The People of ‘Ad are mentioned in several places in the Quran, with the most detailed account in Surah Hud (Chapter 11). They are described as a powerful and affluent people who lived in the desert. Allah sent the prophet Hud to guide them. However, they rejected his message and persisted in their arrogance, decadence, and idolatry.
The Quran describes the punishment that befell the People of ‘Ad as a fierce wind sent by Allah. This wind was a destructive force that decimated their civilization, leaving them in ruins.
Story of Ad in Quran
The Quran mentions the People of ‘Ad and the People of Thamud as two ancient Arabian peoples who were sent prophets by Allah, but they rejected the messages and warnings brought by these prophets. Here’s what the Quran says about them:
And to the people of ’Âd We sent their brother Hûd. He said, “O my people! Worship Allah. You have no god other than Him. You do nothing but fabricate lies ˹against Allah˺.(11:50-60)
What does Quran say about the People of Aad and Thamud? 13
O my people! I do not ask you for any reward for this ˹message˺. My reward is only from the One Who created me. Will you not then understand?
And O my people! Seek your Lord’s forgiveness and turn to Him in repentance. He will shower you with rain in abundance, and add strength to your strength. So do not turn away, persisting in wickedness.”
They argued, “O Hûd! You have not given us any clear proof, and we will never abandon our gods upon your word, nor will we believe in you.
What does Quran say about the People of Aad and Thamud? 14
All we can say is that some of our gods have possessed you with evil.” He said, “I call Allah to witness, and you too bear witness, that I ˹totally˺ reject whatever you associate
with Him ˹in worship˺. So let all of you plot against me without delay!
I have put my trust in Allah—my Lord and your Lord. There is no living creature that is not completely under His control.1Surely my Lord’s Way is perfect justice.2
But if you turn away, I have already delivered to you what I have been sent with. My Lord will replace you with others. You are not harming Him in the least. Indeed, my Lord is a ˹vigilant˺ Keeper over all things.”
When Our command came, We rescued Hûd and those who believed with him by a mercy from Us, saving them from a harsh torment.
That was ’Âd. They denied the signs of their Lord, disobeyed His messengers, and followed the command of every stubborn tyrant.
They were followed by a curse in this world, as they will be on the Day of Judgment. Surely ’Âd denied their Lord. So away with ’Âd, the people of Hûd.
The People of Thamud are mentioned in various places in the Quran, including Surah Al-A’raf (Chapter 7), Surah Al-Hijr (Chapter 15), and Surah Ash-Shams (Chapter 91). They were known for their engineering skills and the construction of grand structures, such as carved dwellings in the mountains.
Allah sent the prophet Salih to guide the People of Thamud. He called them to monotheism and warned them against idol worship. However, like the People of ‘Ad, they rejected the message and demanded a miraculous sign.
In response to their request, Allah provided a she-camel as a miraculous sign. Yet, they hamstrung the she-camel, defying Allah’s command. As a consequence, Allah’s punishment fell upon them. The Quran mentions their destruction in various places, emphasizing the consequences of their disbelief.
And to the people of Thamûd We sent their brother Ṣâliḥ. He said, “O my people! Worship Allah. You have no god other than Him. He ˹is the One Who˺ produced you from the earth and settled you on it. So seek His forgiveness and turn to Him in repentance. Surely my Lord is Ever Near, All-Responsive ˹to prayers˺.”
They argued, “O Ṣâliḥ! We truly had high hopes in you before this.1How dare you forbid us to worship what our forefathers had worshipped? We are certainly in alarming doubt about what you are inviting us to.”
He responded, “O my people! Consider if I stand on a clear proof from my Lord and He has blessed me with a mercy from Him. Who could help me against Allah if I were to disobey Him? You would only contribute to my doom.
And O my people! This she-camel of Allah is a sign for you.1So leave her to graze ˹freely˺ on Allah’s earth and do her no harm, or a swift punishment will overtake you!”
But they killed her, so he warned ˹them˺, “You have ˹only˺ three ˹more˺ days to enjoy life in your homes—this is an unfailing promise!”
When Our command came, We saved Ṣâliḥ and those who believed with him by a mercy from Us and spared them the disgrace of that Day. Surely your Lord ˹alone˺ is the All-Powerful, Almighty.
When Our command came, We saved Ṣâliḥ and those who believed with him by a mercy from Us and spared them the disgrace of that Day. Surely your Lord ˹alone˺ is the All-Powerful, Almighty.
And the ˹mighty˺ blast overtook the wrongdoers, so they fell lifeless in their homes,
as if they had never lived there. Surely Thamûd denied their Lord, so away with Thamûd!
The stories of the People of ‘Ad and the People of Thamud serve as cautionary stories in the Quran, illustrating the consequences of arrogance, disobedience to God’s messengers, and a rejection of the message of monotheism. These stories emphasize the importance of heeding the guidance of Allah’s prophets and the severe consequences that can result from disbelief and disobedience.
