Hūd is the first of three characters in this sūra who are thought to be Arabian messengers but are not known from the Bible or Jewish traditions. The other two figures are Sāliḥ (v. 73) and Shu‘ayb (v. 85). Hūd preaches to his people, called ‘Ād, and the people reject his message. Then Allah rescues Hūd and cuts off the unbelievers. The story of Hūd appears elsewhere in the Quran at 11.50–60; 26.123–40; and 46.21–26.

Early Muslim writings supply many details to the story of Hūd and ‘Ād, but these writings offer no helpful evidence for a historical identification.