The people of ‘Ad to whom the prophet Hud was sent

When the Holy Quran describes past people or archeological details it gives a very precise and accurate description. The Holy Quran particularly describes the past nations that were punished by God in the Sura Hud and among the details it also says, “This is of the tidings of the unseen which We reveal to thee (Muhammad). Thou didst not know them, neither thou nor thy people, before this. So be thou patient; for the end is for the God-fearing.” (Al Quran 11:50)

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Information about the Arabian tribe of ‘Ad was not recorded in history. However, it was mentioned in the Holy Quran. Recent archeological discoveries have established the truth of the Holy Quran. The discovery of ruins of Iram was a two step process, firstly, the discovery of the people of Ebla in Syria, who traded with Iram (habitation of the ‘Ad) and then the discovery of Iram in southern Arabia.

The people of the ‘Ad were surrounded by sand dunes, as is mentioned in the Holy Quran, “Make mention of the brother of ‘Ad, when he warned his people among the sand-hills — and Warners there have been before him and after him — saying, ‘Worship none but Allah. I fear for you the punishment of a great day.’” (Al Quran 46:22) There is a fairly detailed mention of the ‘Ad and the Thamud in the Holy Quran as these tribes were in the neighborhood of Makkah and Madinah, the towns that were the first recipients of the message of Islam. The Holy Quran says, “And We did destroy townships round about you; and We have varied the Signs, that they might turn to Us. Why, then, did not those help them whom they had taken for gods besides Allah, seeking His nearness through them? Nay, they were lost to them. That was the result of their lie, and of what they fabricated.” (Al Quran 46:28-29)

The ‘Ad were eventually destroyed by a sand storm. According to the Holy Quran the sand storm blew for 7 nights and 8 days, for details see the body of the knol. The Quran not only preserves an accurate account of the lost ‘Ad but its description also guided the expedition in the archeological discovery, as described in the body of the knol.

The mention of the punished nations is not for story telling but for moral guidance through examples. The Holy Quran has issued a general warning for everyone also:

So travel through the earth and see what was the end of those who rejected the messengers. (Al Quran 16: 37)

Verses including the word Salih (as) And Thamud

To the Thamud people (We sent) Salih, one of their own brethren: He said: "O my people! worship Allah.ye have no other god but Him.Now hath come unto you a clear (Sign) from your Lord! This she-camel of Allah is a Sign unto you: So leave her to graze in Allah.s earth, and let her come to no harm, or ye shall be seized with a grievous punishment. (Surah Al-A‘raf, 73)

"And remember how He made you inheritors after the 'Ad people and gave you habitations in the land: ye build for yourselves palaces and castles in (open) plains, and carve out homes in the mountains; so bring to remembrance the benefits (ye have received) from Allah, and refrain from evil and mischief on the earth." (Surah Al-A‘raf, 74)

The leaders of the arrogant party among his people said to those who were reckoned powerless - those among them who believed: "know ye indeed that Salih is an apostle from his Lord?" They said: "We do indeed believe in the revelation which hath been sent through him." (Surah Al-A‘raf, 75)

The Arrogant party said: "For our part, we reject what ye believe in." (Surah Al-A‘raf, 76)

Then they ham-strung the she-camel, and insolently defied the order of their Lord, saying: "O Salih! bring about thy threats, if thou art an apostle (of Allah.!" (Surah Al-A‘raf, 77)

So the earthquake took them unawares, and they lay prostrate in their homes in the morning! (Surah Al-A‘raf, 78)

So Salih left them, saying: "O my people! I did indeed convey to you the message for which I was sent by my Lord: I gave you good counsel, but ye love not good counsellors!" (Surah Al-A‘raf, 79)

Hath not the story reached them of those before them?- the People of Noah, and 'Ad, and Thamud; the People of Abraham, the men of Midian, and the cities overthrown.To them came their apostles with clear signs.It is not Allah Who wrongs them, but they wrong their own souls. (Surah At-Tawba, 70)

To the Thamud People (We sent) Salih, one of their own brethren.He said: "O my people! Worship Allah.ye have no other god but Him.It is He Who hath produced you from the earth and settled you therein: then ask forgiveness of Him, and turn to Him (in repentance): for my Lord is (always) near, ready to answer." (Surah Hud, 61)

They said: "O Salih! thou hast been of us! a centre of our hopes hitherto! dost thou (now) forbid us the worship of what our fathers worshipped? But we are really in suspicious (disquieting) doubt as to that to which thou invitest us." (Surah Hud, 62)

He said: "O my people! do ye see? if I have a Clear (Sign) from my Lord and He hath sent Mercy unto me from Himself,- who then can help me against Allah if I were to disobey Him? What then would ye add to my (portion) but perdition? (Surah Hud, 63)

"And O my people! This she-camel of Allah is a symbol to you: leave her to feed on Allah.s (free) earth, and inflict no harm on her, or a swift penalty will seize you!" (Surah Hud, 64)

