Indexed OCR Text

Hadhrat Hood v advised the Aad to worship Allaah Alone and reminded them to
be grateful to Him for the bounties they were blessed with. He told them that if
they obeyed, Allaah would increase them in bounties.
However, they mockingly said that people of the past also spoke meaningless
words like him and that he had perhaps been affected by witchcraft. They could
not understand how One Allaah could fulfil the many tasks of their many gods.
Like the people of Hadhrat Nooh v, they also challenged him to bring Allaah's
punishment to them if he was truthful. When a drought struck as a precursor to
the punishment, they still refused to submit despite the warnings and advices of
Hadhrat Hood v. Eventually, a tempest raged for seven nights and eight days,
which devastated their settlements, uprooted trees and left them lying dead like
fallen date palms.
In the Words of the Qur'an
Verses 65-72 of Surah A'raaf recount the story in the following words:
وَ إِلَى عَادٍ آخَابُمْ بُؤْدًا ﴿ قَالَ يُقَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ اِلْمٍ غَيْرُهُ - أَفَلَا تَتَّقُوْنَ (٥) قَالَ الْمَلَأُ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا
مِنْ قَوْمِمْ إِنَّا لَنَرَىكَ فِى سَفَابَةٍ وَّ إِنَّا لَنَظُنُّكَ مِنَ الْكُذِبِيْنَ ( ** ) قَالَ يُقَوْمِ لَيْسَ بِئْ سَفَابَةٌ وَ لَكِنِّى رَسُوْلٌ مِّنْ
رَّبِّ الْعُلَمِيْنَ (٢٧) أُبَلِّغُكُمْ رِسُلْتِ رَبِّئْ وَ أَنَا لَكُمْ نَاصِحٌ آَمِيْنٌ (٢٨) أَوَ عَجِبْتُمْ أَنْ جَاءَكُمْ ذِكْرٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّكُمْ عَلَى
رَجُلٍ مِّنْكُمْ لِيُنْذِرَكُمْ * وَ اذْكُرُوْا إِذْ جَعَلَكُمْ خُلَفَاءَ مِنَّ بَعْدِ قَوْمِ نُوْحٍ وَّزَادَكُمْ فِى الْخَلْقِ بَصُّطَةٌَّ فَاذْكُرُوا الَآءَ اللهِ
لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُوْنَ (٢٩) قَالُوْا أَجِئْتَنَا لِنَعْبُدَ اللهَ وَحْدَةً وَنَذَرَ مَا كَانَ يَعْبُدُ أَبَآؤُنَا فَأْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَا إِنْ كُنْتَ مِنَ الصُّدِقِيْنَ
(٧٠) قَالَ قَدْ وَقَعَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِّنْ رَّبِّكُمْ رِجْسٌ وَغَضَبٌ - آَتُجَادِلُوْنَنِيٌ فِى أَسْمَاءٍ سَمَّيْتُمُوْبَا انْتُمْ وَ أَبَاؤُكُمْ مَّا نَزَّلَ
اللهُ بِهَا مِنْ سُلْطْنٍ ﴿ فَانْتَظِرُوا إِنِّيْ مَعَكُمْ مِّنَ الْمُنْتَظِرِيْنَ (٧١) فَأَنْحَيْتُهُ وَالَّذِيْنَ مَعَهْ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنَّا وَ قَطَعْنَا دَابِرَ
الَّذِيْنَ كَذَّبُوا بِأَيْتِنَا وَمَا كَانُوا مُؤْمِنِيْنَ (٧٢٪)
TRANSLATION: To the nation of Aad We sent their brother Hood v (as a prophet). He told
them, "O my people! Worship only Allaah. There is no Ilaah for you besides Him. Do you
not fear (his punishment)? The leaders of his nation who disbelieved (and who worshipped
idols) said, "Indeed we see you (drowning) in foolishness and we surely consider you to be
among the liars." He said, "O my people! There is no foolishness with me. On the contrary,
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I am a Rasool from the Rabb of the universe. I convey to you the messages of my Rabb
and I am a trustworthy advisor to you (I shall certainly not betray you). Or are you surprised
that a reminder (advice) from your Rabb has come to you through a man from among you
so that he may warn you? Recall the time when He (Allaah) made you successors after the
nation of Nooh v and increased you considerably in stature (strength and size). Call to mind
the bounties of Allaah so that you may be successful." They replied, "Have you come to us
so that we worship only Allaah and leave what our forefathers used to worship? Bring
what (punishment) you have promised (with which you have threatened) us if you are of the
truthful!" He said to them, "The punishment and anger of your Rabb has already come
upon you. Do you debate with me about names (idols) that you and your forefathers have
named and for which Allaah has revealed no warrant? Keep waiting (for Allaah's punishment)
and I shall wait with you." So (when Allaah's punishment came in the form of a severe windstorm
that lasted for 7 nights and eight days) We saved him and those who were with him by Our
mercy and We cut off the roots of (completely destroyed) those who rejected Our Aayaat and
who did not have Imaan.
Verses 50-60 of Surah Hood describe the incident in the following manner:
وَ إِلَى عَادٍ آخَابُمْ بُؤْدًا * قَالَ يَقَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ الْمٍ غَيْرُهَ - إِنْ أَنْتُمْ إِلَّا مُفْتَرُوْنَ (٥٠) يُقَوْمِ لَا اسْلُكُمْ
عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا ﴿ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَى الَّذِىْ فَطَرَنِىٌ ﴿ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُوْنَ (٥١) وَ يُقَوْمِ اسْتَغْفِرُوْا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ يُرْسِلِ
السَّمَآءَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِّدْرَارًا وَيَزِدْكُمْ قُوَّةً إِلَى قُوَّتِكُمْ وَلَا تَتَوَّلَّوْا مُجْرِمِيْنَ (٥٢) قَالُوا يُهُؤْدُ مَا جِئْتَنَا بِبَيِّنَةٍ وَّمَا نَحْنُ
بِتَارِكِىَ الِهَتِنَا عَنْ قَوْلِكَ وَمَا نَحْنُ لَکَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ (٥٣) إِنْ نَّقُوْلُ إِلَّا اعْتَرَکَ بَعْضُ الِهَتِنَا بِسُؤْءٍ * قَالَ إِنِّی
أُشْهِدُ اللهَ وَاشْهَدُوا أَنِّىْ بَرِىءٌ مِّمَّا تُشْرِكُوْنَ (٥٣) مِنْ دُوْنِمٍ فَكِيْدُوْنِى جَمِيْعًا ثُمَّ لَا تُنْظِرُوْنِ (٥٥) إِنِّى تَوَكَّلْتُ
عَلَى اللهِ رَبِّى وَ رَبِّكُمْ ﴿ مَا مِنْ دَابَّةٍ إِلَّا بُوَ اخِذٌ بِنَاصِيَتِهَا - إِنَّ رَبِّى عَلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ (٥٢) فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَقَدْ
اَبْلَغْتُكُمْ مَّا أُرْسِلْتُ بِمَ اِلَيْكُمْ ﴿ وَيَسْتَخْلِفُ رَبِّيْ قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمٌْ وَلَا تَضُرُّوْنَهُ شَيْئًا ﴿ إِنَّ رَبِّى عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ حَفِيْظٌ
(٥٧) وَلَمَّا جَاءَ آَمْرُنَا نَجَّيْنَا بُؤْدًا وَّ الَّذِيْنَ أَمَنُوا مَعَهَ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنَّاٌ وَنَجَّيْتُهُمْ مِّنْ عَذَابٍ غَلِيْظٍ (٥٨) وَتِلْكَ
عَادٌّ ◌ٌ جَحَدُوْا بِأَيْتِ رَبِّهِمْ وَعَصَوْا رُسُلَمْ وَاتَّبَعُوَا آَمْرَ كُلِّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِيْدٍ (٥٩) وَ أُتْبِعُوْا فِىْ بُذِهِ الدُّنْيَا لَعْنَةَّ وَّ يَوْمَ
الْقِيْمَةِ « آَلَا إِنَّ عَادًا كَفَرُوْا رَبَّهُمْ ﴾ آلَ بُعْدًا لَّعَادٍ قَوْمِ بُوْدٍ (٢٠٪)
TRANSLATION: To the (nation of) Aad We sent their brother Hood v (as a Nabi). He said, "O
my people! Worship (Only) Allaah. There is no Ilaah besides Him. You people are only lying
(when you attribute partners to Allaah). O my people! I do not ask you for any reward for
(preaching) this (message of Towheed to you). My reward is the responsibility of that Being
Who created me. Do you not understand (that there must be truth in my message if I am
exerting myself so greatly without any ulterior motives)? O my people! Seek forgiveness from
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your Rabb, then turn to Him (fulfil His commands). He will then send abundant rains to you
and add strength to your strength. And do not turn away as wrongdoers (as Mushrikeen)."
They replied, "O Hood! You have not brought forth a proof (a miracle to prove that you are a
Nabi). We will not leave our gods merely on your word (without proof), nor shall we believe
in you (without proof). All we have to say is that one of our gods has afflicted you with evil
(made you insane)." He said, "I call Allaah to Witness and you people (also) be witness that I
am absolved of (I do not worship) the partners that you have apart from Allaah. So all of
you may plot against me and do not grant me any respite. Undoubtedly I rely only (solely
and totally) on Allaah, Who is my Rabb and your Rabb. He has control of the forelocks of
every creature (complete control of them. You can therefore do me no harm without His
permission). Indeed, my Rabb is on the straight path (the path of truth and justice so walk on it
and you will meet Allaah). So if you turn away, then (know that) I have certainly conveyed to
you that (message of Towheed) with which I have been sent to you. My Rabb (does not need
you to worship Him because He) can substitute you with another nation (who will be obedient to
Him) and (by not worshipping Him) you will not be able to harm Him in the least. Without
doubt, my Rabb is Aware of all things." When Our order (punishment) came, We saved
Hood v and those with him by Our mercy. We rescued him from a severe punishment (a
severe windstorm that lasted for 8 days and 7 nights). This was the Aad! They rejected the
Aayaat of their Rabb, disobeyed His Rusul (disobeying one Rasool is equal to disobeying all the
Rusul because they all conveyed the message of Towheed), and (instead of following the Rusul, they)
followed the instruction of every obstinate tyrant. Curse (being far from Allaah's mercy) was
made to follow them in this world and in the Aakhirah as well. Behold! The Aad
disbelieved in their Rabb. Behold! May the Aad, the people of Hood v be distanced (from
Allaah's mercy)!
