Reflections on Story of Noah in Quran
I know when I pick up the Holy Book and start reading in Arabic, I tend to slow down when I reach recognizable names like Adam, Noah, Abraham or Moses – all names of Allah’s revered Prophets.
My eyes dart over to the meager translation to at least capture what Allah - in His Eminence - is telling me about this particular Prophet, in this particular verse.
Just like when reading a novel, when we arrive at a paragraph that introduces or describes a character, it tends to captivate the reader, because it humanizes the story. This is the same in the Quran.
I tend to gravitate to the names Allah mentions, because it brings out the personal touch of the Quran and forces me to understand who these important people were and who they are to us. It tells us a true story of another human being – so important – that this particular verse of him (or her), had to be captured to be part of the timeless message to humanity.
One of them is Noah (peace be upon him). He has such a simple name that mentioning it can get lost in the sea of beautiful phrases of the Book, but nonetheless, Allah’s love and compassion for this amazing Prophet knows no bounds that the human intellect can perceive, and even so, very few details of Noah are revealed in the Quran.
One of the messages of Allah to us is that details beyond the mention in the incredible chapters of the Quran are unimportant to us. If they are transcribed in authentic Judeo-Christian narrations, then we may choose to look into and believe in them, if they are not defamatory against Allah and the Prophet at hand.
However, what is obligatory for us to have strong beliefs in is what Allah has already told us. The following are a few reflections on Noah as described by Allah in the Quran.
One of the Five Noblest Human Beings
In fact, Noah was concerned about his people worshipping “prominent” personalities amongst their own communities, which was what had inevitably happened to the nation he had been assigned to. Pious individuals had been turned into subjects of admiration, both emotionally and physically (statues), which had later turned into objects of worship.
This is also a modern-day reflection, as to whether we do the same to those who have come before us, including pious people who are brought to life by virtue of our scriptures.
In some cultures, statues play a prominent role in culture which unfortunately do receive homage (perhaps without the worship), but depictions of prominent people of the past are still very normal.
Noah’s Mission: One of the Most Difficult
When Noah was appointed as a Prophet and was left (but guided) to his mission for 950 years, he marked the commencement of a legacy of prophets who would be disobeyed, taunted and mocked throughout their lifetime, yet stand firmly by their beliefs, despite personal attacks from disbelievers.
In a beautiful narration in Surah Hud, Noah responds to his people:
{I do not say to you that I possess Allah’s treasures; nor do I know the Unseen; nor do I say that I am an angel; nor do I say to those who are vile in your eyes that Allah will not be bountiful to them—Allah knows best what is in their hearts. If I did, I would certainly become a wrongdoer.} (11: 31)
It is common that people of reverence (especially now, in the modern world), would be those in power, have plenty of wealth, or run in circles with those of high status. They would be “celebrities” in their own right, with perhaps a mission to entertain or make-believe in their cause.
This would include actors, artists, musicians, politicians even (unfortunately); all those public personalities who would sell a certain persona that would inevitably include glamour and glitter of this worldly lifestyle and seek admiration from supporters.
If we look at the Prophets, most (if not all) had nothing more than a few pieces of clothes than the ones on their back. Most of them lived mediocre lives, giving up the wealth of this world, and in present terms, seemed pretty much, normal people.
This was part of Allah’s craft in the franchise of prophethood, to reimburse the natural state of human nature of being allured to a nuance higher than materialistic wealth. In fact, this was even recognized by the people of Noah that he was just a normal guy.
The ruling circle of those of his people who disbelieved said:
{We do not see you as anything but a human being like ourselves. We do not see anyone following you but the lowest of us, who are rash and undiscerning. We do not see you as superior to us. On the contrary, we consider you to be a liar.} (11:27)
{He [Noah] said, “My people! What do you think? If I were to have clear evidence from my Lord and He had bestowed upon me His grace, but you were blind to it, could we force it on you if you were unwilling?} (28)
{My people! I do not ask you for any recompense for this; for none but Allah can reward me. Nor will I chase away those who believe, for they are surely going to meet their Lord. However, I can see that you are ignorant people.} (29)
The message of Noah, as with every Prophet, was never changing – in fact it was the clear message of monotheism and accountability for all actions. This was obviously not an appealing message for many, as Noah and fellow messengers endured physical, mental and emotional torture for repeating the same declaration over and over again.
This is another difference with the modern day celebrity who changes his or her “sale,” (including the message, the image, the appeal), to suit the demands of his or her followers or audience in order to reap monetary rewards and continuous fame.
Role Model for Those with Difficult Followers
One of the most heart wrenching messages from Noah was the difficulty he had with his followers, including his family members. In the Surah by his name, Noah's desperation and frustration call out his final du’a to Allah in the Quran, relaying how his deep concern for his followers went unheeded. He talked about the physical, mental and emotional torment; as well as the social boycott he had to endure, generation after generation after generation.
Yet at the same time, in his despair, he recounts his love for Allah reminiscing the message he had tried to convey for the sake of Allah.
While this man feels pain and injustice for the mockery that he had faced, he refused to drown in sadness – and by doing so, he elevates his spirit by describing only some of the favors that Allah bestows upon everyone, and when reading silently, the sincerity of Noah’s words reaches out to the reader of the Quran.
Again, Noah reminds of the horridness in becoming blind followers to the worshipping culture of creation and asks Allah to wipe out disbelievers who are completely incapable of changing and are on the constant path of misleading others (and this is by Allah’s knowledge only).
Noah also faced the difficulty of unearthing the deceit and betrayal of his family. He, himself, was watching his son turn away from Allah even until the very last minute when he offered salvation. The pain of seeing his own child make a decision that ultimately led to his demise was so great that Allah had to calm him by asking him to let go and turn his own heart to his Lord.
How many of us struggle with difficult “followers?” Whether they are team members in an ad-hoc project, employees of a company who we are managing, an incorrigible spouse, or children (whether toddlers or teens), who just refuse to listen?
Be reminded of Noah who at times was beaten within inches of death by disbelievers. Think of Noah who watched his son be swept away by the floods, with him unable to do anything about it but trust Allah.
Ponder upon this great Prophet who spoke continuously about the oneness of Allah, in public and in private, during the day and the night. He would even approach those who showed an inkling of hope and advised that he would keep their secret – just be Muslims for Allah’s sake in a society that shunned monotheism.
A strained relationship is a bare scratch on the tribulations of what this great man went through. This is a great reminder that books don’t close until Allah says so – and Noah waited for a grand 950 years.
And this is also a reminder that any other message of Noah cannot be compared to the message in Allah’s Book.
Source: OnIslam
