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Surat-al-Fatiha - in English
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In The Name Of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
(1) By the bright morning light,
(2) and by the night when all is still,
(3) your Lord has not forgotten you, He is not displeased with you,
(4) and the time to come will be better than the past! (*)
(5) Soon your Lord will give to you, and you will be satisfied.
(6) Did He not find you as an orphan and gave you shelter?
(7) Did He not find you lost, and showed you the way? (**)
(8) Did He not find you in need, and enriched you?
(9) So, as for the orphan do not be harsh with him;
(10) and the beggar, do not send him away (empty-handed);
(11) and as for you Lord's beautiful gifts, speak of them (to others).
(*) Some scholars say that this verse means 'the next life will be better for you than this one'.
(**) The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), never worshipped idols as a child or young
person although almost everyone around him did, but still he was without true guidance in religion,
and therefore 'lost' until Allah revealed to him the straight way.
Explanation of the above Surah
ad-Duha
( 93: The Morning Light )
This surah was revealed in the early days of the Prophet's mission (peace and blessings be upon him) during a period when he was worried and the angel did not come with any new revelations for some time. The unbelievers of Makkah started to tease the Prophet, saying that his 'devil' had abandoned him. So, the first section begins by assuring him that everything would turn out well in the end.
The second section reminds the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that Allah had helped him out of many troubles before. The beloved Messenger of Allah was burdened by the death of his father, mother and grandfather in his early childhood; Allah provided for him through the care of his uncle and later through his marriage to the wealthy widow Khadijah, his first wife. From a difficulty beginning Allah raised him to a position of fame, at first because of his honesty and good character and later through his mission to humanity.
It often happens that people with humble beginnings become corrupted when they rise to high positions of power or fame. Many wealthy businessmen who began their careers as poor shoe-shiners on the street or newspaper boys forget their simple origins after they join up with the rich crowd.
They begin to look down on people whom they think are 'lower' than themselves, and treat them badly. This attitude comes from their thinking that they have made their own success, not realizing that they could never have achieved anything without the support and grace of Allah.
This surah was revealed before the Prophet's mission became successful, but Allah was instructing him and all of the believers in advance to be very careful of their treatment of those more unfortunate that themselves. The blessed Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was the best example of good treatment; even during his busiest period in Madinah he would always take time to personally attend to the needs of women and children, and the weak and poor. He remained humble even when he was the leader of all Arabia, and his own family often went without food so that others could eat.
All of us face problems from day to day, but we should never forget Allah's kindness to us. Rather than comparing our lives to those of other people who have more than we do, we should compare our lives to those millions of people who have less, and be grateful. Even if we live in a place where we never see a really poor person or ever know an orphan, still there are always things we can do to help others less fortunate than ourselves.
In The Name Of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
(1) By the passing time:
(2) People are definitely losers-
(3) except those who believe and do good, and encourage each other to the truth, and encourage each other to endurance.
" Surah al-Asr " (The Passing Time).
Explanation of the above Surah
This is a very important surah; Imam Shafi said that if people thought carefully about it , it would be enough for their guidance. It is reported that when the Sahabah met, they would recite it before parting each other's company. What makes this surah so special? It summarizes in a few words some main themes of the Qur'an, namely, that those who do not believe in God or do good deeds, or who spend their lives in lies and hypocrisy will one day lose all that they have worked for; their entire lives will have been wasted and it will be too late to do anything about it. In it we also see that those who do not struggle to establish the truth in their lives and societies, or who give up their hopes or struggles too easily will end up being losers. In every area of life it is necessary to have faith and always to try to do one's best; we must encourage each other - our family, friends and fellow men - to strive for what is good and true and to have patience even with things we dislike in order to be successful. Allah begins the surah by swearing by '' the passing time '' , and there is a very interesting story which makes clear the connection between time and the topic of this surah. Before the age of refrigerators and freezers, storing ice for use in the summer was a difficult and delicate affair. A thousand years ago, residents of warm Muslim lands would transport huge blocks of snow and ice from neighbouring mountain peaks or bring them by camel and ship from special ice houses' where ice had been saved and insulated with salt and straw for use in the summer.
