AL ASHARI SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

 *Hazrat Nuh (Peace be upon him) – Part 2*

_We sent Nuh to his people, and he said to them: “I have come to you to warn you plainly and to convey the message: Do not worship anyone except Allah. I fear for you the punishment of a painful day.”_

_The chiefs of his people who disbelieved said: “We see you only as a man like ourselves, and we see that none have followed you except those who are the lowest among us, of immature judgment. And we do not see that you have any merit over us. Rather, we think you are liars.”_

_He said: “O my people, have you considered: if I am upon clear proof from my Lord, and He has given me mercy from Himself, but it has been obscured from you — should we compel you to accept it while you are averse to it? And O my people, I do not ask you for wealth in return for this advice. My reward is only with Allah. And I will not drive away those who have believed. They will surely meet their Lord, but I see that you are a people acting ignorantly.”_

_“And O my people, if I drive them away, who would help me against Allah? Will you not then reflect? And I do not say to you that I have the treasures of Allah, nor that I know the unseen, nor do I say that I am an angel. Nor do I say about those whom your eyes look down upon that Allah will not grant them any good. Allah knows best what is in their souls. Indeed, if I were to say so, I would surely be among the wrongdoers.”_

_They said: “O Nuh, you have disputed with us and disputed at length. So bring upon us what you threaten us with, if you are truthful.”_

_He said: “Allah alone will bring it upon you if He wills, and you will not be able to escape it. And my sincere counsel will not benefit you if I wish to counsel you, while Allah intends to let you go astray. He is your Lord, and to Him you will be returned.”_

_Do they say, “This messenger has invented the Qur’an himself”? Say: “If I have invented it, then upon me is my sin, and I am free of the sins you commit.”_

_And it was revealed to Nuh: “None of your people will believe except those who have already believed, so do not grieve over what they do. And construct the ship under Our observation and Our inspiration, and do not address Me concerning those who have wronged; indeed, they are to be drowned.”_

_So he began building the ship. And whenever the chiefs of his people passed by him, they ridiculed him. He said: “If you ridicule us, then we will ridicule you just as you ridicule. And you are going to know who will get a punishment that will disgrace him and upon whom will descend an enduring punishment.”_

_Until, when Our command came and the oven overflowed, We said: “Load upon it a pair of every kind — a male and a female — and your family, except those against whom the word has preceded, and whoever has believed.” But only a few had believed with him._

_And he said: “Embark upon it. In the name of Allah is its course and its anchorage. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful.”_

_And it sailed with them through waves like mountains. At that time he called to his son, who was apart from the ship: “O my son, come aboard with us and do not be with the disbelievers.”_

_He said: “I will take refuge on a mountain to protect me from the water.” Nuh said: “There is no protector today from the decree of Allah except for whom He gives mercy.” And the waves came between them, so he was among the drowned._

_And it was said: “O earth, swallow your water, and O sky, withhold your rain.” And the water subsided, and the matter was accomplished, and the ship came to rest on Judi. And it was said: “Away with the wrongdoing people.”_

_And Nuh called to his Lord and said: “My Lord, indeed my son is of my family; and indeed, Your promise is true, and You are the most just of judges.”_

_Allah said: “O Nuh, he is not of your family; indeed, he is unrighteous conduct. So do not ask Me about that of which you have no knowledge. I advise you, lest you be among the ignorant.”_

_He said: “My Lord, I seek refuge in You from asking You that of which I have no knowledge. And unless You forgive me and have mercy upon me, I will be among the losers.”_

_It was said: “O Nuh, disembark in peace from Us and blessings upon you and upon nations from those with you. But other nations We will grant enjoyment; then there will touch them from Us a painful punishment.”_

_These are some of the news of the unseen which We reveal to you. Neither you nor your people knew them before this. So be patient. Indeed, the best outcome is for the righteous._

_Source: Al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya, Imam Ibn Kathir_