There has been much discussion on RF about the stories of Genesis and how Christians make sense of scripture in the light of modern science. I thought it would be interesting to examine Muslim beliefs as there are many similarities between what Christians and Muslims believe in regards Noah.
Noah (Nuh in Arabic) is an important character in Islamic tradition, as well as in Christianity and Judaism. The exact time period when Noah lived is unknown, but according to tradition, it is estimated to be ten generations or ages after Adam (who is also the same Adam in Genesis). It is reported that Noah lived to be 950 years old (Qur'an 29:14).
It is believed that Noah was a Prophet of Allah and his people lived in the northern part of ancient Mesopotamia an arid, dry area, several hundred kilometers from the sea. The Qur'an mentions that the ark landed on "Mount Judi" (Qur'an 11:44), which many Muslims believe is in present-day Turkey. Noah was married and had four sons.
Noah called upon his people to give up their idol-worship and worship the One True God Allah. He preached this message for many years. However the people rejected Noah's message and ridiculed Him. It is described in the Quran how people thrust their fingers into their ears so as not to hear his voice, and when he continued to preach to them using signs, they then covered themselves with their garments so as not to even see him.
Allah told Noah that the people had transgressed their limits and would be punished as an example for future generations. Allah inspired Noah to build an ark, which he completed despite great difficulty. After the ark was completed, Noah filled it with pairs of living creatures and he and his followers boarded. Soon, the land was drenched with rain and a flood destroyed everything on land. Noah and his followers were safe on the ark, but one of his own sons and his wife were among the disbelievers destroyed.
The story of Noah is mentioned in the Quran in several places, most notably in the Surah Noah (Chapter 71). The story is expanded upon in other sections as well.
"The people of Nuh rejected the apostles. Behold, their brother Noah said to them: 'Will you not fear Allah? I am to you an apostle worthy of all trust. So fear Allah, and obey me. No reward to I ask of you for it; my reward is only from the Lord of the Worlds" (26:105-109).
"He said, 'Oh my Lord! I have called to my people night and day. But my call only increases their flight from the right way. And every time I have called to them, that You might forgive them, they have thrust their fingers into their ears, covered themselves up with their garments, grown obstinate, and given themselves up to arrogance" (Quran 71:5-7).
"But they rejected him, and We delivered him, and those with him, in the Ark. But We overwhelmed in the flood those who rejected Our signs. They were indeed a blind people!" (7:64).
The flood that destroyed the people of Noah is described in the Qur'an as a punishment for people who disbelieved in Allah and the message brought by Prophet Noah. There has been some debate amonsgt Muslims over whether this was a global event or an isolated one. According to Islamic teachings, the Flood was intended as a lesson and punishment for a single group of wicked, disbelieving people, and it is not assumed to be a global event, as is believed in other faiths. However, many ancient Muslim scholars interpreted the Qur'anic verses as describing a global flood, which modern scientists theorize is impossible according to the archaeological and fossil record. Other scholars state that the geographic impact of the flood is unknown, and could have been local.
So having considered the uncertainties within Islam about the global nature of the flood, how about the practicalities of building the ark and gathering all the animals. How does living for 950 years work?
Baha'is, like Muslims and Christians believe Noah was a real prophet, but much of the story was allegorical and not to be taken literally. There wasn't a world wide flood and He certainly didn't live to be 950 years of age.
Noah (Nuh in Arabic) is an important character in Islamic tradition, as well as in Christianity and Judaism. The exact time period when Noah lived is unknown, but according to tradition, it is estimated to be ten generations or ages after Adam (who is also the same Adam in Genesis). It is reported that Noah lived to be 950 years old (Qur'an 29:14).
It is believed that Noah was a Prophet of Allah and his people lived in the northern part of ancient Mesopotamia an arid, dry area, several hundred kilometers from the sea. The Qur'an mentions that the ark landed on "Mount Judi" (Qur'an 11:44), which many Muslims believe is in present-day Turkey. Noah was married and had four sons.
Noah called upon his people to give up their idol-worship and worship the One True God Allah. He preached this message for many years. However the people rejected Noah's message and ridiculed Him. It is described in the Quran how people thrust their fingers into their ears so as not to hear his voice, and when he continued to preach to them using signs, they then covered themselves with their garments so as not to even see him.
Allah told Noah that the people had transgressed their limits and would be punished as an example for future generations. Allah inspired Noah to build an ark, which he completed despite great difficulty. After the ark was completed, Noah filled it with pairs of living creatures and he and his followers boarded. Soon, the land was drenched with rain and a flood destroyed everything on land. Noah and his followers were safe on the ark, but one of his own sons and his wife were among the disbelievers destroyed.
The story of Noah is mentioned in the Quran in several places, most notably in the Surah Noah (Chapter 71). The story is expanded upon in other sections as well.
"The people of Nuh rejected the apostles. Behold, their brother Noah said to them: 'Will you not fear Allah? I am to you an apostle worthy of all trust. So fear Allah, and obey me. No reward to I ask of you for it; my reward is only from the Lord of the Worlds" (26:105-109).
"He said, 'Oh my Lord! I have called to my people night and day. But my call only increases their flight from the right way. And every time I have called to them, that You might forgive them, they have thrust their fingers into their ears, covered themselves up with their garments, grown obstinate, and given themselves up to arrogance" (Quran 71:5-7).
"But they rejected him, and We delivered him, and those with him, in the Ark. But We overwhelmed in the flood those who rejected Our signs. They were indeed a blind people!" (7:64).
The flood that destroyed the people of Noah is described in the Qur'an as a punishment for people who disbelieved in Allah and the message brought by Prophet Noah. There has been some debate amonsgt Muslims over whether this was a global event or an isolated one. According to Islamic teachings, the Flood was intended as a lesson and punishment for a single group of wicked, disbelieving people, and it is not assumed to be a global event, as is believed in other faiths. However, many ancient Muslim scholars interpreted the Qur'anic verses as describing a global flood, which modern scientists theorize is impossible according to the archaeological and fossil record. Other scholars state that the geographic impact of the flood is unknown, and could have been local.
So having considered the uncertainties within Islam about the global nature of the flood, how about the practicalities of building the ark and gathering all the animals. How does living for 950 years work?
Baha'is, like Muslims and Christians believe Noah was a real prophet, but much of the story was allegorical and not to be taken literally. There wasn't a world wide flood and He certainly didn't live to be 950 years of age.
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