Eventually this ice would find its place in the market, along with other goods for sale. One scholar reported that he understood the meaning of 'wal-asri innal-insana lafi khusr' when he heard an ice-seller in the market place calling out, 'Have mercy on a man whose wealth is melting away!' meaning, 'please buy my ice before it melts, or I will lose all my investment and have no money with which to feed my family'. Of course, on a very hot day, even with the best of insulation the ice would melt with every passing second. The scholar thought about this. Our lives are like the blocks of ice : they are passing away with each second, never to return. Just as the ice-seller is a loser if he does not sell his merchandise before it melts, so are we losers if we do not make the most of our time by filling it with good deeds which will 'pay off' in the life of the Hereafter.
Stories from The Holy Quran for The Young
This Beautiful World
All around us plants and trees are budding, growing and spreading. There are so many kinds. Some grow on land, and some in water. Some have flowers, others do not- but all are fresh and beautiful.
Look at the leaves waving in the breeze. Look at the sweet-smelling flowers: red, blue, white, yellow and so many other colours. And look! Birds are singing in the branches of the trees. Everything is filled with joy. Trees and plants cover the Earth like a carpet of greenery, and animals wander among them. But don't just look at the trees and flowers. There is much more than this. Rise to your feet. Go to the plains where you can see rivers flowing down from the mountains. Look at the vast, rolling ocean. Listen to the music of the wind and the waves. Don't look down too long. Lift your head and look at the sky, at the sun and the clouds, at the stars and the moon. Look at this world, so perfect and beautiful. This beautiful world did not make itself. It is the creation of Allah, who made everything, the earth and the sky, day and night. Allah made a world of beauty and peace, but you broke the silence; you and your friends and relatives: mankind. Allah made the angels and Iblis, and then He made Adam, chosen as Allah's representative in our world. Adam was the man who first broke the silence of the world. Allah taught Adam the names of all things. Opening his eyes, Adam looked round and these words came from his lips, " Al - Hamdu lillahi Rabi'l _ 'Alamin ", which means, 'All praise to Allah, God who has ordered the Universe'. They were words of depth and understanding. The whole world was made by Allah and only Allah is worthy to be worshipped and praised.
Iblis's pride
The angel was surprised when Allah told him, 'I have made Adam the prophet of the world' (Al Quran, Surah al-Baqarah, verse 30). 'Is it right that You make a man prophet of the world, when man will cause destruction and spill blood, whereas we praise and worship You?' asked the angel.
(Al Quran, Surah al-Baqarah, verse 39). Allah's reply was wise. 'Believe that I have knowledge of things which are hidden to you'. (Al Quran, Surah al-Baqarah, verse 30). Then the angel was ashamed. He no longer questioned Allah's will but bowed to the prophet Adam. Iblis watched the angel but he himself stood erect. His heart was full of hatred for Adam. He would not bow. Allah spoke. 'Iblis, what prevents you from bowing to Adam, whom I have made through My might? Are you of such high rank that you are too proud to obey Me?' (Al Quran, Surah Sa'ad, verse 75). 'I am better than he is ', said Iblis. 'You made me out of fire and You made Adam out of earth'. (Al Quran, Surah Sa'ad, verse 76) Iblis was not in the least ashamed of rebelling against Allah's will. He had been a loyal servant to Allah, but his pride would not accept Allah's decision to make Adam His representative. He watched Adam with loathing. Allah is the All-Giving God of Love but Allah is also the God of Might. Iblis's disobedience could not be allowed. ' You must leave Paradise', ordered Allah. 'You are banished and you will suffer My curse even till the Day of Judgment'. (Al Quran, Surah Sa'ad, verses 77-78). Iblis had not thought Allah's punishment would be so harsh. But although he was banished from Paradise and cursed till the Day of Judgment. Although he knew he must suffer in Hell for eternity, he was too stuborn to say he was sorry. Allah's punishment inflamed Iblis's hatred for Adam. He made up his mind to bring about the damnation of Adam and all his descendants till the Day of Judgment. 'If I must live in Hell', he thought, 'then why not man?' He knew it would not be easy to drag man down to Hell but there had to be a way. Iblis thought hard. 'I will tempt him', he thought, smiling to himself. 'Adam and his children will be damned through greed. I will make him feel safe and secure, then I will trick him. In his greed he forget Allah and Allah's will'. One thing worried Iblis.. What if he died before he had time to carry out him plan? He appealed to Allah, ' O Mighty Allah, let me live until the Day of Judgement' (Al Quran Surah Sa'ad, verse 79), and his request was granted. So Iblis left Paradise with his evil plan. 'I will trap them all', he thought, 'except for those of Your servants among the descendants of Adam who are not traitorous and who have not strayed from the path of righteousness'. (Al Quran, Surah Sa'ad, verses 82-83). Adam would not find life easy. He and his children would have to face Iblis. And the hardships we face today are the legacy of those trials that faced the prophet Adam.
