How Long Did it Take Noah to Build the Ark

The story of Prophet Nuh (Noah), peace be upon him, is one of immense patience, unwavering faith, and divine justice. It is a story that spans nearly a millennium. He constructed an Ark and preserved the believers and animals. 

While the Quran provides the spiritual core of this event and does not provide any information about the time taken, the Tafsir (exegesis) and historical chronicles offer a detailed look at the physical labour, timelines, and construction of the Ark (Al-Safina).

Islamic scholars hold differing opinions about the time it took to build the ark. Some argue that it took 40 years, while others say it is 100 years. 

The Story of Nuh (AS)

Hazrat Nuh (AS) was one of the prophets of Allah. Before Nuh (AS), people followed the teachings of Prophet Adam (AS) and Idris (AS). Over generations, they began to honour pious ancestors by making statues of them. Eventually, Satan misled them into worshipping these figures as idols named Wadd, Suwa', Yaghuth, Ya'uq, and Nasr.

Hazrat Nuh (AS) called his people to worship Allah for 950 years. He preached day and night persistently, in public and private, promising them blessings of rain, wealth, and children if they repented.

In the Quran, Allah says;

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ فَلَبِثَ فِيهِمْ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ إِلَّا خَمْسِينَ عَامًۭا فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱلطُّوفَانُ وَهُمْ ظَـٰلِمُونَ

"And We certainly sent Nuh to his people, and he remained among them a thousand years save fifty years, and the flood seized them while they were wrongdoers." (Quran 29:14)

The elite of his community mocked him, questioning how a "mere human" could be a prophet. They even beat him and encouraged their children to reject his message.

The Command to Build the Ark

Prophet Nuh (AS) spent 950 years calling his people to the worship of Allah (SWT). When it became clear that no more people would believe, Allah revealed:

وَٱصْنَعِ ٱلْفُلْكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا وَوَحْيِنَا وَلَا تُخَـٰطِبْنِى فِى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّهُم مُّغْرَقُونَ

“And build the Ark under Our (watchful) Eyes and directions, and do not plead with Me for those who have done wrong, for they will surely be drowned.” (Quran 11:37)

The Pre-Construction Phase of the Ark

One of the most unique aspects of the Islamic narrative regarding the Ark is the "pre-construction" phase. Nuh (AS) did not simply start the construction of the Ark. He was commanded to create his own resources.

The Divine Instruction to Plant

According to narrations found in Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Qisas al-Anbiya (Stories of the Prophets), Allah commanded Nuh (AS) to plant teak trees (Saj). This phase itself lasted for a period ranging from 20 to 40 years.

This period served multiple purposes:

• The Miracle of Growth: The trees grew to an immense size and strength, far beyond the natural speed of typical vegetation. They provided the high-quality timber needed for a vessel that would carry thousands of tons.
• The Final Mercy: During these 40 years of tree growth, it is narrated that Allah (SWT) caused the women of the disbelievers to become sterile. No children were born to that nation during the final decades. This was a divine sign, a thinning out of the population and a warning that their lineage was coming to an end. It also ensured that no innocent infants would perish in the Flood who had not had the chance to witness the warning.
• The Psychological Test: Nuh (AS) was seen by his community tending to a forest in an arid region. The mockery intensified, they mocked by saying, ‘Yesterday you were a Prophet, today you are a gardener.;

How Long Did Noah Build the Ark

Once the trees were mature, the physical construction of the Ark began. While the Bible often suggests 120 years for the entire warning, Islamic scholars have varying views based on the reports (Athar) of the Sahaba (Companions) and the Tabi'un (Successors).

The Scholarly Timeline Estimates

• The 40-Year View: Many scholars, including Al-Dahhak, suggest the actual assembly of the planks and nails took 40 years. This was a period of manual labour where Nuh (AS), along with the few believers, worked day in and day out. The believers are estimated to be between 10 and 80 people. 
• The 100-Year View: Historians like Al-Tabari suggest the entire process from the first seed planted to the last coat of tar lasted a century.
• The Gradual Revelation: Nuh (AS) did not have a blueprint. He was taught the craft as he went. The Quran says, "And construct the Ark under Our Eyes and with Our Revelation..." (11:37). This suggests a guided, step-by-step process where Gabriel (Jibril) AS would descend to instruct Nuh (AS) on how to join the wood and seal the gaps.

The Engineering of the Ark: Planks and Nails

The Ark was not a mere boat; it was a massive structure built under Divine Supervision. The Quran specifically mentions the materials used to construct the Ark in Surah Al-Qamar:

وَحَمَلْنَـٰهُ عَلَىٰ ذَاتِ أَلْوَٰحٍۢ وَدُسُرٍۢ

"And We carried him on a (vessel) of planks and nails." (Quran 54:13)

The Scale and Design

The Ark was a massive and three-story rectangular structure. It was not shaped like a modern ship with a keel, but rather like a giant chest (hence the word Tabut or Safina).

