As for the Arab mustaʿribah (the “Arabised” Arabs), they are the descendants of Ishmael son of Abraham, the Friend of the Most Merciful. Ishmael—peace be upon him—was the first to speak refined, classical Arabic. He acquired the language from the tribe of Jurhum, who had settled by his mother Hagar in the Sacred Precinct, as will be explained in its proper place, God willing. Yet it was Allah who enabled him to utter it with the highest degree of eloquence and clarity, and that is the very tongue in which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ spoke.

The point to be made here is that ʿĀd—the first ʿĀd—were the earliest people to worship idols after the Flood. Their idols were three: Ṣadd, Ṣamūd, and Harā (1). Allah therefore sent to them their brother Hūd—peace be upon him—who called them to Allah, as the Most High says, after mentioning the people of Noah, in Sūrat al-Aʿrāf:

“And to ʿĀd [We sent] their brother Hūd. He said, ‘My people, worship Allah; you have no god but Him. Will you not then be mindful?’ (7:65)

The disbelieving leaders of his people said, ‘We see you in folly, and we think you are one of the liars.’ (7:66)

He replied, ‘My people, there is no folly in me; rather I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds. (7:67) I convey to you the messages of my Lord and I am a trustworthy, sincere adviser to you. (7:68) Do you marvel that a reminder from your Lord should come to you through a man from among yourselves, to warn you? Remember when He made you successors after the people of Noah and increased you greatly in stature. So remember Allah’s bounties, that you may prosper.’ (7:69)

They said, ‘Have you come to us so that we may worship Allah alone and abandon what our fathers worshipped? Then bring us what you threaten us with, if you are truthful.’ (7:70)

He said, ‘Punishment and wrath from your Lord have already fallen upon you. Do you argue with me about names you have coined—you and your fathers—for which Allah has sent down no authority? Then wait; I too am waiting with you.’ (7:71)

So We saved him and those with him by a mercy from Us, and We cut off the last remnant of those who denied Our signs and would not believe. (7:72)”

Likewise, after relating the story of Noah in Sūrat Hūd, He exalted be He says:

“And to ʿĀd [We sent] their brother Hūd. He said, ‘My people, worship Allah; you have no god but Him. You are only fabricators. (11:50)

My people, I ask you for no reward for this; my reward rests only with Him who created me. Will you not then reason? (11:51)

My people, seek your Lord’s forgiveness and then repent to Him; He will send down abundant rain upon you and add strength to your strength. Do not turn away as sinners.’ (11:52)

They said, ‘Hūd, you have brought us no clear proof, and we are not going to abandon our gods on your word; we do not believe you. (11:53)

All we can say is that some of our gods have afflicted you with evil.’ He said, ‘I call Allah to witness—and you too bear witness—that I am free of what you associate with Him (11:54) besides Him. So plot against me all of you, then give me no respite. (11:55)

I have put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord. There is no creature but that He holds it by its forelock. Surely my Lord is on a straight path. (11:56)

If you turn away, I have already conveyed to you what I was sent with, and my Lord will replace you with another people, and you will not harm Him in the least. Truly my Lord is Guardian over all things.’ (11:57)

And when Our decree came, We rescued Hūd and those who believed with him by a mercy from Us, and We saved them from a harsh punishment. (11:58)

That was ʿĀd: they rejected the signs of their Lord, disobeyed His messengers, and followed the command of every stubborn tyrant. (11:59)

So a curse pursued them in this world and on the Day of Resurrection. Truly ʿĀd denied their Lord—away with ʿĀd, the people of Hūd! (11:60)”

And in the sūrah that opens with “Successful indeed are the believers,” after the account of the people of Noah, the Most High says:

“Then, after them, We raised another generation, (23:31)

and We sent among them a messenger from their own people, [saying]: ‘Worship Allah; you have no god but Him. Will you not then be mindful?’ (23:32)

But the leading men of his people who disbelieved, denied the meeting of the Hereafter, and whom We had granted ease in this worldly life, said, ‘This is only a human being like yourselves: he eats what you eat and drinks what you drink. (23:33)

If you obey a human being like yourselves, you will surely be losers. (23:34)

Does he promise you that, when…’ (23:35)