Allaah speaks about the incident in verses 31-41 of Surah Mu'minoon, which
state:
ثُمَّ أَنْشَآَنَا مِنْ بَعْدِمْ قَرْنَا أَخَرِيْنَ (٣١) فَارْسَلْنَا فِهِمْ رَسُوْلًا مِّنْهُمْ آَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ الْمٍ غَيْرُهُ ٥* أَفَلَا
تَتَّقُوْنَ (٣٢) وَ قَالَ الْمَلَأُ مِنْ قَوْمِهِ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا وَكَذَّبُوْا بِلِقَاءِ الْآخِرَةِ وَ آَتْرَ فْتُهُمْ فِى الْحَيُوةِ الدُّنْيَا ثُ مَا بُذَا إِلَّا
بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ تٌ يَأْكُلُ مِمَّا تَأْكُلُوْنَ مِنْهُ وَ يَشْرَبُ مِمَّا تَشْرَبُوْنَ (٣٣) وَلَئِنْ أَطَعْتُمْ بَشَرًا مِّثْلَكُمْ إِنَّكُمْ إِذَا أَّخْسِرُوْنَ
(٣٣) آَيَعِدُكُمْ أَنَّكُمْ إِذَا مِتُّمْ وَكُنْتُمْ تُرَابًا وَّ عِظَامًا أَنَّكُمْ مُخْرَجُوْنَ (٣٥) بَيْهَاتَ بَيْهَاتَ لِمَا تُوْعَدُوْنَ (٣٥) إِنْ
بِىَ إِلَّا حَيَاتُنَا الدُّنْيَا نَمُوْتُ وَ نَحْيَا وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَبْعُوْثِيْنَ (٣٧) إِنْ بُوَ إِلَّا رَجُلٌّ افْتَرَى عَلَى اللهِ كَذِبًا وَّ مَا نَحْنُ لَمْ
بِمُؤْمِنِينَ (٣٨) قَالَ رَبِّ انْصُرْنِىْ بِمَا كَذَّبُوْنِ (٣٩) قَالَ عَمَّا قَلِيْلٍ لَّيُصْبِحُنَّ نُدِمِيْنَ (٢٠٣) فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الصَّيْحَةُ
بِالْحَقِّ فَجَعَلْنُهُمْ غُنََّءَ نَّ فَبُعْدًا لَّلْقَوْمِ الظَّلِمِيْنَ (٣١)
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TRANSLATION: Then (after the people of Nooh v) We created another nation after them (the
nation of Aad). We sent a Rasool (Hood v) among them (who told them), "Worship only Allaah.
There is no Ilaah for you besides Him. Do you not fear (His punishment overtaking you if you
do not accept Imaan)?" The Kuffaar leaders from his nation, who denied the meeting of the
Aakhirah and to whom We had granted affluence in the worldly life, said, "He (the Rasool)
is merely a human like yourselves, who eats what you eat and drinks what you drink
(there is nothing externally special about him that makes him worthy of following). Surely, if you
follow a human like yourselves, you will certainly be at a loss (ruined). Does he promise
you that you will be resurrected after you have died and become dust and bones?
Farfetched! Farfetched is that which you are promised! (How can this ever be?) This is but
our worldly existence. We die and live, and will never be raised up again (after death). He is
only a man who invents lies against Allaah (by saying that Allaah sends revelation to him), and
we shall never believe him." (After tireless attempts to convince them,) He (the Rasool v finally)
said, "O my Rabb! Assist me (against them by destroying them), for they have rejected me."
Allaah said, "Shortly these people will regret (their behaviour when My punishment afflicts
them)." So, according to the true promise, a dreadful scream (of Jibra'eel v) seized them and
We reduced them to nothing. May the oppressive (sinful) nation be far removed (from
Allaah's mercy)!
