The Holy Prophet (Hûd)

In the name of Allah, Gracious, Merciful.

¹A. L. R. A book with verses basic or fundamental further explained in detail from one who is wise and well acquainted with all things.

²That you should worship none but Allah. Verily, I am sent unto you from Him to warn and to bring glad tidings.¹

³And seek the forgiveness of your Lord and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you enjoyment, good for a term appointed and bestow His abounding grace on all who abound in merit. But if you turn away then I fear for you the penalty of a great day.

⁴To Allah is your return and He has power over all things.

Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim

¹Alif Lam Ra kitabun uhkimat ayatuhu summa fussilatu min ladun hakimin khabirin.

²Alla tabudu illallaha innani lakum minhu nazirun wa bashirun.

³Wa an isutagufiru rabbakum summa tubu ilaihi yumattikum mataan hasanan illa ajalin musamma wa yuti kulla zi fadulin fadulahu wa in tawallau fa inni akhafu alaikum azaba yaumin kabirin.

⁴Ilallahi marujiukum wa huwa alla kulli shaiin qadirun.

1. What is glad tidings? It is good news. Good news to all mankind, not a selected desert tribe, with license to kill and dispossess everyone who does not agree with their believe. The message of Muhammad is, at best, self- serving.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁵Behold, they fold up their hearts that they may lie hid from Him. Ah, even when they cover themselves with their garments He knows what they conceal and what they reveal, for He knows well the secrets of the hearts.

⁶And there is no moving creature on earth but its sustenance depends on Allah, He knows the time and place of its temporary deposit, all is in a clear record.

⁵Alla innahum yasununa sudurahum liyasutakhufu minhu alla hina yasutagushuna siyabahum yalamu ma yusirruna wa ma yulinuna innahu alimum bi zati ssuduri

⁶Wa ma min dabbatin filardi illa alallahi rizuquha wa yalamu musutaqarraha wa musutaudaaha kullun fi kitabin mubinin.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁷And He it is who created the heavens and the earth in six days and His throne was over the waters that He might try you which of you is best in conduct. But if you wert to say to them, “You shall indeed be raised up after death” the unbelievers would be sure to say, “This is nothing but obvious sorcery.”

⁸And if We delay the penalty for them for a definite term they are sure to say, “What keeps it back?” Ah, on the day it reaches them, nothing will turn it away from them and they will be completely encircled by that which they used to mock at.

⁹And if We give man a taste of mercy from Ourselves and then withdraw it from him behold, he is in despair and he blasphemed.²

¹⁰And if We give him a taste of favors after adversity has touched him, He is sure to say, “All evil has departed from me,” Behold, he falls into exultation and pride.

⁷Wa huwal lazi khalaqa samawati walarda fi sittati ayyamin wa kana arshuhu alal mai liyabluwakum ayyukum ahsanu amalan wa lain quluta innakum mabuusuna min badil mauti layaqulanna lazina kafaru in haza illa sihurun mubinun.

⁸Wa lain akharuna anhumu l azaba illa ummatin madudatil layaqulunna ma yahubisuhu alla yauma yatihim laisa masurufan anuhum wa haqa bihim ma kanu bihi yasutahuziuna.

⁹Wa lain azaqnal insana minna rahmatan summa nazanaka minhu innahu layausun kafurun.

¹⁰Wa lain azaqunahu namaa bada darraa massathu layaqulanna zahaba sayyia atu anni innahu lafarihun fakhurun.

2. Job is a very exceptional man who acknowledged that all things (both good and bad) come from God and therefore in his trial he did not sin against God but worshiped and praised Him. The Bible says that every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17) God indeed knows everything that happens to us, some are because Satan wants to discredit us by misrepresenting us before God. God, on the other hand will not let anything happen to us beyond our strength or endurance.

[Commentary continues below.]

¹¹Those who show patience and constancy and work righteousness. Not do so do, for them is forgiveness and a great reward.

¹²Perchance you may feel the inclination to give up a part of what is revealed unto you and your heart feels straitened lest they say, “Why is not a treasure sent down unto him or why does not an angel come down with him? But you are there only to warn. It is Allah that arranges all affairs.”.

¹³Or they may say, “He forged it.” Say, “Bring then ten surahs forged like unto it and call whomsoever you can, other than Allah, if you speak the truth.”

¹¹Illal lazina suabaru wa amilu salihati ulaika lahum magufiratu wa ajurun kabirun.

¹²Fa laallaka tarikum bada ma yuhu ilaika daiqum bihi sadruka anyaqulu lau la unzila alaihi kanzun au jaa maahu malakun innama anta nazirun wallahu alla kulli shaiin wakilun.

¹³Am yaqulunafutarahu qulu fatu bi ashri suwarin misulihi mufutaraya tin wadu manistatuatun min dunillahi inkuntum sadiqina.

[Commentary continues below.]

¹⁴If then they answer not your call, know that this revelation is sent down with the knowledge of Allah, and that there is no allah but He. Will you even then submit?.

¹⁵Those who desire the life of the present and its glitter, to them We shall pay their deeds therein without diminution.

¹⁶They are those for whom there is nothing in the hereafter but the fire, vain are the designs they frame therein and of no effect are the deeds they do.

¹⁴Fa illam yasutajibu lakum falamu annama unuzila bi ilmillahi wa alla ilaha illa huwa fahal antum muslimuna.

¹⁵Man kana yuridul hayata dunya wa zinataha nuwaffi ilaihim amalahum fiha wa hum fiha la yubukhasuna.

¹⁶Ulaika lazina laisa lahum fil akhirati illa naru wa habita ma sanau fiha wa batilum ma kanu yamaluna.

[Commentary continues below.]

