When Nuh Called out to His Lord

Du’a, mostly understood as a form of prayer, is also the strongest weapon against any kind of odds. It is strong enough to change the Qadr (destiny) of a person. The strength of this weapon was highly appreciated and implemented by the Prophets, who, despite being specially favored by Allah ﷻ, used this tool endlessly in every situation and circumstance.

One such prophet was Prophet Nuh (may peace be upon him), who tirelessly called his people towards worshipping Allah ﷻ for 950 years. This man never complained about his circumstances but trusted and obeyed Allah ﷻ. His unshakeable Imaan led him to seek only His help, despite being shunned by his entire nation. He called out to his Lord at all times sincerely, and his Rabb answered him and honored him. Hence, the Ummah needs to understand the du’as of Nuh (may peace be upon him) and the sincerity in them.

Call of Distress

فَدَعَا رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنِّى مَغْلُوبٌۭ فَٱنتَصِرْ ١٠

‘So he cried out to his Lord, “I am helpless, so help ˹me˺!”’

[Qur’an 54:10]

As stated earlier, Prophet Nuh (may peace be upon him) was persecuted by his people for 950 years, yet he continued calling them towards Allah ﷻ. It has been reported by Mujahid that when some of his people found him somewhere, they would choke him, and as a result he would become unconscious. But when he recovered, he would pray to Allah ﷻ , ‘Allah! Forgive my people, for they do not know the truth’. After tolerating and being patient with this oppression, finally Nuh (may peace be upon him) cried out for his Lord’s help.

In comprehension of the words of the Prophet, which are simply beautiful and clear, Subhanallah! He states his condition to his Lord and asks for His help; he showcases his weakness and decreases his tolerance. He then seeks the help and strength of the Almighty and the Ultimate Helper.

A word of wisdom that one can learn from this du’a is simplicity in asking Allah ﷻ. We run around in moments of turmoil in search of help while forgetting to ask the Ultimate Helper, who helps and sorts our affairs. To receive that help, one needs to simply raise his hands and say, “O’ Lord, I am helpless, so help me!”

Call for forgiveness

قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّىٓ أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَسْـَٔلَكَ مَا لَيْسَ لِى بِهِۦ عِلْمٌۭ ۖ وَإِلَّا تَغْفِرْ لِى وَتَرْحَمْنِىٓ أَكُن مِّنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ ٤٧

‘Noah pleaded, “My Lord, I seek refuge in You from asking You about what I have no knowledge of, and unless You forgive me and have mercy on me, I will be one of the losers.”’

[Qur’an 11:47]

When something doesn’t work out according to how we wanted or wished, one usually becomes unhappy and ungratefully questions the Qadr of Allah ﷻ. What one doesn’t realize is that our limited knowledge cannot perceive what Allah ﷻ  has planned in the bigger picture. In Prophet Nuh’s (may peace be upon him) story, Prophet Nuh (may peace be upon him) was dumbstruck by losing his child, expecting him to be saved. He was immediately corrected by Allah ﷻ when he asked for his son. Consequently, upon correction, he pleaded for forgiveness and begged for His mercy.

In times of uncertainty, one must plead for forgiveness, seek His protection, and beg for His mercy. Through this, one can strengthen one’s tawakkul and imaan in exchange for the ingratitude and annoyance that appear due to one’s nafs. Sometimes, one cannot find an immediate answer to an unclear situation, but the call for forgiveness can draw one closer to the Knower of the Unseen.

Call for Safe Travel

وَقَالَ ٱرْكَبُوا۟ فِيهَا بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ مَجْر۪ىٰهَا وَمُرْسَىٰهَآ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى لَغَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ ٤١

And he (Prophet Nuh) said, “Board it! In the Name of Allah it will sail and cast anchor. Surely my Lord is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

[Qur’an 11:41]

When Prophet Nuh (may peace be upon him) boarded his ship, he read this du’a in the beginning. Some scholars have advised reciting it during travel. In this du’a, Nuh (may peace be upon him) attributed to Allah ﷻ the sailing of his ship as He is the one who runs the tides and the one who carries the ship safely through the unpredictable sea.

No matter the great things man may invent, it is only with the permission of the Sustainer that man’s invention can even exist. And the great success of man’s journeys’ is due to it running in the name of Allah ﷻ .

وَقُل رَّبِّ أَنزِلْنِى مُنزَلًۭا مُّبَارَكًۭا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْمُنزِلِينَ ٢٩

And pray, “My Lord! Allow me a blessed landing, for You are the best accommodator.”

[Qur’an 23:29]

And at the end of his journey, Nuh (may peace beupon him) does not forget to implore Allah’s support for reaching his destination safely. Often, one forgets to remember Allah ﷻ when one reaches his destination and goals, due to the joy of achievement. And it’s important to attain blessings for the destination, as the destination can also become a trial.

Nonetheless, one must beseech for safety, support, and blessings at the beginning, during, and end of the journey. As Allah ﷻ is the Best Accommodator of us and our journey, none can be sought for it but Him.

In conclusion, one must remember that

“in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest and comfort.”

[13:28]

Reference

Qur’an.com
Tafseer ibn Kathir (Abridged version)

Written by: Musmirah
Edited by: The Editorial Team
© The Islamic Reflections Blog