In summary: Noah (peace be upon him) was sent by Allah, exalted is He, only after idols and false deities had come to be worshipped and people had plunged into misguidance and disbelief. Allah dispatched him as a mercy to His servants, and he was the first Messenger ever sent to the inhabitants of the earth, as the people assembled on the Day of Judgment will attest.
His people were known as the Banu Rāsib, according to Ibn Jubayr and others.
Scholars differ over his age when he was commissioned: some say he was fifty years old; others, three-hundred and fifty; still others, four-hundred and eighty. These three opinions are cited by Ibn Jarīr(1), who attributes the last of them to Ibn ʿAbbās.
Allah has recounted his story, what befell his people, the punishment of the Flood that struck the unbelievers(2), and how He saved him and the companions of the Ark, in numerous places in His Noble Book.
Thus, it is related in al-Aʿrāf, Yūnus, Hūd, al-Anbiyāʾ, al-Muʾminūn, al-Shuʿarāʾ, al-ʿAnkabūt, al-Ṣāffāt, al-Qamar, and in a complete sūrah revealed exclusively about him (Sūrat Nūḥ).
In Sūrat al-Aʿrāf Allah says:
“We certainly sent Noah to his people. He said, ‘My people, worship Allah; you have no god other than Him. I truly fear for you the punishment of a tremendous Day.’ (59)
The leaders of his people replied, ‘We see you in clear error.’ (60)
He said, ‘My people, there is no error in me. I am only a messenger from the Lord of the worlds. (61)
I convey to you the messages of my Lord, give you sincere counsel, and know from Allah what you do not know. (62)
Do you find it strange that a reminder from your Lord should come to you through a man from among yourselves, to warn you, so that you may be mindful and that you may receive mercy?’ (63)
Yet they denied him, so We saved him and those with him in the Ark, and drowned those who rejected Our signs; they were indeed a blind people.” (64) [al-Aʿrāf 7:59-64]
And in Sūrat Yūnus He says:
“Recite to them the story of Noah: when he said to his people, ‘My people, if my presence among you and my reminding you of Allah’s signs has become burdensome for you, then in Allah have I put my trust. Muster your plan, you and your partners, let your decision not be obscure to you; then carry it out against me and grant me no respite. (71)
If you turn away, I have asked you for no reward; my reward rests only with Allah, and I have been commanded to be among those who submit to Him.’ (72)
But they rejected him, so We delivered him and those with him in the Ark, made them successors, and drowned those who denied Our signs. So look how was the end of those who had been warned.” (73) [Yūnus 10:71-73]
And in Sūrat Hūd He says:
“We sent Noah to his people: ‘Indeed I am to you a clear warner: (25)
that you worship none but Allah. I fear for you the punishment of a painful Day.’ (26)
The leading disbelievers among his people said, ‘We see you as nothing but a man like ourselves, and we see that none but the lowliest among us, rash and immature, follow you; nor do we see that you possess any superiority over us. On the contrary, we think you are liars.’ (27)
He said, ‘My people, tell me: if I stand upon clear proof from my Lord, and He has granted me mercy from Himself that has been made obscure to you, can we compel you to accept it when you are averse to it? (28)
My people, I ask of you no wealth for this; my reward rests only with Allah, and I will not drive away those who believe—surely they will meet their Lord—but I see that you are a people acting in ignorance. (29)
My people, who would protect me from Allah were I to drive them away? Will you not take heed? (30)
I do not say to you that I possess the treasuries of Allah, nor that I know the unseen; I do not claim to be an angel; nor do I say of those whom your eyes look down upon that Allah will grant them no good. Allah knows best what is in their souls; if I were to say otherwise I would indeed be among the wrongdoers.’ (31)
They said, ‘Noah, you have argued with us and argued at length; so bring us what you threaten us with, if …’”