From: www.experiencefestival.com
The story of Noah and the flood appears in Genesis 6-9:17 in the Bible. It appears several times in the Qur'an, and it is often referred to in passing. The main narrative appears in verses 59-64 of Surah 7: Al A'raf (The Heights), verses 71-73 of Surah 10: Yunus (Jonah), verses 25-48 of Surah 11: Hud (The Prophet Hud), verses 23-29 of Surah 23: Al Mu'minun (The Believers), verses 105-120 of Surah 26: Al Shu'ara (The Poets), verses 9-16 of Surah 54: Al Qamar (The Moon) and the whole of Surah 71: Nuh (Noah).
Bible version
Noah is the son of Lamech, and he lives during a time where people are widespread throughout the earth. However, most people are evil and corrupt in the sight of God. God is saddened at this, and he decides to wipe mankind and all the animals off the face of earth in a giant flood. Noah, however, is favoured by God as he is a righteous man. God tells him about his plan to flood the world. He instructs Noah to build an ark. God gives Noah the exact measurements for this ark and tells him that only him, his wife, his three sons (Shem, Ham and Japheth) and his son's wives are allowed on the ark. God then instructs Noah to put seven males and females of every clean animal on the earth, two males and females of every unclean animal, seven males and females of every bird and all the types of food in the ark. Noah does this and God ushers him and his family into the ark. God tells Noah that in seven days it shall rain for 40 days and 40 nights, and that everything on earth will perish. The flood starts, and it covers even the mountains. Eventually God sends down winds to make the water recede, and the rain stops, with the ark resting on Mount Ararat. Noah sends out a raven to observe the outside world, but it just flies around. Noah then sends out a dove to observe the outside world. It comes back seven days later with nothing. Noah then sends out the dove a second time. It comes back seven days later with an olive branch in its beak and Noah realises that the flood has definitely ended. Noah then sends the dove out a third time, but the dove doesn't come back. Noah, his family and all the animals come out of the ark and onto dry land. Noah then sacrifices some animals and birds as burnt offering to God. This pleases God and he vows never to destroy mankind by water again. He tells Noah to 'be fruitful and multiply'. God then makes a rainbow as a lasting symbol of his covenant with man. Noah lives 950 years and then he dies.
Quran version
Allah tells Nuh that he has been selected as a prophet to deliver to his people a message. The message states that his people have become wicked for worshiping false idols, that all people should believe in the oneness of Allah before it is too late. Nuh is told to promulgate this message to his people, which he does. He tells his people that they should abandon all their false gods and worship the one true god; Allah, as he will look after them all. Nuh is ignored and rebuffed by his people. They say that he is just an ordinary man like themselves, And if Allah wanted to deliver a message why send a man and not an angel? Some call Nuh mad or possessed. Some people tell him that if what he says is true then he should bring about this punishment of Allah now to back up his claims. Nuh is even threatened with stoning if he does not desist his teaching. Nuh, however, is undaunted. He says he has asked for no reward, as Allah is his only reward. He even offers to be killed so that they may know who is righteous and who is not. Nuh keeps this up for '1000 years minus 50' according to the Qur'an. Eventually he appeals to Allah for help as he feels he is getting nowhere with the people. Allah tells Nuh that no more people will now believe than have already believed and chose to follow him. Nuh appeals to Allah to get rid of all unbelievers, as he fears that the believers may be corrupted or harmed by them. Allah instructs Nuh to build an ark for a flood that he shall shortly be sending on the earth. Nuh builds an ark but is ridiculed by his people. He is instructed to put a male and a female of each animal species on to the ark. The believers (who are few) and his family are also allowed onto the ark (except for his wife, who is unrighteous and had rejected his message). Nuh's son (he is not named in the Qur'an) does not get into the ark either. He says that he will retreat from the flood on a mountain. The flood then comes, and all are killed, including Nuh's son. The flood eventually ends, with the ark resting on Mount Judi. Nuh appeals to Allah about his son. He is rebuffed, as Allah says that the son was unrighteous and unworthy of being saved from the flood. Everyone then exits the ark. The Qur'an later references current people living as being 'descendant of those who we carried with Nuh'
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