The creation of Hawwa (Eve)
The prophet Adam, father of all man-kind, was Allah's most wonderful creation (ahsani taqwim), and Paradise was made for him. Adam lived in Paradise. He was free there. He breathed fresh air.
He was surrounded by trees, rivers, gardens and beautiful things. He had all kinds of food and fruit to eat. He could sleep, lie down, sit up, walk about, and do whatever he wanted without interference from anybody.
But the prophet Adam was a man. He wanted to praise the beauty of the Paradise he lived in. But who to? Who could he talk to? Paradise was silent. He had only the trees and the rivers for company and his mind was bursting with the need to speak, to break the silence of Paradise.
Allah the All-Knowing understood Adam's longings. He understood the need for friendship and love, the need to share joys and sorrows, the need to speak.
It was time to end Adam's loneliness. While Adam slept, Allah created a new being; someone like Adam. The only difference was that Adam was male and she was female. She was made from Adam's left rib.
When Adam woke, he saw someone standing beside him. He looked at her with joy and broke the silence of Paradise with a question.
'Who are you?' he asked. 'I'm a woman ', she answered.
'What's your name?' asked Adam.
'My name is Hawwa', she replied softly.
'Why are you called Hawwa? asked Adam
'Because I was made from Hayyun, which means life. That is, I was made from you', explained Hawwa, and Adam smiled happily.
Now Adam had a companion and he was no longer lonely. His life with Hawwa was a life of perfect contentment. In Paradise all their needs were satisfied.
Allah spoke to Adam.
'You may life in Paradise with your wife', He told Adam. ' Eat and drink as much as you want of anything in the garden, except the fruit of this tree. If you come near this tree and eat the fruit, you will have broken My command and you will suffer for it. You will have brought great punishment on yourselves'. (Al-Quran, Surah al-Baqarah, verse 35) Allah warned Adam about Iblis. 'Adam! Iblis is your enemy and the enemy of your wife. He will not cease to tempt you until you are banished from Paradise, until you live in sorrow and despair. But in Paradise you may live in peace and harmony, knowing nothing of hunger and pain'.
A kind of fruit was the only thing in Paradise forbidden to Adam and Hawwa. They had to control their desire for this fruit, control their greed. This restriction was a test of Adam and Hawwa's loyalty as the representatives of Allah. The angel saw Hawwa with Adam and asked who she was.
' Her name is Hawwa', Adam explained to the angel. 'She's to be my companion, as Allah has decreed.'
The angel was happy for Adam, but Iblis was spying on Paradise and when he saw Adam with Hawwa, his rage and jealousy knew no bounds. He watched them carefully, waiting for an opportunity to ruin their lives. He knew that the fruit was forbidden to Adam and Hawwa by Allah and he began to make plans.
Temptation by Iblis
Iblis made his way to the gates of Paradise. He was determined to get Adam and Hawwa expelled from Paradise and he had a plan.
