Prophet Nuh (Noah, peace be upon him)

Nuh (peace be upon him) is one of the greatest prophets in Islam and is known by the title "the second father of humanity." He was sent by Allah to a people who had fallen into widespread idol worship, and he called them patiently and persistently to the worship of Allah alone for an extraordinary 950 years. Allah says in the Quran (Surah Nuh 71:5-6): "He said: 'My Lord, I have called my people night and day. But my call only increased them in flight.'" Despite his tireless efforts — calling in public and in private, openly and in secret — only a small number believed. The vast majority mocked and rejected him, covering their ears and wrapping themselves in their garments to avoid hearing his message. After centuries of preaching, Allah revealed to Nuh that no more of his people would believe, and He commanded him to build a great ark. Nuh built the ship under divine instruction, and whenever the chiefs of his people passed by, they mocked him. Nuh remained steadfast in his task. When the command came, water gushed forth from the earth and fell from the sky. The Great Flood covered the entire earth, destroying all who had rejected the message of Allah. Nuh loaded onto the ark a pair from every species of animal, along with those who believed with him. One of the most poignant moments in the Quran is the drowning of Nuh's own son, who refused to board the ark (Surah Hud 11:42–43). Nuh called out to his Lord in grief, and Allah reminded him that the disbeliever was not among his true family — the bond of faith supersedes the bond of blood. After the flood receded, the ark came to rest on Mount Judi. Nuh and his followers disembarked and repopulated the earth. The Quran says (Surah As-Saffat 37:77–78): "And We made his descendants the ones who survived. And We left for him favorable mention among later generations." The story of Nuh is a profound lesson in patience, perseverance in calling to truth, the certainty of divine justice, and the reality that nearness of blood does not guarantee salvation — only faith and righteousness do. An entire surah of the Quran (Surah Nuh, 71) is named after him.