Overview - Surah 11: Hud (Hud)
In this Surah we have the stories of Prophets Noah, Salih, Hud, Lot, Shuaib and Moses - peace be upon them all. The basic point is that Allah sent His Prophets and Messengers to mankind out of His grace and mercy, but when people did not listen to the Prophets and rejected their message then Allah's punishment came and came relentlessly. It did not make any difference whether someone was the son of a Prophet or his wife or any one, none could escape Allah’s judgment.
Sections:
- Seek forgiveness from Allah and His bounties will be for you.
- Patience and good deeds bring the stability in character.
- The story of Prophet Noah -peace be upon him.
- The fate of those who disbelieved in Prophet Noah. The moving description of the fate of Prophet Noah's son.
- The Message of Prophet Hud. 'Ad people denied Allah's message and were punished.
- The Message of Prophet Saleh, the Sign of the She-Camel, and end of Thamud.
- Prophet Ibrahim receives the angles. The angels then went to Prophet Lot. The punishment of the people of Lot -peace be upon him.
- Prophet Shu'aib and his message, his people's denial and their punishment.
- Prophet Moses was sent to Pharaoh and his people. The purpose of these stories.
- Prophets were denied before. Continue presenting the message with patience. Had Allah forced His will upon the people, He would have made them all one people.
The mention of Prophet Hud occurs more time in this Surah than any other Surah of the Qur'an. It appears a total of 5 times.
The Prophet refered to this surah as Hud in a number of hadeeth. Abu Bakr once said to the Prophet, ‘O Messenger of Allah, you have become old.’ The Prophet said, ‘I have become old [due to] [Surah] Hud, al-Waqiah [56], al-Murasalat [77], Amma yatasailoon [an-Naba 78] and Waidha ash-Shamsu kuwirat [at-Takweer 81].” [Tirmidhee]
There are 123 Ayat in this Surah.
Overview
| Total Ayat | 123 |
| Total Words * | 1917 |
| Root Words * | 358 |
| Unique Root Words * | 7 |
| Makki / Madani | Makki |
| Chronological Order* | 52nd (according to Ibn Abbas) |
| Year of Revelation* | 12th year of Prophethood |
| Events during/before this Surah*
2nd Pledge of Aqabah, 1st Pledge of Aqabah, Death of Abu Talib - Death of Khadijah - Stoning at Ta'if - al-Isra wal Mi'raj - Night Journey, Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 3, Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 2, Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 1, 2nd Migration to Abyssinia, Physical beating and torture of some Muslims - 1st Migration of Muslims to Abyssinia, Public Invitation to Islam - Persecution of Muslims; antagonism - ridicule - derision - accusation - abuse and false propaganda., Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam
| |
| Events during/after still to occur*
,Migration from Makkah to Madinah - Building of Masjid Nabi in Madinah - Treaty with Jews of Madinah - Marriage of Prophet to Aishah,Change of Qiblah from Jerusalem to Makkah - Battle of Badr,Battle of Uhud,,Battle of Ahzab - Expedition of Banu Quraydhah,Treaty of Hudaiybiyah - Letters to Kings and Rulers,,Conquest of Makkah - Battle of Hunain,Hajj led by Abu Bakr - Expedition of Tabuk,Farewell Hajj by Prophet - Death of Prophet - End of Divine Revelation
| |
| Names of Prophets Mentioned
Nuh, Hud, Salih, Lut, Ibrahim, Ishaq, Yaqub, Shuaib, Musa
| |
| Surah Index
‘Aad, Abraham, Adversity (patience during) , God (ability to do anything) , God (throne rests upon the water) , Angels, Behaviour (each group given a law and way of life) (God could have made them one community), Death (those communities who have no revelation will not be destroyed) , Disbelievers (relationship to belivers) , Earth (creation and recreation of) , Earth (creation of) (in six days), Hell, Hud, Humankind (creation of) (from earth), Isaac, Jacob, Jinn, Judgement (Day) , Lot, Madyan, Moses, Noah, Noah (ark) , Noah (ark) (came to rest on Mt. Judi), Noah (flood) , Pharaoh, Prayer (times of day of) , Prophet (people who are false prophets are wicked) , Qur’an, Religion, Resurrection (Day) , Resurrection (of soul) , Revelation, Salih, Shu’ayb, Thamud, Thamud (she camel) , Thamud (she camel) (killing of), Thamud (she camel) (punishment for), Torah
| |
Issue 1: Lessons from history regarding those who denied. From the time of Prophet Nuh to the time of the Prophet Muhammad [saw], there is one manifest truth and that this that there is no one who deserved to be worshipped except God alone without any equal and partner.
