The film Noah starring Russell Crowe generated massive controversy for its dark, drawn-out portrayal of one of Allah’s mightiest prophets. Imam John, star of the viral video “The Purpose of Life is Not to Harlem Shake,” provides an Islamic perspective that separates Hollywood fiction from Quranic truth and reveals just how far the movie strays from the real story of Prophet Nuh, peace be upon him.
Hollywood’s Noah vs. The Quran’s Nuh
The Quran presents Noah as a merciful, compassionate, and diligent prophet who spent over 950 years calling people to worship the Creator alone. He was fully integrated into his society, working tirelessly to save his people. The film tragically reverses this, depicting him as a dark, isolated figure trying to keep people off the ark rather than desperately inviting them aboard. The Islamic Noah never gave up on humanity until Allah Himself told him the time had come.
“The Quranic depiction of Noah is that of a merciful, compassionate, diligent prophet so concerned about the well-being of his people that he spent centuries just trying. He did not know until the end that he was to build an ark.” — Imam John
What Islam Teaches About the Prophets
- You cannot be a Muslim unless you accept Noah, Jesus, Moses, and all the messengers, with Muhammad being the last and final
- In Islam, prophets never get drunk, commit major sins, or turn people away from God’s mercy
- The film replaced the word “God” with “Creator,” which in Islamic terminology is perfectly acceptable as one of Allah’s names
- When Noah was asked about this life after 950 years, he said it was like a house with two doors: he came in one and left the other
This Life Is Just a Passing Moment
“Noah said after living over 950 years: I found life to be a house with two doors. I came in one door and left the other. That is what this life really is.” — Imam John on the brevity of this world
All the prophets, from Noah to Jesus to Muhammad, peace be upon them all, called humanity to the same simple message: submit to the Creator, not the creation. That is Islam. Whether you watch the film or not, go to the source and read what the Quran says about Noah directly. The truth is far more inspiring than anything Hollywood could ever produce.
