Prophet Nuh (Noah) is one of the most prominent prophets mentioned in the Quran. He is known for his extraordinary patience, as he preached to his people for 950 years. Despite his persistent efforts, only a few believed in his message. His story culminates in the great flood, where Allah saved the believers in an ark and destroyed the disbelievers. Nuh is considered one of the Ulul 'Azm (the prophets of strong determination).
Nuh was born approximately 10 generations after Adam. He lived in a community that had abandoned the monotheistic teachings of their ancestors and had turned to idol worship. Allah chose Nuh to guide his people back to the worship of the One True God.
When Nuh began his mission, he was already a mature man, respected among his people for his wisdom and integrity. The Quran does not provide details about his early life, but focuses on his prophetic mission and the challenges he faced in conveying Allah's message.
إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ أَنْ أَنذِرْ قَوْمَكَ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
"Indeed, We sent Noah to his people, [saying], 'Warn your people before there comes to them a painful punishment.'" (Quran 71:1)
One of the most remarkable aspects of Nuh's story is the length of his prophetic mission. The Quran states that he preached to his people for 950 years, making him one of the longest-lived prophets mentioned in religious texts.
Throughout this incredibly long period, Nuh employed various methods to invite his people to monotheism. He preached publicly and privately, day and night, using logical arguments and emotional appeals. Despite his persistent efforts, most of his people rejected his message and mocked him.
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ فَلَبِثَ فِيهِمْ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ إِلَّا خَمْسِينَ عَامًا فَأَخَذَهُمُ الطُّوفَانُ وَهُمْ ظَالِمُونَ
"And We certainly sent Noah to his people, and he remained among them a thousand years minus fifty years, and the flood seized them while they were wrongdoers." (Quran 29:14)
Nuh faced intense opposition from his people, particularly from the wealthy and influential members of society. They accused him of being merely a human like themselves, with no special status or authority. They also criticized his followers for being from the lower classes of society.
The disbelievers employed various tactics to discourage people from following Nuh. They mocked him, spread rumors about him, and even threatened those who believed in his message. Despite these challenges, Nuh remained steadfast in his mission.
فَقَالَ الْمَلَأُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن قَوْمِهِ مَا نَرَاكَ إِلَّا بَشَرًا مِّثْلَنَا وَمَا نَرَاكَ اتَّبَعَكَ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ هُمْ أَرَاذِلُنَا بَادِيَ الرَّأْيِ وَمَا نَرَىٰ لَكُمْ عَلَيْنَا مِن فَضْلٍ بَلْ نَظُنُّكُمْ كَاذِبِينَ
"So the eminent among those who disbelieved from his people said, 'We do not see you but as a man like ourselves, and we do not see you followed except by those who are the lowest of us [and] at first suggestion. And we do not see in you over us any merit; rather, we think you are liars.'" (Quran 11:27)
After centuries of preaching with limited success, Allah informed Nuh that no more people would believe in his message. Allah then commanded Nuh to build an ark in preparation for the coming flood.
Nuh and his followers began constructing the ark, despite being far from any body of water. This further increased the mockery from the disbelievers, who saw the project as absurd. Nevertheless, Nuh continued the construction as commanded by Allah.
وَاصْنَعِ الْفُلْكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا وَوَحْيِنَا وَلَا تُخَاطِبْنِي فِي الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا ۚ إِنَّهُم مُّغْرَقُونَ
"And construct the ship under Our observation and Our inspiration and do not address Me concerning those who have wronged; indeed, they are [to be] drowned." (Quran 11:37)
The Quran does not provide detailed specifications of the ark, but Islamic traditions suggest it was a large vessel with multiple decks, capable of carrying many people and animals. According to these traditions, the ark was made of wood and was waterproofed with pitch.
When the ark was completed, Allah commanded Nuh to load it with a pair of each animal species and with the believers. The number of believers was small, estimated to be around 80 people, including Nuh's family members (except for one son and his wife who disbelieved).
Then, the signs of the flood began to appear. Water started gushing from the earth and pouring from the sky in unprecedented quantities. The disbelievers, who had previously mocked Nuh, now sought higher ground to escape the rising waters, but to no avail.
