InkAndRavens

"وَلَا تَكُونُواْ كَٱلَّذِينَ نَسُواْ ٱللَّهَ فَأَنسَاهُمۡ أَنفُسَهُمۡۚ أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡفَٰسِقُونَ"

"Do not think 'O Prophet' that Allah is unaware of what the disbelievers do. He only delays them until a day wherein their eyes will stare in horror- rushing forth, heads raised, never blinking, hearts void.

And warn the people of a day where the punishment will overtake the wicked among them and the disbelievers will cry "Our Lord! Delay us a little while! We will respond to your call and follow the messengers!"

It will be said "Did you not swear before that you would never be removed to the next life? You passed by the ruins of those destroyed peoples who had wronged themselves. It was made clear to you how We dealt with them. And We gave you many examples.

They devised every plot, which was fully known to Allah, but their plots were not enough to overpower mountains, let alone Allah. So do not think O Prophet that Allah will fail to keep His promise to His messengers. Allah is indeed Almighty and capable of punishment"

Actually, it is you and how vilely I treated you that motivated me greatly to doing what I am doing and about to do. We are performing the Umrah tonight; and either it works or it doesn't. Whatever happens, I've come to the center of the world to be anyone but who I used to be.

(Source: https://pixabay.com/vectors/search/allah%20calligraphy/

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No matter how heavy the weight of your mistakes feels, or how far you think you have strayed, you must never lose hope. Never to despair of Allah's mercy, for He forgives all sins.

These following narrations about Allah give me hope:

1. The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said in a hadith qudsi: "Allah says: ' I am just as My slave thinks I am, (ie. I am able to do for him as he thinks I am able to do for him) and I am with him if He remembers me. And if He remembers Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than they; (Allah spreads his remembrance among the angels) and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go two outstretched arms nearer to him, and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running'. " (Sahih Al-Bukhari 7405)

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2. The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said in a hadith qudsi: "Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah (too) loves to meet him. And whoever hates to meet Allah, Allah (too) hates to meet him". Aisha (RA) or some of the wives of the Prophet (PBUH) then said "But we dislike death". He said: It is not like this, but it is meant that when the time of death of a believer approaches, he receives good news of Allah's pleasure (approval) with him and His blessings upon him, and so at that time, nothing is dearer to him than what is in front of him. He therefore loves the meeting with Allah and Allah (too) loves the meeting with him. But when the time of death of a disbeliever approaches, he receives news of Allah's displeasure, (disapproval) torment and His Requital, whereupon nothing is more hateful to him than what is in front of him. Therefore he hates the meeting with Allah and Allah (too) hates the meeting with him. (Sahih Al-Bukhari 6507) -------------------------------------------- 3. Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (PBUH) having said: "Allah descends (He dispatches an angelic herald) every night to the lowest heaven when one third of the first part of the night is over and says: I am the Lord, I am the Lord: Who is there to supplicate to Me that I may answer him? Who is there to beg of Me that I grant him? Who is there to beg forgiveness from me so that I will forgive him?" And this goes on till the day breaks. (Sahih Muslim 758b)

-------------------------------------------- 4. Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) narrating about his Lord had said: "Allah ordered (the appointed angels over you/ 'Kiraman Katibeen') that the good and bad deeds be written. And He then showed (the way) how (to write them). If someone thinks and intends to do a good deed but he does not do it, then Allah will write for him a full good deed (in his account with Him); and if he thinks and intends to do a good deed and actually does it, Allah will write for him (in his account with Him) (its reward equal) from ten to seven hundred times to many more times; and if someone thought and intended to do a bad deed but he does not do it, Allah will write for him a full good deed (in his account with Him), and if he thought and intended to do a bad deed and actually did it, then Allah will write only one bad deed (in his account with Him)". (Sahih Al-Bukhari 6491)

-------------------------------------------- 5. Narrated by Umar bin Al-Khattab: "Some Sabi (i.e Prisoners of War, Women and Children only) were brought before the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), and behold a woman was milking her breasts to feed the children. Whenever she found a child amongst the captives she would take it to her chest and nurse it. The woman had lost her own son but later found him, and she was soo ecstatic and happy to find him. The Prophet (PBUH) said to us 'Do you think this woman could throw her son in a fire?' We replied 'No, if she has the power not to throw him in a fire!' The Prophet (PBUH) then said "Allah is more merciful to His slaves than that woman is to her son". (Sahih Al-Bukhari 5999) -------------------------------------------- 6. Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said: "If Allah loves a person, He calls Jibril (Gabriel) saying 'I love so and so, O Gabriel love them!' So Gabriel would love them and would then make an announcement in the Heavens: 'Allah has loved so and so, therefore you should love them also!' And so all the dwellers of the Heavens would love them and they are granted the pleasure of people on earth. (Hadith no. 66 Vol 8) (Sahih Al-Bukhari 7485)

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(I thank Allah and every teacher, mentor and source of information and material used to publish this.)

(Source: http://atlantablackstar.com/2014/02/03/8-biblical-concepts-stories-originated-outside-bible/3/ (Imagery of the prophets will be covered up, with all due respect for Islamic tradition and in compliance with Islamic guidelines.) ------------------------------------------- I begin my work in the name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Especially Merciful.

The history of the world bears witness to a great destruction. The sky had broken down all its barriers and the earth had spewed out all its waters with tremendous force. In the terrifying union of the waters of the earth and sky, such a terrible flood came to be from the likes of which not even the tallest mountain peaks could be spared. The map of the world was rewritten in an instant, but why? The Most Merciful Allah, the Most Compassionate, why would He send such a terrible punishment upon the earth and its denizens? What sin warranted such a punishment, and despite everything, how did a single wooden boat survive by cleaving its way through the massive waves?

