۞ وَٱذْكُرْ أَخَا عَادٍ إِذْ أَنذَرَ قَوْمَهُۥ بِٱلْأَحْقَافِ وَقَدْ خَلَتِ ٱلنُّذُرُ مِنۢ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِۦٓ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ 21
Translations
And mention, [O Muḥammad], the brother of ʿAad, when he warned his people in [the region of] al-Aḥqāf - and warners had already passed on before him and after him - [saying], "Do not worship except Allāh. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a terrible day."
Transliteration
Wa-dhkur akhaa AAadin idh andara qawmahu bi-al-ahqafi wa-qad khalati al-nuzuru min bayni yadayhi wa-min khalfihi al-la taabudoo illa Allaha inni akhafu alayikum adhaaba yawmin adheem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Hud (peace be upon him), the brother and messenger sent to the people of 'Ad who dwelt in the wind-curved sandhills (al-ahqaf). Hud warned his people against idolatry and called them to worship Allah alone, emphasizing that warnings had come before him and would come after him. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah illustrates the consistent message of all prophets throughout history—monotheism—and Hud's sincere concern for his people's salvation despite their rejection of his message.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in a Meccan surah that recounts stories of past nations and their prophets to provide comfort to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during a period of rejection by Quraysh. The narrative of 'Ad serves as a warning to those who reject divine guidance, demonstrating the pattern of prophethood and the consequences of denial.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3189) relates that the Prophet said regarding the people of 'Ad: 'No people were more arrogant toward Allah than they were,' emphasizing their rejection of Hud's message. Additionally, Surah Hud (11:50-60) provides the fuller context of Hud's preaching and the 'Ad people's destruction.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that all prophets came with the same core message of worshipping Allah alone, and that sincere warnings about the consequences of disobedience are a manifestation of divine mercy. Modern readers should reflect on the importance of heeding guidance and not following the path of those who arrogantly rejected the truth, lest they face similar destruction.