In the chronicles of Islamic history, the narrative of the Tribe of Ad (Aad) serves as a powerful successor to the story of Prophet Nuh. They were a mighty civilization blessed with physical strength and architectural genius, yet they became a cautionary tale of how arrogance can lead to ruin.
Who Were the People of Ad?
The Ad were an ancient Arab tribe that rose to power after the Great Flood of Nuh. According to Quranic exegesis (Tafseer), specifically that of scholars like Abul A’la Maududi, they are often referred to as Ad-Iram. This lineage traces back to Iram, the son of Shem, the son of Nuh (‘alayhi al-salam).
Geography: The Land of Al-Ahqaf
The Qur’an (Surah Al-Ahqaf) locates their civilization in a region known as Al-Ahqaf (The Sandy Plains or Dunes). Historians and geographers generally identify this area in the southern Arabian Peninsula, situated between modern-day Yemen and Oman.
“Iram of the Lofty Pillars”
The Ad were not a primitive people; they were sophisticated builders. They are famously described in the Quran for their unique architecture and towering stature.
“Have you not considered how your Lord dealt with ‘Aad – [With] Iram – who had lofty pillars, The likes of whom had never been created in the land?” (Surah Al-Fajr, 89:6-8)
They constructed massive buildings and monuments that surpassed anything built by neighboring nations. Their physical size and strength were legendary, leading them to believe they were invincible.
The Corruption: Strength Turning to Arrogance
Despite their intelligence and strength, the society of Ad became morally bankrupt.
- Tyranny: The ruling class was unjust, wielding power without checks or balances.
- Polytheism (Shirk): The Ad were not atheists; they acknowledged the existence of Allah. However, they corrupted their faith by worshipping idols alongside Allah. They crafted statues and attributed divine powers to them, refusing to give Allah exclusive worship.
The Messenger: Prophet Hud (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)
To guide this powerful nation back to the right path, Allah chose a man from among their own people: Prophet Hud (‘alayhi al-salam).
As their “brother” in lineage, Hud understood their culture and language. His mission was singular and clear: to restore Monotheism (Tawhid).
“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, 7:65)
The Rational Call to Truth
Prophet Hud did not rely on magic tricks; he appealed to their logic and gratitude.
- Questioning Idolatry: He challenged them to justify worshipping stone gods that they had carved with their own hands.
- Reminder of Blessings: He reminded them that their superior strength, architectural skills, and life itself were gifts from Allah alone.
- Warning of Accountability: He warned them that their worldly power would not save them if they continued to ignore the Creator who gave them that power.
Despite his gentle and rational approach, the elite of Ad viewed Hud’s message as a threat to their power and tradition.
The Great Debate: Prophet Hud vs. The Chiefs of Ad
The mission of Prophet Hud (‘alayhi al-salam) was not merely to stop idol worship, but to reform the entire mindset of a society consumed by arrogance and materialism. The dialogue recorded in the Quran reveals a clash between divine truth and worldly pride.
1. The Call to Reason and Sincerity
Prophet Hud began by clarifying his motives. In a society driven by wealth and power, he needed to prove that he sought no personal gain.
“O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. You are not but inventors [of falsehood]. O my people, I do not ask you for it any reward. My reward is only from the one who created me. Then will you not reason?” (Surah Hud, 11:50-51)
2. The Chiefs’ Rebuttal: Mockery and Denial
The elite of Ad—the wealthy chieftains and decision-makers—felt threatened. Instead of engaging with his message, they resorted to character assassination. They branded him a fool and a liar to discredit him in the eyes of the common people.
“Said the eminent ones who disbelieved among his people, ‘Indeed, we see you in foolishness, and indeed, we think you are of the liars.'” (Surah Al-A’raf, 7:66)
Hud’s Defense
Prophet Hud remained calm in the face of these insults. He reminded them of his lineage and his role as a trustworthy advisor. He appealed to their history, reminding them that they were the successors of the people of Nuh and that their physical strength was a gift from Allah, not of their own making.
