2. A long time ago, in a distant land, there lived a prosperous
people known as the Tribe of ‘Aad. The men of this tribe were
very strong and built great palaces and mansions for
themselves. But there were also some poor and weak people
who lived there and were treated as slaves.
The people of ‘Aad used to worship idols.The people of ‘Aad used to worship idols.
3. In this tribe there also lived a man who was good and kind. His name was Hud. He used to
help everyone and all the people knew him as a righteous man and would respect him. For
this reason, Allah chose Hud as a prophet and a guide for his people. One day, when the
people were worshipping a newly made idol, Hud (‘a) came in front and shouted: O
people! Worship The Almighty God as there is no God but Him!
4. One of the leaders of the tribe came to Prophet Hud (‘a) and said: O Hud, we know
you are a truthful and righteous person, but you should also be aware that all our
gods are mighty. Which god are you talking about? Hud (‘a) replied: I am talking
about the One God who created us and all things. These idols that you have made
with your hands cannot even protect themselves! Another one of them said: O Hud,
Show respect for our gods! We believe in them as our forefathers did.
5. Prophet Hud’s words began to anger the leaders of ‘AadProphet Hud’s words began to anger the leaders of ‘Aad
and all of a sudden they surrounded him and beganand all of a sudden they surrounded him and began
punching and kicking him.punching and kicking him.
6. The next day, when Prophet Hud (‘a) felt better, he went back to the idol worshippers and
when they saw him, they said: Now what do you want?! Go away otherwise we will beat
you so much that you will forget yesterday’s beating! Hud (‘a) replied: Your forefathers
were idol worshippers and they did not listen to Prophet Nuh (‘a) and as a result they
were punished by Allah and drowned in the great flood. Being the grandchildren of those
who believed and were saved along with Nuh (‘a), why do you now disbelieve?
7. One of them took hold of Hud (‘a) and shouted: None of our forefathers were as strong and
powerful as we are! Their houses were not as big our houses and they did not have as
much wealth as we have! Prophet Hud (‘a) answered: I am the Prophet of Allah. You better
seek repentance and accept the truth so that He can bestow even greater blessings upon
you.
8. Then they came forward, wanting to attack Prophet Hud
(‘a) again, but this time Allah helped him with a special
power and they all became frightened of him and ran
away!
9. As a result of their disobedience, a famine came
upon them and for 7 years it did not rain. The
wells began to dry up and water became scarce.
Hud (‘a) took this opportunity to advise them
once more but they mocked him and said: Tell
your God to send His punishment to us, we are
ready for it!
10. The people continued to worship idols until suddenlyThe people continued to worship idols until suddenly
one day, they saw dark clouds gather in the sky. Out ofone day, they saw dark clouds gather in the sky. Out of
happiness, they started celebrating. Hud (‘a) went tohappiness, they started celebrating. Hud (‘a) went to
them and said:them and said: This is the sign of the punishment of
Allah is coming upon you. Repent now while there is
time! The people laughed at him and said:The people laughed at him and said: These clouds
only mean that long awaited rains are finally coming!
11. After warning the people, Hud (‘a) left the city with hisAfter warning the people, Hud (‘a) left the city with his
followers. Soon, a cold wind started blowing and thefollowers. Soon, a cold wind started blowing and the
people got frightened and started running to theirpeople got frightened and started running to their
houses. But this wind turned into a cyclone that was sohouses. But this wind turned into a cyclone that was so
strong that all the trees were uprooted and even their bigstrong that all the trees were uprooted and even their big
houses were torn down. The strong gale continued forhouses were torn down. The strong gale continued for
seven days, until all the disbelievers were destroyed.seven days, until all the disbelievers were destroyed.
12. Prophet Hud (‘a) and his followers, who had taken refuge in theProphet Hud (‘a) and his followers, who had taken refuge in the
outskirts of the city, were all saved. When they came out and went intooutskirts of the city, were all saved. When they came out and went into
the city, they found that all the disbelievers had been destroyed and notthe city, they found that all the disbelievers had been destroyed and not
one remained. Hud (‘a) left that land with his followers and settled inone remained. Hud (‘a) left that land with his followers and settled in
another place to start a new life.another place to start a new life.
F. T. Jaffer