Allah (SWT) tested Nuh (AS) or Noah with a son whose pride was taller than the mountains. Also, Allah (SWT) directed Noah (AS) to warn his people to maintain the truth or else He (SWT) would take away the things that were a source of pride for them, like wealth, rain, and vegetation, to make them realize that it’s Allah (SWT) who’s in control. However, Noah’s (AS) people rejected the warning causing Allah (SWT) to remove their barakah.
Subsequently, the heavens began to dry up, leading to the earth becoming barren and not producing any fruit and vegetation, and their livestock started dying. Allah (SWT) told the people of Noah (AS) to come back to the path of truth and make repentance and forgiveness to Him (SWT) then Allah (SWT) would restore their barakah. “And said, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers. And give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers. What is [the matter] with you that you do not attribute to Allah [due] grandeur” (Surah Nuh Ayats 10-13).
After years of drought, the land became a desert and so, Allah (SWT) commanded Noah (AS) to build a ship. People began to ridicule Noah (AS) for building a ship in a land where there are no rivers or oceans. Besides the people ridiculing him (AS), Noah’s (AS) wife berates him and his (AS) son distances himself from him (AS). Noah (AS) continues to maintain the course inviting people to the truth until one day he (AS) makes this dua to Allah (SWT), “And Noah said, “My Lord, do not leave upon the earth from among the disbelievers an inhabitant.” (Surah Nuh Ayat 26).
Consequently, Allah (SWT) opened the heavens and hammered down rain and the earth erupted with all its aquifers and water, resulting in massive floods throughout the land. The people of faith in Allah (SWT) run to Noah’s (AS) ship for protection, and it’s at this time that Noah’s (AS) son realizes that his father was speaking the truth every time. Noah (AS) pleaded with his son to relinquish disbelief and join him (AS) on the ship, “And it sailed with them through waves like mountains; and Noah called to his son, who was apart [from them], “O my son, come aboard with us and be not with the disbelievers.” (Surah Hud Ayat 42). This moment shows that Noah (AS) remained true to his belief in Allah (SWT), as he (AS) didn’t allow his flesh and blood to board the ship unless he dissociated himself from disbelief. We must understand that the ship represents salvation, represents Jannah and hellfire, represents truth and falsehood, and thus, Noah (AS) is telling his son to choose to ride with them in Iman.
Sadly, Noah’s (AS) son’s pride got in the way and replied, “I will take refuge on a mountain to protect me from the water.” [Noah] said, “There is no protector today from the decree of Allah, except for whom He gives mercy.” And the waves came between them, and he was among the drowned.” (Surah Hud, Ayat 43).
From Noah’s (AS) test, we learn three important laws that we should maintain between us and our families. The first law is understanding that hidayah or guidance rests only in the hands of Allah (SWT) and the hidayah of us inviting others to the truth isn’t necessarily the hidayah that
enters the heart. However, Allah (SWT) commands us to continue keeping our hands outstretched, inviting others to the truth. We should keep our doors open to them on the condition of them being right with Allah (SWT).
The second law is that Allah’s (SWT) power is absolute. Allah (SWT) is unquestioned, but we are the ones subject to accountability by Him (SWT). There are times we might find ourselves tested when we seek a solution to a problem but recognize in our hearts that the solution, we seek may not be the one Allah (SWT) will give. We must accept that sometimes bad things will happen to good people and that Allah’s (SWT) power is absolute. Thus, we must understand that we might face bitter tests that we don’t deserve, but they are not punishments from Allah (SWT). In the case of Noah (AS), Allah (SWT) is not punishing him (AS) by turning his (AS) son’s faith away from the truth. Also, Allah (SWT) isn’t punishing Noah (AS) by causing his family not to obey the truth. Not all bad outcomes are due to bad beginnings, as we must realize that sometimes people make bad decisions regardless of the love they receive from their families.
The third law from the story of Noah (AS) is sometimes we must go through the pain of losing a loved one to the life of sin and Duniya. Noah (AS) calls upon Allah (SWT) to know why Allah (SWT) didn’t save his family, “My Lord, indeed my son is of my family; and indeed, Your promise is true; and You are the most just of judges!” (Surah Hud Ayat 45). Then Allah (SWT) replies in the following ayat, “O Noah! He is certainly not of your family—he was entirely of unrighteous conduct. So do not ask Me about what you have no knowledge of! I warn you so you do not fall into ignorance.” (Surah Hud Ayat 46). Allah (SWT) is telling Noah (SAW) that your family is the one of truth and piety, not the one on the path of sin and disbelief. Therefore, we must protect our families from those family members who choose to live a sinful life from affecting the rest of the family. But it doesn’t mean that we don’t continue to invite them to the path of truth and faith. However, if we can’t convince them to change, then we have to believe in “lakum deenukum wa liya deen.” You have your way and I have my way.