“O my people, there is not foolishness in me, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds… And remember when He made you successors after the people of Noah and increased you in stature extensively.” (Surah Al-A’raf, 7:67-69)
3. The Denial of the Day of Judgment
The most contentious point of Hud’s message was the concept of the Akhirah (The Hereafter). The people of Ad were materialists; they believed only in what they could see and touch.
Prophet Hud warned them that their actions on earth had consequences and that they would be resurrected to face a Day of Reckoning.
The “Dust and Bones” Argument
The polytheists found the idea of resurrection illogical. They mocked the concept that a decomposed body could return to life.
“O Hud! Do you say that after we die and turn into dust, we will be resurrected?”
Hud affirmed: “Yes, you will come back on the Day of Judgment, and each of you will be asked about what you did.”
He explained that belief in the Afterlife is intrinsic to belief in God’s justice. He assured them that while accountability is real, Allah is also the Most Forgiving to those who repent. However, the Ad stubbornly held to their belief:
“Life is not but our worldly life – we die and live, but we will not be resurrected.”
4. The Argument of “A Man Like Us”
Finally, the chiefs used a populistic argument to turn the masses against Hud. They argued that a prophet should be supernatural. Because Hud ate, drank, and lived like a normal human, they claimed he could not be a messenger of God.
“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.” (Surah Al-Muminun, 23:33-34)
They concluded that he was simply inventing lies to gain influence.
5. The Final Prayer
When it became clear that the Ad would not cease their mockery and that their hearts were sealed against the truth, Prophet Hud (‘alayhi al-salam) turned to the only power that could help.
He stopped arguing with them and prayed:
“My Lord! Help me, because they have denied me.” (Surah Al-Muminun, 23:39)
Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) accepted the prayer of His oppressed servant and issued a terrifying decree:
“Soon they will be truly regretful.” (Surah Al-Muminun, 23:40)
The time for debate had ended. The time for judgment had arrived.
The Precursor to Ruin: The Drought and the Challenge of Faith
As the mission of Prophet Hud (‘alayhi al-salam) neared its end, the spiritual stalemate turned into a physical crisis. Hud warned the disbelievers of a terrifying punishment, knowing with absolute certainty that if Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) decreed their destruction, no fortress or tower could save them.
1. The Illusion of Invincibility
Despite the warnings, the people of Ad remained unafraid and oblivious. Their arrogance was rooted in their architectural achievements; they believed their “Lofty Pillars” and high-walled cities would shield them from any divine sentence.
However, true to Allah’s warning, the environment began to turn against them. A devastating drought swept across the land of Al-Ahqaf.
- The skies remained clear and cloudless for months.
- The scorching sun baked the desert earth.
- The lush gardens and trees began to turn yellow and perish.
- The famous water wells of Ad began to run dry.
2. The Offer of Mercy: Rain and Strength
Even as the drought worsened, Prophet Hud offered them a way out. He taught them a profound spiritual principle: Repentance brings provision.
“O my people, ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in showers and increase you in strength [added] to your strength. And do not turn away, [being] criminals.” (Surah Hud, 11:52)
He promised that Istighfar (seeking forgiveness) would not only end the drought but would actually increase their physical and military power.
3. The Accusation of Madness
Instead of heeding the warning of the drought, the Ad doubled down on their denial. They refused to abandon their ancestral idols and resorted to personal attacks, claiming Hud was possessed.
“O Hud, you have not brought us clear evidence, and we are not ones to leave our gods on your say-so. Nor are we believers in you. We only say that some of our gods have possessed you with evil.” (Surah Hud, 11:53-54)
4. The Ultimate Challenge of Tawakkul (Trust)
In one of the most powerful displays of courage in the Quran, Prophet Hud stood alone against an entire nation of warriors and challenged them. He declared his absolute dissociation from their idols and invited them to plot against him immediately.