Verses 123-140 of Surah Shu'araa state:
كَذَّبَتْ عَادِّ الْمُرْسَلِيْنَ (١٢٣)]ُ إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوْبُمْ بُؤْدٌّ آَلَا تَتَّقُوْنَ (٢١٢٣ ◌ِنِّيْ لَكُمْ رَسُوْلٌ أَمِيْنٌ (١٢٥)
فَاتَّقُوا اللهَ وَ أَطِيْعُوْنِ (١٢٢) وَ مَا اسْلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرِ نَّ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَى رَبِّ الْعُلَمِيْنَ (١٢٧) ﴿ أَتَبْنُوْنَ
بِكُلِّ رِيْعٍ أَيَةَّ تَعْبَثُوْنَ (١٢٨) وَ تَتَّخِذُوْنَ مَصَانِعَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَّخْلُدُوْنَ (١٢٩) وَ إِذَا بَطَشْتُمْ بَطَشْتُمْ جَبَّارِيْنَ (١٣٠)
فَاتَّقُوا اللهَ وَ أَطِيْعُوْنِ (١٣١)) وَ اتَّقُوا الَّذِىْ آَمَدَّكُمْ بِمَا تَعْلَّمُوْنَ (١٣٢) آَمَدَّكُمْ بِأَنْعَامٍ وَّ بَنِيْنَ (١٣٣))ْ وَ
جَنّتٍ وَّ عُيُوْنٍ (١٣٢) إِنِّى أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيْمٍ (١٣٥)* قَالُوا سَوَاءٌ عَلَيْنَا أَوَ عَظْتَ آَمْ لَمْ تَكُنْ
مِّنَ الْوَعِظِيْنَ (١٣٢) إِنْ بَذَا إِلَّا خُلُقُ الْأَوَّلِينَ (١٣٧) وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمُعَذَِّيْنَ (١٣٨) فَكَذَّبُوْهُ فَأَبْلَكْتُهُمْ ٥* إِنَّ
فِى ذُلِكَ لَأَيَةً * وَ مَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُبُمْ مُّؤْمِنِينَ (١٣٩) وَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ الْعَزِيْزُ الرَّحِيمُ (١٢٠)٪
TRANSLATION: The (nation of) Aad rejected those sent (as Ambiyaa). (Remember the time)
When their brother Hood v said to them, "Do you not fear (Allaah's punishment for committing
Shirk)? I am certainly a trustworthy Rasool to you. So fear Allaah and obey me. I do not
ask you for any payment for this (for preaching Towheed to you). My payment (reward) is the
responsibility of Allaah, the Rabb of the universe. Do you build a monument (to your
building skills) on every elevated place for sport (without necessity, merely for idle amusement)?
And do you construct large palaces so that, perchance, you may live forever (thinking that
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you will never have to leave them and that death cannot reach you in them)? And, when you seize
control (gain victory over other nations), do you seize like tyrants (oppressing them and showing
no mercy to them). So fear (the punishment of) Allaah (for oppressing the poor and weak) and
obey me. Fear the Being Who (is much more Powerful than you and Who) has strengthened
you with the things that you know (with the knowledge you have and everything that you
possess) Who has strengthened you with animals, sons (to reinforce your army), orchards and
springs (all of which contribute to your prosperity and dominance). Undoubtedly (if you do not
accept Imaan) I fear for you the punishment of a great (terrible) day." They replied, "It is
immaterial to us whether you advise us or whether you are not from the advisors
(regardless of what you do, we will not accept your advice). This (warning of punishment) is merely
the behaviour of the old men (to threaten and to scare us). (The fact is that) We shall never be
punished (in any way. Your warnings are therefore in vain)." They rejected him so We
destroyed them. There is certainly a great Aayah in this. However, most of them do not
have Imaan. Verily your Rabb is Mighty (Powerful enough to destroy whoever He wills), the
Most Merciful (Forgiving enough to pardon whoever repents sincerely).
Verses 15-16 of Surah HaaMeem Sajdah state:
(١٣) فَآَمَّا عَادٌ فَاسْتَكْبَرُوْا فِى الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَ قَالُوا مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً " أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّ اللّهَ الَّذِى خَلَقَهُمْ
بُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً * وَكَانُوْا بِأَيْتِنَا يَجْحَدُوْنَ (١٥) فَارْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ رِيْحًا صَرْصَرًا فِى آَيَّامِ نَّحِسَاتٍ لَّنُذِيْقَهُمْ
عَذَابَ الْخِزْىِ فِى الْحَيُوةِ الدُّنْيَا ﴿ وَ لَعَذَابُ الْأُخِرَةِ أُخْزِى وَ بُمْ لَا يُنْصَرُوْنَ (١٩)
TRANSLATION: As for the Aad, they were arrogant on earth without reason, and said,
"Who can be more powerful than us?" Did they not see that Allaah Who had created them
is more powerful than them? They also rejected Our Aayaat. So We sent a fierce
windstorm against them during the ill-fated days (the days of punishment, which were
seven nights and eight days), to make them taste a humiliating punishment in this
worldly life (before tasting the punishment of the Aakhirah). The punishment of the
Aakhirah is even more humiliating, and they will never be assisted.
