
inclination rejected believing and following the truth.
Nooh saw that the number of believers was not increasing, while that
of the disbelievers was. He was sad for his people, but he never
reached the point ofdespair.
There came a day when Allaah revealed to Nooh that no others would
believe. Allaah inspired him not to grieve for them, at which point
Nooh prayed that the disbelievers be destroyed, saying (which means):
"…'My Lord! Do not leave upon the earthfrom among the disbelievers an
inhabitant. Indeed, if you leave them, they will mislead Your servants
and not beget except [every] wicked one and [confirmed] disbeliever.'"
[Quran: 71:26-27]
Allaah accepted the prayer of Nooh . The case was closed, and He
passed His judgment on the disbelievers in the form of a flood. Allaah
the Exalted ordered His worshipper, Nooh to build an ark with His
knowledge and instructions and with the help of angels. Almighty
Allaah commanded (what means): "And construct the ship under Our
Eyesand Our inspiration and do not address Me concerning those who
have wronged; indeed, they are [to be] drowned." [Quran: 11:37]
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