“Indeed I take Allah as my witness, and you too to be my witnesses that I have nothing to do with your associating with Allah other than Him in His divinity. So conspire against me, all of you, and give me no respite.” (Surah Hud, 11:54-55)
“Holding the Forelock”
Hud continued with a statement of supreme theology, affirming that God controls every living being completely:
“I have put my trust in Allah, Who is my Lord and your Lord. There is no moving creature which He does not hold by its forelock. Surely, My Lord is on the straight path.” (Surah Hud, 11:56)
He warned them that if they turned away, they would be replaced by another people, and their rebellion would not harm Allah in the slightest.
5. The Demand for Destruction
Blinded by pride and ignoring the withering trees around them, the Ad grew impatient. They mocked Hud’s warnings and demanded that the punishment be brought forward if he was truly speaking the truth.
“…Then bring us what you promise us, if you should be of the truthful.” (Surah Al-Ahqaf, 46:22)
Prophet Hud resigned himself to the fact that their fate was now sealed, replying:
“Knowledge [of its time] is only with Allah, and I convey to you that with which I was sent; but I see you [to be] a people behaving ignorantly.” (Surah Al-Ahqaf, 46:23)
The stage was now set for the final act: the arrival of the wind.
The Cataclysm of Ad: The Wind That Screamed
After the prolonged drought, the people of Ad were desperate. Their eyes were constantly scanned the horizon, hoping for a sign of relief. Finally, a massive, dark formation appeared in the sky, moving towards their valleys.
Jubilation erupted across the city. The people pointed to the sky, celebrating what they believed was their salvation. They exclaimed, “This is a cloud bringing us rain!” They prepared their cisterns and wells, believing their gods had finally answered them.
The Arrival of the Sarsar (The Violent Wind)
The wind did not arrive as a gentle breeze. The Quran describes it as Ar-Rih As-Sarsar—a wind that was furiously violent, intensely cold, and deafeningly loud.
It began to tear through the valley with a terrifying roar. The people of Ad, who had boasted of their physical strength and their “Lofty Pillars,” found themselves helpless against the invisible force of the air. The wind was so ferocious that it ripped the heavy doors off their palaces and uprooted their fortified tents.
The punishment was not momentous; it was prolonged to maximize the realization of their powerlessness. The storm raged for seven nights and eight days in succession.
The Survival of the Believers
Amidst this chaotic destruction, a perimeter of mercy was established. Prophet Hud and the small group of believers who had trusted in Allah were saved. Islamic traditions suggest they were protected in an enclosure where the wind, which was destroying everything outside, felt to them like a gentle, cool breeze.
The mighty city of Iram was buried beneath the shifting sands of Al-Ahqaf, erased from history for thousands of years, serving as a reminder that no civilization is too powerful to fall if it succumbs to arrogance.
Quranic References: Prophet Hud
For those wishing to study the story of Prophet Hud directly from the source, his narrative is scattered throughout the Quran, offering different angles on the dialogue and destruction.
You can find the detailed accounts in the following chapters:
- Surah Al-A’raf (Chapter 7): Verses 65–72 focus on the dialogue between Hud and the chieftains.
- Surah Hud (Chapter 11): Verses 50–60 provide the most detailed theological arguments and the challenge of trust (Tawakkul).
- Surah Al-Mu’minun (Chapter 23): Verses 31–41 describe the denial of the afterlife.
- Surah Ash-Shu’ara (Chapter 26): Verses 123–140 highlight the architectural arrogance of Ad.
- Surah Al-Ahqaf (Chapter 46): Verses 21–26 describe the drought and the “Cloud of Punishment.”
- Surah Al-Qamar (Chapter 54): Verses 18–22 give vivid details of the punishment.
- Surah Al-Haqqah (Chapter 69): Verses 4–8 provide the specific duration of 7 nights and 8 days.
- Surah Al-Fajr (Chapter 89): Verses 6–8 mention “Iram of the Lofty Pillars.”