He found Adam and Hawwa in the gardens of Paradise. As he looked around him, Iblis's heart yearned for the pleasures and beauty of Paradise which he was forbidden for ever, but he greeted Adam in a pleasant voice.
'Adam, I know I can no longer live in Paradise', he said, ' but I've come to give you some advice.'
Adam and Hawwa were silent.
Adam remembered Allah's warning and was suspicious of Iblis.
'Over there is a tree', continued Iblis. 'Now, if you take the fruit and eat it, you will be able to remain here for ever.'
'That fruit?' asked Adam. Iblis nodded and glanced at Hawwa.
Adam had not forgotten Allah's command. The words rang in his ears, 'Do not go near that tree! Do not.... do not.... do not....!', as he said, 'Iblis! Leave this place!'
Iblis was surprised at the sterness in Adam's voice. He had not thought Adam would be so stubborn.
'You tried to tempt me,' accused Adam, ' but I know the fruit of that tree is forbidden by Allah.'
Iblis went away but he hadn't given up hope. 'I'll be back tomorrow or the day after. I'll be back', he promised himself.
Iblis came back again. This time he said to Adam, ' That fruit is only forbidden to angels. You're not an angel, you're a man.'
But Adam still remembered Allah's words and was not tempted. Iblis came again and again, and failed again. Then, one day, as he held out a ripe, delicious-smelling fruit from the tree, Iblis said, ' By Allah, I only want to help you stay in Paradise for ever.'
Hawwa was curious about the fruit. She longed to eat it and when she heard Iblis use Allah's name, she said to Adam, ' He can't be lying if he uses the name of Allah.'
Adam's heart was torn. Should he believe Iblis or not?
' Go on, take it', urged Iblis, - and they both held out their hands for the fruit.
The moment the fruit passed their lips, all their clothes disappeared.
Adam and Hawwa were bewildered and ashamed. Iblis had gone, satisfied. Adam and Hawwa hid but Allah still saw them.
'Did I not forbid you to eat that fruit? And did I not tell you that Iblis was your enemy? Yet you have eaten the fruit.'
Adam and Hawwa knelt, ashamed, and begged for forgiveness for their sin. Allah, the Merciful and Forgiving, forgave Adam and his wife, but He said, ' You two must leave Paradise, and descend to Earth. There you shall live, but through hardships, all the days of your lives, and live by the sweat of your brow.'
Adam and Hawwa heard Allah's command, and they knew they must obey the will of Allah.
So Adam and Hawwa left Paradise to live in this world of hardships and sorrow. And Iblis waited, smiling, for the day when he could destroy the children of Adam.
Habil and Qabil make sacrifices
Life on Earth was not too hard for the family of the prophet Adam, especially since the birth of his children. Now that the sons, Qabil and Habil, ere adult they helped with the work. Qabil prepared the soil and grew the crops while Habil looked after the sheep. Qabil's crops were thriving and Habil's sheep were multiplying. This was the gift of Allah. It was Allah who made their lives easier. Adam and Hawwa's sorrow when they first arrived on Earth had been lifted by Allah's blessings. Adam was grateful to Allah and he prayed to Him many times a day.
' Al-Hamdu Lillah, al Hamdu Lillah, al Hamdu Lillah....', Adam prayed before each meal, when he saw Qabil's crops and Habil's sheep, and whenever he smelled the fresh air in their pleasant valley.
Adam and Hawwa realised their sons ere now grown up, and so were the girls, Iqlima and Labuda.
Allah ordered Adam to marry his children together : " Qabil with Labuda and Habil with Iqlima " Adam heard, and immediately he set about obeying Allah's will.
Qabil, Habil, Iqlima and Labuda sat before their father, waiting for him to speak.
' This is the command of Allah, Who has given us so many blessings ', Adam told them firmly.
' Qabil is now an adult ', he said, looking at his son. 'And Habil is now an adult', he continued, turning to Habil.
' And Iqlima and Labuda also adults. ' The two girls blushed at their father's words.
