Question 499: what is the miracle of prophet Noah mentioned in chapter 11 verse 28? I haven’t seen anything in the Qur’an specifically that mentions exactly what it is or in any hadith.
Answer 499: When People of the Prophet Noah told Him: ‘We do not see you to be anything but a human being like ourselves.’ the Prophet (as) answered: “O my people! tell me if I have with me clear proof from my Lord, and He has granted me mercy from Himself and it has been made obscure to you; shall we constrain you to (accept) it while you are averse from it?” When they told Him: “We do not see anyone following you except those who are simpleminded riffraff from our midst. Nor do we see that you have any merit over us. Rather we consider you to be liars”, He said: “O my people! I do not ask you any material reward for it. My reward lies only with Allah. But, I will not drive away those who have faith. Indeed they will encounter their Lord. But I see that you are an ignorant lot”. [1]
In order to call people to salvation, keep them to the right path and prove these missions each Prophet (as) has certainly come to His people with the Truth, Clear Signs and Miracles from Allah, the Almighty.
In the holy Quran Allah (SWT) says: “Has there not come to you the account of those who were before you the people of Noah,” Ad and Thamoud, and those who were after them, whom no one knows [well] except Allah? Their apostles brought them manifest proofs, but they did not respond to them, and said,” We disbelieve in what you have been sent with. Indeed we have grave doubts concerning that to which you invite us.””. [2]
Although, Miracles of the Prophet Noah (as) have not clearly mentioned in the Holy Quran, but if we interpret some verses of the Holy Quran and refer to some authentic sources available in this regards we would find miracles some of which are as follows:
- Being Signaled and Revealed about the Storm and Saved and delivered from: In the holy Quran Allah (SWT says: “So We delivered him and the Inmates of the Ark, and made it a sign to the nations”.[3] Also, Allah, the Almighty says: “When Our edict came and the oven gushed [a stream of water], We said,” Carry in it a pair of every kind [of animal], along with your family except those [of them] against whom the edict has already been given and those who have faith.” And none believed with him except a few.”
- Build the Ark (at a place where there was no sea) that saved Him and those with Him: “In the Holy Quran Allah (SWT) says: “Build the ark before Our eyes and by Our revelation, and do not plead with Me for those who are wrongdoers: they shall indeed be drowned.”[4]
- Long Life: None of the Prophets (as) have lived a lifetime as the Prophet Noah. He had lived more than 2500 years, though His strength had never decreased through the ages neither His teeth fell out.[5]
Note: The Prophet Noah had been Guided and Preached His People for nine hundred and fifty years[6], but He lived about 2500 years. [7]
[1] . Surah Hud, verses 27-29; Tafsir al-Mizan Vol. 10, Pgs. 304-307.
[2] . Surah Ebrahim, verse 9.
[3] . Surah Ankabout, verse 15.
[4] . Surah Momenoon, verse 27.
[5] . According to Tha’labi, living long time (more than 1000 years old) is a Miracle of the Prophet Noah. History of the Prophets (as), Pg. 65.
[6] . Surah Ankaboot, verse 14.
[7] . Biharul Anwar, Vol. 11, Pg. 284, (quoted by Sheikh Sadouq in Amali), Pg. 287; Majma al-Bahrain, Pg. 1367, second edition, Tehran, office of Farhang Islami Publication.