Al-Ahqaf (The Dunes)

21. And remember [Hud] the brother of ‘Ad, when he warned his people in Ahqaf. And surely, there have passed away warners before him and after him [saying]: Worship none but Allah; truly, I fear for you the torment of a mighty Day.”

The proper noun Ahqaf is from hiqf (“flowing sand”) is applied to a region covered by sand in the South of the Arabian Peninsula located between the Yemen, Oman, and Aden in which the people of ‘Ad dwelt (cf. Tahqiq fi Kalimat al-Qur’an).

Addressing His Messenger in this Verse, God says:

“Remember ‘Ad’s brother [namely Prophet Hud (as)].”

It is said that Hud (as) was ‘Ad’s brother by blood or from the latter’s tribe. Hud (as) was asked to inspire awe in his Bedouin tribe and threaten them.

God Almighty appointed Hud (as) as His Messenger to encourage the people of ‘Ad to worship the One God saying unto them:

“Do not worship any god other than the One God. I fear for you the torment of a mighty Day.”