-------------------------------------- Peace be upon all readers who manage to find this. Where you are from or what you happen to be; this was written for everyone indiscriminately. Today, I present to you the tale of Prophet Noah (AS), as narrated in the Holy Quran and preserved in authentic narrations, without fabrications or personal bias. Today, we will learn the history of Prophet Noah and the long flood. This work hopes to be extremely informative, so I thank any and all readers for their patience and time. ----------------------------------------------------------------

(Source: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/VyrW5R?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=organic

-------------------------------------- After Allah had created Prophet Adam (AS) and sent him to the earth, for a long time, human beings had remained steadfast upon 'tawhid'; the oneness of Allah. From a long hadith narrated by Abdullah Ibn Abbas (RA) in Sahih Bukhari, we have come to know that there was a gap of ten generations between Prophet Adam and Prophet Noah (AS). And during this period, everyone on earth worshipped Allah (SWT). There was no 'shirk' no idol worship nor the existence of any so-called 'gods and goddesses' on earth at that time. People lived in peace and piety, expressing gratitude to Allah.

(Source: [100+] Dark Devil Pictures | Wallpapers.com

-------------------------------------- But Iblis, The Accursed Outcast Shaytan who had sworn to be the open enemy of humankind was lying in wait for opportunity. He had been seeking a chance to permanently divert mankind from the path of their Lord. A time came, where a group of extremely pious, God-fearing and righteous people lived on earth. In the 23rd verse of Surat Nuh, the names of these people are clearly started. They are "Wadd", "Suwa", "Yaghuth", "Ya'uq" and "Nasr". These people were righteous and extremely beloved, respected and honored by their communities. Day after day they called their peoples to the path of Allah, instructed them to do good and prevented them from misdeed and evil. Everyone in society loved them and followed them, and so beloved were these people that after their passing, the people fell into a deep grief. When these righteous people passed away, one after the other, the people fell into deep sorrow, a huge void had been created in their hearts. It was this precise grief-stricken and emotional state of mind that Shaytan Iblis took advantage of. In Hadith 4920 of in the Tafsir chapter of Sahih Al Bukhari, Abdullah Ibn Abbas (RA) has beautifully narrated the history of that ancient deception. He said that after the death of the righteous people, Shaytan came to their people in the form of a human being. He pretended to be sympathetic and gave cunning advice, saying "The ones you have lost were extremely virtuous people. It is not right for their memory to fade away like this. Make some images and memorials for them in the places they used to worship. This way, whenever you see them, you will remember those righteous people and and a result, your attention toward the worship of Allah will increase even more,". The simple people could not see the trap Shaytan had laid for them. Acting out of love and respect, they built statues and sculptures of the righteous people as a form of remembrance. Islamic narration of ancient history dictates that the first generations of people did not worship these statues. They merely looked upon them with adoration and for motivation in worship. After they had passed away there came the next generation, who had not received the correct knowledge of 'tawhid' and Islam. Knowledge, overtime began to disappear. Shaytan then made his long-awaited final move. He came before the new generation once again disguised as a man and planted the seed of false belief in their hearts and minds. He said "Your ancestors did not make these statues simply for remembrance. They used to ask for rain through them, seek protection through them, and these were in fact their objects of worship,". Taking advantage of the ignorance and lack of knowledge passed between generation to generation, 'shirk' and idol worship began for the first time in human history in this way. They had forgotten their Sole Great Master, and had begun to bow their heads before statues of stone, wood and clay that they had made with their own hands. With the light of 'tawhid' extinguished, and knowledge of the righteous old ways lost to time, darkness and ignorance spread throughout society without delay. Arrogance, oppression, tyranny, adultery and extreme lawlessness began had taken root. The strong began to oppress the weak and the earth was burdened with sin upon heedless sin. --------------------------------------

(Source: Pinterest - Karine Houde --------------------------------------

It was therefore, in the midst of that dark age of ignorance that Allah (SWT), in his infinite mercy, sent forth one of his great messengers to show the path of light again to the misguided and lost humanity. He was Nuh/Noah (AS). In the 59th verse of Surat Al A'raf in the Holy Quran, Allah (SWT) declares says: "إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَى قَوْمِهِ فَقَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ" "Indeed we have sent Noah to his people. Then he said, O my people! Worship only Allah. There is no true deity for you except for Him. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a great day!" Prophet Noah brought the call to 'tawhid' to his astray nation. With a great deal of love, compassion and patience he explained that the statues of wood, stone and clay that they worshipped after having sculpted them with their own hands, could not bring about benefit to anyone, nor cause anyone even the slightest bit of harm. The master of life, death, power and sustenance is One, and He is Allah (SWT). He made an earnest call for them to turn back to Allah (SWT) and reminded them of their accountability in the Hereafter. But the idol worshipping generation, so immersed in their ways had long since agreed to abandon the religion of their forefathers in favor of their idols. The powerful and arrogant of society showed such extreme arrogance and disdain upon hearing the call of truth from Prophet Noah (AS) that it began an extreme and difficult test for him. The leaders and wealthy people of the communities would come before him with mountain-like pride and say... "Oh Noah, we see that you are nothing but an ordinary human being of flesh and blood just like us. We do not see in you any superiority or quality that would render you a prophet of Allah. And we see that only the lowest class of our societies, the poor, the helpless and those with no status are blindly following you without understanding. We do not see any superiority of you people over us, rather we declare you to be outright liars!" In the 27th verse of Surat Hud in the Holy Quran their statements are quoted and documented in this way. The arrogant and wealthy of society thought the measure of religion was wealth and power. They had even put a condition before Prophet Noah that if he had driven away the poor and weak followers around him, they would consider listening to his words. They believed that believing in the same row as poor people was beneath them, degrading of their dignity and status. But Prophet Noah was a true prophet of Allah. For him, there was no distinction between rich and poor. Faith was the only measure. In an extremely modest and humble way be denied the wealthy and powerful what they had asked of him and rejected their unreasonable request. In the 29th and 30th and 31st verses of Surat Hud, Allah eternally preserved his response:

قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ لَا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مَالًۭا ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَلَا أَطْرُدُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ إِنَّهُمْ مُّلَـٰقُوا۟ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَـٰكِنِّىٓ أَرَاكُمْ قَوْمًۭا تَجْهَلُونَ"

 "O my people! I do not ask you for a payment for this message. My reward is only from Allah. And I will never dismiss the believers, for they will surely meet their Lord. But I can see that you are a people acting ignorantly." وَيَـٰقَوْمِ مَن يَنصُرُنِى مِنَ ٱللَّهِ إِن طَرَدتُّهُمْ ۚ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ

"O my people! Who would protect me from Allah if I were to dismiss them? Will you not then be mindful?"

وَلَآ أَقُولُ لَكُمْ عِندِى خَزَآئِنُ ٱللَّهِ وَلَآ أَعْلَمُ ٱلْغَيْبَ وَلَآ أَقُولُ إِنِّى مَلَكٌۭ وَلَآ أَقُولُ لِلَّذِينَ تَزْدَرِىٓ أَعْيُنُكُمْ لَن يُؤْتِيَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ خَيْرًا ۖ ٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ إِنِّىٓ إِذًۭا لَّمِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

"I do not say to you that I possess Allah’s treasuries or know the unseen, nor do I claim to be an angel, nor do I say that Allah will never grant goodness to those you look down upon. Allah knows best what is ˹hidden˺ within them. ˹If I did,˺ then I would truly be one of the wrongdoers.”

And so began the longest and most excruciating 'dawah' struggle in human history. Not for one year, two years, one century, but according to the declaration in the 14th verse of Surat Al-Ankabut, Prophet Noah stayed among his people, calling them to the path of righteousness for a span of nine hundred and fifty years... وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ فَلَبِثَ فِيهِمْ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ إِلَّا خَمْسِينَ عَامًۭا فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱلطُّوفَانُ وَهُمْ ظَـٰلِمُونَ

"Indeed, We sent Noah to his people, and he remained among them for a thousand years, save fifty. Then the Flood overtook them, while they persisted in wrongdoing." He had faithfully served his Lord for nine hundred and fifty years. Reflect upon that, dear readers. That was not even the lifespan of that one man, but only the period of his 'dawah' and calling to Islam. Day after day, month after month, year after year and century after century he went from door to door like a tireless traveler. Sometimes in public gatherings, sometimes in secret in the dark of night and sometimes going to people one by one. In Surat Nuh from the Holy Quran, the heartbreaking cry of Prophet Noah is recorded...

(Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/233272455678706464/

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He cried to his Lord, saying... "O my Lord I have called the people day and night but my call has only increased their flight. Whenever I called to them to your forgiveness, they would put their fingers in their ears and cover their heads with their garments, persisted and showed extreme arrogance!" What unbelievable disobedience! A prophet was was trying to save them from the fires of Hell and the people would put their fingers in their ears as soon as they saw him and wrap their faces with their garments so they wouldn't be forced to even look at him. They did not want his blessed words to fill their ears, and whenever they would see him on the streets they would mock him, ridicule him and sometimes even physically assault him. From Tafsir Ibn Kathir it is known that the disbelievers beat him soo severely he would bleed and fall unconscious onto the ground. But as soon as he would regain consciousness, he would raise his hands and call out to Allah (SWT) "O Allah, forgive my people, for they do not know,"

Truly, there was no limit to his patience, kindness and forgiveness. He not only warned them of the punishment in the Hereafter, but made countless efforts to remind them of the countless benefits of daily life. In verses 10 to 12 of Surat Nuh from the Holy Quran, it is documented he told his people: فَقُلْتُ ٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ غَفَّارًۭا

"...saying, ‘Seek your Lord’s forgiveness, ˹for˺ He is truly Most Forgiving." يُرْسِلِ ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًۭا

"He will shower you with abundant rain,"

وَيُمْدِدْكُم بِأَمْوَٰلٍۢ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍۢ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ أَنْهَـٰرًۭا

"supply you with wealth and children, and give you gardens as well as rivers."

That was... if they agreed to abandon idol worship for the sake of Allah (SWT). Had they agreed, Allah would have catered to all their worldly needs and granted them abundance. But even with such beautiful promises, such logical statements, such displays of kindness and such tireless words for centuries upon centuries there was no changing the stone-hearted people. Before one generation would die, they would warn their children not to listen to the so-called madman that was Noah. Fathers would drag their children across the streets upon seeing Noah and instruct them to shut their ears and furrow their brows. As a result, every new coming generation had proved to be bolder, brasher and more defiant than the last. In the span of nine hundred and fifty years, only a handful of people had agreed to follow and listen to him. According to the famous 'mufassir' or translator Abdullah Ibn Abbas (RA) the number of people that believed in him during this long period was around eighty. That means that there were generations where not even one person responded to his call. In one instance the arrogance and defiance of the disbelievers had crossed all limits. Instead of simply attacking and insulting Prophet Noah, they challenged him and goaded the wrath of Allah (SWT). In the 32nd verse of Surat Hud from the Holy Quran, it is mentioned they had said: قَالُوا۟ يَـٰنُوحُ قَدْ جَـٰدَلْتَنَا فَأَكْثَرْتَ جِدَٰلَنَا فَأْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَآ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ

"They protested, “O Noah! You have argued with us far too much, so bring upon us what you threaten us with, if what you say is true.” Overflowing with arrogance, spite and pride they sought to hasten the punishment of Allah (SWT). Seeing the sheer disobedience, stubbornness and spite of the disbelievers, Prophet Noah's heart was broken with grief and immense sorrow. After nine hundred and fifty years he realized that the hearts of his disbelieving people were completely sealed. There was no longer any hope of guidance for them. And it was at that moment that Arch-Angel Jibril (Gabriel) (AS) descended with divine revelation from Allah (SWT). He brought with him a decisive message that would change the course of Prophet Noah's life and the history of the world forever as we know it.