' Allah has told me to marry Qabil to Labuda and Habil to Iqlima ', continued Adam.
But at this point Qabil jumped up and protested. He wanted to marry Iqlima, who was beautiful, Labuda was not. Qabil refused to accept Allah's command, so Adam came to a decision.
' This is what we'll do. Qabil and Habil will both make a sacrifice to Allah, on that hill over there. If Qabil's sacrifice is accepted by Allah, he will have the right to marry Iqlima, and if Habil's sacrifice is accepted, then he will marry her.'
Iblis had been watching Qabil's argument with his father. He came and whispered in Qabil's ear.
' Iqlima is beautiful. Labuda is ugly. You must use whatever means you can to marry
Iqlima .'
Qabil was choosing his poorest wheat for sacrifice. 'That's right !' said Iblis. 'Why waste good wheat ? After all, you've slaved and laboured to grow it .'
Qabil was mean and willingly listened to Iblis's advice.
So Qabil took his poorest wheat to the hill but Habil took his fattest and most prized sheep to be sacrificed. Adam prayed to Allah to accept the sacrifices of his sons.
Suddenly, a white light poured down from heavens and took Habil's sheep. Qabil's wheat was left on the hillside. Habil gave thanks to Allah, but Qabil was furious and blamed Adam, 'Father, Habil's sacrifice was accepted because you prayed for him and you didn't's pray for me .'
But Adam replied, ' Habil made a worthy sacrifice because he has a good heart, and Allah was pleased with his sacrifice. You gave bad wheat because you have a bad heart.'
Qabil felt hatred for Habil in his heart.
Bloodshed on Earth
Qabil could not accept the result of the sacrifices. He became bad-tempered and paid no attention to his father or mother. He sat lost in his own thoughts, pitying himself.
Iblis came to visit him again.
' Don't give up so easily ! Iqlima is beautiful. You should do anything to win her. Kill Habil!', hissed Iblis.
Qabil's heart leapt. Habil was his brother! But he was also the barrier to Qabil's love for Iqlima.
' Kill him !' insisted Iblis.
Habil was kind-hearted and understood how his brother felt about Iqlima. But what could he do? Allah's will had to be obeyed.
' Qabil, I know how you feel ', Habil began sympathetically.
Qabil said nothing.
' But you must accept the result of the sacrifices as the will of Allah', continued Habil. 'You are my elder brother and I respect you, but Allah has shown us that Iqlima is not for you'.
Qabil leaped up in anger.
' Iqlima's mine, whatever you say', he shouted. Habil was worried for Qabil's sake.
' Qabil, you must pull yourself together. To oppose the will of Allah is unforgivable'.
But Qabil would not listen to him and all the while Iblis was whispering in Qabil's ear, ' Kill him!' .
Qabil reeled away from Habil. He could not sit still. He could not stand. He tried to close his eyes but could not. ' Kill! Kill!' The words rang in his ears.
He walked towards the hillside where Habil's sheep were grazing peacefully.
Iblis appeared beside him again.
' There are many ways to kill Habil', said Iblis. He made a gesture, and a bird appeared in his hand.
Iblis placed the bird's head on a stone and smashed it with a rock.
Qabil understood Iblis's meaning. He raised his head and flexed his muscles.
' Hurry! Hurry up and do it!' Iblis urged Qabil.
Qabil found Habil sleeping on a rock. He lifted a stone, then replaced it. He lifted it again - and put it down again.
'Habil is my brother', said a small voice in Qabil's heart.
'Kill him!' said his desire for Iqlima.
'Don't! ' said his heart.
But Iblis told Qabil not to be afraid to kill Habil. Qabil lifted the stone. He shut his eyes. He brought the stone down on Habil's head. Habil's skull was crushed and his blood spattered on the rock.
For the first time in history man lay murdered in the dust, and for the first time the Earth was stained with the blood of man. Iblis smiled and was gone.