Verses 21-26 of Surah Ahqaaf state:
وَاذْكُرْ آَخَا عَادٍ ﴿ إِذْ أَنْذَرَ قَوْمَرْ بِالْأَحْقَافِ وَ قَدْ خَلَتِ النُّذُرُ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَ مِنْ خَلْفِرْ آَلَّ تَعْبُدُوْا إِلَّ اللهَ (*
إِنِّىَ آَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيْمٍ (٢١) قَالُوا أَجِئْتَنَا لِتَافِكَنَا عَنْ أَلِهَتِنَا ◌َّ فَأْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَا إِنْ كُنْتَ مِنَ
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الصُّدِقِيْنَ (٢٢) قَالَ إِنَّمَا الْعِلْمُ عِنْدَ اللهِ ٥ْ وَ أُبَلَّغُكُمْ مَّا أُرْسِلْتُ بِم وَلَكِنِّئَ آَرْبِكُمْ قَوْمًا تَجْهَلُوْنَ (٢٣) فَلَمَّا
رَأَوْهُ عَارِضًا مُسْتَقْبِلَ أَوْدِيَتِهِمْ ﴿ قَالُوْا بُذَا عَارِضٌ مُّمْطِرُنَا ن * بَلْ بُوَ مَا اسْتَعْجَلْتُمْ بِم ٥* رِيحٌ فِيْهَا عَذَابٌ
اَلِيمٌ (٢٣) تُدَمِّرُ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ بِأَمْرِ رَبِّهَا فَأَصْبَحُوْا لَا يُرَى إِلَّا مَسُكِنُهُمْ ٥* كَذَلِكَ نَجْزِى الْقَوْمَ الْمُجْرِمِيْنَ
(٢٥) وَلَقَدْ مَكَّنْهُمْ فِيْمَا إِنْ مُّكَّنَّكُمْ فِيْهِ وَ جَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ سَمْعًا وَّ أَبْصَارًا وَّ افْدَةً عْلٌّ فَمَا أَغْنَى عَنْهُمْ سَمْعُهُمْ وَلَا
أَبْصَارُبُمْ وَلَا أَفْدَتُهُمْ مِّنْ شَىْءٍ إِذْ كَانُوْا يَجْحَدُوْنَ ى بِأَيْتِ اللهِ وَ حَاقَ بِهِمْ مَّا كَانُوْا بِمٍ يَسْتَبْرِ عُوْنَ (٪٢۶)
TRANSLATION: Call to mind the brother of the Aad (Hood v) when he warned his people
(about the consequences of kufr) at the (sand) dunes although (they had already heard such
warnings before since) warners had already passed before him and (many were still to come)
after him (However, despite repeated warnings, they still refused to submit). (He said to them,) "Do
not worship anyone but Allaah. Verily I fear the punishment of a terrible day for you."
They said, "Have you come to us to turn us away from our gods? Bring upon us what
(punishment) you warn us about, if you are truthful (about being a Nabi)." He said,
"Knowledge (about when the punishment will arrive) is only with Allaah and I merely convey
to you what I have been sent with. However, I notice that you are a nation that behaves
ignorantly (because you are actually asking for punishment)." (However, despite his tireless efforts,
the people refused to accept Imaan. Eventually, Allaah's punishment came to them. Referring to the
approach of the punishment, Allaah says,) When they observed it (the punishment) as a cloud
approaching their valleys they exclaimed, "This is a cloud that will bring us rain." Rather,
it was the thing they sought to hasten, a fierce wind bearing a painful punishment. (When
the wind blew,) It demolished everything (in its path) by the command of its Rabb and it
transpired that (after it had passed) only (the ruins of) their homes could be seen. Thus did
We punish the sinful nation. We granted them (the Aad) powers (immense physical strength)
that We never gave you people (or any other before or after them) and We gave them (physical
and spiritual) ears, eyes and hearts (with which they were able to hear, see and accept the truth of
Towheed). However, their ears, eyes and hearts were of no benefit to them at all because
they rejected Allaah's Aayaat and (eventually) the (punishment for the) mockery they made
(of Allaah's Deen and Nabi) encompassed them (allowing them no escape).
Allaah also says in verses 41-42 of Surah Dhaariyaat:
وَ فِى عَادٍ لِذْ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَّيْهِمُ الرِّيْحَ الْعَقِيْمَ (٢١٩) مَا تَذَرُ مِنْ شَىْءٍ أَتَتْ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا جَعَلَتْهُ كَالرَّ مِثْمٍ (٣٢)
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TRANSLATION: And (there is also a lesson) in (the story of) the Aad when we sent a (fierce)
wind to them that was devoid of any good. (When it blew,) It reduced everything it passed
to smithereens (destroying the Aad and everything they had).
Verses 18-22 of Surah Qamar states:
كَذَّبَتْ عَادٌ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِى وَ نُذُرِ (١٨) إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَّيْهِمْ رِيْحًا صَرْصَرًا فِى يَوْمٍ نَحْسٍ مُّسْتَمِرٌّ (١٩)
تَنْزِعُ النَّاسَ ﴿ كَأَنَّهُمْ أَعْجَازُ نَخْلٍ مُّنْقَعِرٍ (٢٠) فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِى وَ نُذُرِ (٢١) وَ لَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْأَنَ لِلذِّكْرِ
فَهَلْ مِنْ مُّدَّكِرٍ (٢٢)
The Aad rejected (the message of Towheed that their Nabi Hood v brought to them),
so how (severe) was My punishment and warnings? Verily We sent against them a
furious wind during (eight) days (and seven nights) of perpetual misfortune. It
ousted people (and left them lying dead on the ground) as if they were uprooted
palm trunks. So how (severe) was My punishment and warnings? Undoubtedly We
have made the Qur'aan simple to take lesson from (to understand), so is there any
who will take lessons?
