7. Al-A'raaf

Indeed, We sent Nuh to his people and he said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other god but Him. Certainly, I fear for you the torment of a Great Day! (59)The leaders of his people said: "Verily, we see you in plain error. (60)[Nuh] said: "O my people! There is no error in me, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of all that exists (61)I convey unto you the Messages of my Lord and give sincere advice to you. And I know from Allah what you know not. (62)

The Story of Nuh and His People

After Allah mentioned the story of Adam in the beginning of this Surah, He started mentioning the stories of the Prophets, the first then the latter of them. Allah mentioned the story of Nuh, because he was the first Messenger Allah sent to the people of the earth after Adam. His name was Nuh bin Lamak bin Matushalakh bin Khanukh. And Khanukh was, as they claim, the Prophet Idris. And Idris was the first person to write letters using pen, and he was the son of Barad bin Mahlil, bin Qanin bin Yanish bin Shith bin Adam, upon them all be peace. This lineage is mentioned by Muhammad bin Ishaq and other Imams who document lineage.

Abdullah bin 'Abbas and several other scholars of Tafsir said that the first idol worship began when some righteous people died and their people built places of worship over their graves. They made images of them so that they could remember their righteousness and devotion, and thus, imitate them. When time passed, they made statues of them and later on worshipped these idols, naming them after the righteous people: Wadd, Suwa', Yaghuth, Ya'uq and Nasr. After this practice became popular, Allah sent Nuh as a Messenger, all thanks are due to Him. Nuh commanded his people to worship Allah alone without partners, saying,

يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ

("O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other god but Him. Certainly, I fear for you the torment of a Great Day!") the torment of the Day of Resurrection, if you meet Allah while associating others with Him.

قَالَ الْمَلَأُ مِن قَوْمِهِ

(The leaders of his people said) meaning, the general public, chiefs, commanders and great ones of his people said,

إِنَّا لَنَرَاكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ

("Verily, we see you in plain error") because of your calling us to abandon the worship of these idols that we found our forefathers worshipping.

This, indeed, is the attitude of evil people, for they consider the righteous people to be following misguidance. Allah said in other Ayat,

وَإِذَا رَأَوْهُمْ قَالُوا إِنَّ هَٰؤُلَاءِ لَضَالُّونَ

(And when they saw them, they said: "Verily, these have indeed gone astray!")[83:32] and,

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَوْ كَانَ خَيْرًا مَّا سَبَقُونَا إِلَيْهِ وَإِذْ لَمْ يَهْتَدُوا بِهِ فَسَيَقُولُونَ هَٰذَا إِفْكٌ قَدِيمٌ

(And those who disbelieve say of those who believe: "Had it been a good thing, they (the weak and poor) would not have preceded us thereto!" And when they have not let themselves be guided by it (this Qur'an), they say: "This is an ancient lie!")[46:11] There are several other Ayat on this subject.

قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ لَيْسَ بِي …

Indeed, We sent Nuh to his people and he said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other god but Him. Certainly, I fear for you the torment of a Great Day! (59)The leaders of his people said: "Verily, we see you in plain error. (60)[Nuh] said: "O my people! There is no error in me, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of all that exists (61)I convey unto you the Messages of my Lord and give sincere advice to you. And I know from Allah what you know not. (62)

The Story of Nuh and His People

After Allah mentioned the story of Adam in the beginning of this Surah, He started mentioning the stories of the Prophets, the first then the latter of them. Allah mentioned the story of Nuh, because he was the first Messenger Allah sent to the people of the earth after Adam. His name was Nuh bin Lamak bin Matushalakh bin Khanukh. And Khanukh was, as they claim, the Prophet Idris. And Idris was the first person to write letters using pen, and he was the son of Barad bin Mahlil, bin Qanin bin Yanish bin Shith bin Adam, upon them all be peace. This lineage is mentioned by Muhammad bin Ishaq and other Imams who document lineage.

Abdullah bin 'Abbas and several other scholars of Tafsir said that the first idol worship began when some righteous people died and their people built places of worship over their graves. They made images of them so that they could remember their righteousness and devotion, and thus, imitate them. When time passed, they made statues of them and later on worshipped these idols, naming them after the righteous people: Wadd, Suwa', Yaghuth, Ya'uq and Nasr. After this practice became popular, Allah sent Nuh as a Messenger, all thanks are due to Him. Nuh commanded his people to worship Allah alone without partners, saying,

يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ

("O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other god but Him. Certainly, I fear for you the torment of a Great Day!") the torment of the Day of Resurrection, if you meet Allah while associating others with Him.

قَالَ الْمَلَأُ مِن قَوْمِهِ

(The leaders of his people said) meaning, the general public, chiefs, commanders and great ones of his people said,

إِنَّا لَنَرَاكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ

("Verily, we see you in plain error") because of your calling us to abandon the worship of these idols that we found our forefathers worshipping.

This, indeed, is the attitude of evil people, for they consider the righteous people to be following misguidance. Allah said in other Ayat,

وَإِذَا رَأَوْهُمْ قَالُوا إِنَّ هَٰؤُلَاءِ لَضَالُّونَ

(And when they saw them, they said: "Verily, these have indeed gone astray!")[83:32] and,

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَوْ كَانَ خَيْرًا مَّا سَبَقُونَا إِلَيْهِ وَإِذْ لَمْ يَهْتَدُوا بِهِ فَسَيَقُولُونَ هَٰذَا إِفْكٌ قَدِيمٌ

(And those who disbelieve say of those who believe: "Had it been a good thing, they (the weak and poor) would not have preceded us thereto!" And when they have not let themselves be guided by it (this Qur'an), they say: "This is an ancient lie!")[46:11] There are several other Ayat on this subject.

قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ لَيْسَ بِي …

"Do you wonder that there has come to you a Reminder from your Lord through a man from among you, that he may warn you, so that you may fear Allah and that you may receive (His) mercy? (63)But they belied him, so We saved him and those along with him in the Fulk, and We drowned those who belied Our Ayat. They were indeed a blind people (64)

Allah said that Nuh proclaimed to his people,

أَوَعَجِبْتُمْ

("Do you wonder..."), do not wonder because of this. Surely, it is not strange that Allah sends down revelation to a man among you as mercy, kindness and compassion for you, so that he warns you that you may avoid Allah's torment by associating none with Him,

وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

("and that you may receive (His) mercy.") Allah said,

فَكَذَّبُوهُ

(But they belied him) but they insisted on rejecting and opposing him, and only a few of them believed in him, as Allah stated in another Ayah. Allah said next,

فَأَنجَيْنَاهُ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ فِي الْفُلْكِ

(So We saved him and those along with him in the Fulk) the ark,

وَأَغْرَقْنَا الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا

(And We drowned those who belied Our Ayat.) Allah said in another Ayah,

مِّمَّا خَطِيئَاتِهِمْ أُغْرِقُوا فَأُدْخِلُوا نَارًا فَلَمْ يَجِدُوا لَهُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ أَنصَارًا

(Because of their sins they were drowned, then they were admitted into the Fire. And they found none to help them instead of Allah.)[71:25] Allah said,

إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا قَوْمًا عَمِينَ

(They were indeed a blind people.) meaning, blind from the Truth, unable to recognize it or find their way to it. Here, Allah said that He has taken revenge from His enemies and saved His Messenger ﷺ and those who believed in him, while destroying their disbelieving enemies. Allah said in a another Ayah,

إِنَّا لَنَنصُرُ رُسُلَنَا

(Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers)[40:51].

This is Allah's Sunnah (way) with His servants, in this life and the Hereafter, that the good end, victory and triumph is for those who fear Him. For example, Allah destroyed the people of Nuh, and saved Nuh and his believing followers. Ibn Wahb said that he was told that Ibn 'Abbas said that eighty men were saved with Nuh in the ship, one of them was Jurhum, who spoke Arabic. Ibn Abi Hatim collected this statement, which was also narrated with a continuous chain of narration from Ibn 'Abbas.

"Do you wonder that there has come to you a Reminder from your Lord through a man from among you, that he may warn you, so that you may fear Allah and that you may receive (His) mercy? (63)But they belied him, so We saved him and those along with him in the Fulk, and We drowned those who belied Our Ayat. They were indeed a blind people (64)

Allah said that Nuh proclaimed to his people,

أَوَعَجِبْتُمْ

("Do you wonder..."), do not wonder because of this. Surely, it is not strange that Allah sends down revelation to a man among you as mercy, kindness and compassion for you, so that he warns you that you may avoid Allah's torment by associating none with Him,

وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

("and that you may receive (His) mercy.") Allah said,

فَكَذَّبُوهُ

(But they belied him) but they insisted on rejecting and opposing him, and only a few of them believed in him, as Allah stated in another Ayah. Allah said next,

فَأَنجَيْنَاهُ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ فِي الْفُلْكِ

(So We saved him and those along with him in the Fulk) the ark,

وَأَغْرَقْنَا الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا

(And We drowned those who belied Our Ayat.) Allah said in another Ayah,

مِّمَّا خَطِيئَاتِهِمْ أُغْرِقُوا فَأُدْخِلُوا نَارًا فَلَمْ يَجِدُوا لَهُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ أَنصَارًا

(Because of their sins they were drowned, then they were admitted into the Fire. And they found none to help them instead of Allah.)[71:25] Allah said,

إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا قَوْمًا عَمِينَ

(They were indeed a blind people.) meaning, blind from the Truth, unable to recognize it or find their way to it. Here, Allah said that He has taken revenge from His enemies and saved His Messenger ﷺ and those who believed in him, while destroying their disbelieving enemies. Allah said in a another Ayah,

إِنَّا لَنَنصُرُ رُسُلَنَا

(Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers)[40:51].

This is Allah's Sunnah (way) with His servants, in this life and the Hereafter, that the good end, victory and triumph is for those who fear Him. For example, Allah destroyed the people of Nuh, and saved Nuh and his believing followers. Ibn Wahb said that he was told that Ibn 'Abbas said that eighty men were saved with Nuh in the ship, one of them was Jurhum, who spoke Arabic. Ibn Abi Hatim collected this statement, which was also narrated with a continuous chain of narration from Ibn 'Abbas.

And to 'Ad (the people, We sent) their brother Hud. He said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other god but Him. Will you then not have Taqwa? (65)The leaders of those who disbelieved among his people said: "Verily, we see you in foolishness, and verily, we think you are one of the liars. (66)(Hud) said: "O my people! There is no foolishness in me, but (I am) a Messenger from the Lord of all that exists (67)"I convey unto you the Messages of my Lord, and I am a trustworthy adviser (or well-wisher) for you (68)"Do you wonder that there has come to you a Reminder (and an advice) from your Lord through a man from among you to warn you? And remember that He made you successors (generations after generations) after the people of Nuh and increased you amply in stature. So remember the graces (bestowed upon you) from Allah so that you may be successful. (69)

The Story of Hud, Peace be upon Him, and the Lineage of the People of 'Ad

Allah says, just as We sent Nuh to his people, similarly, to the 'Ad people, We sent Hud one of their own brethren. Muhammad bin Ishaq said that the tribe of 'Ad were the descendants of 'Ad, son of Iram, son of 'Aws, son of Sam, son of Nuh. I say, these are indeed the ancient people of 'Ad whom Allah mentioned, the children of 'Ad, son of Iram who were living in the deserts with lofty pillars or statues. Allah said,

أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِعَادٍ - إِرَمَ ذَاتِ الْعِمَادِ - الَّتِي لَمْ يُخْلَقْ مِثْلُهَا فِي الْبِلَادِ

(Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with 'Ad (people). Of Iram like (lofty) pillars. The like of which were not created in the land?)[89:6-8] because of their might and strength. Allah said in another instance,

فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَاسْتَكْبَرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَقَالُوا مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ

(As for 'Ad, they were arrogant in the land without right, and they said: "Who is mightier than us in strength?" See they not that Allah Who created them was mightier in strength than them. And they used to deny Our Ayat!)[41:15].

