1. Quranic Mention of Prophet Hud (PBUH)
Prophet Hud (PBUH) is mentioned in several places in the Quran, specifically addressing his mission to the people of ʿĀd, a tribe that became proud, disobedient, and ungrateful to Allah. Below is a verse from Surah Hud about Prophet Hud (PBUH):
Surah Hud (11:50-52)
- Arabic (Transliteration):
- (11:50): “وَإِلَىٰ عَادٍ أَخَاهُمْ هُودًۭا ۗ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥٓ ۚ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا مُفْتَرُونَ”
- Wa ilā ʿādin akhāhum hūda, qāla yaqawmi uʿ’budū allāha mā lakum min ilāhin ghayruhū, in antum illā muftarūn.
- Translation: “And to the people of ‘Ād [We sent] their brother Hud. He said, ‘O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. You are not but inventors [of falsehood].'”
- (11:50): “وَإِلَىٰ عَادٍ أَخَاهُمْ هُودًۭا ۗ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥٓ ۚ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا مُفْتَرُونَ”
- (11:51): “يَـٰقَوْمِ لَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِىٓ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ”
- Yā qawmi lā asalukum ʿalayhi ajran, in ajriya illā ʿalā alladhī faṭaranī afalā taʿqilūn.
- Translation: “O my people, I do not ask you for it any reward. My reward is only from the one who created me. Then will you not reason?”
- (11:52): “وَيَـٰقَوْمِ ٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ يُرْسِلِ ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًۭا وَيَزِدْكُمْ قُوَّةً إِلَىٰ قُوَّتِكُمْ وَلَا تَتَوَلَّوْا۟ مُجْرِمِينَ”
- Wa yaqawmi is’taghfirū rabbakum thumma tūbū ilayhi yursili assamāʾa ʿalaykum midrāran wayazidkum quwwatan ilā quwwatikum walā tatawallaw muj’rimīn.
- Translation: “And O my people, ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in showers and increase you in strength [added] to your strength. And do not turn away, [being] criminals.”
2. Sahi Hadith Related to Prophet Hud (PBUH)
Although there are no direct hadith that exclusively focus on Prophet Hud (PBUH), there are hadith that talk about the prophets, and the people who rejected them, giving insight into the fates of ancient nations. For example:
Sahih Bukhari – Book 60, Hadith 82
- Arabic (Transliteration): “أخبرنا يعقوب بن إبراهيم قال: حدثنا إسماعيل عن أبيه عن عبيد الله عن ابن عباس قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: (أُهْلِكَتْ عَادٌ الأُولَى وَالنَّارُ يُعْرَضُ عَلَى قَوْمِهَا بُكْرَةً وَعَشِيًّا).”
- Akhbaranā Ya’qūb bin Ibrāhīm, qāla: haddathanā Ismā’īl ʿan abīhi ʿan ʿUbayd Allāh ʿan ibn ʿAbbās, qāla: qāla Rasūl Allāh ṣallā Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam: (Uh’likat ʿādu l-ūlā wa l-nāru yuʿ’raḍu ʿalā qawmihā bukratan waʿashiyyan).
- Translation: Narrated Ibn Abbas: Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “The first nation of ‘Ād was destroyed, and the Fire will be presented to their people morning and evening.” (Sahih Bukhari)
The Story of Prophet Hud (PBUH)
Prophet Hud (PBUH) was sent to the people of ʿĀd, a powerful and prosperous nation that lived in the region of Al-Ahqaf, between Yemen and Oman. They were known for their strength, advanced architectural abilities, and affluence. However, they became arrogant, denying Allah’s blessings, and worshiped idols, forsaking the oneness of God.
Prophet Hud (PBUH), a member of the tribe, was chosen by Allah to guide his people back to the worship of the One True God. He called his people to:
- Worship Allah alone and abandon their idols.
- Seek forgiveness from Allah for their sins and wrongdoings.
- Repent sincerely to their Creator so they might be blessed with rain and prosperity.
The people of ʿĀd rejected his message. They mocked Prophet Hud (PBUH) and claimed that their wealth and power made them invincible. They even accused him of being foolish and threatened him. Despite their stubbornness, Hud continued to preach, urging them to recognize Allah’s signs and to avoid the fate of the previous nations that had been destroyed.
The people of ʿĀd grew even more rebellious, ignoring Hud’s warnings. Allah eventually sent a severe drought upon them as a sign of His displeasure. But instead of repenting, they became more arrogant. Finally, Allah sent a mighty windstorm that lasted for several days, completely destroying the people of ʿĀd, except for Prophet Hud and those who believed in his message.
Also, read the Story of Prophet Nuh/Noah (Pbuh)