Surah Haaga (verses 6-10) has the following to say:
وَ آَمَّا عَادٌ فَأُتْلِكُوْا بِرِيحٍ صَرْصَرٍ عَاتِيَةٍ "(٢) سَخَّرَبَا عَلَيْهِمْ سَبْعَ لَيَالٍ وَّ ثَمْنِيَةَ آَيَّامٍ" حُسُوْمًا" فَتَرَى الْقَوْمَ فِيْهَا
صَرْعَى " كَأَنَّهُمْ أَعْجَازُ نَخْلٍ خَاوِيَةٍ (٧) فَبَلْ تَرَى لَهُمْ مِّنَّ بَاقِيَةٍ (٨) وَ جَاءَ فِرْعَوْنُ وَ مَنْ قَبْلَهُ وَ
الْمُؤْتَفِكُتُ بِالْخَاطِئَةِ ◌َ(٩) فَعَصَوْا رَسُوْلَ رَبِّهِمْ فَأَخَذَبُمْ أَخْذَةً رَّابِيَةً (١٠)
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As for the Aad, they were destroyed by a freezing, furious wind. Allaah unleashed it upon
them for seven consecutive nights and eight consecutive days. (If you were there after it
passed,) You would have seen them (the Aad) lying flat on the ground as if they were
hollow palm trunks. Do you see any of them surviving? (Despite their immense strength, none
of them survived.) Fir'oun, those before him (such as the nations of Nooh v, Shu'ayb v and others)
and the (people of the) overturned cities (the people of Loot v) sinned. They disobeyed the
Rusul of their Rabb so He seized (punished) them most severely.
Verses 6-14 of Surah Fajr state:
الَّمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِعَادٍ ﴿﴿(أ) اِرَمَ ذَاتِ الْعِمَادِ ﴾(٧) الَّتِى لَمْ يُخْلَقْ مِثْلُهَا فِى الْبِلَادِ Q﴾(٨) وَ
تَمُؤْدَ الَّذِيْنَ جَابُوا الصَّخْرَ بِالْوَادِ ه3(٩) وَفِرْعَوْنَ ذِى الْأَوْتَادِ (١٠) الَّذِيْنَ طَغَوْا فِى الْبِلَادِ (١١) فَأَكْثَرُوْا
فِيْهَا الْفَسَادَ (١٢) فَصَبَّ عَلَيْهِمْ رَبُّكَ سَوْطَ عَذَابٍ ﴿١٣٥) إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَبِالْمِرْصَادِ (١٢٠)
Have you not seen how your Rabb dealt with the Aad (who were) the people (the
descendants) of (a person called) Iram and who were people (who had the stature) of pillars?
The likes of them (in size and strength) were not created in the lands. (Have you not also seen
how your Rabb dealt with) The Thamud who used to carve the rocks of the valley (to make
their homes in the mountains)? And (have you not also seen how your Rabb dealt with) Fir'oun, the
man of pegs? These people transgressed (the laws of Allaah) in the lands and caused
tremendous corruption. So (because of this) your Rabb rained the whip of punishment on
them. Verily your Rabb is Ever Vigilant (and nothing escapes His attention).
Conclusions and lessons
1. The People of Algaaf
The Qur'aan has named the town to which Hadhrat Hood v was send as Ahqaaf.
This word refers to sand dunes and the place is aptly names since it falls within
the Rub'ul Khali (Empty Quarter), which is a desert. Thousands of years ago,
when inhabited by the Aad, this area was green and fertile and a place of
abundance. Nowadays, it is a barren desert that no one dares to traverse. A
tourist travelling in this area in the year 1843 wrote that he ventured into the
region, which lies to the north of Hadramaut. The sand, he says, was extremely
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fine and before venturing to walk there, he threw a weapon on to the surface.
Within 15 minutes, the sand had swallowed up the weapon and the string that
was tied to it started to rot almost instantly.
The tomb of Hadhrat Hood v is said to be located approximately 125 miles to
the north of a place currently known as Mukalla near Hadramaut. People visit it
even today and the people of Hadramaut clam that it was here that Hadhrat
Hood v moved after the destruction of his people.
A narration has been reported from Hadhrat Ali t that the grave of Hadhrat
Hood v is located at a red dune in Hadramaut. However, the people of Palestine
claim that he is buried in Palestine. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.
2. Futile Gods
The Aad could not understand how it could be possible for a single Allaah to
administer the affairs of the universe, so they devised several gods to administer
various functions. They also gave names to these gods. It was with regard to this
that Hadhrat Hood v said to them, "Do you debate with me about names (idols) that
you and your forefathers have named and for which Allaah has revealed no warrant?" By
saying this, he meant to impress upon them that their gods were nothing more
than names that have no power behind them. An idol cannot simply control the
water by naming it the god of water. In a like manner, no idol can have any
power merely by saying that it does. However, they refused to reason and were
adamant that Allaah needed aides to accomplish His tasks. They found it
impossible to forsake this worship because they had been involved in it for such
a long time.
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Even today there are many people who call others by names that they are not.
People refer to some people as Daataa, Ganj Bakhash, Ghareeb Nawaaz,
Ghowth, Banda Nawaaz, Dastgeer and many other such names that indicate that
these named ones have the power to accomplish feats that only Allaah can. They
then argue that these named persons can accomplish these feats because their
names demand so. Here again, it is merely an argument based on names that
people have given. This is a classic example of people basing their arguments
upon their own conjecture.
3. The last Chance
Hadhrat Hood u did not lose hope in the people very quickly, but continuously
advised them even after they rejected his message every time. He used many
different modes of address and advised them from various angles and
viewpoints. Many verses of the Qur'aan attest to the fact that when a Nabi u
presents the complete message to the people, their fortune becomes attached
to their reaction. Should they accept, they will be fortunate and prosperous.
However, if they reject, their fortune will be ruined and punishment soon
overtakes them.