The Land of 'Ad

The people of 'Ad lived in Yemen, in the area of Ahqaf, which means sand mounds. Muhammad bin Ishaq narrated that Abu At-Tufayl 'Amir bin Wathilah said that he heard 'Ali (bin Abi Talib) saying to a man from Hadramawt (in Yemen), "Have you seen a red sand mound, where there are a lot of Arak and Lote trees in the area of so-and-so in Hadramawt? Have you seen it?" He said, "Yes, O Commander of the faithful! By Allah, you described it as if you have seen it before." 'Ali said, 'I have not seen it, but it was described to me." The man asked, "What about it, O Commander of the faithful?" 'Ali said, "There is the grave of Hud, peace be upon him, in its vicinity." Ibn Jarir recorded this statement, which gives the benefit of indicating that 'Ad used to live in Yemen, since Prophet Hud was buried there. Prophet Hud was among the noble men and chiefs of 'Ad, for Allah chose the Messengers from among the best, most honorable families and tribes. Hud's people were mighty and strong, but their hearts were mighty and hard, for …

And to 'Ad (the people, We sent) their brother Hud. He said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other god but Him. Will you then not have Taqwa? (65)The leaders of those who disbelieved among his people said: "Verily, we see you in foolishness, and verily, we think you are one of the liars. (66)(Hud) said: "O my people! There is no foolishness in me, but (I am) a Messenger from the Lord of all that exists (67)"I convey unto you the Messages of my Lord, and I am a trustworthy adviser (or well-wisher) for you (68)"Do you wonder that there has come to you a Reminder (and an advice) from your Lord through a man from among you to warn you? And remember that He made you successors (generations after generations) after the people of Nuh and increased you amply in stature. So remember the graces (bestowed upon you) from Allah so that you may be successful. (69)

The Story of Hud, Peace be upon Him, and the Lineage of the People of 'Ad

Allah says, just as We sent Nuh to his people, similarly, to the 'Ad people, We sent Hud one of their own brethren. Muhammad bin Ishaq said that the tribe of 'Ad were the descendants of 'Ad, son of Iram, son of 'Aws, son of Sam, son of Nuh. I say, these are indeed the ancient people of 'Ad whom Allah mentioned, the children of 'Ad, son of Iram who were living in the deserts with lofty pillars or statues. Allah said,

أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِعَادٍ - إِرَمَ ذَاتِ الْعِمَادِ - الَّتِي لَمْ يُخْلَقْ مِثْلُهَا فِي الْبِلَادِ

(Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with 'Ad (people). Of Iram like (lofty) pillars. The like of which were not created in the land?)[89:6-8] because of their might and strength. Allah said in another instance,

فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَاسْتَكْبَرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَقَالُوا مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ

(As for 'Ad, they were arrogant in the land without right, and they said: "Who is mightier than us in strength?" See they not that Allah Who created them was mightier in strength than them. And they used to deny Our Ayat!)[41:15].

The Land of 'Ad

The people of 'Ad lived in Yemen, in the area of Ahqaf, which means sand mounds. Muhammad bin Ishaq narrated that Abu At-Tufayl 'Amir bin Wathilah said that he heard 'Ali (bin Abi Talib) saying to a man from Hadramawt (in Yemen), "Have you seen a red sand mound, where there are a lot of Arak and Lote trees in the area of so-and-so in Hadramawt? Have you seen it?" He said, "Yes, O Commander of the faithful! By Allah, you described it as if you have seen it before." 'Ali said, 'I have not seen it, but it was described to me." The man asked, "What about it, O Commander of the faithful?" 'Ali said, "There is the grave of Hud, peace be upon him, in its vicinity." Ibn Jarir recorded this statement, which gives the benefit of indicating that 'Ad used to live in Yemen, since Prophet Hud was buried there. Prophet Hud was among the noble men and chiefs of 'Ad, for Allah chose the Messengers from among the best, most honorable families and tribes. Hud's people were mighty and strong, but their hearts were mighty and hard, for …

And to 'Ad (the people, We sent) their brother Hud. He said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other god but Him. Will you then not have Taqwa? (65)The leaders of those who disbelieved among his people said: "Verily, we see you in foolishness, and verily, we think you are one of the liars. (66)(Hud) said: "O my people! There is no foolishness in me, but (I am) a Messenger from the Lord of all that exists (67)"I convey unto you the Messages of my Lord, and I am a trustworthy adviser (or well-wisher) for you (68)"Do you wonder that there has come to you a Reminder (and an advice) from your Lord through a man from among you to warn you? And remember that He made you successors (generations after generations) after the people of Nuh and increased you amply in stature. So remember the graces (bestowed upon you) from Allah so that you may be successful. (69)