In the 36th verse of Surat Hud from the Holy Quran, Allah (SWT) finally ended the long wait and vigil of Prophet Noah (AS) and revealed His final decision: وَأُوحِىَ إِلَىٰ نُوحٍ أَنَّهُۥ لَن يُؤْمِنَ مِن قَوْمِكَ إِلَّا مَن قَدْ ءَامَنَ فَلَا تَبْتَئِسْ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَفْعَلُونَ

"And it was revealed to Noah, “None of your people will believe except those who already have. So do not be distressed by what they have been doing." With this single revelation, preserved in the aforementioned verse, the entire account of nine hundred and fifty years was finally settled. The Prophet was finally convinced that not a single chance for guidance had remained in the hearts of this arrogant community. The Prophet who had been praying for nine hundred and fifty painstaking years for the forgiveness of his people would have his patience broken by the sudden revelation. He realized that if these disbelievers were allowed to persist, they would only bring about more 'fitnah' and 'shirk' (corruption and idolatry). And so Prophet Noah raised his hands to the sky and uttered a prayer whose answer would have cataclysmic consequences! In verses 26 and 27 of Surat Nuh from the Holy Quran, that historic prayer is mentioned: وَقَالَ نُوحٌۭ رَّبِّ لَا تَذَرْ عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ مِنَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ دَيَّارًا

"Noah had prayed, “My Lord! Do not leave a single disbeliever on earth." إِنَّكَ إِن تَذَرْهُمْ يُضِلُّوا۟ عِبَادَكَ وَلَا يَلِدُوٓا۟ إِلَّا فَاجِرًۭا كَفَّارًۭا

"For if You spare ˹any of˺ them, they will certainly mislead Your servants, and give birth only to ˹wicked˺ sinners, staunch disbelievers." And he sealed his prayer with... رَّبِّ ٱغْفِرْ لِى وَلِوَٰلِدَىَّ وَلِمَن دَخَلَ بَيْتِىَ مُؤْمِنًۭا وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ وَلَا تَزِدِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا تَبَارًۢا "My Lord! Forgive me, my parents, and whoever enters my house in faith, and ˹all˺ believing men and women. And increase the wrongdoers only in destruction.” Allah accepted the final decision prayer of his prophet; the decision to uproot the staunch disbelievers from the face of the earth. But how would the believers be spared? Documented in the Holy Quran, in verse 37, Allah had given Noah a wondrous command! وَٱصْنَعِ ٱلْفُلْكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا وَوَحْيِنَا وَلَا تُخَـٰطِبْنِى فِى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّهُم مُّغْرَقُونَ

"And build the Ark under Our ˹watchful˺ Eyes and directions, and do not plead with Me for those who have done wrong, for they will surely be drowned.” --------------------------------------

(Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/2885187254137973/ -------------------------------------- And so Noah and his believing companions set forth to build the Ark. Historians and commentators describe the land on which they had built the Ark as a vast dry plane with no rivers and bodies of water. Without any modern tools, engineers or modern technology, the work of constructing this grand vessel began under the direct supervision of Allah (SWT) and according to his revelation. Cutting trees, carving wood and joining large planks in place, a massive vessel was being erected. Some say that the unseen angels of Allah had also contributed to the Ark's construction. But the arrogance of the disbelievers did not cease. When they had come realize Prophet Noah had stopped giving 'dawah' and had settled in a vast plane, constructing a giant wooden ship, their mockery increased many times over. In the 38th verse of Surat Hud from the Holy Quran Allah describes how whenever the disbelieving peoples would pass by and see him building the ship, they would mock him. They would pierce him with spoken arrows of ridicule... They would say... "O Noah! Have you given up the profession of a prophet and chosen that of a carpenter?" "And where will you sail this ship in this dry plane? Have you gone mad?" Many would laugh loudly and say... "You are building this ship on dry land! Will water fall from the sky or will it gush out of splitting sand?" Their sharp contempt and mockery would make the air heavy, but Prophet Noah's resolve could not be shaken. He would reply, calm and confident... "If you are mocking us today? Then one day, we will surely mock you the same way you are doing today. Very soon we will know upon whom a punishment will descend that will humiliate him and upon whom will fall a lasting punishment," There were warnings of a terrible future in his words, but the disbelievers, intoxicated with their arrogance would not understand it even then. They deemed it all the ramblings of a madman. Regardless, the work on the ship resumed. According to reliable sources and narrations from Tafsir Ibn Kathir the Ark was a reliable and sturdy three story structure. The lower deck was for wild and fierce animals and birds. The middle deck was for livestock, and the upper deck was for residents of Prophet Noah (AS) and the believers. The Ark was so enormous that it was beyond the imagination of the people of that time. Finally, the destined moment arrived and the ship was completely ready. The Ark and its builders now awaited the final command from Allah (SWT). Prophet Noah had been warned that upon witnessing a specific sign, that he and his people should board the Ark. That specific and strange sign was water gushing with extreme force from a clay oven or 'tannour'. In the 40th verse of Surat Hud from the Holy Quran, Allah describes:

حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَ أَمْرُنَا وَفَارَ ٱلتَّنُّورُ قُلْنَا ٱحْمِلْ فِيهَا مِن كُلٍّۢ زَوْجَيْنِ ٱثْنَيْنِ وَأَهْلَكَ إِلَّا مَن سَبَقَ عَلَيْهِ ٱلْقَوْلُ وَمَنْ ءَامَنَ ۚ وَمَآ ءَامَنَ مَعَهُۥٓ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌۭ

"And when Our command came and the oven burst ˹with water˺, We said ˹to Noah˺, “Take into the Ark a pair from every species along with your family—except those against whom the decree ˹to drown˺ has already been passed—and those who believe.” But none believed with him except for a few" A 'tannour' is a hollow clay oven in ordinary view; a place to light fire, which remains hot for the purpose of baking bread or cooking food. But witness the will and might of Allah (SWT). From a place where only fire and smoke should come out, came gushing water- contrary to known laws of nature. But nature has always been a slave of Allah, who does as He wills whenever He wills. The gushing from the oven was the first and final warning of the great flood to come. When Prophet Noah saw the gushing waters from the oven, he realized that the promised and certain punishment of Allah had finally come. In the 40th verse of Surat Hud from the Holy Quran, Allah documents His final command given that moment! "...Take into the Ark a pair from every species along with your family—except those against whom the decree ˹to drown˺ has already been passed—and those who believe...."

