III
NOAH AND OG
Noah, on whom be peace, was one of the six greatest prophets that ever lived, though he left no writings behind him, as did his grandfather Idris,[1] who was the first human being to use a pen, wherewith he wrote thirty books of divine revelation—besides works on astronomy and other sciences, which are now lost—before Allah removed him to Heaven. Another name of Noah was ’Abd el Ghâfar, which means Servant of the Forgiving One. He was born one hundred and fifty years after the translation of Idris. He lived at Damascus till Allah sent him to warn mankind of the Flood and build the ark. By Allah’s command and direction he made the first nâkûs or gong, such as those which are used to this day in oriental churches and convents.
Noah’s efforts to convert mankind were vain. He was beaten and mocked even by his own wife Wa’ileh, an unbeliever, as well as by his wicked son Canaan, and the latter’s son Uj ibn ’Anak (Og the son of Anak). Anak was the daughter of Adam, a vile woman,[2] and the first of witches. These four wicked persons did their best to persuade everyone that Noah was mad.
The Flood burst forth from underground out of a “tannûr” or oven, the site of which is uncertain, some placing it at Gezer and others at Damascus.
