The Story of Prophet Hud (Peace Be Upon Him)
The Story of Prophet Hud (Peace Be Upon Him)
Long ago, after the great flood of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him), a mighty tribe called **‘Ad** lived in the land of **Al-Ahqaf**, in present-day Yemen or Oman. They were strong, wealthy, and skilled in architecture, building grand palaces and towers. However, they became arrogant and ungrateful, worshiping idols instead of Allah.
To guide them back to the right path, Allah sent **Prophet Hud (peace be upon him)**. He was an honest and wise man from their own people. Hud preached to them, saying:
*"O my people, worship Allah alone, for He is your only Lord. Fear Him and obey me. He has given you strength and prosperity; be grateful instead of being arrogant."*
However, the people of ‘Ad refused to listen. They mocked Hud and said, *"Who is stronger than us? We will never be punished."* They believed their power made them invincible. Hud warned them:
*"Do you think your wealth and strength will last forever? If you continue in disbelief, Allah’s punishment will come upon you."*
Despite Hud’s sincere warnings, the leaders of ‘Ad ridiculed him, calling him a liar and a madman. Only a small group of believers accepted his message, while the rest remained stubborn.
As punishment for their arrogance, Allah withheld rain for years, causing a severe drought. Their crops withered, and their livestock perished. Still, they refused to repent. Instead, they challenged Hud, saying, *"Bring the punishment if you are truthful!"*
Finally, Allah’s wrath descended upon them. One day, they saw a dark cloud approaching, thinking it would bring rain. Instead, it was **a fierce wind**—a storm so powerful that it **roared through their land for seven nights and eight days**, destroying everything in its path. Their grand palaces and mighty towers crumbled, and their bodies were tossed into the air like lifeless leaves.
Only Hud and his followers were saved, as they had believed in Allah and obeyed His command. When the storm ended, the once-mighty tribe of ‘Ad was completely wiped out, leaving only ruins as a reminder for future generations.
Hud and his followers migrated to another land, continuing to worship Allah and live righteous lives. His story stands as a lesson for all: no matter how powerful a nation becomes, it will perish if it turns away from Allah’s guidance.
### **Lessons from the Story of Prophet Hud**
1. **Arrogance leads to destruction** – The people of ‘Ad were strong, but their arrogance led to their downfall.
2. **Trust in Allah** – Hud remained steadfast despite rejection and mockery.
3. **Warnings must not be ignored** – The tribe ignored Hud’s advice and faced Allah’s wrath.
4. **Power and wealth are temporary** – True success lies in faith and righteousness.
The ruins of ‘Ad remain a silent witness to their fate, reminding humanity of the importance of obedience to Allah.
