Description

LINEAGE

Prophet Hud (AS) was a prophet of ancient Arabia mentioned in the Quran. The eleventh chapter of the Quran, Hud, is named after him, though the narrative of Hud comprises only a small portion of the chapter. Hud (AS) was born to a noble family in the land of Ahqaf. Before becoming a prophet, he was a merchant by profession. He was a swarthy, handsome, and good-natured man of medium height. It was said he looked a lot like Adam (AS). He was also pious and took worshipping seriously. He was also a compassionate and generous man, who looked out for the poor.

LIFE

The people of ‘Ad lived many years in the windswept hills in an area between Yemen and Oman. They were physically well-built and renowned for their craftsmanship, especially in the construction of tall buildings with lofty towers. They were outstanding among all the nations in power and wealth, which, unfortunately, made them arrogant and boastful. Their political power was held in the hand of unjust rulers, against whom no one dared to raise a voice.

They were not ignorant of the existence of Allah, nor did they refuse to worship Him. What they did refuse was to worship Allah alone. They worshiped other gods, also, including idols. This is one sin Allah does not forgive.

Allah wanted to guide and discipline these people, so He sent a Prophet from among them. This Prophet was Hud (AS), a nobleman who handled his task with great resoluteness and tolerance.

Hud (AS) condemned idol worship and admonished his people. Hud (AS) hoped to instill faith in them, but they refused to accept his message. Hud (AS) clarified to them that the gods they worshiped would be the reason for their destruction, that it is Allah alone Who saves people, and that no other power on earth can benefit or harm anyone.

The conflict between Hud (AS) and his people continued. The years passed, and they became prouder, more obstinate, more tyrannical, and more defiant of their prophet’s message.

Furthermore, they started to accuse Hud (AS) of being a crazy lunatic.

The weather changed suddenly from burning dry and hot to stinging cold, with a wind that shook everything: trees, plants, tents, men and women. The wind increased day after day and night after night.

Hud (AS)’s people started to flee. They ran to their tents to hide, but the gale became stronger, ripping their tents from their stakes. They hid under cloth covers, but the gale became stronger still and tore away the covers. It slashed clothing and skin. It penetrated the apertures of the body and destroyed it. It hardly touched anything before it was destroyed or killed, its core sucked out to decompose and rot. The storm raged for eight days and seven nights.

That violent gale did not stop until the entire region was reduced to ruins and its wicked people destroyed, swallowed by the sands of the desert. Only Hud (AS) and his followers remained unharmed. They migrated to Hadramaut and lived there in peace, worshiping Allah, their true Lord.

MIRACLES

With the permission of Allah, Hud (AS) was able to guide the winds in whichever direction he wanted.

LEGACY

Allah has the capability to destroy anything. Allah killed the disbelievers (through a sandstorm, drought, and big storm) when they did not worship Allah and listen to Hud (AS).