All Messengers^-AS Conveyed the same Message

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In the same way, Prophet Hud^-AS was raised in the nation called ‘Ad, of whom he was a prominent person. He conveyed them the same Message: Unity of Allaah^-SWT and not to worship anyone save Him^-SWT as He^-SWT Alone deserves it. Moreover, he denounced the rituals they had adopted in the name of religion for acquiring some temporal gains.

 

Propagation of Religion and its Reward

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Prophet Hud^-AS said that he was exerting all his efforts in convincing his people, who were physically very strong, without any fear or hesitation. Was he in their view doing this in hope of any material gain or reward, he asked? Certainly not! For the Prophets^-AS never expect any reward or wages for the propagation of faith.

 

He told his people that no one as a rule ever makes any effort without expecting some benefit out of it; how could then the perilous task of openly refuting the heretic beliefs of such mighty disbelievers and proclaiming the truth be undertaken without any expectation? Not at all. So what sort of a benefit was he seeking when he had no desire to be rewarded by people? He said that he expected his reward from his Creator, Who^-SWT had honoured him with Prophethood and assigned him the task of conveying His-SWT religion.

 

Repentance and Remorse are Imperative for being Honoured

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The Prophet^-AS asked his people to seek forgiveness from Allah^-SWT for their past infidelity and follies and to pledge obedience for the future. The path of compunction is indeed the way to receive more blessings and rewards. It ensures a blissful life here as well as in the Hereafter. He told them that if they complied, Allah-SWT would send boundless Mercy from the heaven and exalt them further by increasing their power and prestige. But they must not turn away from guidance and head for destruction.

 

If only the Muslims today could take guidance from this Ayah, they can put an end to the temporary sway enjoyed by the non believers, because honour demands repentance. Unfortunately their minds have been perverted and the Muslims are seeking progress and honour by copying the infidels. May Allah^-SWT protect us!

 

After listening to all the reasoning put forth by Prophet Hud' ^as ,his people argued that he had not put forth any substantial evidence worth consideration and as such they were unable to abandon their gods because of what he said. And they had no intentions of accepting his new cult. Rather, they thought his teachings were all mixed up and made no sense. They added that he seemed sick or possessed by some diabolic power, which had been imposed on him as a punishment by their gods, whom he denied. This indeed is the effect of sins that truth appears to be jumbled up while ungodly things are appreciated at heart. Their attitude disappointed Prophet Hud^-AS to the extreme. He said that Allaah^-SWT was his witness and they too should testify that he had nothing to do with their polytheistic beliefs or their gods.

 

The Effects of Cognition

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Prophet Hud^-AS challenged them to join hands with their deities whom they considered more powerful than themselves and to do whatever was in their power to harm him without giving him any respite. Such is the acme of cognition that one is neither afraid of, nor expects anything from any worldly power. This level of cognition held by the Prophets^-AS is exemplary and so are their deeds. And those who, out of fear or greed, call the wrong as the right, are deprived of Divine Cognition, no matter how pious they may outwardly look. The Prophet^-AS said that he relied on Allah^-SWT , Who was his Rabb^-SWT , the Creator and the Sustainer and also their Rabb^-SWT . It was He^-SWT Who had given them all faculties, and is also Aware of the people's actions. Rather He^-SWT controls every creation and only with His^-SWT Permission can His^-SWT creation execute their plans. He said that most definitely his Rabb^-SWT was on the straight path. It means that to acquire His Pleasure one must strive for the truth and His^-SWT Succour is blessed upon piety and certainly not on wickedness. However, if they still persisted on evil, he was absolved of their actions, as he had fulfilled his duty of conveying them the Message revealed to him by his Rabb^-SWT . And now it was his Rabb^-SWT Who would protect him, as confronting such a ferocious people without any worldly resources and speaking out the truth is only possible if one has complete trust in Him^-SWT .

 

Effects of Beliefs and Practices

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The incorrigible infidelity of the 'Ad eventually led them to destruction while Prophet Hud^-AS and his followers were spared by His^-SWT Mercy, The beliefs and practices of people alter the effects of things. The same conditions proved fatal for the nor believers, and blissful for the believers. Inverse circumstances were created simultaneously for two different groups. At a time when the infidels were being thrashed by a fierce windstorm the believers were being shielded by Allah^-SWT's Mercy. According to the Commentators the windstorm was so fierce that it tossed and flung the people and animals up towards the skies, loading the atmosphere with human cries.

 

Reverence and Obedience of Transgressors invoke Divine Fury

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These were the ‘Ad who had opted to deny Allaah^-SWT ’s Signs and had chosen to disobey His^-SWT Commands. They ignored His^-SWT Messengers^-AS but preferred to respect only the transgressors and took great pride in following them. This proves that obeying the wicked and honouring the evildoers not only deprives a person of Prophetic beneficence but also invokes Divine Punishment. This was the crime which qualified ‘Ad for devastation and curse in this world, with more disgrace to follow on the Day of Judgement. Therefore, O’ mankind! Listen carefully that the Ad had rejected Allah^-SWT ’s Message and had denied their Rabb^-SWT , so they were accursed forever. Although they were the clan of Prophet Hud^-AS, yet their disbelief deprived them of his Barakah and drove them into a doom eternal.