Issue 2: The stance of the Messengers. Despite these Messengers being rejected, mocked at, belied and denied, they stood firm with Yaqin [certainty], Thabat [steadfastness] and Sabr [patience and perseverance].
Issue 3: Warning and Admonition. The Surah deals with the same subject as Surah 10: Yunus (Jonah) that is invitation to the Message admonition and warning with this difference that the warning is sterner. This is also supported by a hadith: Some time after its revelation, Abu Bakr noted to the Prophet that he had been noticing that he was growing older and older. The Prophet replied, “Surah Hud and the like Surahs have made me old.” This shows that it was a very hard time for the Prophet and these stern warnings added greatly to his anxieties that were caused by the persecution from the Quraysh who were doing their worst to crush down the Message of Islam. For it was obvious to the Prophet that the last limit of the respite given by God was approaching nearer and nearer and he was afraid lest the term of the respite should expire and his people be seized by the torment. The invitation is this: Obey the Messenger of God; discard polytheism (Shirk) and worship God and God alone: establish the entire system of your life on the belief that you shall be called to account in the Hereafter
The admonition is this: Remember that those people who put their faith in the outward appearance of this worldly life and rejected the Message of the Prophets met with dire consequences. Therefore you should consider it seriously whether you should follow the same way that history has proved to be the path to ruin
The warning is this: You should not be deluded by the delay in the coming of the punishment: it is because of the respite that God has granted you by His grace so that you might mend your ways: if you do not make use of this opportunity you shall be inflicted with an inevitable punishment that will destroy you all except the Believers
Instead of addressing the people directly, the Qur’an has used the stories of the people of Noah, Hud, Salih, Lot, Shu’aib and Moses to achieve the above mentioned objects. What is most prominent in their stories is that when God passes His judgement on the people He does not spare anyone whatsoever even if he be the nearest relative of the Prophet of the time. Only that one is rescued who had believed in the Prophet and none else not even his own son or wife. More than that: the Faith demands from each and every Believer that he should totally forget his relationships when that judgement comes and remember only the relationship of the Faith. For it is against the spirit of Islam to show any regard whatsoever for the relationships of blood and race. And the Muslims demonstrated these teachings practically in the Battle of Badr four years after the revelation of this Surah.
- The mention of Prophet Hud occurs most in this Surah in comparison to any other Surah of the Qur'an. It appears a total of 5 times.
-
The Surah begins with an order to single out Allah for Ibadah (worship), أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا اللَّـهَ ۚ إِنَّنِي لَكُم مِّنْهُ نَذِيرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ "Do not worship except Allah. Indeed, I am to you from Him a warner and a bringer of good tidings," (11:2)
The Surah ends with also an order to worship Him, وَلِلَّـهِ غَيْبُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُ الْأَمْرُ كُلُّهُ فَاعْبُدْهُ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَيْهِ ۚ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ "And to Allah belong the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth and to Him will be returned the matter, all of it, so worship Him and rely upon Him. And your Lord is not unaware of that which you do." (11:123)
- In the beginning and end of the Surah, the Prophet is advised about staying firm upon the revelation:
فَلَعَلَّكَ تَارِكٌ بَعْضَ مَا يُوحَىٰ إِلَيْكَ وَضَائِقٌ بِهِ صَدْرُكَ أَن يَقُولُوا لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ كَنزٌ أَوْ جَاءَ مَعَهُ مَلَكٌ ۚ إِنَّمَا أَنتَ نَذِيرٌ ۚ وَاللَّـهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَكِيلٌ “Then would you possibly leave [out] some of what is revealed to you, or is your breast constrained by it because they say, "Why has there not been sent down to him a treasure or come with him an angel?" But you are only a warner. And Allah is Disposer of all things.” (11:12)
فَاسْتَقِمْ كَمَا أُمِرْتَ وَمَن تَابَ مَعَكَ وَلَا تَطْغَوْا ۚ إِنَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ وَلَا تَرْكَنُوا إِلَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا فَتَمَسَّكُمُ النَّارُ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّـهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَاءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ“So remain on a right course as you have been commanded, [you] and those who have turned back with you [to Allah], and do not transgress. Indeed, He is Seeing of what you do. And do not incline toward those who do wrong, lest you be touched by the Fire, and you would not have other than Allah any protectors; then you would not be helped.” (11:112-113)
Manuscripts / Inscriptions
16th Century
16th Century
18th Century
18th Century
19th Century
19th Century
6th-7th Century H (12/13th CE)
13th century AD
13th century AD
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
Early 8th century AD
Early 8th century AD
Second half of 1st century Hijra / late 7th or early 8th century CE
Second half of 1st century Hijra / late 7th or early 8th century CE
In the previous Surah, Yunus, there was a brief mention of the Prophet Nuh (10:71) but it was not detailed. In Surah Hud, the first of the stories of the Prophets mentioned is that of Prophet Nuh and this is followed by others.