¹⁷Can they be those who accept a clear sign from their Lord and whom a witness from Himself does teach, as did the book of Moses before it, a guide and a mercy? They believe therein, but those of the sects that reject it, the fire will be their promised meeting place. Be not then in doubt thereon, for it is the truth from your Lord, yet many among men do not believe.

¹⁸And who does more wrong than those who invent a lie against Allah? They will be turned back to the presence of their Lord and the witnesses will say, “These are the ones who lied against their Lord. Behold, the curse of Allah is on those who do wrong.”

¹⁹Those who would hinder men from the path of Allah and would seek in it something crooked, these were they who denied the hereafter.

¹⁷Afaman kana alla bayyinatin mi rabbihi wa yatuluhu shahidun minhu wa min qabulihi kitabu Musa imaman wa rahmahtan ulaika yuminuna bihi wa ma yakufur bihi minal ahzabi fa naru mauiduhu fala taku fi miryatin minhu innahul haqqu mi rabbika wa lakinna aksara nasi la yuminuna .

¹⁸Wa man attlamu min manifutara alallahi kaziban uluika yuraduna alla rabbihim wa yaqulul ashhadu haulail lazina kazabu alla rabbihim alla lanatullahi alla tualimina

¹⁹Allazina yasudduna an sabilillahi wa yabugunaha iwajan wa hum bil akhirati hum kafiruna.

[Commentary continues below.]

²⁰They will in nowise frustrate him on earth, nor have they protectors besides Allah. Their penalty will be doubled. They lost the power to hear and they did not see.

²¹They are the ones who have lost their own souls, and what they invented have left them in the lurch.

²²Without a doubt these are the very ones who will lose most in the hereafter.

²³But those who believe and work righteousness and humble themselves before their Lord, they will be companions of the garden, to dwell therein.³

²⁴These two kinds may be compared to the blind and deaf and those who can see and hear well. Are they equal when compared? Will you not then take heed?,

²⁰Ulaika lam yakunu mujizina filardi wa ma kana lahum min dunillahi min auliyaa yudaafu laumul azabu ma kanu yasutattiuna sama wa ma kanu yubusiruna.

²¹Ulaikal lazina khasiru anfusahum wa ddalla anhum ma kanu yafutaruna.

²²La jarama annahum filakhirati humul akhusaruna.

²³Innal lazina amanu wa amilu sualihati wa akhubatu illa rabbihim ulaika ashabul jannahtihum fiha khaliduna.

²⁴Masalul fariqai ni kal ama wal asammi wal bassiri wa samii hal yasutawiyani masalan afala tazakkaruna.

3. Please refer to notes on Qur’an 19:60.  

[Commentary continues below.]

²⁵And We sent Noah to his people with a mission, “I have come to you with a clear warning.”

²⁶That you serve none but Allah, verily, I do fear for you the penalty of a grievous day.”

²⁷But the chiefs of the unbelievers among his people said, “We see you nothing but a man like ourselves, nor do we see that any follow you but the meanest among us in judgment, immature, nor do we see in you any merit above us, in fact we think you are liars.”⁴

²⁸He said, “O my people! see if I have a clear sign from my Lord and that He has sent mercy unto me from His own presence, that the mercy has been obscured from your sight? Shall we compel you to accept it when you are averse to it?”

²⁵Wa laqadu arusalna Nuhan illa qaumihi inni lakum nazirum mubinun.

²⁶Alla tabudu illallaha inni akhafu alaikum azaba yaumin alimin.

²⁷Fa qalal malau lazina kafaru min qaumihi ma naraka illa basharan misulana wa ma naraka tabaaka illa lazina hum araziluna badiya rayi wa ma nara lakum alaina min faddulin bal nattunnukum kazibina.

²⁸Qala ya qaumi araaitum in kuntu alla bayyinatin mi rabbi wa atani rahmatan min indihi fa ummiyatu alaikum anulzimukumuha wa antum lahu karihuna.

4. Noah had no followers but his own household, his wife, their three sons and their daughters. There is no reference about his followers being from the meanest (base, bottom) among his people. In short, it is an extravagant lie construed by Allah and his Muhammad.

[Commentary continues below.]

²⁹“And O my people, I ask you for no wealth in return, my reward is from none but Allah, but I will not drive away those who believe, for verily, they are to meet their Lord, and you I see are the ignorant ones.”

³⁰And O my people, who would help me against Allah if I drove them away? Will you not then take heed?”.

 31“And I tell you not that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor do I know what is hidden, nor claim I to be an angel. Nor yet do I say of those whom your eyes do despise, that Allah will not grant them what is good, Allah knows best what is in their souls, I should, if I did indeed be a wrongdoer.”

²⁹Wa ya qaumi la asalukum alaihi malan in ajuriya illa alallahi wa ma ana bitaridil lazina amanu innahum mulaqu rabbihim wa lakinni arakum qauman tajuhaluna.

³⁰Wa ya qaumi man yansuruni minallahi in tuaradutuhum afala tazakkaruna.

³¹Wa la aqulu lakum indi khazainullahi wa la alamul gaiba wa la aqulu inni malakun wa la aqulu lillazina tazdari ayunukum lanyyutiyahumullahu khairan allahu alamu bima fi anfusihim inni izan lamina tualimina.

[Commentary continues below.]

³²They said, “O Noah, you have disputed with us and have you prolonged the dispute with us, now bring upon us what you threatened us with if you speak the truth.”

³³He said, “Truly Allah will bring it on you if He wills and then you will not be able to frustrate it.”,

³⁴“And of no profit will be my counsel to you much as I desire to give you counsel, if it be that Allah wills to leave you astray, He is your Lord! and to Him will you return.”

³⁵Or do they say, “He has forged it?” Say, “If I had forged, it on me were my sin. And I am free of the sins of which you are guilty.”

