Unveil the inspiring wisdom of Surah 71: Nuh (Noah). Discover the powerful story of Prophet Nuh’s patience, his heartfelt call to faith, and the timeless lessons of Surah Nuh that strengthen hope, resilience, and devotion to Allah.
Surah 71: Nuh (Noah)
Nuh: Introduction
Surah Nuh is the seventy-first chapter of the Holy Quran, revealed in Makkah, and it contains 28 verses. The entire chapter is dedicated to the mission of Prophet Nuh (Noah, peace be upon him) and his relentless efforts to guide his people to the worship of Allah alone. It presents his sincere appeals, both openly and privately, urging his people to repent, abandon idolatry, and adopt moral uprightness. Nuh’s message emphasized Allah’s mercy, the promise of forgiveness, and the blessings that would follow repentance – such as abundant rain, wealth, children, gardens, and rivers. He reminded them of Allah’s greatness through the wonders of creation: the heavens, the moon, the sun, the earth, and the cycle of life and death. Despite his tireless efforts, his people clung to their idols and followed corrupt leaders, rejecting the truth. Their stubbornness eventually led to divine punishment by drowning, serving as a timeless warning to all who turn away from the truth. 0 0 0
Surah 71: Nuh (Noah): Text
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
1. Indeed, We sent Noah to his people, saying, “Warn your people before a painful punishment comes upon them.”
2. He said, “O my people, indeed I am to you a clear warner,
3. That you should worship Allah, and be mindful of Him, and obey me.
4. He will forgive you your sins and give you respite until an appointed time. Indeed, when the time appointed by Allah comes, it cannot be delayed, if you only knew.”
5. He said, “My Lord, indeed I have called my people night and day,
6. But my calling only increased them in fleeing away.
7. And every time I called them so that You might forgive them, they put their fingers in their ears, covered themselves with their garments, persisted, and grew arrogant in extreme pride.
8. Then I called them openly.
9. Then I spoke to them publicly and privately.
10. And I said, ‘Seek forgiveness from your Lord; surely He is Ever-Forgiving.
11. He will send rain upon you in abundance,
12. And give you increase in wealth and children, and grant you gardens, and grant you rivers.
13. What is the matter with you that you do not show reverence to Allah’s majesty,
14. While He has created you in stages?
15. Do you not see how Allah has created the seven heavens in layers,
16. And made the moon therein a light, and made the sun a shining lamp?
17. And Allah has caused you to grow from the earth like plants,
18. Then He will return you into it, and bring you out again.
19. And Allah has made the earth for you a wide expanse,
20. That you may travel through its spacious paths.’”
21. Noah said, “My Lord, indeed they have disobeyed me, and followed those whose wealth and children only increase them in loss.
22. And they have plotted a great plot,
23. And they said, ‘Do not abandon your gods; do not abandon Wadd, nor Suwa‘, nor Yaghuth, and Ya‘uq, and Nasr.’
24. And they have led many astray, and increase the wrongdoers in nothing but error.”
25. Because of their sins they were drowned, then made to enter the Fire, and they found no helpers for themselves besides Allah.
26. And Noah said, “My Lord, do not leave upon the earth any inhabitant from among the disbelievers.
27. Indeed, if You leave them, they will mislead Your servants, and will beget none but wicked and ungrateful ones.
28. My Lord, forgive me and my parents, and whoever enters my house as a believer, and the believing men and believing women. And do not increase the wrongdoers except in destruction.” 0 0 0
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Nuh: Comment
This surah is a touching portrayal of prophetic patience and dedication. Prophet Nuh’s approach was comprehensive – he called his people day and night, in public gatherings, and in private conversations, always with the intention of guiding them to salvation. His message combined a balance of warning and hope. On one hand, he warned of the painful punishment awaiting them if they persisted in disbelief; on the other, he promised Allah’s blessings and mercy if they turned back in repentance. Nuh emphasized that gratitude to Allah is directly connected to the enjoyment and increase of His blessings.
The surah also highlights the spiritual blindness that arrogance and idolatry produce. Nuh’s people ignored the clear signs of Allah in the natural world and instead remained loyal to false gods like Wadd, Suwa‘, Yaghuth, Ya‘uq, and Nasr. When all means of guidance failed, Nuh prayed for the destruction of the hardened disbelievers, fearing that they would only lead future generations astray. The chapter closes with his heartfelt plea for forgiveness – not only for himself and his parents but also for every believing man and woman. The surah teaches that rejecting divine guidance after repeated warnings leads to certain ruin, while sincere repentance and steadfast faith open the door to mercy, prosperity, and eternal success. 0 0 0
Frequently Asked Questions on Nuh (Noah)
Q1. What is Surah Nuh and why is it named after Prophet Noah?