- Words derived from J-R-M- (crime, criminal) appear 6 times in Surah Hud. This is the highest occurance compared to any other Surah.
- Words derived from KH-Z-YA (Humiliation) appear 4 times in Surah Hud, the highest compared to any other Surah
- (11:122) is the shortest Ayat of this Surah with 3 words,
وَانتَظِرُوا إِنَّا مُنتَظِرُونَ "And wait, indeed, we are waiting." (11:122)
Total Word Count per Ayat (shows how many words per Ayat) = 7* | ||
| # | Root Word | Frequency in Surah | Frequency in Qur'an |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | ق و ل | 55 | 1722 |
| 2. | أ ل ه | 45 | 2851 |
| 3. | ر ب ب | 44 | 980 |
| 4. | ق و م | 42 | 660 |
| 5. | ك و ن | 33 | 1390 |
| 6. | إِلَىٰ | 31 | 742 |
| 7. | إِلَّا | 29 | 663 |
| 8. | ٱلَّذِى | 25 | 1464 |
| 9. | ع م ل | 16 | 360 |
| 10. | أ م ر | 16 | 248 |
| Root Word | Frequency in Surah |
Frequency in Qur'an |
|---|---|---|
| ق و ل | 55 | 1722 |
| أ ل ه | 45 | 2851 |
| ر ب ب | 44 | 980 |
| ق و م | 42 | 660 |
| ك و ن | 33 | 1390 |
| إِلَىٰ | 31 | 742 |
| إِلَّا | 29 | 663 |
| ٱلَّذِى | 25 | 1464 |
| ع م ل | 16 | 360 |
| أ م ر | 16 | 248 |
If we consider its theme deeply we come to the conclusion that it was revealed during the same period as Surah 10: Yunus (Jonah) and most probably followed it immediately.
Heavy responsibility affected the Prophet's health
It has been reported that once Abu Bakr said to the Prophet, ‘O Messenger of Allah, you have become old.’ The Prophet said, ‘I have become old [due to] [Surah] Hud, al-Waqiah [56], al-Murasalat [77], Amma yatasailoon [an-Naba 78] and Waidha ash-Shamsu kuwirat [at-Takweer 81].” [Tirmidhee]
Lessons:
1) Abu Bakr's love for the Prophet - he noticed the changes in his friends face/body - like anyone who loves someone else - We need to be observant on those around us.
2) The Prophet put him looking old down to the weight and responsibility of implementing the Qur'an - The weight of it made the Prophet old, would crumble a mountain - how is our relationship to it? - The early Muslims understood completely that every word of the Qur'an is true - so they felt the pressure/weight of whatever was discussed by Allah [swt] in the Qur'an
3) The Prophet [saw] pointed out 5 Surahs specifically - We should try to read these Surahs and information on the explanation of these Surahs as to why specically these had the effect they did.
- Istiqamah [steadfastness] - the stance of the Messengers.
- Not weakening or inclining to the enemies of the truth.
- The pain of the disbelievers rejecting the truth, albeit be they love ones, like the son of Prophet Nuh, should not weaken the resolve of the Believer.
- Allah is the Provider and Sustainer of all creatures.
- The Qur'an is the pure Message of Allah and is not forged by the Prophet.
- Story of the Prophet Nuh and his people.
- Dialogue between Nuh, his son and Allah.
- Prophets Hud, Saleh, Lut and Shu'aib's addresses to their people and consequences of their people's rejecting their messages.
- Divine law of virtues removing the evils.
- Allah has given freedom of choice to mankind (whether to believe or not to believe).
