A prophet between the most vanity and proud people.

Have you not considered how your Lord dealt with Ad,(6) (The people of) Aram, possessors of lofty buildings,(7) The like of which were not created in the (other) cities;(8)
Holy quran: 89-Fajr (verse 6-8)

The people of 'Ad were actually a people who were punished after Prophet Noah (PBUH). They had very tall stature and also lived in a blessed and green place where they built their buildings with very tall columns. They were polytheists and idolaters and also built towers in the heights out of vanity. Prophet Hud (PBUH) was sent to them to guide them to the right path, but they were arrogant and eventually a violent storm with lightning destroyed them.

Some points from the interpretation of Noor about the people of 'Ad tribe:

  1. The people of 'Ad were two groups; ancient and modern 'Ad, due to the verse "the first 'Ad", who lived in the region of Ahqaf after Prophet Noah and had large structures and great power and prosperous cities.
  2. "Eram" is either another name for the tribe of 'Ad or the name of a branch of the people of 'Ad or the name of the region where the people of 'Ad lived, whose buildings had large and tall columns.
  3. After Prophet Noah, Prophet Hud was sent.
  4. Since Hud (PBUH) was from the tribe of 'Ad, he is referred to as "their brother" in the verse.
Lout tribe photo

They were idolaters, extravagant and arrogant. They were proud of their power and considered themselves invincible, until Prophet Hud (PBUH) was sent to invite them to God. Prophet Hud said to them:

And to Ad (We sent) their brother Hud. He said: O my people! serve Allah, you have no god other than He; you are nothing but forgers (of lies).(50) O my people! I do not ask of you any reward for it; my reward is only with Him Who created me; do you not then understand?(51) And, O my people! ask forgiveness of your Lord, then turn to Him; He will send on you clouds pouring down abundance of rain and add strength to your strength, and do not turn back guilty.(52)
Holy quran: 11-Houd (verse 50-52)

In fact, since the people of 'Ad lived in a fertile and green land, they did not think that they would have days without rain; and this expectation for rain coincided with the guidance of Prophet Hud. They did not care about Prophet Hud and called him crazy. In fact, they had denied God's blessing (rain) along with polytheism and for this reason Prophet Hud said to them if you ask God for forgiveness, rain will fall on you and more blessings will be added to it!

But the answer of his people was nothing but denial:

They said: O Hud! you have not brought to us any clear argument and we are not going to desert our gods for your word, and we are not believers in you:(53) We cannot say aught but that some of our gods have smitten you with evil. He said: Surely I call Allah to witness, and do you bear witness too, that I am clear of what you associate (with Allah).(54) Besides Him, therefore scheme against me all together; then give me no respite:(55) Surely I rely on Allah, my Lord and your Lord; there is no living creature but He holds it by its forelock; surely my Lord is on the right path.(56)
Holy quran: 11- Houd (verse 53-56)

They were very powerful and tall and strong, so they were very proud of themselves.

What! do you wonder that a reminder has come to you from your Lord through a man from among you that he might warn you? And remember when He made you successors after Nuh's people and increased you in excellence in respect of make; therefore remember the benefits of Allah, that you may be successful.(69)
Holy quran: 7-Al-Araf (verse 69)

But instead of asking God for forgiveness, they demanded haste in punishment!:

They said: Have you come to us that we may serve Allah alone and give up what our fathers used to serve? Then bring to us what you threaten us with, if you are of the truthful ones.(70) He said: Indeed uncleanness and wrath from your Lord have lighted upon you; what! do you dispute with me about names which you and your fathers have given? Allah has not sent any authority for them; wait then, I too with you will be of those who wait.(71)
Holy quran: 7-Al-Araf (verse 70-71)
Lout The prophet

But how was the punishment?

They were proud of their power and did not consider any force above themselves, but they were eagerly waiting for rain and looked at the sky a lot to see if there was a cloud, maybe there was rain in the work. Unaware that:

So when they saw it as a cloud appearing in the sky advancing towards their valleys, they said: This is a cloud which will give us rain. Nay! it is what you sought to hasten on, a blast of wind in which is a painful punishment,(24) Destroying everything by the command of its Lord, so they became such that naught could be seen except their dwellings. Thus do We reward the guilty people.(25)
Holy quran: 46-Ahghaf (verse 24-25)
And when Our decree came to pass, We delivered Hud and those who believed with him with mercy from Us, and We delivered them from a hard chastisement.(58)
Holy quran: 11-Houd (verse 58)

After a severe punishment, they were all destroyed and the believers and Prophet Hud were saved. 1) The believers are the helpers. 2) Wind and lightning can be a sign of God's mercy, but for those who commit polytheism and deny blessings, it can cause punishment.

And one of His signs is that He sends forth the winds bearing good news, and that He may make your taste of His mercy, and that the ships may run by His command, and that you may seek of His grace, and that you may be grateful.(46)
Holy quran: 30-al-rum (verse 46)