While this happened with all the previous nations, Allaah did not do this with the
people of Rasulullaah p. They had been given a chance, as mentioned in the
verse, "Allaah shall not punish them while you (O Muhammad &) are among them (because
punishment affects all present and a Nabi can never be made to suffer punishment) and Allaah will
not punish them while (as long as) they (people among them) seek forgiveness." 52
4. Different forms of Rebellion
52 Surah Anfaal, verse 33.
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A study of the Qur'aan will reveal that nations of the past were annihilated by
various disasters when they refused to accept the message of their Ambiyaa Male
pul. Allaah says, "We seized (punished) each of them on account of his sin. Against one of
them (the Aad) We sent a violent wind (to destroy them). One of them (the Thamud) was
seized (destroyed) by a shout. One of them (Qaaroon) was swallowed by the ground and we
drowned another (Fir'oun and his army). Allaah was never One to oppress them (by punishing
them without first sending guidance to them), but they used to oppress themselves (by refusing
to accept the guidance that came to them)." 53
The question that arises is why do we still not see such annihilation of people on
account of their sins? The reply to this is that the annihilation of nations stated
in the Qur'aan refers to nations that directly opposed the Nabi u sent to them.
When a Nabi v is amongst a nation, he presents the truth to them very clearly. In
fact, he even shows them miracles, which are undeniable beacons of his veracity.
Furthermore, he is always someone whom they know cannot be a liar or fake.
Since all these proofs deny them any excuse to disbelieve him, their fate is
decisive when they do.
This type of rebellion is unlike the rebellion that comes from people to whom a
Nabi v has not directly approached. People receiving the message today do not
have a Nabi v amongst them with an untainted character; neither do they have
the opportunity to witness his miracles. As a result, the behaviour of people
today does not necessitate the immediate destruction that came to the people
of former times.
However, this does not mean that punishment has stopped. There are many
nations even today who receive warnings in the form of disasters so that they
53 Surah Ankaboot, verse 40.
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may heed and mend their errant ways. It is unfortunate that people nowadays
regard these disasters to be mere 'natural disasters' and therefore fail to heed.
5. A Roaring Wind
The Qur'aan refers to the wind sent to destroy the Aad as Sarsar. This word
refers to a wind that is freezing and furious, but also roaring because of its speed
and because of the noise of the destruction being caused. The wind blew for
seven days and eight nights, causing the destruction of everything it touched and
the deaths of the people. Because of their tall statures, they appeared to be
fallen tree trunks. Surah Dhaariyaat describes the wind as 'barren' because it
held no good for the people it afflicted.
6. The Ill-Fated Days
Verse 19 of Surah Qamar refers to the days of the punishment as "days of
perpetual misfortune", while verse 16 of Surah HaaMeem Sajdah states, "ill-fated
days". Since it has been established that the punishment started on a
Wednesday, people have always regarded Wednesdays as days of ill fate. They
therefore never start a good act on Wednesdays, never embark on journeys on
Wednesdays, never visit the ill on Wednesdays, never trim their nails on
Wednesdays and avoid many other acts on Wednesdays. In fact, they even cite
unsubstantiated Ahadeeth to prove their belief.
The scholars of Ahadeeth such as Haafidh Sakhaawi l., Allaama ibn Rajab als ,
and Allaama Ibn Jowzi ail daa, have written off these so-called Ahadeeth as
fabrications and of no substance, with not a single one of them being authentic.
In fact, the researcher Munawi alto, has stated that it is Haraam to hold such
beliefs.
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The fact of the matter is that all days of the week hold equal status and Allaah
may grant people different experiences during the different days in a purely
random manner. It is therefore wrong to regard any particular day as a day of
bad luck. In a Hadith of Bukhaari Rasulullaah p stated that there is nothing like
bad luck.
If people regard Wednesdays as days of bad luck in the light of the verses of the
Qur'aan, then the right thing to do will be to regard all days as such because the
Qur'aan refers to 'days' and not just 'day'. What then will not be bad luck? It
therefore needs to be borne in mind that no day is a day of bad luck. The verses
of the Qur'aan referred to the days of punishment as ill-fated because it was
such for the Aad.
7. Sweetness in Reply to Bitterness
When the Aad said to Hadhrat Hood , "Indeed we see you (drowning) in foolishness
and we surely consider you to be among the liars", all he said in reply was, "O my
people! There is no foolishness with me. On the contrary, I am a Rasool from the Rabb of
the universe. I convey to you the messages of my Rabb and I am a trustworthy advisor to
you (I shall certainly not betray you)."
This reply teaches us how a respectable person deals with insults. Rather than
hurling insults back, a person of dignity tries to reassure the adversary and
allay his fears. He does all he can to make the person understand matters as he
ought to.
8. An Age-old Malady
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When Hadhrat Hood v advised his people and reminded them of Allaah's
favours, they refused to accept. Their argument was, "How can we forsake what
our forefathers had been doing for so long? How could all of them have been
wrong?"
This is the argument given to all well-wishers who desire reformation and is a
cause of eternal deprivation for people. Such people prefer to keep their eyes
and ears shut and dig themselves in, thereby making themselves the only losers.
May Allaah save us all from such behaviour. Aameen
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134

Sayyiduna Saalil V
Sayyiduna Saalil U and the Thamud (the People of Hij)
The Qur'aan takes the name of Hadhrat Saalih v in the following 9 passages:
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.