(Source: https://prop1.org/park/persons/ellen/jsteel1.htm --------------------------------------

After receiving this command, one of the most miraculous and extraordinary scenes in human history began to take place! Commentators narrate that by the command of Allah, pairs of all birds, beasts, wild creatures and insects of the earth gathered before the Prophet Noah and the Ark in a miraculous fashion. Fierce tigers and innocent deer stood side by side, mighty lions and tame sheep gathered in a single line. No one attacked anyone and not even the slightest traces of ferocity or fear was seen among them. By the unchangeable and unchallengeable command of Allah (SWT) the nature of all the animals had been altered for that very moment. Prophet Noah took the one pair from each species and loaded them onto the lower deck of the Ark, in an orderly manner. Even such a miraculous sight was dismissed by the disbelievers, who deemed it all magic or trickery... even as they bore witness to lions and deer boarding the Ark side by side. Then after the animals were settled, Prophet Noah called for his family and followers, who boarded the ship with great fear, anticipation and humility. But among his household was a cruel example of stubborn disbelief and disobedience. The wife of Prophet Noah, who herself never believed in the One Allah (SWT) and had opposed her prophet husband along with the disbelievers did not get the chance to board this ship. Because of her disbelief, even though she was the wife of a prophet, she was included among those left behind to be destroyed, because in the sight of Allah (SWT) there is no value in blood relation or family if there is no faith. After the boarding was complete and the outside situation had taken a harrowing turn for the worse, Prophet Noah would rush to reassure his followers. In the 41st verse of Surat Hud from the Holy Quran his words are mentioned: وَقَالَ ٱرْكَبُوا۟ فِيهَا بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ مَجْر۪ىٰهَا وَمُرْسَىٰهَآ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى لَغَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ

"And he said, “Board it! In the Name of Allah it will sail and cast anchor. Surely my Lord is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful" In this terrifying flood, there was no engine, sail, captain or radar. The only protection and means of guiding the ship safely to its destination was God, Allah (SWT) Himself. Those aboard the ship completely surrendered themselves to the will of their Lord. Outside, the doors of the sky had opened to flood the land with heavy rain and the earth had been sundered and made to gush water. In verses 11 and 12 of Surat Al-Qamar of the Holy Quran, Allah (SWT) describes this terrifying catastrophe in a horrifying way, and says: فَفَتَحْنَآ أَبْوَٰبَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ بِمَآءٍۢ مُّنْهَمِرٍۢ

"So We opened the gates of the sky with pouring rain,"

وَفَجَّرْنَا ٱلْأَرْضَ عُيُونًۭا فَٱلْتَقَى ٱلْمَآءُ عَلَىٰٓ أَمْرٍۢ قَدْ قُدِرَ

"and caused the earth to burst with springs, so the waters met for a fate already set." Heavy rain began to pour in torrents. Commentators remark that on that day it had seemed like the sky had turned into one massive ocean, flooding the lands below it ceaselessly. Every drop of water was extremely powerful. And at the same time, water had begun to gush out with extreme force from beneath the earth. Every layer of the earth cracked and created countless water jets and fountains! The terrifying union of waters from the sky and waters from the earth caused everything to submerge in but a matter of moments. The arrogant disbelievers who had once been mocking Noah were now faced with doom and death before the wrath of Allah. They tried to run and flee in every direction, fleeing for their lives to higher ground, but when Allah commands both the sky and earth, how could the disbelievers hope to save themselves? Water rushed from every side and catastrophic waves crashed! Valleys, planes and houses began to be submerged. The heartrending cries of people and the roar of nature created a scene of horror outside the safety of the Ark. In the 42nd verse of Surat Hud from the Holy Quran, Allah describes the waves like mountains. Imagine that! Not ordinary waves, but each wave was as high as the tallest mountains and crashing down! And cleaving through those mighty waves was a single wooden ship, that floated like a safe refuge by the infinite power of Allah (SWT). Inside, the believers were engaged with the remembrance of Allah, safe and secure, while outside, the once arrogant disbelievers who had been disobedient for thousands of years were faced and struggling with doom and death. --------------------------------------

(Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/875950196260702654/

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And in the middle of all that, something tragic was about to occur. In the midst of death all around, Prophet Noah saw his disbelieving son 'Yam' atop a mountain. Prophet Noah was the father four sons, Shem, Ham, Japheth and Yam, the youngest who was the only one who did not believe and follow his father. A father was a father after all and any good father would cry at the sight of danger upon his child. Prophet Noah could not keep still, seeing his son struggling from afar and began calling out to him. In the last part of verse 42 and in verse 43 of Surat Hud from the Holy Quran, their tragic exchange is detailed:

وَهِىَ تَجْرِى بِهِمْ فِى مَوْجٍۢ كَٱلْجِبَالِ وَنَادَىٰ نُوحٌ ٱبْنَهُۥ وَكَانَ فِى مَعْزِلٍۢ يَـٰبُنَىَّ ٱرْكَب مَّعَنَا وَلَا تَكُن مَّعَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ

"And ˹so˺ the Ark sailed with them through waves like mountains. Noah called out to his son, who stood apart, “O my dear son! Come aboard with us and do not be with the disbelievers.”

قَالَ سَـَٔاوِىٓ إِلَىٰ جَبَلٍۢ يَعْصِمُنِى مِنَ ٱلْمَآءِ ۚ قَالَ لَا عَاصِمَ ٱلْيَوْمَ مِنْ أَمْرِ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ ۚ وَحَالَ بَيْنَهُمَا ٱلْمَوْجُ فَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُغْرَقِينَ

"He replied, “I will take refuge on a mountain, which will protect me from the water.” Noah cried, “Today no one is protected from Allah’s decree except those to whom He shows mercy!” And the waves came between them, and his son was among the drowned."

