Day 120 · Surah Hud Verses 29-45

Hud 29–45

The principles of preaching implemented by Prophet Nuh are drawn from his story, then the building of the ark which was mocked ended with a great flood that even drowned his own son.

• Preaching must not be intended to seek wealth, because the reward promised is far greater than the world and all it contains.
• The object of preaching should not be selected based on wealth, nobility, or rank.
• Preachers are forbidden to use methods that contradict Islamic teaching such as claiming to provide provision, knowing the unseen, or fortune telling.
• When challenged to bring punishment, the answer is that the timing of punishment is purely Allah's matter.
• Nuh's son refused to board the ark because he was confident he could save himself, then he drowned along with the disbelieving people.

Verses 29-36 continue the story of Prophet Nuh's preaching which lasted for 950 years. This story of Nuh's preaching teaches us several principles of preaching that he applied and were also applied by our Prophet Muhammad. Among them:

1. Preaching should not aim to seek wealth. Whereas the reward that Allah has promised is far greater than the world and all it contains—namely Paradise.
2. One should not select the objects of preaching from certain groups, for example because they are rich, noble, of high rank and so on. Rather, focus on anyone who seeks, comes, and is willing to receive the preaching regardless of their social status. Because truly they are people who long for guidance on the right path.
3. One must not use tricks that contradict Islamic teaching such as being able to provide blessing, provision and claiming to know the unseen, being special people or fortune telling.
4. If challenged by those who reject the preaching of monotheism to bring punishment, then say to them that this matter is for Allah to decide; we only convey Allah's teaching. The matter of when punishment comes to those who deny Allah is purely His affair.
5. One must not say what is not from Allah, because that means fabricating lies about Him.

Verse 37 explains that Allah informed Prophet Nuh that his people would not believe and they would be drowned. So Nuh was commanded by Allah to build a ship.

Verses 38-45 explain Allah's scenario in saving Prophet Nuh and his faithful followers and how Allah also destroys his disobedient and rebellious people.

Allah revealed to Prophet Nuh to build a ship, because the punishment that Allah would inflict on his disobedient people was a great flood that would drown all the highlands and even the mountains. Prophet Nuh was mocked by the leaders of the disbelieving people because they did not know Allah's scenario in destroying them. Prophet Nuh replied: If you mock us now, we will also mock you later.

When the water began to rise, Allah commanded Prophet Nuh to bring a pair of each living creature into the ship. Finally, all the disbelievers at that time were drowned by Allah, including Nuh's own son. As the ship sailed through the great waves, Prophet Nuh saw his son about to drown. Then he called to him to enter the ship so he would be safe. However, his son's disbelief caused him to refuse his father's offer and he was confident he could save himself. Then the son drowned. Prophet Nuh was grieved at his son's fate and prayed that Allah would save him.

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