Surah Nuh (Noah)

Nuh means "Noah," naming the surah after the prophet Nuh, whose call to his people and supplication to God form its subject.

Surah Nuh is the seventy-first chapter of the Quran, a Meccan surah of twenty-eight ayahs named after the prophet Nuh (Noah). The surah is devoted almost entirely to his mission, recounting how he was sent to warn his people before a painful punishment and how he called them to worship God alone, to seek His forgiveness, and to be mindful of Him. It relates his persistent efforts to reach them night and day, openly and in secret, and his reminders of God's blessings in creation, the heavens, the earth, and human origins. Despite his long striving, most of his people persisted in rejection, clinging to their idols and their leaders. The surah conveys Nuh's report of their obstinacy and his prayer regarding those who refused the message. It illustrates the pattern of a prophet's patient perseverance and the consequences of persistent denial, themes that resonated with the early Muslim community facing similar rejection in Mecca.

Surah number: 71
Revelation: Meccan
Ayahs: 28
Arabic: نوح

Read Surah Nuh online — full Arabic text with the Pickthall English translation.

Main themes

The mission of the prophet Nuh and his call to worship God alone
The summons to seek God's forgiveness and mindfulness of Him
Persistent, patient preaching night and day, openly and secretly
Reflection on God's signs in creation and human origins
The people's obstinate rejection and attachment to their idols
The consequences of persistent denial of the message

Why this surah matters

Surah Nuh holds a recognized place as one of the surahs dedicated to the story of a single prophet, offering a sustained portrait of Nuh's patience and perseverance over a long mission. For the early Muslim community in Mecca, facing rejection and hardship, the account served as consolation and a reminder that steadfast calling to God has precedent among the prophets. The surah is frequently cited in reflections on da'wah, or inviting others to faith, because of its depiction of tireless and varied efforts to reach an unresponsive people. Its emphasis on seeking God's forgiveness is also commonly referenced in teaching about repentance.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Nuh?

Nuh (Noah) is one of the prophets recognized in Islam, sent to call his people to worship God alone. This surah centers on his mission, his patient preaching, and his people's response.

Is Surah Nuh Meccan or Medinan?

It is a Meccan surah. Its account of a prophet's perseverance amid rejection is understood to have offered encouragement to the early Muslims facing opposition in Mecca.

What is the main message of the surah?

It recounts Nuh's steadfast call to worship God alone and to seek His forgiveness, his people's persistent rejection, and the lesson of patient perseverance in inviting others to faith.

Read Surah Nuh

Read Surah Nuh with the Pickthall translation and ask Noor about any ayah — ad-free and neutral across all five schools.

Get Living Quran free