The Complete History of Prophet Nuh (Noah) – Peace Be Upon Him

Prophet Nuh (Noah, peace be upon him) is one of the greatest messengers of Allah, whose story is deeply significant in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. His life was a testament to patience, faith, and unwavering trust in God. The Quran, Hadith, the Bible, and the Torah contain various details about his mission, struggles, and the Great Flood that changed the course of history. Below is a comprehensive account of Prophet Nuh’s life based on these primary sources.  

Birth and Early Life of Prophet Nuh  

Prophet Nuh was born about 1260 years after Prophet Adam (peace be upon him). He was from the tenth generation after Adam and was a direct descendant of Prophet Idris (Enoch, peace be upon him). The world at that time had gradually drifted away from the worship of one true God. People had begun to worship idols, indulging in wrongdoing and arrogance.  

Nuh grew up in this corrupt society but remained righteous, worshiping Allah alone and staying away from idol worship. Due to his piety, wisdom, and strong faith, Allah chose him as a messenger to guide his people back to the path of monotheism.  

Prophet Nuh’s Call to His People

Allah sent Prophet Nuh to his people when he was around 50 years old (some narrations suggest he was even older). His primary mission was to call them to the worship of the one true God and to abandon their idols, which they had named Wadd, Suwa, Yaghuth, Ya’uq, and Nasr (as mentioned in Surah Nuh 71:23).  

For 950 years, Prophet Nuh tirelessly preached to his people, day and night, in public and in private, using wisdom and gentle words. The Quran states his words:  

"O my people! Worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a terrible day." (Quran 7:59)  

However, the majority of his people rejected his message. They mocked him, called him insane, and told him that he was just a human like them with no special authority from God. They insisted that their forefathers had worshiped these idols for generations, and they saw no reason to abandon them.  

Persecution and Challenges Faced by Prophet Nuh  

Despite his patience and dedication, Prophet Nuh faced severe opposition. The leaders of his community, who were wealthy and powerful, feared that his teachings would disrupt their status. They ridiculed him, spread lies about him, and even encouraged the people to physically attack him.  

Whenever Prophet Nuh spoke about the oneness of Allah, they would cover their ears and turn away in arrogance. Some even threw stones at him, yet he never retaliated. Instead, he continued to plead with them to repent and warned them of Allah’s punishment if they continued in their ways.  

His own wife and one of his sons were among those who rejected his message. His wife was secretly a disbeliever who supported the corrupt people, and she was eventually among those destroyed in the flood.  

The Construction of the Ark

After nearly a millennium of preaching with only a handful of followers (some narrations say around 80 people), Allah revealed to Prophet Nuh that no more people would believe in his message. The Quran states:  

"None of your people will believe except those who have already believed, so do not be distressed by what they do." (Quran 11:36)  

Allah then commanded him to build a massive ark that would save him, his followers, and pairs of animals from the coming flood.  

Prophet Nuh did not know how to build a ship, but Allah guided him step by step. He was instructed to plant trees and wait for them to grow, which took years. Once the trees were mature, he cut them down, prepared the wood, and began constructing the ark. Some narrations state that it took 80 years to complete.  

During this time, his people mocked him even more, saying, “You were a prophet, and now you have become a carpenter?” They laughed, asking where the water was that would need such a large ship. Prophet Nuh ignored their taunts and continued his work.  

The Gathering of the Animals and the Coming of the Flood

When the ark was finally completed, Allah instructed Prophet Nuh to bring aboard a pair (male and female) of every species of animal, bird, and insect. The Quran states:  

"Load upon the ark pairs of every species, along with your family—except those against whom the decree has already been passed—and those who believe." (Quran 11:40)  

Then, the sign of the flood appeared. The Quran describes it as water gushing forth from the ground (Quran 11:40). It started to rain heavily, and the earth began to release underground water. This continued for days until the entire land was submerged.  

Prophet Nuh, his followers, and the animals were safe inside the ark, but the rest of the people were drowning.  

The Fate of Prophet Nuh’s Son

One of the most emotional moments during the flood was when Prophet Nuh saw his son standing apart from the ark. He pleaded with him to come aboard and be saved:  

"O my son, come aboard with us and do not be with the disbelievers." (Quran 11:42)  

But his son arrogantly replied, "I will take refuge on a mountain to protect me from the water." Prophet Nuh responded, "There is no protector today from Allah’s command except for those to whom He grants mercy." (Quran 11:43)  

At that moment, a massive wave swept his son away, and he drowned. Prophet Nuh was heartbroken but accepted Allah’s judgment.  

The Flood and the End of the Storm 

The rain continued for 40 days and nights, and the ark floated on the water for around 150 days (according to some Islamic and biblical narrations). When Allah decreed the flood to end, the water began to recede. The ark came to rest on Mount Judi (Quran 11:44), located in present-day Turkey.  

To check if the land was dry, Prophet Nuh sent out a raven, but it did not return. He then released a dove, which came back with an olive leaf, signaling that vegetation had begun to grow again. After some more days, the land had dried enough for them to disembark.  

Prophet Nuh’s Final Years and Death 

Once they settled, Prophet Nuh and his followers started life anew, and his descendants populated the earth. He continued to worship Allah and spread righteousness. Some narrations say he lived for up to 2500 years, while the Quran confirms that he preached for 950 years (Quran 29:14).  

Before his death, he advised his followers to remain steadfast in faith and avoid idol worship. He passed away peacefully, and his burial place is believed to be in various locations, including Najaf (Iraq), Jordan, or Turkey, but the exact site remains unknown.  

Conclusion 

The story of Prophet Nuh teaches us valuable lessons about patience, faith, and trusting in Allah’s wisdom. Despite enduring hardships for centuries, he remained steadfast in his mission. His story serves as a reminder that truth always prevails, and those who reject divine guidance ultimately face consequences.  

May we all learn from his perseverance and dedication to the path of righteousness.