One man against a nation of giant builders, with nothing but trust in Allah.
إِنِّي تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ رَبِّي وَرَبِّكُم
His story
The people of 'Ad lived in the sand dunes of al-Ahqaf 46:21. They were strong and proud. They built monuments on every high place for vanity, and when they struck, they struck as tyrants 26:128-130.
Hud told them to ask forgiveness, and that Allah would send rain and add strength to their strength 11:52. They said he had brought no proof and that one of their gods must have touched him with madness 11:53-54.
He stood alone and answered: "All of you, plot against me and give me no respite. I have put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord" 11:55-56. The wind came, cold and furious, for seven nights and eight days 69:6-7.
Moments
- 01
Builders on every height
The people of 'Ad were famous for their strength and their buildings. Hud asked them: "Do you build a landmark on every height, amusing yourselves? And take for yourselves palaces as if you will live forever? And when you strike, you strike like tyrants?" He was not against building. He was against building to show off, and forgetting who gave them the strength to build.
- 02
Alone against all of them
They told him that some of their gods had struck him with madness. Hud did not flinch: "I call Allah to witness, and you witness too, that I am free of what you associate with Him. So plot against me, all of you, and give me no respite. I have put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord. There is no creature that He does not hold by its forelock."
What he did when…
One man, a whole proud nation against him. Hud invited them all to plot against him together and not to wait. He did not need numbers. He named his trust, "I have put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord," and stood on it.
The people of 'Ad believed their strength made them safe. Hud told them where real strength comes from: "Ask your Lord for forgiveness and turn to Him. He will send the sky upon you in showers and add strength to your strength. Do not turn away as criminals."
If your child carries this name
هود Hud
Hud is a name of courage. Teach a child named Hud to say the truth even when the whole room disagrees.
Sources on this page
Quran 11:52Quran 11:54-56Quran 11:56Quran 26:128-130
Quran meanings are given in plain English, close to the Arabic. Hadith numbers follow sunnah.com.