Surah Al Ahqaf Tafseer

The Story of `Ad

Allah says, consoling His Prophet in regard to the rejection of those who opposed him among his people,

وَاذْكُرْ أَخَا عَادٍ

And remember the brother of `Ad,

This refers to Hud, peace be upon in him.

إِذْ أَنذَرَ قَوْمَهُ بِالاَْحْقَافِ

when he warned his people in Al-Ahqaf.

Allah sent him to the first people of `Ad who inhabited Al-Ahqaf.

Ahqaf is plural of Haqf. According to Ibn Zayd, it means a sand dune; and according to Ikrimah, it means a mountain or a cave.

Qatadah said:

"We were informed that `Ad was a tribe in Yemen. They dwelt among sand (hills), and overlooked the sea in a land called Ash-Shihr."

Under the chapter, "He Who supplicates should first mention Himself," Ibn Majah recorded that Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet said:

يَرْحَمُنَا اللهُ وَأَخَا عَاد

May Allah have mercy on us and the Brother of `Ad.

Allah then says,

وَقَدْ خَلَتْ النُّذُرُ مِن بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ

And surely, warners had already passed on before him and after him.

meaning, Allah had sent Messengers and warners to the towns surrounding the land of `Ad.

This is similar to Allah's saying,

فَجَعَلْنَـهَا نَكَـلً لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهَا وَمَا خَلْفَهَا

And We made it a deterrent punishment for those who were present and those who succeeded them. (2:66)

And it is also similar to Allah's saying,

فَإِنْ أَعْرَضُواْ فَقُلْ أَنذَرْتُكُمْ صَـعِقَةً مِّثْلَ صَـعِقَةِ عَادٍ وَثَمُودَ إِذْ جَأءَتْهُمُ الرُّسُلُ مِن بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ أَلاَّ تَعْبُدُواْ إِلاَّ اللَّهَ

But if they turn away, then say:"I have warned you of a thunderbolt like the thunderbolt that struck `Ad and Thamud. (That occurred) when the Messengers had come to them from before them and after them (saying):"Worship none but Allah." (41:13-14)

أَلاَّ تَعْبُدُوا إِلاَّ اللَّهَ

"Worship none but Allah;

Allah then says,

إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ

truly, I fear for you the torment of a mighty Day.

meaning, Hud said this to them (his people), and they responded to him saying