The Legacy of the ‘Aad People and Their Habitat
In the Holy Quran, Allah mentions the people of ‘Aad and the prophet Hud (peace be upon him), who urged them to worship Allah alone. Notably, their habitation is referenced in a specific chapter of the Quran known as Surah Al-Ahqaf. The term “Al-Ahqaf” refers to an extensive, winding stretch of sand that does not rise to the height of a mountain. This region encompasses the southern part of the Empty Quarter, incorporating areas from Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. However, the city of Iram, which was built and inhabited by the ‘Aad, is predominantly located in the Omani area of Al-Ahqaf. This location is significant due to its water resources, which are crucial for the development of civilizations and cities. Allah characterized their city as abundant in gardens and springs.
In 1991, archaeological excavations began to unveil remnants of this ancient civilization, including a fortress with eight sides, robust walls, towers at each corner, and colossal columns reaching nearly nine meters in height with a diameter of three meters. Allah has described Iram as a city with massive columns. Recent discoveries indicate that Iram flourished as an unparalleled civilization of its time, featuring rivers, springs, and orchards—as if it were a paradise nestled within the desert—filled with grand palaces and fortifications. However, it was ultimately buried due to an extraordinary sandstorm. Allah states: “Have you not considered how your Lord dealt with ‘Aad, (Iram) of towering pillars, the like of which had never been created in the lands?”
Prophet Hud and His Call to the ‘Aad
Hud, a descendant of Shem, son of Noah (peace be upon them), was the prophet sent by Allah to guide his people, the ‘Aad, towards the worship of Allah alone without partners. The ‘Aad tribe, descending from ‘Aad bin Aws bin Shem bin Noah, were among the early Arabs who first worshipped idols after the Great Flood. They idolized three main deities: Sad, Samud, and Hara. Despite being chosen by Allah for guidance, they vehemently rejected the call for monotheism and clung to their deities, dismissing Hud’s teachings as foolishness. They believed their idols were the sources of their wealth and victory, ignoring Hud’s warnings of impending punishment from their Almighty Creator, leading to their ultimate destruction.
The Punishment of the ‘Aad People
The people of ‘Aad displayed scorn toward prophet Hud and disregarded his message, oppressing the weak while enjoying the blessings bestowed upon them by Allah, which included fertile lands and abundant resources. Out of defiance, they faced Allah’s wrath as He withheld rain, causing drought across the land. When they eventually spotted a cloud, they anticipated it would bring them prosperity; instead, it heralded their doom. The cloud concealed a fierce wind sent by Allah, which struck them for seven nights and eight days, devoid of any goodness or mercy.
As the tempest raged, it would uproot men, violently decapitating them. The characteristics of the wind were such that it was frigid and extraordinarily fierce, capable of uprooting humans, trees, and animals, propelling them away. This relentless storm persisted for 180 hours and is believed to have been a monumental sandstorm that obliterated everything in its path, burying the city and its lush gardens beneath waves of sand.