The People of ‘Aad

The people of ‘Aad lived in a city called Iram, between Yemen and Oman in south of Arabia. They were one of the first Arabs. They were very large and strong, like no one else before them. They were also extremely wealthy and powerful, possibly the most powerful nation in the world at the time. They were known for building large, tall houses with pillars, the likes of which had never before been seen on Earth. 

But because they were so powerful, both physically and as a nation, they became arrogant. Their rulers were unjust and tyrannical, and they worshipped stones and idols as other false gods alongside Allah. They did worship Allah, but not alone. This was shirk, and this is the one sin Allah does not forgive if the person doesn’t repent.