Tafsir Zone
|
Sayyid Qutb Overview (Verses 50 - 52) Health, Rain and the God-Fearing To `Ād, We sent their brother Hūd. He said: My people! Worship God alone; you have no deity other than Him. You are indeed inventors of falsehood. No reward do I ask of you, my people, for this [message]. My reward rests with Him who brought me into being. Will you not, then, use your reason? My people! Seek your Lord’s forgiveness, and then turn to Him in repentance. He will cause the sky to rain abundance on you, and will add strength to your strength. Do not turn away as guilty criminals.’ (Verses 50-52) Hūd belonged to the tribe of `Ād. He was, then, their brother, tied to them by the blood relations that bind all tribesmen. This tie is emphasized here because it should generate confidence, compassion and honest counsel between brethren. Hence, their attitude towards their brother and prophet seems very odd and exceedingly repugnant. The parting of the ways between the `Ād and their brother comes about because of an ideological conflict. Thus the concept of the invalidity of all ties when the bond of faith is non-existent is strongly emphasized. This bond is thus given prominence in Islamic society, making absolutely clear the nature of Islamic faith and its line of action. Hūd commences his call recognizing that he and his people belong to the same community. They are united together by ties of family, clan, tribe and land. They end up, however, as two different nations: one submissive to God and another worshipping deities beside Him. The two are in conflict. God’s promise to give victory to the believers and to destroy the unbelievers comes to pass only when the parting of the ways takes place and the two sides are clearly distinguished and separated. The Prophet and those who believe in God with him disassociate themselves from their people and consider all their former ties with them as invalid. They no longer have any loyalty to their former people and former leadership. They are loyal only to God, their Lord, and to their own Islamic’ leadership which called on them to submit themselves to God alone. Only at this moment when issues are clearly outlined and directions totally marked out, with no meeting point in the middle, are they given victory. “To `Ād, We sent their brother Hūd.” (Verse 50) In the same way as Noah was previously sent to his people. He said: “My people!” His appeal is friendly, reminding them of the ties that unite them together so that they may have confidence in what he says. He would not have cheated his own people. “Worship God alone; you have no deity other than Him.” (Verse 50) These are the very same words with which every messenger addressed his people. Deviation certainly took place after the believers with Noah disembarked from the ark. Perhaps the first deviant step was an attempt to glorify their small group who were saved in the ark with Noah. This glorification might have increased gradually with successive generations until their spirits were represented in trees and stones supposedly providing some sort of beneficial qualities. With the passage of time these stones and trees became idols which were worshipped and served by priests who made people submit to the will of others in the name of such claimed idols. This is only one of the numerous forms of jāhiliyyah which can overtake society. We have to remember that any deviation, even by one step, from the line of the absolute oneness of God and total submission to Him will inevitably be followed by further steps which take mankind far away from the right path. In any case Hūd’s people were idolaters who did not submit themselves to God alone. His messenger, therefore, made the same address to them as every messenger addressed his people: “My people! Worship God alone; you have no deity other than Him. You are indeed inventors of falsehood.” (Verse 50) False inventions are the idols you worship alongside God. Hūd then hastens to make it clear to his people that he is giving them honest and sincere counsel, for no ulterior motive, and that he seeks no reward from them. He expects his reward from God who has brought him into existence. Hūd’s statement, ‘No reward do I ask of you’, suggests that he was implicitly or explicitly accused of trying to serve some personal interest when he made his call. Hence his comment: “Will you not, then, use your reason?” (Verse 51) It is indeed singular that people should imagine that a messenger from God would seek personal gain from human beings, when God, who has sent him, is the One who provides all people with their sustenance. Mid then directs them to seek God’s forgiveness and to turn to Him in repentance. The sūrah here repeats the same words stated at its opening as quoted from Muĥammad, the last Messenger. Hūd indeed gave his people the same promise and the same warning as Muĥammad did thousands of years later. “My people! Seek your Lord’s forgiveness, and then turn to Him in repentance. He will cause the sky to rain abundance on you, and will add strength to your strength. Do not