The walls of arrogance and disbelief could be so strong as was clear in the reply of that young man. Even standing face to face with death and after all that he had seen and been witness to, no light of faith entered his heart. In response to his father's urgent and heartfelt call, he responded with extreme arrogance that he would instead seek refuge on top of a mountain peak, sure that the water would not reach him there. He had blind faith in worldly calculations and his own physical strength. Alas, despite his father's warnings, a mountain-like wave crashed down, parting father from son. Prophet Noah... even if he was one of the legendary 'Ulul Azmi' prophets and especially blessed with the mercy of Allah (SWT) could not save his own flesh and blood son. In the court of Allah (SWT) there was no room for ties of blood or pride of lineage; there only faith and deeds are the sole measure. Yam, the son who had committed 'shirk' with Allah (SWT) could not escape the punishment and decree of Allah (SWT), even if he was the son of a prophet. This event would leave a huge lesson for the rest of humanity. The water kept rising, sinking even the tallest mountaintops and no human or land animal outside the ship was left standing and alive. The arrogant and wealthy and all their belongings and buildings were swept underwater and thrown into the dustbin of history. All the idols they had made, which they had considered as gods were also swept away like straw in the floodwater. The idols had no power to save themselves, so how could they save their worshipers? In this way, a dark chapter of 'shirk' and disobedience was erased completely from the face of the earth. For forty days, or as some scholars state, for several months the sky rained and the waves rocked and crashed. The earth's surface had become like one great and boundless ocean and floating atop it, basked in Allah's mercy was a single wooden ship. Then, when the flood had swallowed all the earth's sinners and the purpose of eliminating the disbelievers had come to pass, a new command was issued by Allah (SWT). In the 44th verse of Surat Hud, Allah (SWT) has given a very captivating description of the end of this great and terrible flood:

وَقِيلَ يَـٰٓأَرْضُ ٱبْلَعِى مَآءَكِ وَيَـٰسَمَآءُ أَقْلِعِى وَغِيضَ ٱلْمَآءُ وَقُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ وَٱسْتَوَتْ عَلَى ٱلْجُودِىِّ ۖ وَقِيلَ بُعْدًۭا لِّلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

"And it was said, “O earth! Swallow up your water. And O  sky! Withhold ˹your rain˺.” The floodwater receded and the decree was carried out. The Ark rested on Mount Judi, and it was said, “Away with the wrongdoing people!”

According to the commentators, Mount Judi was reported to have been somewhere in the land of Turkey. After many days of sailing and surviving, the Ark was allowed to moor peacefully on Mount Judi and the believers could finally disembark onto dry land. But despite all this, a father's heart was still bleeding. Prophet Noah, merciful father that he was, could not forget the death of his son Yam. He humbly pleaded with his lord, mentioned in the 45th verse of Surat Hud from the Holy Quran...

(Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/746049494498926868/

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وَنَادَىٰ نُوحٌۭ رَّبَّهُۥ فَقَالَ رَبِّ إِنَّ ٱبْنِى مِنْ أَهْلِى وَإِنَّ وَعْدَكَ ٱلْحَقُّ وَأَنتَ أَحْكَمُ ٱلْحَـٰكِمِينَ

" Noah called out to his Lord, saying, “My Lord! Certainly my son is ˹also˺ of my family, Your promise is surely true, and You are the most just of all judges!” "

He thought that there was still some decision pending for his son. But Allah the Almighty then gave such a clear and stern reply, that it became a great lesson for all nations till the Day of Judgement. Allah (SWT) said with great firmness as mentioned in the following verse: قَالَ يَـٰنُوحُ إِنَّهُۥ لَيْسَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ عَمَلٌ غَيْرُ صَـٰلِحٍۢ ۖ فَلَا تَسْـَٔلْنِ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ ۖ إِنِّىٓ أَعِظُكَ أَن تَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْجَـٰهِلِينَ

"Allah replied, “O Noah! He is certainly not of your family—he was entirely of unrighteous conduct. So do not ask Me about what you have no knowledge of! I warn you so you do not fall into ignorance.” " Here Allah (SWT) affirms that the bond of faith is the greatest bond. If blood relation becomes a barrier on the path of faith, then that blood relation has no value in the court of Allah (SWT). Prophet Noah then realized his mistake and humbly asked Allah... قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّىٓ أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَسْـَٔلَكَ مَا لَيْسَ لِى بِهِۦ عِلْمٌۭ ۖ وَإِلَّا تَغْفِرْ لِى وَتَرْحَمْنِىٓ أَكُن مِّنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ

" Noah pleaded, “My Lord, I seek refuge in You from asking You about what I have no knowledge of, and unless You forgive me and have mercy on me, I will be one of the losers.” " And Allah, who is the Most Merciful, accepted the apology of His humble prophet and comforted him. He then told him and his followers to disembark safely, with blessings on him and some of the descendants of those with him.

And after the believers had made landfall and touched down upon this new earth, thus began a new chapter and age for humankind and civilization. All the animals spread out across the world in pairs and the earth soon began to repopulate itself. Scholars call Noah "The Second Father of All" or "The Second Adam". They did so because the rest of humanity from that day onwards had all descended from Noah and the descendants of his family. The believers formed a settlement at the base of Mount Judi called "The Village of Thamaneen" or "Eighty" because the number of believers and residents there were about eighty people. The people there worshipped Allah (SWT) alone, in peace and Prophet Noah would teach generations to come about the oneness of Allah (SWT). He would remind them of the great flood, so that they would be warned never to commit 'shirk' with Allah (SWT) ever again. ----------------------------------------------------------- When we think about the lessons from this vast and epic history of Prophet Noah (AS), another subtle and very profound matter from the Holy Quran is revealed before us. When Prophet Noah and his believing companions set foot onto that new earth, what was the condition of that new earth? There were no trees, no crop fields, no houses and no traces of civilization left anywhere. The entire earth had turned into a barren wasteland because of the long and violent flood. In such an adverse environment, how did a handful of people start their lives anew? Here lies the greatest example of 'tawakkul' or complete reliance on Allah (SWT). The good news of peace and blessings were all those people had to survive on that barren earth. They had no modern tools, no stored food but they had the promise of peace granted by The Lord of the Worlds.

(Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/317785317474257766/

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History bears witness to the fact that Allah's granted blessing was what allowed the human and animals surviving the flood to repopulate and spread across the world again, from the foot of that dry mountain in such a way that it they have covered the entire world, until today. In time, Allah would cause the earth to bring about plants, trees, crops, flowers, fruits, vegetables; to One such as Allah, such matters are not at all difficult. In the 77th verse of Surat As-Saffat from the Holy Quran, Allah (SWT) reveals to us a very surprising piece of information. Allah says... "And We made only his (Nuh's) descendants remain on the earth" In the 'tafsir' of this verse, reliable 'mufassirs' or translators and Imam Ibn Kathir (RA) have clearly stated that none of the other believing companions, who were on the Ark with Noah, had any descendants left on the earth. In time, their lineages became extinct. It is only through the three sons of Noah (AS) that the entire human race of today began to spread. From a reliable hadith in the noble collection of Tirmidhi, it is known that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) had once said that the Prophet Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, through whom the human race spread anew on earth. According to the narration of the hadith, the eldest son Shem was considered to be a prophet after his father and and forefather of the Arabs and other Semitic peoples. Shem's descendants include Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram, giving rise to peoples such as the Hebrews, Arabs, Syriacs, and Kurds. Ham is the ancestor of the Abyssinians and other African peoples. Ham's descendants include Cush, Mizraim, Phut, and Canaan, leading to the Cushites, Egyptians, and Canaanites. And Japheth is the ancestor and forefather of the Romans, Turks and various European and Central and Far Asian peoples. His descendants included included Gomer, Gog, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras, from whom came the Turks, Slavs, Greeks, and other European and Central Asian peoples. That is all the people on earth, all the people we see today, all nations and tribes are all in some way descended from these three sons of Noah (AS).

(Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1128292512913070826/

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And for this very reason, Prophet Noah is called "The Second Father" or "Second Adam" of all humanity. Allah (SWT) taught us, by uniting us again, all under one man's lineage that our origin is one. The pride of white versus black, rich versus poor and all the lineage boasting that we see among people today is completely meaningless, because once upon a time we were all passengers of the same ship and descendants of the same noble father. In the 3rd verse of Surat Al-Israa of the Holy Quran, Allah says something very emotional and thought provoking to the descendants of Prophet Noah (AS) that is, to US. He says... "O descendants of those whom we carried in the ship! Indeed he (Nuh) is a very grateful servant," Allah has granted our father Noah with a special title, 'very grateful servant' or 'abdan shakuran'. Why was he bestowed with such a title? Because after physical and mental torture for nine hundred and fifty long years, and even with his own son destroyed before his own very eyes, he still proved humble, faithful and grateful to Allah. In Musnad Ahmad and other hadith books it is said that every single moment of Prophet Noah's life was full of gratitude. Whenever he'd eat a morsel of food, he'd express gratitude and praise Allah. Whenever he would drink even a single sip of water, he would express gratitude and praise Allah. Despite centuries of hardship and tests and tribulations, he never expressed a single moment of disobedience or dissatisfaction with his Lord. His heart was always filled with the recognition of the blessings of Allah (SWT). In this day and age of ours, where food is more abundant, lifestyles extravagant with plentiful clothes, means of entertainment and security how much gratitude do WE ourselves express? As soon as a little shortage appears, or a little illness befalls us, many of us express disappointment, disdain and start complaining...

Look at the stonework! The fanoos! (Lantern!) Imagine the effort that went into setting this place up... wow...!

(Source:https://www.bing.com/images/searchq=Rexxar+Wallpaper+4K&form=IRIBIP&first=1 ) ---------------------------------------- Disclaimer: The following series is a fanfiction retelling of the events that transpire during "The Founding of Durotar" bonus campaign from Warcraft 3. All characters (except original characters added to the narrative) are property and creation of Blizzard Entertainment. The dialogue, beliefs, ideals and values present in the story are reflective of the various races and cultures present and do not reflect the personal beliefs, ideals and values of the author. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Somewhere in Kalimdor, a boar was roaming the crimson desert wastes. It was sturdy with coarse bristly hairs, rummaging what little greens could be found among the sands. Not too far behind and unbeknownst to the creature, it had been stalked by hunters. All of a sudden, the the whoosh and whirl of a massive axe shattered the evening silence, and the thump and pounding of four great beasty paws stirred the dirt! In seconds there was a 'thwack'... a pained shriek followed by the clenching of jaws. The hunters triumphed over their prey; and there was no doubt they would... for they were Rexxar and Misha. "A swift and clean kill..." spoke Rexxar. The hunter stood nine feel tall sporting a muscular physique; shoulders the size of boulders and limbs like the sturdy trunks of trees. He was a wild thing; beastly and fierce and his clothes were all too telling of his trade. He had wrapped his ankles and wrists in think leather, rimmed with white fur and a great belt around his waist, adorned with tusks and bones of slain beasts, from which hung his loincloth. Rugged and crude, the most prominent thing about the hunter's attire was the great black wolfskin cloak and mask he'd worn. The dark tar black skin of a wolf rest over the upper half of his stern face, pelt hanging over his shoulders, and flowing over his back. He was a wild thing... no doubt about it... "... good job, Misha..." The other hunter was Misha. She was first and foremost, testament to the fact that even one as imposing and beastly as Rexxar could find it within himself to care for others. Ever since he had found her beside the corpse of her mother, in the northern woods of Feralas, he had taken the cub and raised her as his own. Misha was a bear, great, mighty and under the care and wild tutelage of her guardian and protector, had grown into a fierce albeit majestic huntress. Following the passage of time, she had grown almost as large as he was, and sported two large tusk-like fangs and four sets of powerful and potent claws perfect for rending flesh and maiming prey. One was seldom seen without the other, and the two had come to regard one another as not only keen and capable hunters, but also friends... even family to an extent. The boar had been slain; its corpse lay bleeding, clenched by Misha's mighty jaws. This pleased Rexxar. They would eat well, and he did not like that the wild things they hunted suffer pointlessly. The hunters did not toy with their play, nor did they kill boastfully. In time... the beast was skinned, its flesh carved, haunches of meat torn apart and ready for roasting. Misha had secured the kill, and for that, Rexxar more than gladly allowed her first taste. Boar's heart... he'd carved it out and tossed it at her, she snatched it up in seconds. The Barrens, rough and unrelenting dessert span that it was, supported a several palm trees, thorny bushes and the rare bloom, the exotic herb... more than enough for a fire the keep the pair warm in the night. And it was around the evening's fire that one hunter would pour his heart out to the other... "I have wandered alone for many years little Misha, yet even I get weary of this endless solitude..." The fire crackled, the boar was roasting... Misha, who'd never let him down thus far, listened attentively. Her gaze was fixed on him. "I have watched the other races... I have seen their squabbling, their ruthlessness. Their wars do nothing but scar the land, and drive the wild things to extinction. No, they cannot be trusted. Only beasts are above deceit... beasts... like you..." he offers her a smile. She's smart enough to appreciate it. She had always been smart; he had always been kind... and every night under the blazing sun and cool moon was spent like this. Rexxar had little reason to trust civilization. In fact, given the things he had seen in days past, he had even less reason to believe that anyone could stay civilized for long. To him, the world was cold, brutal and he counted on its savagery and wilderness.

