Introduction: The Turning Point

Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) or Nuh in Arabic, stands as one of the most significant figures in the Islamic tradition. While Adam (peace be upon him) was the first prophet to establish the path of monotheism, Noah was the first Messenger (Rasul) sent to a people who had collectively fallen into the unforgivable sin of Shirk (associating partners with God). His life of nearly a thousand years, culminating in the Great Flood, defines the pivotal moment when humanity first deviated from the pure monotheism of Adam.

1. The Emergence of the Unforgivable Sin: Shirk

The period before Prophet Noah is described as one where humanity, though occasionally erring, generally maintained Tawhid (pure monotheism). However, over time, a subtle but profound deviation occurred:

The Invention of Idolatry

Noah’s people did not initially worship stones or stars. Their Shirk emerged from exaggerated reverence for righteous individuals who had passed away.

The Qur’an mentions the names of these false deities: Wadd, Suwa, Yaghuth, Ya’uq, and Nasr. These were initially the names of pious people who served as models for their society.
After their deaths, people began making statues or idols of them to remind themselves of their piety. Over generations, the intent was forgotten, and the descendants began to worship the statues themselves, seeking intercession through them instead of turning directly to God.

Prophet Noah was sent as a warning against this specific type of spiritual corruption—the unforgivable sin of Shirk, which fundamentally violates the core tenet of Islam: “There is no god but God.”

2. A Call of 950 Years

Noah’s story in the Qur’an is defined by his extraordinary patience and perseverance. He called his people to God for 950 years, using every method of persuasion, publicly and privately, day and night.

His message was simple: “O my people, worship God; you have no deity other than Him.” (Qur’an 7:59).
Despite his effort, only a small minority believed. The rest mocked him, calling him crazy, and stuck firmly to the false belief inherited from their forefathers.

When the warning became futile, God commanded Noah to build the Ark to save the believers and pairs of every species from the impending flood, which cleansed the earth of corruption.

3. Theological Correction to the Biblical Narrative

The Qur’anic account of Noah’s life and the Flood is largely in parallel with the Biblical narrative (Genesis), sharing the concept of the Ark, the saving of the righteous, and the destruction of the disbelievers.

However, the Islamic sources provide essential theological corrections to maintain the moral integrity of the Prophet:

The Integrity of the Prophet

In Islam, the Prophets are believed to be divinely protected from committing major sins, particularly those that would compromise their moral authority or spiritual purity. This is known as Ismah (infallibility/inerrancy).

The Problematic Biblical Verse: Certain Christian and Jewish sources contain a distressing narrative following the Flood (Genesis 9:20-23) where Noah plants a vineyard, gets drunk on the wine, and lies naked in his tent, leading to a shameful incident involving his son, Ham.
The Islamic Stance: Mainstream Islamic scholarship categorically rejects such accounts. A Messenger of God, chosen to guide humanity, would never commit such an irresponsible, morally compromised, or degrading act as public intoxication and indecent exposure. Such stories are viewed as corruption of the original Divine revelation, incompatible with the necessary moral excellence of a Prophet.

4. The Prophetic Legacy and the Warning of the Dajjal

The significance of Noah (peace be upon him) extends far beyond the Flood. He established a precedent for warning humanity about deviation and the ultimate deception to come.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized that the threat of the Dajjal (the False Messiah or Antichrist) is not new, but a continuous threat to Tawhid throughout human history:

The Universal Warning: Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stated: “There has not been a Prophet who did not warn his nation about the Dajjal.” (Reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Noah’s Role: This tradition establishes that Prophet Noah (peace be upon him), being the first Messenger sent to a people committing Shirk, also warned them about this ultimate deceiver—the Dajjal—who will appear at the End of Times and attempt to draw people into the ultimate Shirk: worshipping him instead of God.

Thus, Noah’s legacy is one of unwavering monotheism and a timeless warning against both the subtle descent into idolatry and the final, grand deception.