Prophet's Story
THE STORY OF PROPHET HUD
Nabi Hud ‘alaihis greetings live in the land of Yemen, in a place called Al Ahqaaf (sand hills), there lived the first ‘Aad people whose nasab they reached the Prophet Noah. They live in houses that have large columns as Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala said:
“(Yaitu) residents of Iram (the capital city where the people of ‘Aad live) who have high buildings–That has never been built (a city) like that, in other countries,” (QS. Al Fajr: 7-8)
They also built high castles and forts and prided themselves on them. This is as Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala said:
“Did you erect on every high ground of buildings to play around (luxury) –And you made forts with the intention that you will remain (in the world)?”(QS. Asy Syu’ara: 128-129)
They also had a high civilization; they excelled in agriculture because of the abundance of fresh water to them, in addition to them having a lot of treasures and livestock. Their place at that time became a lush and green field, filled with beautiful gardens and springs.
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala also gave them a physical form that is different from others, their bodies are tall and strong. If they fight or attack a people, they can win the war and their attacks are terrible. This is as the word of Allah Ta’ala mentions the words of the Prophet Hud to them,
“And when ye torment, then ye torment as cruel and cruel.–Then fear Allah and obey me.–And fear Allah who has bestowed upon you what ye know.–He has bestowed upon you cattle, and children,–And gardens and springs,” (QS. Asy Syu’ara: 130-134)
However, despite the favors that Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala gave them so much, yet they do not give thanks to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala to him, even they associate Him with something, they worshipped statues, and they were the first to worship statues after the great flood of Noah's time. As the word of God says,
“And remember by you when Allah made you a substitute (who is in power) after the cessation of Noah, and Allah has exceeded your strength and stature (than the people of Noah). Then remember the blessings of Allah so that you may have good luck.” (Tergs. Al A’raaf: 69)
Not only that, they also worked on various acts and sins and did mischief in the earth, so Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala sent the Prophet Hud ‘alaihis greetings to them to show them the straight path; He invited them to worship only Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala and forbade them to perform shirk and perform various deeds.
He also reminded them to thank Allah for His blessings which He gave them, He said to them, “O my people! Worship Allah, there is no God to worship you except Him. Why then do you not fear Him?” (QS. Al A’raaf: 65)
They also wondered about the state of the Prophet Hud ‘alaihis greetings, “Who exactly are you, O Hud, so say such words?” Hud answered,
“Verily I am a trustworthy apostle to you—Then fear Allah and obey me.” (QS. Asy Syu’ara: 125-126)
So his people denied him harshly and arrogantly, saying,
“Verily We look upon you in a state of insensitivity and indeed we consider you to be among those who lie.” (QS. Al A’raaf: 66)
Hud answered,
“Our people! There is no lack of sense to me, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the Worlds.– I convey the messages of my Lord to you and I am only a trusted counsel to you.” (QS. Al A’raaf: 67-68)
His people were increasingly arrogant in addition to refusing to loudly worship Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala, they said to the Prophet Hud ‘alaihis greetings,
“Vee Hud! You have not brought us a clear proof, and we will not forsake our gods because of your words, and we will never trust you–We do not say but rather that some of our worship has inflicted a madness upon you.dst.” (QS. Huud: 53-54)
Even so the Prophet Hud ‘alaihis greetings remain patient and invite them to follow the truth. He reminded them of Allah's blessings to them in the hope that they would repent to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala and ask for His forgiveness. He said to them, 'He said,
He also said:
“Our people! Forgive your Lord and repent to Him, He will send down a torrential rain upon you, and He will add strength to your strength, and turn not away in sin (QS. Huo: 52)
But the Prophet Hud ‘alaihis salutations did not get his people other than as a man who had died his heart and had become hard as a rock, holding fast to his heresies and deviations and still firmly worshiping the statue. They also returned his advice with acts of cruelty and mockery, so that the Prophet Hud said to them,
”I testify to Allah and see to you that I have indeed departed from what you associate with others, therefore do all your deceits against me and do not give me strength.–I believe in Allah my Lord and your Lord. There is no beast but He who holds the crowns of it–Surely my Lord is on the straight path, verily, I have told you what (amanat) I have been sent (to convey) to you. And my Lord will replace (you) with another people (of) you; and you cannot harm Him in the least. Verily, my Lord is the Preserver of all things."
The Punishment Stipulated on the Prophets Hud ‘alaihis Salam
They were still bragging and boasting of their strength, and they said to Prophet Hud with pride,
“Who is stronger in strength than us?” (QS. Shilat: 15)
They also made fun of the Prophet Hud and asked him to have a punishment. They said,
“Then bring the torment you have cursed to Us if you are among the righteous.” (Tergs. Al A’raaf: 70)
Hud answered, too,
“Surely you will be afflicted with punishment and anger from your Lord. Do you dispute with me about the names (idols) which you and your fathers named, but Allah has not sent down any blasphemy for it? Then wait (the raid), I am also among the people who wait with you”. (QS. Al A’raaf: 71)
So began the punishment of Allah to come to the people of ‘Aad. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala sent to them a hot air that made wells and rivers dry, plants and fruits die, the rain stopped falling for a long time, then came the big cloud. When they saw it, they rejoiced and thought that they would be given rain, they said,
“This is the cloud that will bring rain to us.”
They thought that the clouds would come to bring good to them, quench their thirst, give their animals to drink and water their gardens and crops. The cloud brought punishment for them. They were struck by a strong wind that continued to fall on them for seven nights and eight days without stopping, which destroyed everything in front of them so that they all perished. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala said:
“Then when they saw the torment as a cloud going into their valleys, they said, “This is the cloud that will bring us rain.” (Not!) even that is the punishment that you ask to come immediately (i.e.) the wind that contains a painful torment,”–That destroys everything by the command of his Lord, so they will be no longer visible except (former) where they live. Thus do We recompense the sinners. (QS. Al Ahqaf: 24)
And Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala saved Hud and those who believed with him. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala said:
“Then We saved Hud with those who were with him with great mercy from Us, and We slaughtered those who belied Our revelations, and they were not believers.” (QS. Al A’raaf: 72)
Hud ‘alaihis greetings go with those who believe to another place; there they worship Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala.
