Surah Al-A'raf 7:65

The Story of Hud, Peace be upon Him, and the Lineage of the People of `Ad

Allah says, just as We sent Nuh to his people, similarly, to the `Ad people, We sent Hud one of their own brethren. Muhammad bin Ishaq said that the tribe of `Ad were the descendants of `Ad, son of Iram, son of `Aws, son of Sam, son of Nuh. I say, these are indeed the ancient people of `Ad whom Allah mentioned, the children of `Ad, son of Iram who were living in the deserts with lofty pillars or statues. Allah said,

(Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with `Ad (people). Of Iram like (lofty) pillars. The like of which were not created in the land) 89:6-8 because of their might and strength. Allah said in another instance,

(As for `Ad, they were arrogant in the land without right, and they said: "Who is mightier than us in strength" See they not that Allah Who created them was mightier in strength than them. And they used to deny Our Ayat!) 41:15.

The Land of `Ad

The people of `Ad lived in Yemen, in the area of Ahqaf, which means sand mounds. Muhammad bin Ishaq narrated that Abu At-Tufayl `Amir bin Wathilah said that he heard `Ali (bin Abi Talib) saying to a man from Hadramawt (in Yemen), "Have you seen a red sand mound, where there are a lot of Arak and Lote trees in the area of so-and-so in Hadramawt Have you seen it" He said, "Yes, O Commander of the faithful! By Allah, you described it as if you have seen it before." `Ali said, `I have not seen it, but it was described to me." The man asked, "What about it, O Commander of the faithful" `Ali said, "There is the grave of Hud, peace be upon him, in its vicinity." Ibn Jarir recorded this statement, which gives the benefit of indicating that `Ad used to live in Yemen, since Prophet Hud was buried there. Prophet Hud was among the noble men and chiefs of `Ad, for Allah chose the Messengers from among the best, most honorable families and tribes. Hud's people were mighty and strong, but their hearts were mighty and hard, for they were among the most denying of Truth among the nations. Prophet Hud called `Ad to worship Allah alone without partners, and to obey and fear Him.

Debate between Hud and his People

(The leaders of those who disbelieved among his people said...) meaning, the general public, chiefs, masters and commanders of his people said,

("Verily, we see you in foolishness, and verily, we think you are one of the liars") meaning, you are misguided because you call us to abandon worshipping the idols in order to worship Allah Alone. Similarly, the chiefs of Quraysh wondered at the call to worship One God, saying,

("Has he (Muhammad) made the gods (all) into One God") 38:5.

((Hud) said: "O my people! There is no foolishness in me, but (I am) a Messenger from the Lord of all that exists!") Hud said, I am not as you claim. Rather, I brought you the Truth from Allah, Who created everything, and He is the Lord and King of all things,

("I convey unto you the Messages of my Lord, and I am a trustworthy adviser for you. ") These, indeed, are the qualities of the Prophets: conveying, sincerity and honesty,

("Do you wonder that there has come to you a Reminder from your Lord through a man from among you to warn you") Prophet Hud said, do not wonder because Allah sent a Messenger to you from among yourselves to warn you about Allah's Days (His torment) and meeting with Him. Rather than wondering, you should thank Allah for this bounty.

("And remember that He made you successors (generations after generations) after the people of Nuh...") meaning, remember Allah's favor on you in that He made you among the offspring of Nuh, because of whose supplication Allah destroyed the people of the earth after they defied and opposed him.

("and increased you amply in stature.") making you taller than other people. Similarly, Allah said in the description of Talut (Saul),

(And has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature.) 2:247 Hud continued,

("So remember the graces (bestowed upon you) from Allah. ") in reference to Allah's favors and blessings

("so that you may be successful.")

Ayat ini menerangkan bahwa Allah mengutus kepada kaum 'Ad Nabi Hud dari kalangan mereka sendiri dan memerintahkannya untuk menyeru kaumnya agar menyembah Allah Tuhan Yang Maha Esa dan meninggalkan segala sesuatu yang dituhankan mereka, karena selain Allah bukanlah Tuhan dan tidak patut disembah, segala ibadah hanya diperuntukkan kepada Allah. Oleh sebab itu, Nabi Hud menganjurkan kepada mereka agar bertakwa kepada Allah dan meninggalkan segala sesuatu yang dimurkai-Nya untuk menghindarkan diri dari siksaan-Nya. Pada waktu dan kesempatan yang lain, beliau memerintahkan kepada kaumnya agar mereka menggunakan akal pikirannya. Firman Allah:

Dan kepada kaum 'Ad (Kami utus) saudara mereka, Hud. Dia berkata, "Wahai kaumku! Sembahlah Allah, tidak ada tuhan bagimu selain Dia. (Selama ini) kamu hanyalah mengada-ada. Wahai kaumku! Aku tidak meminta imbalan kepadamu atas (seruanku) ini. Imbalanku hanyalah dari Allah yang telah menciptakanku. Tidakkah kamu mengerti?" (Hud/11: 50-51)

'Ad adalah anak Iram bin Aus bin Sam bin Nuh. Demikian diterangkan oleh Muhammad bin Ishak. Menurut Ibnu Ishak, bahwa al-Kalby berkata: kaum 'Ad adalah penyembah berhala sebagaimana halnya kaum Nabi Nuh yang mematungkan orang-orang yang dipandang keramat setelah mati. Kemudian patung-patung itu dianggap sebagai Tuhan. Kaum 'Ad pun membuat patung-patung, mereka namakan tsamud dan yang lain lagi mereka namakan al-Hatar. Mereka tinggal di Yaman di daerah Ahqaf antara Oman dan Hadramaut. Mereka adalah kaum yang berbuat kerusakan di bumi ini karena mereka bangga dengan kekuatan fisik yang tidak dimiliki oleh kaum yang lain.

Karena mereka memperlakukan penduduk bumi ini sekehendak mereka secara zalim, Allah mengutus Nabi Hud dari kalangan mereka sebab sudah menjadi ketetapan Allah bahwa rasul-rasul yang diutus itu diambil dari kaumnya sendiri yang lebih mengerti tentang kaumnya dan lebih dapat diterima seruannya karena mengetahui kepribadiannya. Akan tetapi ketika Nabi Hud menyampaikan risalahnya yaitu menyeru kaumnya agar menyembah Allah Tuhan Yang Maha Esa dan meninggalkan perbuatan yang zalim, seruan Nabi Hud tersebut mereka dustakan dan malahan mereka menentangnya, sebagaimana dijelaskan dalam firman Allah yaitu:

Maka adapun kaum 'Ad, mereka menyombongkan diri di bumi tanpa (mengindahkan) kebenaran dan mereka berkata, "Siapakah yang lebih hebat kekuatannya dari kami?" Tidakkah mereka memperhatikan bahwa sesungguhnya Allah yang menciptakan mereka. Dia lebih hebat kekuatan-Nya dari mereka? Dan mereka telah mengingkari tanda-tanda (kebesaran) Kami. (Fushshilat/41: 15)