Nuh's ark

Nuh (as) preached his message long enough. Nearly 80 people accepted his call, stood beside him, provided him shelter, and became a part of his mission. Others mocked him — laughed at him — criticized him. Until there was no hope left, for his people to return to his call.

Nuh (as) prayed to Allah to destroy the deaf, blind and dumb. People who couldn't believe a punishment was near. People who excelled further. And further is the only way for people who can't see.

In the midst of hopelessness, a small group and a dispersed family, Allah (swt) ordered Nuh (as) to built an ark. He and his friends, started working on one. Gathered wood, found the spot and slowly started bringing a boat to life. The mockings grew. More people laughed. The resistance fueled the small group of Nuh (as) to go faster and harder. To keep building their ark — under an open sky, just for Allah (swt) gave you a small hint.

They listened to Allah (swt) under bleak rays of hope. With no end in sight, they kept moving, kept pinning the boards to the ark. And soon it came to life.

People first rejecting were fascinated by the unchallenged resolve of the lowly people, Nuh had with him. Yet they did not give an ear to the call. Yet Nuh's own son turned him down. His wife rejected him. And soon everything vanished. Soon Allah's order came. The skies hid behind dark clouds. Mountains drowned in water. And Earth stopped at becoming a home.

Water all around. Until the laughters stopped and mockings disappeared. Until the losers were shown the reality of life. Until it was all silent..

So is the way, Quran teaches us — that we become the smaller group. Run the farthest in faith. Join the clan of people who not only enjoy their life in this world, but on their deaths, in graves and after the grave. The peace of meat, breathing, eating and seeing — is not it. There is more ahead of us. More than we can grasp.

Interesting takeaways

1. Nuh's ark is considered near Mosul, Iraq.

2. This was 4th Ruku of Surah Hud, we found a nice dua to add to our prayer list.

Surah Hud, Verse 47