Who was Prophet Nuh? His life and story

Full story

1. 1

   A call that lasted for years

   Nuh (peace be upon him) called his people to worship Allah alone and give up the worship of idols. According to tradition, he continued this call for 950 years (Al-Ankabut, 14).

   But most of his people responded with arrogance, covered their ears, and mocked him. Despite all his patience, only a small number of people believed in him.

2. 2

   The building of the ark

   When his people would not turn from their stubbornness, Allah commanded Nuh (peace be upon him) to build an ark and told him to construct it under His watch and in keeping with revelation (Hud, 37).

   As Nuh built the ark, the leading men of his people mocked him. He carried on his work patiently, knowing that Allah's promise would certainly come to pass.

3. 3

   The flood and the deliverance

   When Allah's command came, water gushed out from the earth and rain poured down from the sky; a great flood covered everything. Nuh (peace be upon him) took the believers and pairs of animals onto the ark.

   Those who did not believe were drowned. One of Nuh's sons did not believe and wanted to take refuge on a mountain; though his father called him to the ark, he refused, and he was drowned among the waves (Hud, 42-43).

4. 4

   After the flood

   When the flood subsided, the water receded and the ark came to rest. The believers began life anew on earth.

   The story of Nuh (peace be upon him) is an example of patience, of a long and sustained call, and of the truth ultimately prevailing. Because of his great patience and resolve, he is counted among the Ulul-Azm Prophets.

The story of Nuh (peace be upon him) is narrated in many surahs of the Quran, especially in Surah Nuh (71), which bears his name, as well as in Surah Hud and Surah Al-Ankabut. The Quran describes his years of patient calling, the ark and the flood in detail, and presents it as a lesson about the choice between faith and denial.

• Conveying the truth requires patience and resolve; the outcome belongs to Allah.
• It is faith, not blood ties, that saves a person: Nuh's son is a bitter example of this.
• Arrogance and mockery lead a people to ruin.
• Even when Allah's promise seems delayed, it is certain to come to pass.

This page is based on Quran verses and authentic hadith sources.

• QuranSurah Al-Ankabut, 14

  This verse states that Nuh (peace be upon him) remained among his people for many years, calling them.

• QuranSurah Hud, 37

  This verse describes Allah commanding Nuh to build the ark under His watch and by His revelation.

• QuranSurah Hud, 42-43

  These verses narrate the drowning of Nuh's unbelieving son in the flood.

• HadithSahih Bukhari, 4712

  This hadith states that on the Day of Judgment, people will first come to Nuh (peace be upon him), the first messenger sent to the people of the earth, seeking intercession.

• Classical sourceTDV İslam Ansiklopedisi, "Nûh"

  Referenced for academic information about Prophet Nuh's call and the flood.

Other Prophets connected with this story.

• Prophet Adam

  The first human being and the first Prophet

• Prophet Hud

  The Prophet sent to the people of Ad

• Prophet Ibrahim

  A caller to Tawhid, the friend of Allah (Khalilullah)

Common questions about this Prophet.

• Who was Prophet Nuh?

  Nuh (peace be upon him) is the Ulul-Azm Prophet who called his people to worship Allah alone for many years, built an ark by Allah's command, and saved the believers from the flood.

• How many years did Prophet Nuh call his people?

  The Quran states that he remained among his people for many years; according to tradition, this period was 950 years (Al-Ankabut, 14).

• Who was saved on Prophet Nuh's ark?

  The believers and pairs of animals were taken aboard the ark and saved; those who did not believe, including one of Nuh's sons, were drowned (Hud, 42-43).

• Why was Prophet Nuh's son not saved?

  His son did not believe, refused to board the ark, and wanted to take refuge on a mountain; as a result, he was drowned among the waves. This shows that it is faith, not blood ties, that saves.