Lessons from the story of Prophet Nuh (AS): Prophet Nuh AS has many life teachings in his story and life of preaching. Prophet Nuh AS practiced the religion revealed to him by Allah SWT and preached it to his fellow people and his nation for 950 years (Quran 29:14).
The story of the first prophet is just as rich in guidance, as shown in these lessons from the story of Prophet Adam (AS).
He eventually concluded that the unbelievers were now deaf and blind to Allah’s message. Their existence was that of cancer that would eventually rot any goodness that existed around them and he asked Allah SWT to send down His punishment on them. He was instructed by Allah SWT to build an ark, as the disbelievers were to be drowned.
The ark carried the believers, who were few (Quran 11:40), and a pair of every kind of animal so that they would not become extinct; the exact number of people on board is not stated in the Quran or authentic hadith. The wife and one son of Nuh AS did not join him on the ark and died with the disbelievers. After that, the flood dried up and Nuh AS and his followers continued to live in peace.
What Can We Learn From The Story of Hazrat Nuh?
The story of Nuh AS is of great importance, which is signified by the narration of his story in the Qur’an. He is one of the few Prophets sent to earth who is mentioned in the Qur’an by name. His story is therefore filled with lessons and values that we can benefit from.
5 – Ignorance Overweighs Blood
The son and the wife of Prophet Nuh AS were drowned in the flood with the disbelievers for they were among the ignorant ones. Ignorance in the Islamic practice and the Arabic language is called Jahilliyah. The ignorant or the Jahil in Islam is not referring to academic backwardness or scientific/intellectual inferiority. Rather it is the ignorance of the self and the message of Allah with clear signs. Such ignorance is worse than the blindness of the eyes or the impairment of hearing as it only leads to hellfire.
Equally important is the fact that one’s blood is also a source of fitnah and a test that can lead one astray and cause one to err. This is surely out of the love and bond that Allah has created between us. However, these bonds act as chains that have the potential to bring us down or lift us in the ranks of piety and those favored by Allah SWT.
4 – Patience and Perseverance
Prophet Nuh AS is described in authentic hadith (the hadith of intercession) as the first messenger Allah sent to the people of the earth after shirk had spread among them. He met stubborn rejection and mockery from his people. He preached the message of Allah to his nation for 950 years (Quran 29:14) without giving up. This makes his dawah and mission a symbol of patience and perseverance.
Nuh AS was an excellent speaker and a patient and wise man and always spoke with great compassion. He was always clear in his message and did not misconstrue his words even at the cost of physical and verbal retaliation.
That did not affect his mannerism and sincerity when it came to warning his people. Even worse was the fact that his wife betrayed him and was among the disbelievers. She was not unfaithful to him rather rejected his prophetic message and conspired against him and his followers and with disbelievers. Here are some Beautiful Islamic Quotes on Patience.
3 – Gratefulness
Of all the characteristics of Nuh AS, his gratefulness and piety are most notable and mentioned and oft mentioned in the Qur’an. Nuh AS did not use his situation as an excuse to be ungrateful in face of the opposition and did not despair from his situation or the responsibility given to him.
He was grateful for Allah’s guidance and mercy. He understood very well that the arrogance and pride that his people had, and his humiliation was short-lived. It is of no comparison to Allah’s bounty and punishment of the hereafter which is everlasting and eternal. When compared to other Prophets, his followers were very few as most of his people were destroyed in the flood. This also did not sadden him as he understood that Allah’s punishment is just and wise.
Here are the most beautiful Islamic Quotes About Being Grateful.
2 – Value of Wisdom And Knowing to Let Go
In the Islamic tradition, Allah only brings down His punishment on earth when the nation has no hope of being guided. This happened to the nation of Lut AS, and many other Prophets. The punishment is also the mercy of Allah. This eliminates the wrongdoers from committing any more sins and violating their souls even further.
Also, the purpose of the punishment is also to eliminate the cancerous nature of such people who not only violate themselves but also are a threat of misguiding others with them. Nuh AS pleaded for his son out of fatherly love (Quran 11:45-46), but when Allah made clear that the son was not among the righteous, he submitted to Allah’s judgment and sought His forgiveness.
The very nature of this world is to make it clear to us our decisions and our errors. Allah guides and showers His mercy over everyone and those that are misguided even after the message has been made clear to them are those who can not let go of their ego and ignorance. Nuh AS embodies this concept in the best way, as he preached for 950 years consistently with compassion and love, and only prayed against his people (Quran 71:26-27) after Allah had informed him that no more of them would believe (Quran 11:36).
1 – Allah’s Bounty
Other lessons that are also of importance are that of Allah’s bounty. Allah is All-Knowing and All-Hearing and all that you endure in His cause does not go unnoticed. Nuh AS is among the prophets whose prayers are collected in our post on the duas of the Prophets, and more such lessons are in life lessons from the Quran. Nuh AS is also called the second Adam AS, as after Adam AS he is the direct ancestor of humanity.
Allah says in the Quran, “And We made his descendants the survivors” (37:77), meaning that humanity today descends from the people who were saved with him. Therefore, in essence, even if a small portion of his people followed his message and the majority rejected him, with time his bloodline replaced them and their ignorance. Thus, only Allah truly is the One who humiliates and honors.
All of us can learn and implement these lessons in our life – so Allah can be pleased with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Prophet Nuh (AS)?
Nuh (AS) was one of the great messengers of Allah, counted among the Ulul-Azm (the messengers of firm resolve). He called his people to worship Allah alone and warned them against shirk.
How long did Prophet Nuh (AS) preach?
The Quran (29:14) says he stayed among his people for a thousand years less fifty, that is 950 years.
Why did Allah send the flood?
After Nuh (AS) had called his people for a very long time and Allah informed him that no more of them would believe, the flood came as a punishment for those who persisted in rejecting the message.
Was the son of Prophet Nuh (AS) saved?
No. The Quran (11:42-43) mentions that one son refused to board the ark and drowned. Allah made clear that his son’s deeds were not righteous, so family ties alone do not save a person.
Where did the ark come to rest?
The Quran (11:44) says it settled on Mount Judi. Scholars differ on where exactly this mountain is, so it is best not to state a specific location with certainty. See also Islamic quotes on sabr for the lesson of patience in his story. For personal rulings, ask a qualified scholar.