He never stayed in one place for too long. Tonight… just like every night, a meal, hunted, carved and cooked, moments of quiet contemplation followed by sleep under stars….

---------------------------------------- The next day however….

"… a battle…?" The pair awoke to the sound of snorting, snarling and wild frenzied whinnies and shrieks. Then there was a cry… strong, masculine, angry…

Those who made the first sounds were no mere pigs, and Rexxar knew all too well the fact they were 'Quilboar'.

(Source: Ferocious Quilboar - New Hearthstone Wiki

“One of the native species in Kalimdor is the 'quilboar.' Prickly little buggers. Reason enough to hate this continent.” — Corporal Teegan

They are an aggressive race of boar-like humanoids, native to the land of Kalimdor. They have razor sharp spines protruding from their muscular, hunched backs. These resilient, fearless creatures inhabit the central Barrens of Kalimdor in the labyrinthine maze of thorns called Razorfen Downs. When in the Barrens, it was impossible not to run into hordes of these wild creatures and even less likely they wouldn't attack you on sight. Rexxar and Misha thus had no love for them…

As for the other noisemaker…

(Source: https://gugroppo.artstation.com/

He was an orc! Tall, six foot green-skinned warrior was he! He bared his yellowed tusks at the enemy, his glassy eyes staring down the quilboar with with rage and hate. Though his hair had silvered and blanched, he sought to swing his axe as brave and bold as any youngblood. But Rexxar dreaded the elder was lethally outmatched here…

"Damned mongrels! Taste the steel of Mo'grim's axe!" cried the grunt as he charged towards the quilboar. He took many great swings, but soon they surrounded him. They gashed at him with dirty black claws, spiked boards and even fired some of their infamous quills at him! Their bristle-backs were notorious for easily dispensable quills… the beasts could fire them out their backs like volleys of darts and missiles… and worse, were able to grow and replace them in a handful of minutes… Rexxar could not simply watch this unfold, in silence…

"Hold fast old one!" he cries, ever the kind hunter. "You will not stand alone!" The pair charge into the fray. Misha reciprocates Rexxar's concern and fury; the vile pigmen do not frighten her. And they absolutely did not see a giant beast-man and his monstrous bear rushing to face them. Quilboar were seldom brave and stalwart fighters… and so they took to fleeing. The damage had been done… Rexxar's fears had come true…

The old orc is forced onto the crimson sands, stained redder as the blood pooled and gushed out his belly…

"F… filthy cowards…" cried Mo'grim, he and his attempted saviors gazing at the chicken-hearted pig-men running for the hills. It would be justice to chase and gut them… but they had gutted him… and therefore, the pair turned their attention towards the old orc… a gristly sight as much as it was grim.

"Your stomach has been slit open…" Rexxar remarks, the hunter's eyes wide with concern. "I… can do little to ease your pain…"

The old orc regards the stranger with a soft smile… then it widens into a smirk, he scoffs… coughs… "I know… hah…." came his scoff. "This… would have been a good death…. if not for my failure…."

"Failure?" Rexxar asks.

"I was… to deliver a crucial report… to my chieftain in the lands below…" Mo'grim would begin to explain. "But now…? I have failed him. I… have lost my honor…"

Rexxar's face softened, and something in his heart stirred at the mention of honor. He respected it; as an ideal, honor was sacred and those who made true efforts to uphold it were worthy of respect in his eyes. With that being said, the hunter would then reassure the dying orc "I will deliver it. For the sake of honor, I will uphold your charge…"

"Aka'magosh, warrior…" came the old man's heartfelt thanks. His own face has softened; he looked greater relieved, deeply so, despite the pains of dying. "Seek out… the city of Ogrimmar… find… Warchief Thrall… tell him…"

He pants… his strength fails him, as do his lungs. His eyes roll back, every tense and aching muscle of his body relaxes finally as the spirit departs. Rexxar could only hold his head down with respect, sorrow before collecting the letter off the old orc's corpse, raising his head with newfound determination and purpose. Orcs were a warrior people… and he believed that he should be treated as one, respected as one, in death following life. Rexxar brought the old man's axe close, placed it over his chest, then brought his green hand over, as if Mo'grim were holding his axe against his chest; heart full of strength and honor. He seals the old orc's eyes, pulling his eyelids shut…

"Well Misha? Looks like we will be seeing civilization after all…"

---------------------------------------------------------------------- To be continued!