Surah A'raaf, verses 73, 75, 77
· Surah Hood, verses 61, 62, 66, 89
. Surah Shu'araa, verses 132
· Surah Naml, verse 45
Hadhrat Saalih v was born amongst a nation called Thamud and their name is
mentioned in the following 10 Surahs of the Qur'aan:
· Surah A'raaf
· Hadhrat Abu Bakr t Hood
· Surah Hijr
· Surah Naml
· Surah Fussilat
· Surah Najm
· Surah Qamar
· Surah Haaqa
· Surah Fajr
· Surah Shams
Lineage
Allaama Ibn Katheer al ., has stated that the lineage of Hadhrat Saalih v ran as
follows:
Saalih, who was the son of Ubayd, who was the son of Aasif, who was the son of
Maashi, who was the son of Ubayd, who was the son of Haadir, who was the son
of Thamud, who was the son of Aamir, who was the son of Iram, who was the
son of Saam, who was the son of Hadhrat Nooh v.
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The famous Taabi'ee Hadhrat Wahab bin Munabbih alto, reports that there were
only two people between Hadhrat Saalih v and Thamud. He stated that the
lineage was Saalih, who was the son of Ubayd, who was the son of Jaabir, who
was the son of Thamud. Since the incident of Hadhrat Saalih v took place a very
long time before history was recorded, it is not at all strange to have such
discrepancies in reports of people's lineage.
After the destruction of the people of Aad (known as the first Aad), the survivors
from them became known as the second Aad and were later known as the
Thamud.
The Cities of the Thamud
The Qur'aan names the valley of Hijr as the area where the Thamud had settled.
This area was situated between Hijaaz and Shaam and was a very large tract of
flat land. Nowadays it is called Fajjun Naaqa and one will still find remains of
the ruins of the Thamud there. The famous Arab historian Mas'oodi writes, "A
person travelling from Shaam to Hijaaz will find remains of the ruins of this
nation en route. Some researchers have seen the ruins themselves. In fact, an
Egyptian traveller is reported to have entered a building that appeared to be a
royal palace and housed many rooms and a large pond. This entire palace was
carved from the mountain since the Thamud were renowned for their carving
skills. These thousands of remain and ruins bear testimony to this skill. Like the
Aad, the Thamud also lived in the mountains, where they carved magnificent
homes and palaces. It is for this reason that they are referred to as the second
Aad."
The Period of the Thamud
History is unable to trace the precise period when the Thamud lived because
they existed before our historical records. What is certain, however, is that they
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lived before the time of Hadhrat Ibraheem v and they had been destroyed
before he came to this world.
The Qur'aan states that when the people of Hadhrat Moosa v rejected
his message, a lone believer from amongst the people of Fir'oun
warned them with the words, "O my people! I fear that you may suffer a day of
(punishment like that which struck) the (previous) nations something like the plight of the
nation of Nooh v, the Aad, the Thamud and those (Kuffaar nations) after them".54
It is also worth mentioning that some graves were discovered close to the ruins
of the Thamud that had inscriptions written in the ancient Aramaic language.
The dates inscribed on the headstones dated before the birth of Hadhrat Isa v.
This has led many people to think that the Thamud lived after the period of
Hadhrat Moosa v, but this is incorrect. These graves were obviously dug many
centuries after the destruction of the Thamud. The fact that the inscriptions are
in Aramaic may well have been to commemorate the language of the elders of
these people. What is a fact is that these are neither the graves of the Thamud
nor of the people during their period.
The famous Egyptian historian Jurji Zaydaan writes about these same ruins in his
book entitled The Arabs before Islaam. The most significant of these ruins is one
commonly referred to as Qasr Bint, Qabr Baasha, Qil'a or Burj. There are several
inscriptions made in the Nabataean language, the most famous of which is
located on a headstone and dated close to the period of Hadhrat Isa v. It states:
"This grave was built by Kamkam bint Waa'ilah bint Haram and her daughter
Kalibah for herself and her children. The construction was started in the most
excellent of months, during the ninth year of the reign of the Nabataean king
54 Surah Mu'min, verses 30/1.
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Haarith. This is the same Haarith who loves and is true to his people. May the
curses of Dhush Shira, Arsha, Laat, Amand, Manoot and Qais be upon the one
who sells or pawns these graves, who removes any body or limb from it or who
buries anyone in it besides Kamkam, her daughter and her children.
If any person writes over this what is not intended, then may the five curses of
Dhush Shira, Hubal aqnd Manoot be upon him. There will also be a fine of one
thousand Haarithi Dirhams liable from any magician who acts contrary to this.
The only exception is the writing of Kamkam, Kaliba or any of their children when
written by their own hand and not forged. This permission is given in clear and
precise words.
This grave was built by Wahbul Laat bin Ubaadah."
This inscription makes it clear that the ruins were later inhabited by people who
lived many thousands of years after the Thamud.
The Beleifs of the Thamud
Like the people of Aad, the Thamud also worshipped idols. They ascribed many
idols as partners to Allaah and begged their needs from these idols. Included in
their list of idols were also the same idols that the Aad worshipped. The Thamud
were also affected by the diseases of pride, arrogance and pomp and all their
time was consumed with vying with each other in constructing large palaces
and monuments.
139