The literary aspect of all this discourse attending human life is before us like the story of Prophet Nuh-AS and his people, who defied Allaah-SWT ’s Commandments but He-SWT still did not deprive them of His-SWT Mercy. He-SWT favoured them with His-SWT Messenger-AS like a down pour on arid land. According to Tafsir-e-Mazhari. Prophet Nuh-AS was born in the eighth generation of Prophet Aadam-AS. Until his arrival the Divine Commandments revealed had mostly dealt with human needs while infidelity and polytheism had also raised their ugly head. He was therefore, the first Prophet-AS who had to fight against these two evils. According to Hadith ,He was conferred with Prophethood at the age of forty, and lived for sixty years after the Deluge. He preached for nine hundred and fifty years from his raising, until the Deluge. Some scholars assert that his real name was Sakan while others list him as ‘Abdul Ghaffar. The Deluge devastated the world killing everyone except those who boarded his Ark and who eventually became the procreators of human race to follow. Prophet Nuh-AS has also been referred to as Adam-e-Thani (the second Adam) and also as Adam-e-Asghar (Adam minor).
The Beginning Of Polytheism
Intoxicated with superfluous wealth and pedigree people began to lead their lives in extravagance and leisure according to their own whims. They took to infidelity and polytheism. Religion being a basic component of human temperament, once a person closes his eyes to the Magnificence of Allaah-SWT some other name occupies His-SWT place in the heart. This is where the polytheism originates from. Since a polytheist is deprived of Divine Guidance, he indulges in fabricating rituals of his own choice and observes them as religion. This was the state of affairs when Prophet Nuh-AS was raised. He invited his nation to worship Allaah-SWT and warned them of the devastating consequences of polytheism.
The Beneficiaries of Rituals
A particular class of people benefits from the rituals promoted in the name of religion, by assuming power and amassing wealth. These people assume the role of leaders or chieftains or religious mentors. Whenever the rituals they thrive at are challenged, it is this class which vociferates the most. They declare the one who rejects these rituals as wayward. This was also the answer given by the chieftains to Prophet Nuh-AS that he had gone astray by rejecting the practices of his forefathers. They were told that it was impossible because he had been appointed as Allaah-SWT ’'s Prophet-AS and Messenger-AS.
Prophethood Mark of Divine Providence
Allah-SWT is the Rabb-SWT of the worlds. The epitome of His-SWT Creativity is the creation that was to be blessed with His-SWT Cognition. This sublime favour can only be dispensed through the Institution of Prophethood. Therefore, Allaah-SWT the Magnificent Rabb-SWT had assigned this important task to Prophet Nuh-AS .He reassured the people that he had no intention to force the Divine Message on them. They needed not worry that in supersession of the practices of their forefathers he was imposing his own views. He was only a Messenger-AS of Allaah-SWT and it was his assigned duty to convey the Divine Message to them. This is because the knowledge which a Prophet-AS receives directly from Allaah-SWT can be attained by the people only through him. There is no other source.
Prophet Nuh-AS reiterated that he was there to pass on the treasures of wisdom and cognition to the people, as they needed them. There was nothing surprising that Allaah-SWT had chosen someone from amongst them to be His-SWT Prophet-AS. This is entirely His-SWT Choice. It must, however, be remembered that Prophets-AS ' sent unto mankind ought to be human beings so that the mankind may benefit from them. It is the duty of a Prophet-AS to forewarn people of the impending dangers inherent in the invisible effects of beliefs and practices. In other words, he cautions of what will be manifested in the Hereafter. The aim of his efforts is that people should qualify for Allah-SWT's Mercy by opting for the right path in terms of beliefs and practices formulated and approved by Allaah-SWT Himself . This indeed is Taqwa and the sure path to eternal bliss. Just as He-SW’ sends clouds laden with vitality to the barren soil, He also dissipates the lights of Prophethood to the dispirited hearts. However, the soil affected by salinity does not benefit from the downpour. Similarly the heart turns saline after a limit of wrongdoings is exceeded and no longer benefits from the Prophetic radiance.
So the people overwhelmingly defied Prophet Nuh-AS. He ceaselessly conveyed Allaah-SWT ’s Message for nine hundred and fifty years and only eighty men and women accepted. Those who denied at last met their fate and were wiped out by the Deluge. Only the believers were saved who had boarded the Ark with Prophet Nuh-AS. Those who perished had acted as if blind and had failed to recognize the truth. Vain desires and carnal pleasures had blinded them; indeed, blind were their hearts.