The Story of Prophet Hud (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

Tribe of Ad

Throughout history, Allah has entrusted thousands of Prophets with the task of guiding mankind toward the right path. Simultaneously, He has held nations accountable for their disobedience and refusal to worship Him despite receiving clear warnings. This is the story of the people of Ad, the successors of Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), considered to be one of the ancient tribes of Arabia.

The Ad tribe, as mentioned in Surah Al-Ahqaf of the Qur'an, inhabited the sandy hills of the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula, which is a region between modern-day Yemen and Oman.

The people Ad were renowned for their towering stature and physical fitness. They had a flair for building lofty constructions that surpassed that of neighboring tribes and nations, leading to an aura of arrogance and ignorance. And the few who ruled over the tribe were unjust, their power unchecked and unquestioned.

The Ad were not completely ignorant of the existence of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). They worshipped Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) alongside several other deities whom they considered gods. They crafted idols representing these gods and worshipped them alongside Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). As a result, Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) chose to send a Prophet to guide them toward monotheism.

The Prophet assigned this crucial task was Prophet Hud, who belonged to the same tribe. Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) states in the Qur'an: "And to the 'Aad [We sent] their brother Hud. He said, "O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. Then will you not fear Him?" (Surah Al-A’raf ayah 65)

Prophet Hud (may peace be upon him) called his people to worship Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) exclusively and renounce all other forms of worship. He implored his people to question the rationality of worshiping gods created using their own hands. Prophet Hud (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminded them it was Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) who gave them life and death, and it was Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) alone who blessed them with their skills and, hence, was the only one deserving of their undivided and sincere worship.

Despite the people's resistance to his message, Prophet Hud (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) remained patient and resolute. He continued to urge his people to understand the error in their ways and encouraged them to devote themselves solely to the worship of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) . He warned them about the Day of Reckoning, where Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) would resurrect each soul and hold them accountable for their actions and beliefs here on earth.

However, the polytheists were unwilling to listen, consumed by their materialistic pursuits and blinded by their ignorance.

Hud (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was asked several questions about the Last Day. He patiently answered his people while explaining that the belief in the Day of Judgment was crucial to the belief in Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). He further reassured them that while all their deeds would be accounted for on this day, Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) was the most forgiving, offering pardon to those who sincerely repented.

They listened to all that Prophet Hud (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) had to say, but still, the Ad adamantly refused to accept the truth. They held firm to the belief that there was no life after death and were convinced that after passing, human remains would decay and become one with the soil.

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They said, And the eminent among his people who disbelieved and denied the meeting of the Hereafter while We had given them luxury in the worldly life said, "This is not but a man like yourselves. He eats of that from which you eat and drinks of what you drink. And if you should obey a man like yourselves, indeed, you would then be losers. Does he promise you that when you have died and become dust and bones that you will be brought forth [once more]? How far, how far, is that which you are promised. Life is not but our worldly life – we die and live, but we will not be resurrected. He is not but a man who has invented a lie about Allah, and we will not believe him." (Surah Al-Muminun, ayat 33-38)

Therefore, as disbelief persisted among them, Hud (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) ceased his preaching to the disbelievers and turned to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) in prayer, seeking His assistance. "My Lord! Help me, because they have denied me," he called. (Surah Al-Mu’minun ayah 39) And Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) responded: “Soon they will be truly regretful.” (Surah Al-Muminun, ayat 40)

Prophet Hud (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warned the disbelievers of a terrifying punishment. He knew that the Almighty would protect him and the handful of believers. Prophet Hud (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was certain that if Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) were intent on the destruction of the disbelievers, there would be no redemption.

The Ad remained unafraid, unbothered, and oblivious to the plight that awaited them. They continued to challenge Prophet Hud (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) confident that their goals and lofty towers would shield them against Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) sentence.

True to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) warning, a devasting drought swept across the land. The skies remained clear and cloudless while the sun scorched the desert and all that dwelled within.

The weather swiftly shifted from scorching heat to a stinging cold, bringing with it a ferocious gale that uprooted trees and everything in its wake. The towering structures, once a source of pride for the Ad, were powerless against the relentless wind. It shredded through their flesh and obliterated the disbelievers, leaving no trace of their existence. The storm raged on for eight days and seven nights, wiping out the Ad completely.

Only Prophet Hud (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his followers were saved from the ordeal. They migrated to Hadramaut, where they lived peacefully worshiping Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ).