Nails and Planks

Prophet Nuh alaihis salaam spent a long time constructing the ark. However, it had to be something out of the ordinary, as it would need to survive a flood the like of which humanity had never seen before, and was due for war with waves like mountains.

Nevertheless, Allah Ta’ala said, in describing the ark:

وَحَمَلْنَاهُ عَلَى ذَاتِ أَلْوَاحٍ وَدُسُرٍ

“And We carried him on a [ship of] planks and nails.” (Quran 54:13)

It wasn’t described as “a ship of engineering mastery” or “an ark of robust construction” but simply “planks and nails.”

This is a subtle Qur’anic indication that Prophet Nuh alaihis salaam’s ship was merely a means, and that had Allah Ta’ala not carried the ship through the relentless storms, it could never have made it. It was His preservation all along.

Thus Allah says in the verse after it:

تَجْرِي بِأَعْيُنِنَا

“Sailing under Our Eyes .. ” (Quran 54:14)

This is a reality to recall when pursuing knowledge, giving Da’wah, applying for a job, searching for marriage, attempting to raise children upon Islam, or the like. Those of us whose heart becomes attached to the means will fail, whilst those whose hearts rely upon Allah Ta’ala, the Lord of all means, must succeed.