Qabil was afraid and didn't's know what to do. Black clouds covered the sun. A wind blew up. The leaves trembled. All nature seemed to be mourning Habil. The clouds, the wind, the leaves seemed to accuse him, 'Qabil is a murderer! Qabil is a murderer!'.
For days Qabil carried Habil's body. But Allah is the God of Love and Mercy. He showed Qabil what to do by using a bird. The bird made a hole in the ground to look for food.
'Of course! How stupid of me!' thought Qabil, and he dug a grave and buried Habil's body.
Fear now gripped Qabil's soul. Fear, and sorrow for what he had done, made him hide himself from man. He wanted to forget what he had done but his thoughts tormented him and the words, 'Qabil is a murderer! Qabil is a murderer! rang in his ears.
He had lost everything. He had lost his brother. He had angered his father, his mother and his
family. He was shunned by Allah.
Qabil fled to Adan, Yaman. He took Iqlima with him. There Iblis appeared to him again and persuaded him to worship fire. Qabil was the first criminal and the first man to deny Allah. He was the first man to turn back on the faith of Allah.
Resting in the vineyard
In the distance some people were dancing round a fire. They were descendants of Qabil, who had been tricked by Iblis and who became a fire worshipper.
An old man stood shaking his head as he watched them.
'Lost, they are lost', he thought.
'Just like the people in my own village'. He put down his bundle of belongings. Sorrow enveloped him. He had fled from his village because his people and spoken against Allah and broken His Law.
Since childhood the old man had refused to follow the foolishness of his fellow villagers. He still kept faith with Allah and the prophet Idris. So he had been shunned by his own people and forced to leave his home.
He walked on, thinking of his dream that one day he will be able to speak the truth and help spread the worship of Allah, as the prophet Idris had done.
'I will be patient, as the prophet Idris was', he said as he walked along.
'And I will, too ', said a voice behind him. The old man stared and turned round. To his surprise he saw his friend behind him. They walked on together. They talked of the courage of the prophet Idris in spreading the religion of Allah, and fearlessly opposing anyone who sinned against Allah and His apostles.
'Allah has called him siddiqan nabiyya, the prophet who is brave enough to fight for the truth', said the friend.
They knew that it was not easy to speak the truth about the worship of Allah, and His Law. There were not many people brave enough to do it, but they had to try and find the courage themselves.
By now they both needed a rest. They stopped in vineyard. The soft, night breeze fanned their tired bodies. They felt refreshed. The pale light of the moon shone on the bunches of ripe grapes all around them.
'Do you know the story about the prophet Idris and the grapes? asked the old man.
'No, I don't', said his friend.
'It's a wonderful story', said the old man, and he began his tale.
' The angel Izrail came to him ...'
' Izrail, the Angel of Death?' interrupted his friend.
' Yes, the Angel of Death. But he didn't come to take his life', the old man explained. ' Izrail was astonished at the devotion of the prophet Idris. He decided to test the prophet by disguising himself as a man. Izrail was walking in a field of sheep with the prophet. He told him to slaughter one of the sheep, but prophet Idris refused. He said the sheep belonged to someone else and he could not take someone else's belongings.' The old man paused for a minute.
' But a sheep is not a grape ', interrupted his friend.
' Patience, friend ', said the old man.
' So the prophet Idris and Izrail went on their way, trying to forget about their hunger, until at last they came to a vineyard '.
'Ah, grapes at last ', said the friend, smiling.
' Izrail said, " We're both hungry. Why don't you have some of these grapes? " But the prophet Idris replied, " I eat only food which is allowed by Allah's law and not that which is forbidden, I may not eat anything that belongs to someone else without his permission " .
' Oh, I see ', said the friend. ' That is one of the reasons why the prophet Idris is respected by Allah '.
He picked up the water-skin and drank.
'Only water for us, then ', he said as he passed the water-skin to the old man.
'That doesn't matter', said the old man. 'That, too, is the gift of Allah'.
They rose to go on their way in search of the blessings of Allah. The moon lit their way as they
walked and the cool breeze refreshed them.
