Hud

Verses

123

Revelation

Makki

Period

Late Makkan

Surah No.

11 / 114

Overview

Surah Hud is a powerful late Makkan surah that recounts the stories of seven prophets (Nuh, Hud, Salih, Ibrahim, Lut, Shu'ayb, and Musa) and the fate of the peoples who rejected them. The surah is characterised by its solemn, weighty tone. The Prophet famously said this surah made him old because of the verse commanding him to remain steadfast. Its central message is the inevitability of divine justice and the need for unwavering perseverance.

أسباب النزول

Occasion of Revelation (Asbab al-Nuzul)

Revealed in the final years before the Hijra when persecution was at its height. The multiple narratives of prophets who persevered alone against entire civilisations were meant to strengthen the Prophet and his followers. When Abu Bakr noticed the Prophet's hair had turned grey, the Prophet attributed it to surah Hud and similar surahs, citing specifically the verse "So remain on the right course as you have been commanded" (11:112).

Key Themes

Steadfastness in the face of rejectionStories of seven prophets and their nationsThe inevitability of divine punishment for transgressionThe story of Nuh and the great floodThe punishment of the people of Hud and SalihThe destruction of the people of LutThe importance of istiqamah (remaining firm on the right path)

Notable Verses

11:112

“So remain on a right course as you have been commanded, and whoever has turned back with you.”

The Prophet said: "Hud and its sister surahs have made me old" and cited this verse specifically, because the command to remain steadfast exactly as commanded places an immense weight on the believer.

Virtues of this Surah

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Hud and its sisters, Al-Waqi'ah, Al-Mursalat, An-Naba and At-Takwir, have made me old." (Tirmidhi)