Surah Nuh is the 71st chapter of the Holy Quran, revealed in Makkah, with 28 verses. It is named after Prophet Nuh (Noah), one of the earliest messengers of Allah, who dedicated centuries of his life to calling his people toward faith. The Surah captures Nuh’s sincere supplications, his tireless preaching, and the rejection he faced from his people. By naming this chapter Surah Nuh, the Quran honors his patience, devotion, and perseverance, making it a chapter of guidance and encouragement for all who strive in the path of truth.
Q2. What are the main themes of Surah Nuh?
The key themes of Surah Nuh include the importance of patience in preaching, the consequences of rejecting truth, and the mercy of Allah for those who repent. Surah Nuh portrays the prophet’s persistent call to his people—both in private and in public—urging them to seek forgiveness, which would bring blessings of rain, wealth, children, and gardens. However, it also highlights the stubbornness of disbelievers who ignored his warnings. The Surah ends with Prophet Nuh’s prayer for the destruction of the wicked and the salvation of the believers. Overall, Surah Nuh is a reminder of the rewards of perseverance and the dangers of arrogance.
Q3. How does Surah Nuh describe the preaching style of Prophet Noah?
The Surah beautifully illustrates Prophet Noah’s preaching style, showing his sincerity, humility, and persistence. He called his people night and day, in public and private, using wisdom and compassion. In Surah Nuh, the Prophet encouraged his people to seek Allah’s forgiveness, promising that repentance would open the doors of blessings and mercy. Despite his unending patience, his people covered themselves, refused to listen, and grew more arrogant. Through this description, Surah Nuh teaches modern believers that da’wah (calling to faith) requires consistency, patience, and compassion, even in the face of rejection.
Q4. What lessons does Surah Nuh teach about repentance and forgiveness?
The Surah strongly emphasizes the power of repentance and Allah’s boundless forgiveness. Prophet Nuh tells his people that if they repent, Allah will send them abundant rain, grant them wealth, bless them with children, and provide them with gardens and rivers. This shows that repentance not only brings spiritual benefits but also worldly blessings. Surah Nuh reminds believers that no matter how many sins one has committed, turning back to Allah with sincerity brings mercy and relief. This uplifting message makes Surah Nuh a chapter of hope, showing that Allah’s forgiveness is always greater than human shortcomings.
Q5. How does Surah Nuh highlight human stubbornness in rejecting truth?
The Surah vividly describes the resistance of disbelievers who ignored Prophet Noah’s message. Despite his tireless efforts over many years, they covered their ears, wrapped their clothes around themselves, and persistently denied the truth. Their arrogance led to their destruction. Surah Nuh shows how human pride and attachment to falsehood can blind people from guidance. This lesson warns believers against arrogance and encourages them to remain humble and receptive to divine truth. In this way, Surah Nuh is both a warning against stubborn rejection and an encouragement to embrace humility.
Q6. What is the significance of Prophet Noah’s final supplication in Surah Nuh?
Toward the end of Surah Nuh, Prophet Noah prays for the destruction of the disbelievers, asking Allah not to leave a single one of them on earth. This strong supplication came after centuries of patience, during which his people remained defiant and corrupt. His final prayer also includes mercy for the believers, especially his family and the righteous who accepted the truth. This conclusion in Surah Nuh teaches that when rejection and injustice reach their peak, Allah’s justice prevails. At the same time, it highlights the compassion of prophets who tirelessly strive for their people before calling for divine judgment.
Q7. How does Surah Nuh inspire modern believers?
The Surah inspires modern believers by teaching patience, resilience, and trust in Allah’s timing. Just as Prophet Nuh continued his mission despite rejection, Muslims today are reminded to remain steadfast in faith, no matter the challenges they face. Surah Nuh also reassures believers that repentance brings blessings, hope, and relief, even in difficult circumstances. The Surah motivates Muslims to embody the values of persistence, humility, and reliance on Allah, knowing that truth ultimately prevails. Its timeless story makes Surah Nuh a source of strength and inspiration for anyone facing trials in their spiritual journey.
Q8. What is the significance of Surah Nuh being revealed in Makkah?
The Surah was revealed in Makkah at a time when Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions were facing rejection from the Quraysh. The story of Prophet Nuh served as both a warning to the disbelievers of Makkah and encouragement to the believers. By recalling the patience and perseverance of Prophet Nuh, the Surah gave the early Muslims strength to endure hardships. Its Makkan style focuses on faith, accountability, and divine justice, making Surah Nuh a powerful reminder that truth always triumphs over falsehood.
