(123–140) “‘Ād denied the messengers,” through to the end of the account.
That is, the tribe known as ‘Ād denied their messenger Hūd, and denying him was tantamount to denying the other messengers, since their message was one and the same.
“When their brother”—their brother by lineage—“Hūd said to them,” gently and graciously addressing them, “Will you not fear” Allah and thus abandon idolatry and the worship of all besides Him?
“Indeed, I am a trustworthy messenger to you.” That is, Allah has sent me to you out of mercy and concern for you, and I am trustworthy, as you know me to be. He therefore followed this by saying: “So fear Allah and obey me.”
That is, fulfill Allah Almighty’s right by fearing Him, and fulfill my right by obeying me in what I command and forbid you. All this calls for you to follow and obey me, and there is nothing to prevent you from believing. I ask you for no payment in return for conveying the message and sincerely counseling you, such that you might find the expense burdensome. “My reward rests only with the Lord of all worlds,” who nurtures them with His blessings and continually bestows His bounty and generosity upon them—especially the care with which He nurtures His devoted servants and prophets.
“Do you build on every mountain pass”—that is, every passage between mountains—“a monument in idle play?” In other words, you do so frivolously, without deriving any benefit for your religious or worldly interests.
“And do you construct reservoirs”—that is, pools and catchments for sustaining life—“hoping that you will live forever,” when in fact no one can attain immortality?
“And when you lay hands upon others, you do so as tyrants,” killing and beating them and seizing their wealth. Allah Almighty had granted them immense strength, and they should have used it to help them obey Him. Instead, they boasted and acted arrogantly, saying: “Who is mightier than us in strength?” They employed their strength in disobeying Allah, in frivolity, and in foolishness. Their prophet therefore forbade them from doing so.
“So fear Allah,” abandon your idolatry and wanton arrogance, “and obey me,” for you know that I am Allah’s messenger to you, trustworthy and sincere.
“And fear the One who has provided you”—that is, given you—“with what you know.” In other words, He has provided you with blessings that cannot be overlooked or denied.
“He has provided you with livestock,” including camels, cattle, and sheep, “and sons”—that is, abundant offspring. He multiplied your wealth and your children, especially your sons, the better of the two groups.
This was a reminder of His blessings. He then warned them that Allah’s punishment would descend upon them, saying: “Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a tremendous day.”
That is: Out of my compassion and kindness toward you, I fear that the punishment of a tremendous day will descend upon you—a punishment that cannot be repelled once it comes—if you persist in your disbelief and transgression.
Defiantly rejecting the truth and denying their prophet, they said: “It is all the same to us whether you admonish us or are not among those who admonish.” That is, both are exactly the same to us. This represents the utmost insolence. They had reached such a state that Allah’s admonitions—which would melt solid, unyielding mountains and cause the hearts of people of understanding to break apart—were, whether given or not, exactly the same to them. Such were a people whose wrongdoing had reached its furthest extent, whose wretchedness had become severe, and for whose guidance all hope had been lost. Hence they said: