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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Holy Quran Text. Translation & Commentary(the Example Commentary in Brief)(volume Four) A Hint To the Story of Noah & Abraham VERSE NO.17ِ19 On account of the general test and trial of Man, a mention is made of Noah and Abraham, the two Arch prophets of God who were no exception in God's general test. They both were put to trial by their Lord, and suffered a great deal of hardship and hazards.

But they passed their examinations so well and with excellent marks, and became great examples of being patient in the hardship and having their trust on their Lord. Noah stood firm among the enemies of God and preached his people continuously during his wonderful long life of 950 years!:- ``And We sent Noah to his people, and he tarried among them a thousand years save fifty AAM.

Then the Flood seized them while they were oppressors.'' ***** As to the meaning of AAM, almost all the translators of Qura"n have either ignored to mention the word, ``AAM'' or have taken it to mean, ``YEAR''. But the Arabic dictionaries have translated it to, ``YEAR'' as well as to a period which is less than a yearِa period which consists of only one summer and one winter, that are successive. On the other hand, the Arabic, ``SANAT'' has always been translated to, ``YEAR'' by all.

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE During his long life of hardship and trouble, Noah never looked to be tired or in despair. Eventually, when he came to the conclusion that there were no more among the heathens to join him in his folk of believers, he asked for God's judgement, and then all the oppressors were seized by the flood, and their nasty and shameful lives were ended.

Following an abstract of Noah's story, the reference has been made to another Arch Prophet of God, who is an everlasting example [ 616 ] in faith, virtue, sincerity, and patience:- He admonished his people and said to them:- ``Worship Allah and beware of Him.'' Here two practical religious programmes have been proposed by the prophet that will guarantee the felicity of Man.

That is to worship Allah the only one and true God, without associating any partners to Him, and also to be on guard against doing evil deeds. What of those things or persons that people worship apart from God? They are nothing more than falsehood, and some calumnies that they have forged, which are of no help to Man at all.