2.10 The Ship

Noah began implementing Allah's command straightaway. He started constructing the ship. He gathered wood and the necessary tools and began working day and night. However, people mockery continued in various ways. Some were asking him if he has given up prophethood and opted for carpentry. They were wondering why building an ark so far from the sea and how Noah is going to carry to the water.

Others were asking him since when he became a carpenter. They reminded him that they had warned about sitting with the poor people like carpenters. And this is the end result: he has become a carpenter himself! Furthermore, another group of his people said, "Where is this ship going, Noah? Everything about you is unbelievable! Is it going to sail in the sand or climb up the mountains? The sea is a long way from here. Will the jinn carry it or will oxen pull it?"

Noah heard all that and was patient. He had heard worse things and had been patient. But sometimes he would say to them, "If you mock us, we will mock as you mock." (Ch 11: 38). ALLAH the Almighty narrated to us their mockery: "As he was constructing the ship, whenever the chiefs of his people passed by him, they made a mockery of him. He said: "If you mock at us, so do we mock at you likewise from your mocking. And you will know who it is on whom will come a torment that will cover him with disgrace and on whom will fall a lasting torment." (Ch 11: 38-39).

2.10 The Ship

Ibn Kathir reported that the Exegetes of the Qur'an differ as to the length and width of the ark. It is mentioned in the Torah (The Old Testament) that it was 300 cubit long and 50 cubit wide. There are many other opinions as well. As for its height, it is claimed that the ark was 30 cubit high. It consisted of three floors, of 10 cubit high each. The lower floor was assigned to animals and beasts, the middle floor to people and the upper floor to birds. The door, which was on the side of the ark, was covered from top to bottom. The ark was built from Saj wood. It is also claimed that it was made from pine wood, according to the Torah. Yet, ALLAH knows best.