The Mission (7:65-72, 11:50-60)
“And to ‘Ad [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?’”
The ‘Ad’s response was dismissive: “We only say that some of our gods have afflicted you with evil.” (11:54) — attributing Hud’s warnings to divine punishment by their own gods. Hud’s counter: “Indeed, I call Allah to witness, and witness [yourselves], that I am free from whatever you associate with Allah.” (11:54)
The ‘Ad and Their Pride
The Quran describes the ‘Ad building on every high place a sign, with the intent of playing’ (26:128) — towering monuments as symbols of power and pride. They declared: “Who is more powerful than us in strength?” (41:15) — the Quran answers: “Did they not see that Allah who created them was more powerful than they?”
Their specific sin: pride in power, rejection of prophecy, building monuments for ego rather than gratitude.
The Destruction (41:16, 46:24-25)
“So We sent upon them a screaming wind during days of misfortune to make them taste the punishment of disgrace in the worldly life; but the punishment of the Hereafter is more disgracing, and they will not be helped.”
When the punishment came as a cloud approaching, the ‘Ad thought it was rain. The cloud brought the screaming wind: eight nights and seven days, leaving the ‘Ad like hollow trunks of palm trees — shells of their former civilization.
Hud and those who believed with him were saved. The site of their civilization became the land named for them — al-Ahqaf — a memorial in the landscape.
See also: Prophets In Islam, Signs Of Qiyamah, Al Ahqaf Surah, Quran Sciences, Tafsir Overview, Al Shams Surah