Much like Sūra 12 (“Yūsuf”), Sūra 71 is completely taken up with the story of one biblical character – in this case Noah. The story of Noah appears seven times in the Quran, and a comparison of the different versions raises interesting questions about their similarities and differences. Why do so many versions of the story appear? What should account for their differences?

– Surely We sent Noah to his people Sūra 71 is the second of only two sūras that contain a single story (the other is Sūra 12, “Yūsuf”). This indicates the importance of the figure of Noah and his story in the Quran. In this sūra Allah sends Noah to his people with a message of warning. Noah proclaims the message (vv. 2–4) but then complains to Allah that, despite his efforts, the people disobey him (vv. 5–24). Noah’s preaching to his people includes appeals to Allah’s willingness to forgive (v. 10) and to the blessings of creation (vv. 14–20). This is the final of seven Noah stories in the Quran. Other versions appear at 7.59–64; 10.71–73; 11.25–48; 23.23–30; 26.105–20; and 54.7–17. In addition to this, nineteen other sūras mention the name of Noah (Nūḥ). On the subject of the repetition of stories in the Quran, see the discussion at 51.24. Bible readers may notice that Noah says nothing before the flood in the biblical account (Genesis 6:8–7:24), while the quranic versions feature extensive conversations between Noah and his people and between Noah and Allah prior to the flood. Later extrabiblical Jewish and Christian writings include speculations on what their authors imagined Noah might have said to his countrymen with the flood approaching.