Qur'anic verses - Hud and the People of 'Ad:

The story of 'Ad belongs to Arabian tradition. The people of 'Ad occupied the southern region of the Arabian Peninsula. This land was at that time very rich in resources.

"Freely has He bestowed on you cattle and sons, and Gardens and Springs."
[Qur'an 26:133-134]

It is said that the tomb of Prophet Hud, peace be upon him, is still present in this region. Further, archaeologists have uncovered ruins and scriptures in the neighbourhood associated with 'Ad and its people.

Although the events were not far from the time of the great flood, some people forgot the teaching of Prophet Noah, and eventually deviated from worshipping the one true God to adoring idols. These idols were, in fact, made to commemorate the survivors of that great flood, when the time passed, the idols became objects of worship besides God.

Call in remembrance that He made you inheritors after the people of Noah,
[Qur'an 7:69]

The people of 'Ad would not remember the teaching of Noah, and rejected the call of Hud, they said:

Ah! we see thou art an imbecile!" and "We think thou art a lair!"
[Qur'an 7:66]

It is apparent that 'Ad were a nation of physique people, and very talented. They build a very strong and wealthy country and had constructed splendid buildings. The power and wealth are themselves not evil indeed, but when the power and superiority are exercised unjustly against the weaker communities it is then can be characterised as an act of arrogance and evil. In the case of 'Ad, they believed that they were undefeatable, nor God Who is the real source of their wealth and strength should they pay attention to his teaching, or to obey his Prophet, Hud, peace be upon him;

"Do ye build a landmark on every high place to amuse yourselves? And do ye get for yourselves fine buildings in the hope of living therein (for ever)?"
[Qur'an 26:128-129]

The language of power had dominated their relationships with the weaker neighbourhood; ignoring all considerations of humanity, justice, and respect of human rights;

"And when ye strike, you strike like tyrants?"
[Qur'an 26:130]

In modern time, the world has witnessed similar arrogance when some superpowers raged the most destructive and unmerciful wars in history at the beginning and mid of the twentieth century which took the life of about 70 millions of human beings.

In a contest of might and power, they challenged Prophet Hud stating:

"And we are not the ones to receive Pains and Penalties!"
[Qur'an 26:138]

It was this ungodly attitude which incurred God's wrath upon 'Ad. The following Qur'anic verses describe a horrifying view of the last scene of this story. Strong storm, or hurricane, destroyed the infrastructure of the Land of 'Ad: Its splendours became ruins, and its people were perished with the ruins;

And the 'Ad,--- They were destroyed by a furious Wind exceedingly violent; He made it rage against them seven nights and eight days in succession: So that thou couldst see the people lying prostrate, as if they had been hollow trunks of palm-trees tumbled down!
[Qur'an 69:6-7]