But they did ham-string her.So he said: "Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days: (Then will be your ruin): (Behold) there a promise not to be belied!" (Surah Hud, 65)

When Our Decree issued, We saved Salih and those who believed with him, by (special) Grace from Ourselves - and from the Ignominy of that day.For thy Lord - He is the Strong One, and able to enforce His Will. (Surah Hud, 66)

The (mighty) Blast overtook the wrong-doers, and they lay prostrate in their homes before the morning,- (Surah Hud, 67)

As if they had never dwelt and flourished there.Ah! Behold! for the Thamud rejected their Lord and Cherisher! Ah! Behold! removed (from sight) were the Thamud! (Surah Hud, 68)

"And O my people! let not my dissent (from you) cause you to sin, lest ye suffer a fate similar to that of the people of Noah or of Hud or of Salih, nor are the people of Lut far off from you! (Surah Hud, 89)

When Our decree issued, We saved Shu'aib and those who believed with him, by (special) mercy from Ourselves: But the (mighty) blast did seize the wrong- doers, and they lay prostrate in their homes by the morning,- (Surah Hud, 94)

As if they had never dwelt and flourished there! Ah! Behold! How the Madyan were removed (from sight) as were removed the Thamud! (Surah Hud, 95)

Has not the story reached you, (O people!), of those who (went) before you? - of the people of Noah, and 'Ad, and Thamud? - And of those who (came) after them? None knows them but Allah.To them came apostles with Clear (Signs); but they put their hands up to their mouths, and said: "We do deny (the mission) on which ye have been sent, and we are really in suspicious (disquieting) doubt as to that to which ye invite us." (Surah İbrahim, 9)

And We refrain from sending the signs, only because the men of former generations treated them as false: We sent the she-camel to the Thamud to open their eyes, but they treated her wrongfully: We only send the Signs by way of terror (and warning from evil). (Surah Al-Isra’, 59)

If they treat thy (mission) as false, so did the peoples before them (with their prophets),- the People of Noah, and 'Ad and Thamud; (Surah Al-Hajj, 42)

As also 'Ad and Thamud, and the Companions of the Rass, and many a generation between them. (Surah Al-Furqan, 38)

The Thamud (people) rejected the apostles. (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’, 141)

Behold, their brother Salih said to them: "Will you not fear ((Allah))? (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’, 142)

"I am to you an apostle worthy of all trust. (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’, 143)

"So fear Allah, and obey me. (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’, 144)

"No reward do I ask of you for it: my reward is only from the Lord of the Worlds. (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’, 145)

"Will ye be left secure, in (the enjoyment of) all that ye have here?- (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’, 146)

"Gardens and Springs, (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’, 147)

"And corn-fields and date-palms with spathes near breaking (with the weight of fruit)? (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’, 148)

"And ye carve houses out of (rocky) mountains with great skill. (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’, 149)

"But fear Allah and obey me; (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’, 150)

"And follow not the bidding of those who are extravagant,- (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’, 151)

"Who make mischief in the land, and mend not (their ways)." (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’, 152)

They said: "Thou art only one of those bewitched! (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’, 153)

"Thou art no more than a mortal like us: then bring us a Sign, if thou tellest the truth!" (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’, 154)

He said: "Here is a she-camel: she has a right of watering, and ye have a right of watering, (severally) on a day appointed. (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’, 155)

"Touch her not with harm, lest the Penalty of a Great Day seize you." (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’, 156)

But they ham-strung her: then did they become full of regrets. (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’, 157)

But the Penalty seized them. Verily in this is a Sign: but most of them do not believe. (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’, 158)

And verily thy Lord is He, the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful. (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’, 159)

We sent (aforetime), to the Thamud, their brother Salih, saying, "Serve Allah.: But behold, they became two factions quarrelling with each other. (Surah An-Naml, 45)

He said: "O my people! why ask ye to hasten on the evil in preference to the good? If only ye ask Allah for forgiveness, ye may hope to receive mercy. (Surah An-Naml, 46)

They said: "Ill omen do we augur from thee and those that are with thee". He said: "Your ill omen is with Allah. yea, ye are a people under trial." (Surah An-Naml, 47)

There were in the city nine men of a family, who made mischief in the land, and would not reform. (Surah An-Naml, 48)

They said: "Swear a mutual oath by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his people, and that we shall then say to his heir (when he seeks vengeance): 'We were not present at the slaughter of his people, and we are positively telling the truth.'" (Surah An-Naml, 49)

They plotted and planned, but We too planned, even while they perceived it not. (Surah An-Naml, 50)

Then see what was the end of their plot!- this, that We destroyed them and their people, all (of them). (Surah An-Naml, 51)

Now such were their houses, - in utter ruin, - because they practised wrong- doing. Verily in this is a Sign for people of knowledge. (Surah An-Naml, 52)

And We saved those who believed and practised righteousness. (Surah An-Naml, 53)

(Remember also) the 'Ad and the Thamud (people): clearly will appear to you from (the traces) of their buildings (their fate): the Evil One made their deeds alluring to them, and kept them back from the Path, though they were gifted with intelligence and skill. (Surah Al-‘Ankabut, 38)

And Thamud, and the people of Lut, and the Companions of the Wood; - such were the Confederates. (Surah Sâd, 13)

Not one (of them) but rejected the apostles, but My punishment came justly and inevitably (on them). (Surah Sâd, 14)

Then said the man who believed: "O my people! Truly I do fear for you something like the Day (of disaster) of the Confederates (in sin)!- (Surah Ghafir, 30)

"Something like the fate of the People of Noah, the 'Ad, and the Thamud, and those who came after them: but Allah never wishes injustice to his Servants. (Surah Ghafir, 31)

But if they turn away, say thou: "I have warned you of a stunning Punishment (as of thunder and lightning) like that which (overtook) the 'Ad and the Thamud!" (Surah Fussilat, 13)

Behold, the apostles came to them, from before them and behind them, (preaching): "Serve none but Allah." They said, "If our Lord had so pleased, He would certainly have sent down angels (to preach). Now we reject your mission (altogether)." (Surah Fussilat, 14)

As to the Thamud, We gave them Guidance, but they preferred blindness (of heart) to Guidance: so the stunning Punishment of humiliation seized them, because of what they had earned. (Surah Fussilat, 17)

But We delivered those who believed and practised righteousness. (Surah Fussilat, 18)

Before them was denied (the Hereafter) by the People of Noah, the Companions of the Rass, the Thamud, (Surah Qaf, 12)

And in the Thamud (was another Sign): Behold, they were told, "Enjoy (your brief day) for a little while!" (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 43)

But they insolently defied the Command of their Lord: So the stunning noise (of an earthquake) seized them, even while they were looking on. (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 44)

Then they could not even stand (on their feet), nor could they help themselves. (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 45)

And the Thamud nor gave them a lease of perpetual life. (Surah An-Najm, 51)

The Thamud (also) rejected (their) Warners. (Surah Al-Qamar, 23)

For they said: "What! a man! a Solitary one from among ourselves! shall we follow such a one? Truly should we then be straying in mind, and mad! (Surah Al-Qamar, 24)

"Is it that the Message is sent to him, of all people amongst us? Nay, he is a liar, an insolent one!" (Surah Al-Qamar, 25)

Ah! they will know on the morrow, which is the liar, the insolent one! (Surah Al-Qamar, 26)

For We will send the she-camel by way of trial for them. So watch them, (O Salih), and possess thyself in patience! (Surah Al-Qamar, 27)

And tell them that the water is to be divided between them: Each one's right to drink being brought forward (by suitable turns). (Surah Al-Qamar, 28)

But they called to their companion, and he took a sword in hand, and hamstrung (her). (Surah Al-Qamar, 29)

Ah! how (terrible) was My Penalty and My Warning! (Surah Al-Qamar, 30)

For We sent against them a single Mighty Blast, and they became like the dry stubble used by one who pens cattle. (Surah Al-Qamar, 31)

The Thamud and the 'Ad People (branded) as false the Stunning Calamity! (Surah Al-Haqqa, 4)

But the Thamud,- they were destroyed by a terrible Storm of thunder and lightning! (Surah Al-Haqqa, 5)

Has the story reached thee, of the forces- (Surah Al-Buruj, 17)

Of Pharaoh and the Thamud? (Surah Al-Buruj, 18)

Seest thou not how thy Lord dealt with the 'Ad (people),- (Surah Al-Fajr, 6)

Of the (city of) Iram, with lofty pillars, (Surah Al-Fajr, 7)

The like of which were not produced in (all) the land? (Surah Al-Fajr, 8)

And with the Thamud (people), who cut out (huge) rocks in the valley?- (Surah Al-Fajr, 9)

And with Pharaoh, lord of stakes? (Surah Al-Fajr, 10)

(All) these transgressed beyond bounds in the lands, (Surah Al-Fajr, 11)

And heaped therein mischief (on mischief). (Surah Al-Fajr, 12)

The Thamud (people) rejected (their prophet) through their inordinate wrong-doing, (Surah Ash-Shams, 11)

Behold, the most wicked man among them was deputed (for impiety). (Surah Ash-Shams, 12)

But the Messenger of Allah said to them: "It is a She-camel of Allah. And (bar her not from) having her drink!" (Surah Ash-Shams, 13)

Then they rejected him (as a false prophet), and they hamstrung her. So their Lord, on account of their crime, obliterated their traces and made them equal (in destruction, high and low)! (Surah Ash-Shams, 14)

And for Him is no fear of its consequences. (Surah Ash-Shams, 15)