³²Qalu ya Nuhu qadu jadalutana fa akusarta jidalana fatina bima taiduna in kunta mina suadiqina.

³³Qala innama yatikum bihillahu in shaa wa ma antum bi mujizina.

³⁴Wa la yanufaukum nushi in aradutu an ansaha lakum in kanallahu yuridu anyyugwiyakum huwa rabbukum wa ilaihi turujauna.

³⁵Am yaquluna futarahu qulu in ifutaraituhu fa alayya ijurami wa ana barium mimma tujurimuna.

[Commentary continues below.]

³⁶And it was revealed to Noah, “None of your people will believe except those who have believed already. So grieve no longer over their deeds.”

³⁷“But construct an Ark under Our eyes and Our inspiration, and address Me not on behalf of those who are in sin, for they are about to be overwhelmed.”⁵

³⁸And forthwith he starts constructing the Ark, every time that the chiefs of his people passed by him, they threw ridicule on him. He said, “If you ridicule us now we can look down on you with ridicule likewise.

³⁹“But soon will you know who it is on whom will descend a penalty that will cover them with shame, will be unloosed a penalty lasting.”

³⁶Wa uhiya illa Nuhin annahu lanyyumina min qaumika illa man qadu amana fala tabtaisu bima kanu yafaluna.

³⁷Wasunail fuluka bi ayunina wa wahyina wa la tukhattibuni filazina tualamu innahum muguraquna.

³⁸Wa yasnaul fulka wa kullama marra alaihi malaun min qaumihi sakhiru minhu qala in tasukharu minna fa inna nasukharu minkum kama tasukharuna.

³⁹Fa saufa talamuna ma yatihi azabun yukhzihi wa yahillu alaihi azabum muqimun.

5. The construction of the ark was not a last minute decision by God after Noah’s preaching went unheeded. In fact, it was God’s plan from the get go. God told Noah to build an Ark because He was going to destroy the people for their sins. Genesis 6:11‑13:

Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, "I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

This marks the beginning of the commission for Noah to build the Ark.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁴⁰At length behold, there came Our command and the fountains of the earth gushed forth. We said, “Embark therein, of each kind two, male and female, and your family, except those against whom the word has already gone forth and the believers. But only a few believed with him.”⁶

⁴¹And so he said, “Embark on the Ark in the name of Allah, whether it moves or be at rest. For my Lord is sure most forgiving, most merciful.”

⁴²And so the Ark floated with them on the waves like mountains and Noah called out to his son who had separated himself. “O my son, embark with us and be not with the unbelievers.”

⁴⁰Hata iza jaa amuruna wafaratu tannuru qulunahmil fiha min kullin zaujainisnaini wa ahulaka illa man sabaqa alaihil qaulu wa man amana wa ma amana maahu illa qalilun.

⁴¹Wa qalarukabu fiha bismillahi majureha wa murusaha inna rabbi lagafurun rahimun.

⁴²Wa hiya tajuri bihim fi maujin kalu jibali wa nuda Nuhun ibnahu wa kana fi mazili yabunayyarkabu maana wa la takunu maal kafirina.

6. The command to enter into the Ark was before the rains not after as indicated here. Genesis 7: 13‑17:

On the very same day Noah and his sons, Shem and Ham and Japheth, and Noah's wife and the three wives of his sons with them entered the ark, they and every beast, according to its kind, and all the livestock according to their kinds, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, according to its kind, and every bird, according to its kind, every winged creature. They went into the ark with Noah, two and two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him. And the LORD shut him in. The flood continued forty days on the earth. The waters increased and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth.  

⁴³The son replied, “I will be take myself to some mountain, it will save me from the water.” Noah said, “This day nothing can save from the command of Allah any but those on whom He has mercy.” And the waves came between them and the son was among those overwhelmed in the flood.⁷

⁴⁴And when the word went forth, “O earth, swallow up your water and O sky, withhold your rain, and the water abated and the matter was ended. The Ark rested on Mount Judi and the word went forth, “Away with those who do wrong.”⁸

⁴⁵And Noah called upon his Lord and said, “O my Lord, surely my son is of my family, and Your promise is true and You are a just Judge.”

⁴⁶He said, “O Noah, he is not of your family, for his conduct is unrighteous. So ask not of Me that of which you have no knowledge. I give you counsel lest you act like the ignorant.”⁹

⁴³Qala sa awi ila jabalin yassimuni minal mai qala la assima l yauma min amurillahi illa ma rahima wa hala bainahumal mauju fakana minal muguraqina.

⁴⁴Wa qila ya arddublai maaki wa ya samau aqulii wa gidual mau wa quddiyal amuru wa sutawatu allal judiyyi wa qila budan lil qaumi tualimina

⁴⁵Wa nada Nuhur rabbahu faqala rabbi inna bni min ahuli wa inna wadakal haqqu wa anuta ahukamu l hakimina.

⁴⁶Qala ya Nuhu innahu laisa min ahulika innahu amalun gairu sualihin fala tasalni ma laisa laka bihi ilumun inni aizuka an takuna minal jahilina.

7. Noah had three sons and they were all saved in the flood. In fact they were with him in the Ark. None of Noah’s children perished. Genesis 8:15‑18

Then God said to Noah, "Go out from the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons' wives with you. Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh―birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth—that they may swarm on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth." So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him.

8. The Ark rested on Mount Ararat, not on mount Judi as the Qur’an claims. Yusuf Ali makes a frantic effort to justify the Qur’an’s assertion by claiming that “These traditions are accepted by Josephus, by the Nestorian Christians, and indeed by all the Eastern Christians and Jews, and they are the best in touch with local traditions. His doubt includes the fact that the highest peak of Ararat is over 16,000 feet high, and claims that there is a mountain mass in the area of which Judi is one of the shortest.”

What is difficult for man is never difficult for God. God made this entire world out of nothing — ex‑nihilo. If that was not plausible

a feat for God to achieve how is an Ark resting on top of a mountain peak plausible a feat for God to achieve? The whole world and it’s fullness thereof were created by God in six days. Imagine that. According to Jeremiah, He is a God of all flesh and that nothing is too hard for Him (Jeremiah 32:27).

9. This conversation between Allah and Noah is a fabrication, it never happened.

⁴⁷He said, “O my Lord, I do seek refuge with You lest I ask You for that of which I have no knowledge. And unless You forgive me and have mercy on me I should indeed be lost.”

⁴⁸The word came, “O Noah, come down with peace from Us and blessings on you and on some of the peoples from those with you, but there will be other peoples to whom We shall grant their pleasures, but in the end will a grievous penalty reach them from Us.”¹⁰

⁴⁹Such are some of the stories of the unseen which We have revealed unto you, before this neither you nor your people knew them. So persevere patiently, for the end is for those who are righteous.¹¹

⁴⁷Qala rabbi inni auzu bika an asalaka ma laisa li bihi ilumun wa illa tagufiru li wa taruhamuni akum minal khasirina.

⁴⁸Qila ya Nuhu hubitu bi salamin minna wa barakatin alaika wa alla umamin mimman maaka wa umamun sanumattiuhum summa yamassuhum minna azabun alimun.

⁴⁹Tiluka min anbai l gaibi nuhiha ilaika ma kunta talamuha anta wa la qaumuka min qabli haza fa ssubiru inna l aqibata lil muttaqina.

10. When the rain stopped and the water remained on the earth 150 days, and according to Genesis 8:1, “And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided.” When Noah eventually came of the Ark, he was so thankful to God for such a great a salvation that 8:20‑22 says:

Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease."

Compare this to what is claimed in the above Qur’anic verses.

11. The Qur’an is saying here that before this revelation none of his people knew of them. There were Christians in Arabia before Muhammad’s claim to prophethood. Infact when he was in doubt of what was happening to him Khadija, his first wife took him to her cousin Waraqa bin Naufal bin Asad bin ‘Abdul ‘Uzza, who then confirmed him to be a prophet according to Sahih Al‑Bukhari Hadith 1.3 narrated by Aisha, the Prophet’s favorite wife upon whose lap he died. Besides Waraqa bin Naufal there were other Christians and Jews living in Arabia at the time who most likely must have shared their faith and their Scriptures with the Arabians. When Muhammad started his preaching, he often referred to the Jews and Christians as the People of the Book, a term of endearment for a people who obviously carried their religion and their scriptures on their shoulders.

⁵⁰And to the people of Ad We sent Hud, one of their own brothers. He said, “O my people, worship Allah, you have no other allah but Him. Your other allahs, you do nothing but invent.

⁵¹“O my people, I ask of you no reward for this. My reward is from none but Him who created me, will you not then understand?

⁵²“And O my people, ask forgiveness of your Lord and turn to Him, He will send you the skies pouring abundant rain and add strength to your strength, so turn not back in sin.”

⁵³They said, “O Hud, you have brought us no clear sign and we are not the ones to desert our gods on your word. Nor do we believe in you.

⁵⁴“We say nothing except that some of our gods may have seized you with imbecility.” He said, “I call Allah to witness and do you bear witness that I am free from the sin of ascribing to Him.”

⁵⁰Wa illa Adin akhahum Hudan qala ya qaumi budullaha ma lakum min ilahin gairuhu in anutum illa mufutaruuna.           

⁵¹Ya qaumi la asalukum alaihi ajuran in ajuriya illa alal lazi fatarani afala taqiluna.

⁵²Wa ya qaumi sutagufiru rabbakum summa tubu ilaihi yurusili samaa alaikum miduraran wa yazidukum quwwatan illa quwwatikum wa la tatawallau mujurimina.

⁵³Qalu ya Hudu ma jitana bi bayyinatin wa ma nahnu bi tariki alihatina an qaulika wa ma nahnu laka bi muminina.

⁵⁴Inna qulu illa taraka badu alihatina bi suin qala inni ushuhidullaha wa shuhadu anni barium mimma tushurikuna.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁵⁵“Other gods as partners, so scheme against me, all of you, and give me no respite.

⁵⁶“I put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord. There is not a moving creature but He has grasp of its forelock. Verily, it is my Lord that is on a straight path.”

⁵⁷“If you turn away I have conveyed the message with which I was sent, to you. My Lord will make another people to succeed you and you will not harm Him in the least. For my Lord has care and watch over all things.”

⁵⁸And so when We issued Our decree, We saved Hud and those who believed with him by grace from Ourselves, We saved them from a severe penalty.

⁵⁵Min dunihi fa kiduni jamian summa la tunuttiruni.

⁵⁶Inni tawakkalutu alallahi rabbi wa rabbikum ma min dabbatin illa huwa akhizum bi nasiyatiha inna rabbi ala ssiratin mustaqimin.

⁵⁷Fa in tawallau faqadu abulagutukumu ma urusilutu bihi ilaikum wa yasutakhlifu rabbi qauman gairakum wa la taddurrunahu shaiaan inna rabbi alla kulli shaiin hafizun.

⁵⁸Wa lamma jaa amuruna najjaina Hudan wallazina amanu maahu bi rahumatin minna wa najjainahum min azabin galittin.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁵⁹And such were the people of Ad, they rejected the signs of their Lord, disobeyed His apostles, and followed the command of every powerful obstinate transgressor.

⁶⁰And they were pursued by a curse in this life, and on the day of judgment. Ah, behold, the people of Ad rejected their Lord. Behold, removed were Ad, the people of Hud.¹²

⁶¹And to the people of Thamud We sent Salih, one of their own brothers. He said, “O my people, worship Allah, you have no other allah but Him. It is He who has produced you from the earth and settled you therein, then ask forgiveness of Him and turn to Him, for my Lord is near, ready to answer.”¹³

⁵⁹. Wa tilka Adun jahadu bi ayati rabbihim wa asuau rusulahu wa tabau amura kulli jabbarin anidin.

⁶⁰Wa utubiu fi hazihi dunya launatan wa yaumal qiyamahti alla inna Adan kafaru rabbahum alla budan li Adin qaumi Hudin.

⁶¹Wa illa Samuda akhahum Sualihan qala ya qaumi budullaha ma lakum min ilahin gairuhu huwa anshaakum mina lardi wa sutamarakum fiha fa sutagufiruhu summa tubu ilaihi inna rabbi qaribun mujibun.

12. According to Yusuf Ali, the people of Ad and their story belongs to Arabian tradition which claims that Ad was a fourth generation from Noah. Yusuf Ali commenting on Qur’an 7:65 further claimed that these people occupied a large tract of country in Southern Arabia, extending from Umman at the mouth of the Arabian Gulf to Hadhramaut and Yemen at the Southern end of the Red Sea. Since the people of pre‑Islamic Arabia were pagans, it is most likely that Hud might have been a pagan priest. The world’s numerous cultures abound with ‘holy men’ who preached to their people of all ages. Okomfo Anokye is highly claimed as a priest of God who conjured the Golden Stool of the Ashanti Kingdom to descend from heaven. Yet Okomfo Anokye was a fetish priest and not a prophet of God. He performed many miracles within the Kingdom. His story belongs to Ashanti Tradition. The Ashanti are a people who live in Ghana to this day.

13. Yusuf Ali stated earlier in chapter 7 that the people of Ad were destroyed and that the people of Thamud are their remnants who also suffered equal fate and were destroyed by Allah.

⁶²They said, “O Salih, You have been of us. A center of our hopes hitherto. Do you forbid us the worship of what our fathers worshiped? But we are really in suspicious doubt as to that to which you invites us.”

⁶³He said, “O my people, do you see? If I have a clear sign from my Lord and He has sent mercy unto me from Himself, who then can help me against Allah if I were to disobey Him? What then would you add to me but perdition?”

⁶⁴“And O my people, this she camel of Allah is a symbol to you, leave her to feed on Allah’s earth and inflict no harm on her or a swift penalty will seize you.”

⁶⁵But they did hamstring her. So he said, “Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days, there is a promise not to be belied.”

⁶²Qalu ya Sualihu qadu kunta fina marujuwwan qabula haza atanuhana an nabuda ma yabudu abauna wa innana lafi shakkin mimma taduna ilaihi muribin.

⁶³Qala ya qaumi araaitumu in kuntu alla bayyinatin mi rabbi wa atani minuhu rahmatan faman yanssuruni minallahi in asuaituhu fama tazidu nani gaira takhusirin.

⁶⁴Wa ya qaumi hazihi naqatullahi lakum ayatan fazaruha takul fi arudillahi wa la tamassuha bi suin fayakhuzakum azabun qaribun.

⁶⁵Fa aqaruha fa qala tamatau fi darikum salasata ayyamin zalika wadun gaira makuzubin.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁶⁶When We issued Our decree We saved Salih and those who believed with him by grace from Ourselves, and from the ignominy of that day. For your Lord, He is the strong one and able to enforce His will.

⁶⁷And the blast overtook the wrongdoers and they lay prostrate in their homes before the morning.

⁶⁸As if they had never dwelt and flourished there. Ah, behold, for the people of Thamud rejected their Lord. Ah, behold, removed were the people of Thamud.

⁶⁹And there came Our messengers to Abraham with glad tidings. They said , “Peace” He answered, “Peace” and hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf.

⁶⁶Falamma jaa amuruna najjaina Sualihan wallazina amanu maahu birahumatin minnu wa min khizuyi yaumiizin inna rabbaka huwal qawiyyul azizu.

⁶⁷Wa akhaza lazina tualamu suaihatu fa assubahu fi diyarihim jasimina.

⁶⁸Kaanu lamuyagunau fiha alla inna Samuda kafaru rabbahum alla budan li Samuda.

⁶⁹Wa laqadu jaatu rusuluna Ibrahima bil bushura qalu salaman qala salamun fama labisa an jaa bi ijulin hanizin.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁷⁰But when he saw their hands went not towards the meal he felt some mistrust of them and conceived a fear of them. They said, “Fear not, we have been sent against the people of Lot.¹⁴

⁷¹And his wife was standing and she laughed, but We gave her glad tidings of Isaac, and after him Jacob.¹⁵

⁷²She said, “Alas for me, shall I bear a child seeing I am an old woman and my husband here is an old man? That would indeed be a wonderful thing.”

⁷³They said, “Do you wonder at Allah’s decree? The grace of Allah and His blessings on you O you people of the house, for He is indeed worthy of all praise full of all glory.”

⁷⁴When fear had passed from Abraham and the glad tidings had reached him he began to plead with Us for Lot’s people.¹⁶

⁷⁵For Abraham was without doubt forbearing, compassionate and given to look to Allah.

⁷⁰Falamma raa aidiyahum la tassilu ilaihi nakirahum wa aujasa minhum khiyufahtan qalu la takhafu inna urusilna illa qaumi Lutin.

⁷¹Wamuraatuhu qaimatun fa duahikatu fa basharunaha bi Ishaqa wa min warai Ishaqa Yaquba.

⁷²Qalatu ya wailata aalidu wa ana ajuzun wa haza bali shaikhan inna haza lashaiun ajibun.

⁷³Qalu atajabina min amurillahi rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu alaikum ahulal baiti innahu hamidun majidun.

⁷⁴Falamma zahaba an Ibrahima rauu wa jaathul bushura yujadiluna fi qaumi Lutin.

⁷⁵Inna Ibrahima lahalimun awwahum munibun.

14. Obviously this is the story of Sodom and Gomorrah recorded in Genesis 18 and 19, which story contradicts that of the Qur’an in more than one way.

a) The Qur’an says they did not eat ‑ The Bible says they did eat according to Genesis 18:8:

Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

b) According to the Qur’an, Abraham mistrusted the people. The Bible knows of no such thing.

c) There was no people of Lut (Lot). Lot was a nephew of Abraham who was living on the outskirts of Sodom and Gomorrah which people were the ones the Messengers were going to. Lut was not the name of people of the habitation as the term may imply but a person.

15. Allah revelation to Muhammad seems to imply that Jacob is the younger brother of Isaac. The truth is Jacob was Isaac’s son. It was Jacob who begat the twelve tribes of Israel. Again the story here is a mixture of truth and fabrication. Sarah laughed when she heard that she would have a son when she was over ninety.

16. The statement is incorrect. Abraham began to plead for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah after it was made known to him

the mind of God concerning the wicked and vile people of Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 18: 22‑33:

So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD. Then Abraham drew near and said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" And the LORD said, "If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake." Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?" And he said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there." Again he spoke to him and said, "Suppose forty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of forty I will not do it." Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there." He answered, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." He said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it." Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there." He answered, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it." And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

⁷⁶O Abraham, seek not this. The decree of your Lord has gone forth, for them there comes a penalty that cannot be turned back.

⁷⁷And when Our messengers came to Lot he was grieved on their account and felt himself powerless to protect them. He said, “This is a distressful day.”

⁷⁸And his people came rushing towards him and they had been long in the habit of practicing abominations. He said, “O my people, here are my daughters, they are purer for you. Now fear Allah and cover me not with shame about my guests. Is there not among you a single right minded man?”

⁷⁹They said, “Did you know we have no need of your daughters, indeed you know quite well what we want.”

⁷⁶Ya Ibrahimu ariddu an haza innahu qadu jaa amuru rabbika wa innahum atihim azabun gairu marududin.

⁷⁷Wa lamma jaatu rusuluna Lutan sia bihim wa duaqa bihim zaran wa qala haza yaumun assibun.

⁷⁸Wa jaahu qaumuhu yuhurauna ilaihi wa min qabulu kanu yamalu na sayyiati qala ya qaumi haulai banati hunna atharu lakum fa taqullaha wa la tukhuzuni fi duaifi alaisa minkum rajulun rashidun.

⁷⁹Qalu laqadu alimuta ma lana fi banatika min haqin wa innaka latalamu ma nuridu.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁸⁰He said, “Would that I had power to suppress you or that I could betake myself to some powerful support.”

⁸¹They said, “O Lot, we are messengers from your Lord. By no means shall they reach you. Now travel with your family while yet a part of the night remains, and let not any of you look back, but your wife, to her will happen what happens to the people. Morning is their time appointed, is not the morning nigh?”¹⁷

⁸² When We issued Our decree, We turned upside down and rained down on them brimstones, hard as baked clay spread layer on layer.

⁸³Marked as from your Lord, nor are they ever far from those who do wrong.

⁸⁰Qala lau anna li bikum quwwatan au awi ila rukunin shadidin.

⁸¹Qalu ya Luttu inna rusulu rabbika la yassilu ilaika fa asuri bi ahulika bi qittumin minal laili wa la yalutafitu minkum ahadun illamuraataka innahu mussibuha ma asuabahum inna mauidahumu subuhu alaisa subuhu bi qaribin.

⁸²Falamma jaa amuruna jaaluna aliyaha safilaha wa amutaruna alaiha hijaratan min sijjilim manuddudin.

⁸³Musawwamatan inda rabbika wa ma hiya mina tualimina bi baidin.

17. Compare verses 77 to 81 with Genesis 19 and one would find that the Allah who revealed the Qur’anic account to Muhammad was not familiar with the History of Abraham and Lot as is evident here. 86 “That which is left you by Allah is best for you if ye (but) believed! But I am not set over you to keep watch!”

[Commentary continues below.]

⁸⁴And to the Madyan people We sent Shuaib one of their own brethren, he said, “O my people, worship Allah, you have no other allah but Him. And give not short measure or weight. I see you in prosperity but I fear for you the penalty of a day that will compass all round.

⁸⁵“And O my people, give just measure and weight nor withhold from the people the things that are their due, commit not evil in the land with intent to do mischief.”

⁸⁶“That which is left you by Allah is best for you if you believed. But I am not set over you to keep watch.”

⁸⁴Wa illa Madyana akhahum Shuaiban qala ya qaumi budullaha ma lakum min ilahin gairuhu wa la tanuqussu lumikuyala wal mizana inni arakum bi khairin wa inni akhafu alaikum azaba yaumin muhittin.

⁸⁵Wa ya qaumi auful mikuyala wal miuzana bil qisuti wa la tabukhasu nasa ash yaahum wa la tasau filardi mufusidina.

⁸⁶Baqiyyatullahi khairu lakum in kuntum muminina wa ma anna alaikum bi hafittin.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁸⁷They said, “Oh Shuaib, does your prayer command you that we leave off the worship which our fathers practiced, or that we leave off doing what we like with our property? Truly you are the one that forbears with faults and is right minded.”¹⁸

⁸⁸He said, “O my people, see whether I have a clear sign from my Lord and He has given me sustenance good as from Himself? I wish not in opposition to you to do that which I forbid you to do. I only desire your betterment to the best of my power, and my success in my task, can only come from Allah, in Him I trust and unto Him I look.

⁸⁹“And O my people, let not my dissent cause you to sin lest you suffer a fate similar to that of the people of Noah, or of Hud, or of Salih, nor are the people of Lot far off from you.”¹⁹

⁹⁰“And ask forgiveness of your Lord and turn unto Him, for my Lord is indeed full of mercy and loving kindness.”

⁸⁷Qalu ya Shuaibu asualatuka tamuruka an naturuka ma yabudu abauna au an nafala fi amuwalina ma nashuu innaka la antal halimu rashidu.

⁸⁸Qala ya qaumi araayutum in kuntu alla bayyinatin mi rabbi wa razaqani minuhu rizuqan hasanan wa ma uridu an ukhalifakum illa ma anuhakum anuhu in uridu illal isslaha ma sutatuatu wa ma taufiqi illa billahi alaihi tawakkalutu wa ilaihi unibu.

⁸⁹Wa ya qaumi la yajurimannakum shiqaqi anyusibakum misulu ma asuaba qauma Nuhin au qauma Hudin au qauma Sualihin wa ma qaumu Luttin minkum bi baidin.

⁹⁰Wa sutagufiru rabbakum summa tubu ilaihi inna rabbi rahimun wadudun.

18. According this verse Shuaib was sent as a prophet to the Midianites. True or false, your guess is as good as mine. This story is similar in claim to the Nation of Islam’s teachings regarding the lost tribe of Shabazz, who are claimed to be ancestors of the Black race.

19. The phrase “nor are the people of Lut far off from you” is in reference to Shuaib who according to Yusuf Ali is a fourth generation descendant of Abraham, also the fact that the geographic location of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah is also closer to the people of Arabia.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁹¹They said, “O Shuaib, much of what you say we do not understand. In fact, among us we see that you have no strength. Were it not for your family we should certainly have stoned you. For you have among us no great position.”

⁹²He said, “O my people, is then my family of more consideration with you than Allah? For you cast Him away behind your backs. But verily, my Lord encompasses on all sides all that you do.”

⁹³“And O my people, do whatever you can, I will do my part, soon will you know who it is on whom descends the penalty of ignominy and who is a liar. And watch you, for I too am watching with you.”

⁹¹Qalu ya Shuaibu ma nafuqahu kasiran mimma taqulu wa inna lanaraka fiyuna duaifan wa lau la rahutuka larajamunaka wa ma anta alaina bi azizin.

⁹²Qala ya qaumi arahuti aazu alaikum minallahi wa takhazutumuhu waraakum ttihuriyyan inna rabbi bima tamaluna muhitun.

⁹³Wa ya qaumi malu ala makanatikum inni amilun saufa talamuna ma yatihi azabun yukhuzihi wa man huwa kazibun warutaqibu inni maakum raqibun.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁹⁴And when We issued Our decree, We saved Shuaib and those who believed with him by mercy, from Ourselves, but the blast did seize the wrongdoers and they lay prostrate in their homes by the morning.

⁹⁵As if they had never dwelt and flourished there. Ah, behold, how the Madyan were removed as were removed the Thamud.

⁹⁶And We sent Moses with Our clear signs and an authority manifest.

⁹⁷Unto Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they followed the command of Pharaoh and the command of Pharaoh was not right.

⁹⁸He will go before his people on the day of judgment and lead them into the fire, but woeful indeed will be this leading and the place led to.

⁹⁴Wa lamma jaa amuruna najjaina Shuaiban wallazina amanu maahu birahumatin minna wa akhazati lazina tualamu suaihatu fa assubahu fi diyarihim jasimina.

⁹⁵Kanulam yagunau fiha alla budan li maduyana kama baidatu Samudu.

⁹⁶Wa laqadu arusaluna Musa bi ayatina wa sulutuanin mubinin.

⁹⁷Ila Firauna wa malaihi fa tabau amura Firauna wa ma amuru Firauna bi rashidin.

⁹⁸Yaqudumu qaumahu yaumal qiyamati fa auradahumun nara wa bisal wirudul maurudu.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁹⁹And they are followed by a curse in this life and on the day of judgment, and woeful is the gift which shall be given unto them.

¹⁰⁰These are some of the stories of communities which We relate unto you, of them some are standing and some have been mown down.

¹⁰¹And it was not We that wronged them, they wronged their own souls, the deities other than Allah whom they invoked profited them not, when there issued the decree of your Lord, nor did they add anything but perdition.

¹⁰²And such is the chastisement of your Lord, when He chastises communities in the midst of their wrong, grievous indeed and severe is His chastisement.

⁹⁹Wa utubiu fi hazihi lanatau wa yaumal qiyamahti bisa rifudul marufudu.

¹⁰⁰Zalika min amubai l qura naqussuhu alaika minha qaimu wa hassidun.

¹⁰¹Wa ma tualamunahum wa lakin tualamu anufusahum fama agunatu alihatuhumu lati yaduna min dunillahi min shaiin lamma jaa amuru rabbika wa ma zaduhum gaira tatubiyubin

¹⁰²Wa kazalika akhuzu rabbika iza akhazal qura wa hiya tualimatun inna akhuzahu alimun shadidun.

[Commentary continues below.]

¹⁰³In that is a sign for those who fear the penalty of the hereafter, that is a day for which mankind will be gathered together, that will be a day of testimony.

¹⁰⁴And We shall not delay it but for a term appointed.

¹⁰⁵The day it arrives no soul shall speak except by His leave, of those some will be wretched and some will be blessed.

¹⁰⁶Those who are wretched shall be in the fire, there will be for them therein the heaving of sighs and sobs.²⁰

¹⁰⁷They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord wills, for your Lord is the accomplisher of what He plans.

¹⁰⁸And those who are blessed shall be in the garden, they will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord wills, a gift without break.

¹⁰³Inna fi zalika la ayatan liman khafa azaba lakhirahti zalika yaumun majumuun lahu nasu wa zalika yaumun mashhudun.

¹⁰⁴Wa ma nuakhiruhu illa li ajalin madudin.

¹⁰⁵Yauma yati la takallamu nafusun illa bi izunihi fa minuhum shaqiyyun wa saidun.

¹⁰⁶Fa amma lazina shaqu fafi nari lahum fiha zafiru wa shahiqun.

¹⁰⁷Khalidina fiha ma damati samawatu wal ardu illa ma shaa rabbuka inna rabbaka fa alul lima yuridu.

¹⁰⁸Wa amma lazina suidu fafi lujannati khalidina fiha ma damati samawatu walardu illa ma shaa rabbuka atuaan gaira majuzuzin.

20. The Bible talks about weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 22:13: Then the king told his servants, 'Tie his hands and feet, and throw him into the outer darkness! In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

[Commentary continues below.]

¹⁰⁹Be not then in doubt as to what these men worship. They worship nothing but what their fathers worshiped before, but verily, We shall pay them back their portion without abatement.

¹¹⁰And We certainly gave the book to Moses but differences arose therein, had it not been that a word had gone forth before from your Lord, the matter would have been decided between them, but they are in suspicious doubt concerning it.²¹

¹¹¹And of a surety to all will your Lord pay back of their deeds, for He knows well all that they do.

¹¹²Therefore stand firm as you are commanded, you and those who with you turn unto Allah, and transgress not, for He sees well all that you do.

¹⁰⁹Fala taku fi miruyatin mimma yabudu haulai ma yabuduna illa kama yabudu abauhum min qabula wa inna lamuwaffuhum nasibahum gaira manuqussin.

¹¹⁰Wa laqadu ataina Musal kitaba fa khutulifa fihi wa lau la kalimatun sabaqatu mi rabbika laqudiya bainahum wa innahum lafi shakkim minuhu muribin.

¹¹¹Wa inna kulla lamma layuwaffiyannahum rabbuka amalahum innahu bima yamaluna khabirun.

¹¹²Fasutaqim kama umiruta wa man taba maaka wa la tattugau innahu bima tamaluna bassirun.

21. Moses was never given a Book, rather he received the Word of God directly for the people of God and was commanded to write them down.

Exodus 34:1: The LORD said to Moses, “Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.”

Numbers 5:23: "Then the priest shall write these curses in a book and wash them off into the water of bitterness.

Numbers 12:6‑8: And he said, "Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the LORD make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?"

None of the contents of the Bible attributed to the Moses or any other prophet or writer for that any writer was ever given as a Book, just as in the case of the Qur’an, they were given in portions or revealed messages which were later written down

for posterity’s sake. This is with exception of course, as the above quotation from Exodus indicates.

¹¹³And incline not to those who do wrong, or the fire will seize you, and you have no protectors other than Allah, nor shall you be helped.

¹¹⁴And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approaches of the night, for those things that are good remove those that are evil, be that the word of remembrance to those who remember.

¹¹⁵And be steadfast in patience, for verily, Allah will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.

¹¹⁶Why were there not among the generations before you persons possessed of balanced good sense, prohibiting from mischief in the earth, except a few among them whom We saved? But the wrongdoers pursued the enjoyment of the good things of life, which were given them and persisted in sin.

¹¹³Wa la tarukanu illal lazina tualamu fatamassakumu naru wa ma lakum min dunillahi min auliyaa summa la tunusuaruna.

¹¹⁴Wa aqimi sualata tuarafayi nahari wa zulafan mina laili innal hasanati yuzuhibuna sayyiati zalika zikura lizakirina.

¹¹⁵Wa subiru fa innallaha la yudiu ajural muhusinina.

¹¹⁶Fa lau la kana minal quruni min qabulikum ulu baqiyyatin yanuhauna anil fasadi filarddi illa qalilan mimman anujaina minuhum wa tabaa lazina tualamu ma uturifu fihi wa kanu mujurimina.

¹¹⁷And your Lord would not be the one to destroy communities for a single wrongdoing, if its members were likely to mend.

¹¹⁸And if your Lord had so willed, He could have made mankind one people, but they will not cease to dispute

¹¹⁹Except those on whom He has bestowed His mercy, and for this did He create them, and the word of your Lord shall be fulfilled, “I will fill hell with jinns and men all together.”

¹²⁰All that We relate to you of the stories of the apostles, with it We make your heart firm. In them there comes to you the truth as well as an exhortation and a message of remembrance to those who believe.

¹²¹And say to those who do not believe. “Do whatever you can, we shall do our part.”

¹¹⁷Wa ma kana rabbuka liyuhulikal qura bi ttulmin wa ahuluha musulihuna.

¹¹⁸Wa lau shaa rabbuka lajaala nasa ummatan wahidatan wa la yazaluna mukhtalifina.

¹¹⁹Illa ma rahima rabbuka wa lizalika khalaqahum wa tammatu kalimatu rabbika laamlaanna jahannama minal jinnati wa nasi ajumaina.

¹²⁰Wa kullan naqussu alaika min amubai rusuli ma nusabbitu bihi fuadaka wa jaaka fi hazihil haqqu wa mauituatun wa zikura lil muminina.

¹²¹Wa qulu lillazina la yuminuna malu alla makanatikum inna amiuluna.

¹²²“And wait, we too shall wait.”

¹²³And to Allah belong the unseen of the heavens and the earth and to Him goes back every affair, then worship Him and put your trust in Him, and your Lord is not unmindful of anything that you do.

¹²²Wa nutattiru inna munutattiruna.

¹²³Wa lillahi gaibu samawati walardi wa ilaihi yurujaul amuru kulluhu fa buduhu wa tawakkal alaihi wa ma rabbuka bi gafilin amma tamaluna.