The Story of Hud, Peace be upon Him, and the Lineage of the People of 'Ad

Allah says, just as We sent Nuh to his people, similarly, to the 'Ad people, We sent Hud one of their own brethren. Muhammad bin Ishaq said that the tribe of 'Ad were the descendants of 'Ad, son of Iram, son of 'Aws, son of Sam, son of Nuh. I say, these are indeed the ancient people of 'Ad whom Allah mentioned, the children of 'Ad, son of Iram who were living in the deserts with lofty pillars or statues. Allah said,

أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِعَادٍ - إِرَمَ ذَاتِ الْعِمَادِ - الَّتِي لَمْ يُخْلَقْ مِثْلُهَا فِي الْبِلَادِ

(Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with 'Ad (people). Of Iram like (lofty) pillars. The like of which were not created in the land?)[89:6-8] because of their might and strength. Allah said in another instance,

فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَاسْتَكْبَرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَقَالُوا مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ

(As for 'Ad, they were arrogant in the land without right, and they said: "Who is mightier than us in strength?" See they not that Allah Who created them was mightier in strength than them. And they used to deny Our Ayat!)[41:15].

The Land of 'Ad

The people of 'Ad lived in Yemen, in the area of Ahqaf, which means sand mounds. Muhammad bin Ishaq narrated that Abu At-Tufayl 'Amir bin Wathilah said that he heard 'Ali (bin Abi Talib) saying to a man from Hadramawt (in Yemen), "Have you seen a red sand mound, where there are a lot of Arak and Lote trees in the area of so-and-so in Hadramawt? Have you seen it?" He said, "Yes, O Commander of the faithful! By Allah, you described it as if you have seen it before." 'Ali said, 'I have not seen it, but it was described to me." The man asked, "What about it, O Commander of the faithful?" 'Ali said, "There is the grave of Hud, peace be upon him, in its vicinity." Ibn Jarir recorded this statement, which gives the benefit of indicating that 'Ad used to live in Yemen, since Prophet Hud was buried there. Prophet Hud was among the noble men and chiefs of 'Ad, for Allah chose the Messengers from among the best, most honorable families and tribes. Hud's people were mighty and strong, but their hearts were mighty and hard, for …

And to 'Ad (the people, We sent) their brother Hud. He said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other god but Him. Will you then not have Taqwa? (65)The leaders of those who disbelieved among his people said: "Verily, we see you in foolishness, and verily, we think you are one of the liars. (66)(Hud) said: "O my people! There is no foolishness in me, but (I am) a Messenger from the Lord of all that exists (67)"I convey unto you the Messages of my Lord, and I am a trustworthy adviser (or well-wisher) for you (68)"Do you wonder that there has come to you a Reminder (and an advice) from your Lord through a man from among you to warn you? And remember that He made you successors (generations after generations) after the people of Nuh and increased you amply in stature. So remember the graces (bestowed upon you) from Allah so that you may be successful. (69)

The Story of Hud, Peace be upon Him, and the Lineage of the People of 'Ad

Allah says, just as We sent Nuh to his people, similarly, to the 'Ad people, We sent Hud one of their own brethren. Muhammad bin Ishaq said that the tribe of 'Ad were the descendants of 'Ad, son of Iram, son of 'Aws, son of Sam, son of Nuh. I say, these are indeed the ancient people of 'Ad whom Allah mentioned, the children of 'Ad, son of Iram who were living in the deserts with lofty pillars or statues. Allah said,

أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِعَادٍ - إِرَمَ ذَاتِ الْعِمَادِ - الَّتِي لَمْ يُخْلَقْ مِثْلُهَا فِي الْبِلَادِ

(Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with 'Ad (people). Of Iram like (lofty) pillars. The like of which were not created in the land?)[89:6-8] because of their might and strength. Allah said in another instance,

فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَاسْتَكْبَرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَقَالُوا مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ

(As for 'Ad, they were arrogant in the land without right, and they said: "Who is mightier than us in strength?" See they not that Allah Who created them was mightier in strength than them. And they used to deny Our Ayat!)[41:15].