turn away as guilty criminals.” (Verse 52) To seek God’s forgiveness and to repent of one’s sins opens a new page and sets for people a new way to follow, where good intentions are translated into good actions. Their reward, then, will be abundant. “He will cause the sky to rain abundance on you.” They will have the rain they need for their farms and animals. They will prosper and have great harvests as a result of the abundant rain. “And will add strength to your strength.” Their strength, for which they were renowned, would certainly increase. “Do not turn away as guilty criminals.” The only thing which may withhold all this is their own attitude if they choose to turn away from God and accuse His messenger of fabrication. Reflecting on Hūd’s promise we note that it relates to rain and strength. How can these depend on seeking God’s forgiveness and repenting of one’s sins, when they are directly influenced by the natural laws which operate in the universe? As far as the increase in strength is concerned, the explanation is easy. When people purify their hearts and commit themselves to good action, they inevitably add to their strength. They enjoy better health because they eat in moderation and their diet is free from harmful things. Their consciences are relaxed, free of tension; they have confidence in God and His mercy. Their social life is also healthier because they implement God’s law which ensures man’s freedom and dignity. They maintain their equality in front of God. Besides, faith taps the resources of all those who contribute to man’s task of building the earth, without the deviation of false gods. False deities need from their promoters and worshippers, at times, an acknowledgement that they have or exercise some of God’s attributes, such as ability, knowledge, might or mercy. Only then do people submit to them. The lordship claimed by false deities needs to be coupled with godhead so that it can control people. All this requires sustained effort. It also requires that believers who submit themselves to God alone exert great effort to establish the truth and counter the effects of the promotion of such false deities. People who do not implement God’s laws in their lives may be powerful, but their power is only temporary. It will eventually collapse, according to God’s laws, because it is not based on solid foundations. Such power is derived from only one side of natural law, such as hard work, discipline and a high standard of production. But these do not last. The fact that the social order and the spiritual side of life are not well founded will bring about their collapse. Rain, on the other hand, seems to occur according to natural phenomena. This does not however preclude that rain may be beneficial in a certain time and place while it is harmful and destructive in others. God may decide to give life through rain to a certain people, or make rain the undoing of others. He may, if He chooses, fulfil His promises as well as His warnings through the manipulation of natural phenomena. After all, He is the Creator of these phenomena, and the Creator of both cause and effect. His will remains free and absolute. He accomplishes His purpose in whatever way He chooses. |
Ibn Kathir (English)
Sayyid Qutb
Sha'rawi
Al Jalalain
الطبري - جامع البيان
ابن كثير - تفسير القرآن العظيم
القرطبي - الجامع لأحكام
البغوي - معالم التنزيل
ابن أبي حاتم الرازي - تفسير القرآن
ابن عاشور - التحرير والتنوير
ابن القيم - تفسير ابن قيّم
السيوطي - الدر المنثور
الشنقيطي - أضواء البيان
ابن الجوزي - زاد المسير
الآلوسي - روح المعاني
ابن عطية - المحرر الوجيز
الرازي - مفاتيح الغيب
أبو السعود - إرشاد العقل السليم
الزمخشري - الكشاف
البقاعي - نظم الدرر
الهداية إلى بلوغ النهاية — مكي ابن أبي طالب
القاسمي - محاسن التأويل
الماوردي - النكت والعيون
السعدي - تيسير الكريم الرحمن
عبد الرحمن الثعالبي - الجواهر الحسان
السمرقندي - بحر العلوم
أبو إسحاق الثعلبي - الكشف والبيان
الشوكاني - فتح القدير
النيسابوري - التفسير البسيط
أبو حيان - البحر المحيط
البيضاوي - أنوار التنزيل
النسفي - مدارك التنزيل
ابن جُزَيّ - التسهيل لعلوم التنزيل
علي الواحدي النيسابوري - الوجيز
السيوطي - تفسير الجلالين
المختصر في التفسير — مركز تفسير
|
|
|
- Surah 11. Hud - Saad al Ghamidi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I1RwadiNQM&index=11&list=PLhM2xiAUdw2cAqW_o3zZkbhJNw0bnaBZN
- Surah 11. Hud Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71B7ptdhXtY&index=11&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM
- Surah 11. Hud Muhammad Al Luhaydan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIvyX6T1jow
- Surah Hud Idris Akbar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBI1Q8p8Nzs
- Surah 11. Hud muhammad Minshawi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAnCHq2caWU&index=11&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG
- Dr Israr Ahmed Tafsir Surah Hud (50) to Surah Yusuf (1-40)1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoWGMhfrImw&index=55&list=PLB4B8D1654A8BD263
- Surah Hud (50) to Surah Yusuf (1-40)2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBsdP0pE-qQ&index=56&list=PLB4B8D1654A8BD263
