Surah Al-A'raf 7:69

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.")

Dalam ayat ini, Allah menerangkan kecaman Nabi Hud kepada pemuka-pemuka kaumnya, bahwa tidak patut mereka merasa heran dan ragu-ragu terhadap kedatangan peringatan dan pengajaran dari Tuhan yang dibawa oleh seorang laki-laki di antara mereka. Pengajaran Allah itu datang kepada mereka justru pada saat mereka berada dalam kesesatan. Semestinya mereka tidak perlu ragu kepada pribadi orang yang membawa seruan. Hendaknya mereka mempergunakan akal pikiran untuk memperhatikan seruan yang dibawa kepada mereka itu yaitu seruan yang benar, seruan yang menyelamatkan diri mereka dari azab Allah. Ia juga mengingatkan mereka akan nikmat dan rahmat Allah, bahwa mereka bukan saja sebagai ahli waris kaum Nuh yang diselamatkan Allah dari topan karena keimanan mereka kepada-Nya, tetapi juga Allah melebihkan mereka dengan kekuatan fisik serta tubuh yang besar. Oleh sebab itu hendaklah mereka bersyukur kepada Allah dengan bertakwa kepada-Nya. Kalau mereka tidak bersyukur, Allah akan menjatuhkan azab-Nya sebagaimana Allah menjatuhkan azab kepada kaum Nuh yang ingkar dan menggantikan kedudukannya dengan bangsa lain. Mereka diingatkan kepada nikmat Allah itu agar mereka bersyukur dengan menyembah-Nya seikhlas-ikhlasnya sehingga mereka menjauhi kemusyrikan dengan meninggalkan penyembahan berhala. Dengan demikian mereka harus meninggalkan penyembahan berhala untuk mencapai kebahagiaan pada hari kemudian dan mendapat tempat pada sisi Allah yang telah disediakan untuk hamba-hamba-Nya yang bersyukur kepada nikmat-Nya.