The Land of 'Ad

The people of 'Ad lived in Yemen, in the area of Ahqaf, which means sand mounds. Muhammad bin Ishaq narrated that Abu At-Tufayl 'Amir bin Wathilah said that he heard 'Ali (bin Abi Talib) saying to a man from Hadramawt (in Yemen), "Have you seen a red sand mound, where there are a lot of Arak and Lote trees in the area of so-and-so in Hadramawt? Have you seen it?" He said, "Yes, O Commander of the faithful! By Allah, you described it as if you have seen it before." 'Ali said, 'I have not seen it, but it was described to me." The man asked, "What about it, O Commander of the faithful?" 'Ali said, "There is the grave of Hud, peace be upon him, in its vicinity." Ibn Jarir recorded this statement, which gives the benefit of indicating that 'Ad used to live in Yemen, since Prophet Hud was buried there. Prophet Hud was among the noble men and chiefs of 'Ad, for Allah chose the Messengers from among the best, most honorable families and tribes. Hud's people were mighty and strong, but their hearts were mighty and hard, for …

They said: "You have come to us that we should worship Allah Alone and forsake that which our fathers used to worship. So bring us that wherewith you have threatened us if you are of the truthful. (70)(Hud) said: "Rijs (torment) and wrath have already fallen on you from your Lord. Dispute you with me over names which you have named – you and your fathers – with no authority from Allah? Then wait, I am with you among those who wait. (71)So We saved him and those who were with him out of mercy from Us, and We severed the roots of those who belied Our Ayat; and they were not believers (72)

Allah mentions the rebellion, defiance and stubbornness of Hud's people, and their opposition to him, peace be upon him,

قَالُوا أَجِئْتَنَا لِنَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ وَحْدَهُ

(They said: "You have come to us that we should worship Allah Alone?") Later on, the disbelievers of Quraysh said,

وَإِذْ قَالُوا اللَّهُمَّ إِن كَانَ هَٰذَا هُوَ الْحَقَّ مِنْ عِندِكَ فَأَمْطِرْ عَلَيْنَا حِجَارَةً مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ أَوِ ائْتِنَا بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ

(And (remember) when they said: "O Allah! If this (the Qur'an) is indeed the truth (revealed) from You, then rain down stones on us from the sky or bring on us a painful torment.")[8:32]

Muhammad bin Ishaq said that the people of Hud used to worship several idols, such as Suda', Samud and Al-Haba'. This is why Hud, peace be upon him, said to them,

قَدْ وَقَعَ عَلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ رِجْسٌ وَغَضَبٌ

("Rijs and wrath have already fallen on you from your Lord.") you deserve 'Rijs' from your Lord because of what you said. Ibn 'Abbas said that, 'Rijs', means scorn and anger.

أَتُجَادِلُونَنِي فِي أَسْمَاءٍ سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنتُمْ وَآبَاؤُكُم

("Dispute you with me over names which you have named – you and your fathers")[7:71].

Hud said, do you dispute with me over these idols that you and your fathers made gods, even though they do not bring harm or benefit; did Allah give you authority or proof allowing you to worship them? Hud further said,

مَّا نَزَّلَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَانٍ فَانتَظِرُوا إِنِّي مَعَكُم مِّنَ الْمُنتَظِرِينَ

("with no authority from Allah? Then wait, I am with you among those who wait.") this is a threat and warning from the Messenger to his people.

The End of 'Ad

So Allah said;

فَأَنجَيْنَاهُ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنَّا وَقَطَعْنَا دَابِرَ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا وَمَا كَانُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ

(So We saved him and those who were with him out of mercy from Us, and We severed the roots of those who belied Our Ayat; and they were not believers.)

Allah mentioned several times in the Qur'an, the way the people of 'Ad were destroyed stating that He sent a barren wind that destroyed everything it passed by. Allah said in another Ayah,

وَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَأُهْلِكُوا بِرِيحٍ صَرْصَرٍ عَاتِيَةٍ - سَخَّرَهَا عَلَيْهِمْ سَبْعَ لَيَالٍ وَثَمَانِيَةَ أَيَّامٍ حُسُومًا فَتَرَى الْقَوْمَ فِيهَا صَرْعَىٰ كَأَنَّهُمْ أَعْجَازُ نَخْلٍ خَاوِيَةٍ - فَهَلْ تَرَىٰ لَهُم مِّن بَاقِيَةٍ

(And as for 'Ad, they were destroyed by a furious violent wind! They were subjected to it for seven nights and eight days in succession, so that you could see men lying overthrown (destroyed), as if they were hollow trunks of …