Prophet Nuh(Alaih Assalaam)

Nuh(Alaih Assalaam) was a prophet who lived many years after Adam(Alaih Assalaam). The people with whom Nuh(Alaih Assalaam) lived refused to listen to him. When he said that they should worship only Allah (swt) and do good, they paid no attention. Nuh (Alaih Assalaam) told them they would be severely punished for ignoring him and the message he brought from Allah. Even so, the people did not believe what Nuh(Alaih Assalaam) told them. They laughed at him and said, "You are only a man like us. Only poor, weak people believe you. If you are telling truth, then show us the punishment you threaten. You are nothing but a liar!"

"I do not want anything from you," Nuh (Alaih Assalaam) answered, "and I shall never send away the poor or the weak. As far as the punishment is concerned, Allah will bring it upon you whenever he pleases. Don’t imagine you can stop Allah’s plans!"

Nuh (Alaih Assalaam) was both sad and angry that people would not heed his message. But Allah informed Nuh (Alaih Assalaam) that he should not feel this way. There was much more important work to do. Nuh(Alaih Assalaam) must build a big ship.

In obedience to Allah’s instructions, Nuh(Alaih Assalaam) began to build the ship on land. The people who saw it when they were passing made fun of him and his ship. But Nuh(Alaih Assalaam) had a warning for them. "You are making fun of us now," he said, "but soon we will know who has to suffer the severe punishment!"

When the ship was completed, it started to rain without ceasing and the waters on earth began to rise. Allah(swt) told Nuh(Alaih Assalaam) to go into the ship, together with his family and all his friends who believed. Nuh(Alaih Assalaam) should also take one male and female from each kind of animal on earth.

Nuh(Alaih Assalaam) did as he was told and then he said, "In the name of Allah, we shall now sail away, and when the time is right, we shall return again to the land."

The waters rose higher and higher until all the valleys were flooded. Nuh(Alaih Assalaam) saw one of his sons who had not yet boarded the ship and anxiously called out to him, "O my son, climb on board with us so that you will not belong to the unbelievers." But his son refused. Instead, he told Nuh: "I shall go up to the high mountain. The water cannot reach me there."

Nuh(Alaih Assalaam) became even more anxious. "Only those who listen to Allah can find protection!" he cried out to his son. But just then a huge wave came and many people were drowned. Nuh(Alaih Assalaam)’s son was among them.

It continued to rain for a long, long time. The water rose so high that it covered all the mountains. But at last the rain stopped falling and the floods went down. Now, Nuh(Alaih Assalaam)’s ship landed safely at the side of a mountain and all the people and animals who had been on the ship came out. Nuh(Alaih Assalaam) and his family and his friends thanked Allah with all their hearts, because they had been saved by Him.

Prophet Hud(Alaih Assalaam)

Many years ago, there lived a very industrious, hardworking people. They were the people of Ad, and they built large and beautiful houses. On every mountain, they had erected a tower and they were very proud of their beautiful buildings.

Among the people of Ad lived a man called Hud(Alaih Assalaam), and Hud(Alaih Assalaam) had been chosen by Allah as His prophet. Allah has sent me to you, Hud (Alaih Assalaam) said to his people. Allah has taught you all that you are able to do. He has also given you children and many animals. Therefore you should stop worshipping your false gods. Worship only Allah(swt) and obey His commands. Do good and do not commit wrongs and evil. Listen to what I say, for if you do not, I fear that a punishment will come upon you.

But the people of Ad scorned Hud(Alaih Assalaam): We are not going to listen to you, they scoffed. We are not going to let our gods down, just because you tell us to. Who are you, anyway? You are nothing but a liar. If you are not a liar, then prove it: tell Allah to send us the punishment.

Hud (Alaih Assalaam) was very sad and disappointed when he heard this. I am not a liar, I am the Prophet of Allah, he said, "Do you think the houses you have built will last for ever? Remember that it is Allah Who has given you your fortunes. He is my Lord and your Lord and only in Him do I trust. I have already warned you before: If you don’t obey Allah, He will choose some other people to take your place. Allah knows and hears everything. But despite Hud(Alaih Assalaam)’s warnings, the people of Ad went on worshipping their false gods. Hud was very disappointed. He called his true companions together and with them, he left the people of Ad. In this way, as you shall soon see, Allah protected and preserved those who believed in Him.

Shortly afterwards, a huge black cloud appeared in the sky over the people of Ad. When the unbelievers of Ad saw it, they said: This cloud is surely going to bring us some refreshing rain.

But they were very much mistaken. The cloud brought a terrible wind which killed them all. The wind swept everything away. Nothing was left except a few large stones, which were the remains of the houses and towers. Therefore, it is of no use to build and make many things. If one does not obey Allah, the punishment is sure to come, and all one has built will become ruins.