فَفَتَحْنَا أَبْوَابَ السَّمَاءِ بِمَاءٍ مُّنْهَمِرٍ ﴿١١﴾ وَفَجَّرْنَا الْأَرْضَ عُيُونًا فَالْتَقَى الْمَاءُ عَلَىٰ أَمْرٍ قَدْ قُدِرَ
"So We opened the gates of the heaven with rain pouring down and caused the earth to burst with springs, and the waters met for a matter already predestined." (Quran 54:11-12)
One of the most poignant aspects of Nuh's story is the fate of his son who refused to board the ark. As the waters rose, Nuh saw his son and called out to him to join them on the ark, but his son refused, believing he could save himself by climbing a mountain.
Despite Nuh's plea, his son remained adamant in his disbelief and was eventually drowned in the flood. This incident highlights that guidance is in Allah's hands, and even a prophet cannot guide those whom Allah has not decreed to be guided, including close family members.
وَنَادَىٰ نُوحٌ ابْنَهُ وَكَانَ فِي مَعْزِلٍ يَا بُنَيَّ ارْكَب مَّعَنَا وَلَا تَكُن مَّعَ الْكَافِرِينَ ﴿٤٢﴾ قَالَ سَآوِي إِلَىٰ جَبَلٍ يَعْصِمُنِي مِنَ الْمَاءِ ۚ قَالَ لَا عَاصِمَ الْيَوْمَ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ ۚ وَحَالَ بَيْنَهُمَا الْمَوْجُ فَكَانَ مِنَ الْمُغْرَقِينَ
"And Noah called to his son who was apart [from them], 'O my son, come aboard with us and be not with the disbelievers.' [But] he said, 'I will take refuge on a mountain to protect me from the water.' [Noah] said, 'There is no protector today from the decree of Allah, except for whom He gives mercy.' And the waves came between them, and he was among the drowned." (Quran 11:42-43)
The flood continued until Allah's command came for it to subside. The ark eventually rested on Mount Judi (believed to be in present-day Turkey). Nuh and the believers disembarked and began to repopulate the earth.
Allah blessed Nuh and his descendants, and all of humanity after the flood is considered to be from his progeny. This is why Nuh is sometimes referred to as the "second father of humanity" after Adam.
وَقِيلَ يَا أَرْضُ ابْلَعِي مَاءَكِ وَيَا سَمَاءُ أَقْلِعِي وَغِيضَ الْمَاءُ وَقُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ وَاسْتَوَتْ عَلَى الْجُودِيِّ ۖ وَقِيلَ بُعْدًا لِّلْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ
"And it was said, 'O earth, swallow your water, and O sky, withhold [your rain].' And the water subsided, and the matter was accomplished, and the ship came to rest on the [mountain of] Judiyy. And it was said, 'Away with the wrongdoing people.'" (Quran 11:44)
Nuh's story is mentioned in multiple chapters of the Quran, emphasizing its importance. An entire chapter, Surah Nuh (Chapter 71), is named after him. His story serves as a powerful reminder of Allah's mercy to the believers and His punishment for those who persistently reject the truth.
Nuh is honored in Islam as one of the greatest prophets. He exemplifies extraordinary patience, perseverance, and unwavering faith in the face of overwhelming opposition. His story teaches us about the importance of steadfastness in conveying the truth, regardless of the response it receives.
The story of the flood also serves as a reminder of Allah's power over creation and His ability to protect the believers while punishing the wrongdoers. It emphasizes that salvation comes through faith and righteous deeds, not through worldly status or family connections.
Nuh preached for 950 years despite constant rejection, demonstrating extraordinary patience and perseverance.
Nuh's son rejected his message, showing that guidance comes from Allah, not family connections.
The flood demonstrates that persistent rejection of truth can lead to divine punishment.
Building an ark far from water seemed illogical, but Nuh trusted Allah's command completely.
Only those who believed were saved, regardless of their social status or wealth.
The flood represents both punishment and purification, allowing humanity to start anew.
See Nuh's place in the prophetic lineage
Explore all verses about Nuh in the Quran
Learn Quranic terms related to prophets