• Dimensions: Most accounts state it was 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high. A cubit is roughly the length from the elbow to the fingertip.
• The Three Decks:
• The Bottom Level: Dark and sturdy, designed to house the wild animals and the "beasts of the earth."
• The Middle Level: Designed for the human believers and the domesticated animals (cattle, sheep, goats).
• The Top Level: Designed for the birds and for Nuh (AS) and his family. This level also featured a roof to protect against the torrential rains.
• The Sealant: Hazrat Nooh (AS) used Qitran (pitch or bitumen) to coat the wood. This made the vessel watertight, ensuring that the heavy wood would not become waterlogged and sink during the months-long journey.

The Environment of Construction

The condition and construction of the ark were unusual. Hazrat Nuh (AS) was not building in a shipyard. He was building in the middle of a desert-like environment, far from any major body of water.

Every day, the leaders of the community would pass by and jeer at him. They called him a madman. They asked him how he expected a boat to move across sand. The Quran captures this tension:

وَيَصْنَعُ ٱلْفُلْكَ وَكُلَّمَا مَرَّ عَلَيْهِ مَلَأٌۭ مِّن قَوْمِهِۦ سَخِرُوا۟ مِنْهُ ۚ قَالَ إِن تَسْخَرُوا۟ مِنَّا فَإِنَّا نَسْخَرُ مِنكُمْ كَمَا تَسْخَرُونَ

“So he began to build the Ark, and whenever some of the chiefs of his people passed by, they mocked him. He said, “If you laugh at us, we will (soon) laugh at you similarly.” (Quran 11:38)

The long duration (40–100 years) was a test of the believers’ resolve. This slow build filtered the hypocrites from the true believers.

The Completion and the Sign

The construction ended when the "Tannur" (Oven) gushed forth with water. This was the divine signal for Nuh (AS) to board.

حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَ أَمْرُنَا وَفَارَ ٱلتَّنُّورُ قُلْنَا ٱحْمِلْ فِيهَا مِن كُلٍّۢ زَوْجَيْنِ ٱثْنَيْنِ وَأَهْلَكَ إِلَّا مَن سَبَقَ عَلَيْهِ ٱلْقَوْلُ وَمَنْ ءَامَنَ ۚ وَمَآ ءَامَنَ مَعَهُۥٓ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌۭ

And when Our command came, and the oven burst (with water), We said (to Noah), “Take into the Ark a pair from every species along with your family—except those against whom the decree (to drown) has already been passed—and those who believe.” But none believed with him except for a few. (Quran 11:40)

Once the Ark was completed and the animals were loaded, the heavens opened, and the earth erupted. The vessel, which took decades to build, was now the only haven on a planet turning into a vast ocean.

After the floodwaters receded, the Ark came to rest on Mount Judi (located in modern-day Turkey or on the border of Iraq). The ship that took decades to build had fulfilled its purpose. It had preserved the seed of humanity and all animal life.

How Long Did Noah Take to Build the Ark According to the Bible

The Bible does not explicitly state the exact number of years it took Noah to build the ark, but biblical scholars generally estimate the duration based on several chronological clues in the text. The two most common theories range from 50 to 120 years. 

The 120-Year View

This interpretation is based on Genesis 6:3, which mentions a 120-year period. Some scholars view this as a divine "countdown" or grace period granted to humanity before the flood, suggesting Noah used this entire time for construction and preaching. Others argue this verse refers to a new limit on the human lifespan rather than a construction timeline.

The 50–75 Year View

Many modern scholars consider this a more accurate estimate based on the ages of Noah's sons. Noah was 500 years old when he began having sons (Genesis 5:32).

The flood began when Noah was 600 years old (Genesis 7:6). When God commanded Noah to build the ark, He mentioned that Noah's sons and their wives were to come with him (Genesis 6:18). 

This implies the sons were already grown and married, likely placing the start of construction well after Noah's 500th year. 

Lessons from the Timeline

The life of Noah (AS) and the duration of construction of the vessel provide a life lesson for us. Why did Allah (SWT) decree that the construction take so long? Why not a miracle where the ship appeared instantly?

Trust in Allah’s Plan

Hazrat Noah (AS) trusted the plan of Allah. It was not easy to construct the giant without divine guidance. It teaches us that we must have faith in Allah's wisdom.

The Concept of Asbab (Means)

Islam teaches that while Allah is capable of all things, He expects His servants to utilise the means (Asbab) of the world. Nuh (AS) had to plant, cut, saw, and nail. This teaches us that success requires long-term planning and hard work.

Sabr (Patience) and Istiqamah (Steadfastness)

The timeline of Nuh (AS) is the ultimate example of Istiqamah. It is easy to be devout for a week or a month. It is incredibly difficult to remain devoted to a task for 100 years while the world ridicules you. The Ark is a monument to the Prophet’s patience.

A Witness Against the People

The decades of construction meant that no person on earth could say, ‘We didn't know,’ or ‘It happened too fast.’ The Ark sat in their midst as a silent sermon for an entire lifetime. Their refusal to board was a choice made with full knowledge.

Conclusion 

In Islam, the Quran does not specify an exact number of years for the construction of the Ark. However, Islamic scholars and historical traditions provide various estimated timeframes. Many Islamic scholars interpret that the construction took between 40 and 100 years. Most narrations emphasise that it was a long-term project spanning several decades, reflecting Prophet Noah's patience.