(65–72) “And to Ād We sent their brother Hūd.” To the end of the account (1).

That is: “And We sent to Ād”—the first people of Ād, who lived in Yemen—“their brother” by lineage, “Hūd,” peace be upon him, who called them to monotheism and forbade them from associating partners with Allah and behaving tyrannically upon the earth.

“He said” to them, “O my people, worship Allah; you have no god other than Him. Will you not then fear” His wrath and punishment if you persist in your present course? Yet they neither responded nor submitted.

“The elite among his people who disbelieved said,” rejecting his call and disparaging his judgment, “We plainly see that you are foolish, and we certainly think that you are one of the liars.” That is: We see you only as a fool lacking sound judgment, and we strongly suspect that you are one of the liars. Yet they had the reality exactly backward, and their blindness had become firmly entrenched: they accused their prophet, peace be upon him, of the very traits that characterized them, though he was the furthest of all people from such traits. They were, in truth, the foolish liars.

What foolishness could be greater than that of one who met the truest of truths with rejection and denial, arrogantly refused to submit to those who offered guidance and sincere counsel, surrendered inwardly and outwardly to every rebellious devil, and directed worship where it did not belong—worshipping among trees and stones that which could avail him nothing? ⦗294⦘

And what lie could be more outrageous than that of one who attributed these things to Allah Most High?

“He said, ‘O my people, there is no foolishness in me’” in any respect. Rather, he was a messenger who guided others and was himself rightly guided. “But I am a messenger from the Lord of all worlds. * I convey to you the messages of my Lord, and I am a trustworthy adviser to you.”

You are therefore obliged to receive this with acceptance and submission, and to obey the Lord of all servants.