The Prophet Nuh
The prophet Nuh looked around him and was sad at what he saw. There were idols everywhere. His people had strayed from the ways of Allah and worshipped these idols.
Fanatically. Yet these people were not stupid. They were intelligent, wealthy men who held positions of power. They had every comfort in their lives and were proud of their rank and the respect shown to them by poorer people. They believed they owed their good fortune to the idols they worshipped.
The prophet Nuh tried to persuade them to worship Allah, to devote themselves to Him and be loyal to His faith. But the more he tried to convince them, the more stubborn and violent they became.
But the prophet Nuh didn't give up hope. He spoke to the people again and again;
' You must worship Allah, for I am afraid that if you do not, a terrible fate will overcome you soon'. ( Al Quran, Surah Hud, verse 26 ).
But the people argued with him.
'Are you telling us to forsake the gods we have worshipped for so long ?' asked the headman,
pointing to the idols.
The prophet nodded and tried to make them understand that their wealth and riches were gifts of Allah.
' Think how Allah made the seven spheres of Heaven, with the sun and moon for lamps. Allah created the Earth, gave life to the trees ....', but his words had no effect and the people continued to oppose him.
'No! We won't forsake our gods', they shouted.
Nuh remained calm and patient.
'You're just like us', said one of the headmen. 'You're just an ordinary man, you're not an angel'.
'If you were an angel, we would believe you', said another. 'But the only people who follow you are dirty beggars, not people of wealth and standing '.
'There's nothing special about you', said the headman. 'In fact, we think you are a liar'.
'I'm not saying that I have divine gifts from Allah', said Nuh patiently. 'I don't know the mysteries of the universe and I'm not an angel. But I believe that I am true and that I have received the blessings of Allah, who knows the true worth of each person on Earth'. ( Al Quran, Surah Hud, verse 31 ).
'You've said enough, Nuh. Why don't you call down the punishment of Allah on us all, if you're so powerful?' jeered the people. (Al Quran, Surah Hud, verse 32).
Nuh smiled and answered, 'No one but Allah has the power to do so, and you will not be able to save yourselves. If it is Allah's wish that you should be punished then there is nothing that you or I can do to stop Him. Allah is your God and to Him you shall return'. ( Al Quran, Surah Hud, verses 33-34 ).
Nuh's Ark
For years Nuh tried to recall the people to Allah, but he was only laughed at and scorned. Even his own son, Kana'an and his wife Wafilah would not listen to Nuh's message. The prophet Nuh told Allah of his sorrow at his failure and Allah comforted him.
' . . . truly you will find no others of your people who will worship Me, save those who have already done so. Therefore do not despair at their evil deeds .' (Al Quran, Surah Hud, verse 36 ).
Nuh realised only Allah had the power to move the people.
'O My God! Do not allow these profane men to remain upon the Earth. Truly if You allow this to continue, in the end they will destroy Your faithful servants. O My God, have mercy on me, on my father and mother, and on all people of the faith . . .' ( Al Quran, Surah Nuh, verses 26-27 ).
Allah listened, then He told Nuh to build an ark.
Nuh found four carpenters to help him. Nuh's boat-building attracted a lot of interest. The godless took the opportunity to taunt him.
'Nuh! You've been telling us all this time that you're a prophet and the messenger of Allah.
Now you've become a carpenter. Are you bored with being a prophet?'.
'Have you gone mad, Nuh?' yelled one of the headmen as he passed the spot where Nuh was
building the ark. 'What good is a boat here ? There's no sea or rivers. Are you going to drag it along with oxen? Or maybe you'll use it to fly in the air?' he added, laughing.
The prophet Nuh replied calmly, ' Today you laugh, but soon you will feel the wrath of
Allah '.
At last, the ark was finished, and the prophet Nuh gave thanks to Allah. The people were amazed at the huge size of the ark, but they still despised the prophet Nuh.
Storm clouds gathered, a gale blew up and torrential rain began to pour. Water came up out of the Earth, too. As the prophet Nuh's ark sailed with the blessing of Allah, the godless ran to and fro, trying to save themselves from the flood.
Nuh saw his son, Kana'an, running towards a hill and his heart went out to him.
'My son! My son! Come with us! Do not follow those men of sin!' his voice battled with the wind and rain. 'No!' replied his son, stubbornly. ' I will climb this hill and save myself from the flood '.
'Today nothing can save you but Allah, the God of Love', said the prophet Nuh. ( Al Quran, Surah Hud, verse 43 ).
The water began to cover the houses and the trees. Nuh saw his san swallowed by the raging flood waters.
'O Allah, is not my son included in the salvation of my family ?' pleaded Nuh.
Allah replied, 'Nuh! Truly he is not included among those of your family who are saved. He has done evil, therefore do not speak concerning that of which you know nothing '. ( Al Quran, Surah Hud, verse 46 ).
Nuh realised that loving mankind too much could make man forget the promise and might of Allah, and he asked forgiveness.
' I seek Your protection, O Allah, for I have spoken without true understanding. If you do not forgive me then surely I am lost '. ( Al Quran, Surah Hud, verse 47).
At the command of Allah the rain and the storm subsided. The flood water ran into the Earth and Nuh's ark came to rest on a hillside. The prophet Nuh and the Islamic people began a new life.
The drought and the hurricane
There were no historical records, so the story of the great flood in which the godless people of Nuh's tribe had died was only remembered by a few. The people who lived in Ahqaf, near Hadramaut, had never heard the story. They were the descendants of 'Ad and lived in their grand houses in their fine city. Their fields were fertile, their granaries full and they worshipped their gods, Samud and Alhatar.
Then the drought came. They dug wells but no water flowed. Their fields were dry and their crops wilted. Their camels, horses and sheep grew thin and died. There was thirst, hunger and disease everywhere. They prayed constantly to their idols but nothing happened. They did not know the drought was the punishment of Allah for their sin.
The prophet Hud watched their suffering with sympathy. He wanted to help them. He told them that Samud and Alhatar would not give the rain, but the people would not listen.
' I am the messenger of Allah', said the prophet. 'Your deeds in worshipping these idols are evil and pointless. It is Allah you should worship for there is no other God but He '.
Jahlamah, their leader, grew angry and called the prophet Hud a liar.
The prophet Hud spoke again.
'Listen, my people, repent of your ways and ask forgiveness of Allah. Then Allah will send you rain.
Do not continue to lead lives of sin and error '.
The people of 'Ad refused to listen to the prophet's pleas. They had been led for too long by leaders like Jahlamah. The prophet Hud shook his head with sorrow at their pride and stubbornness.
'Listen to me, Hud', shouted Jahlamah. 'We've led this way of life from the beginning. We've
worshipped Samud and Alhatar since the days of our ancestors. You're mad if you think you can make us forsake them now '.
'No one can make us change our beliefs', shouted one of Jahlamah's followers.
'You're right!' Many voices rose in support of the speaker.
'My people', said the prophet, 'I fear for you. You will incur a terrible punishment from Allah. Pray to Allah, and heed my warnings. All that you have and all that you know are the gifts of Allah '.
But Jahlamah and the people of 'Ad ignored the prophet and went off to the shrines of Samud and Alhatar.
Soon black clouds gathered in the sky. The people were overjoyed.
'Rain! Rain!' they all cried.
'Samud and Alhatar have forgiven us!' said Jahlamah.
From a distance came the voice of the prophet Hud. 'These black clouds do not bring rain, but your destruction. This is the punishment of Allah, fulfilling my words which you said were lies '.
The prophet's voice was immediately followed by the sound of a mighty wind, the voice of a hurricane, the aqim. The people began to panic. They tried to save themselves but the storm wind showed no mercy to those who had sinned against Allah. The aqim wind blew for seven days and eight nights.
The people of 'Ad were buried with their idols, with the ruins of their granaries and the proud city which they had built .
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