Nuh was sent to a people who had begun to worship idols. He called them to worship Allah alone and warned them of a painful punishment. He called them by night and by day, in public and in private, for a very long time — the Quran mentions nine hundred and fifty years (29:14).
The leaders of his people mocked him, saying that only the lowest of them followed him. They put their fingers in their ears and covered themselves with their garments rather than listen. Nuh reminded them that if they sought Allah's forgiveness He would send them rain, wealth and children (71:10–12).
Allah revealed to him that no more of his people would believe except those who already had, and commanded him to build the Ark under His watch. As Nuh built it, the disbelievers passed by and ridiculed him.
When the command came, water burst from the earth and poured from the sky. Nuh carried the believers and a pair of every kind of creature, saying, "In the name of Allah is its course and its anchorage" (11:41). His own son refused to board, thinking a mountain would save him, and was among the drowned. The Ark came to rest on Mount Judi.
Nuh called on his Lord about his son, and Allah taught him that true family is in faith and righteous deeds. Nuh immediately sought refuge in Allah from asking what he had no knowledge of.