Ubar

In 1990 CE, archaeologists started digging in the Rub Al-Khali (Empty Quarter) of Arabia in the state of Oman. They were searching for the long lost city of Ubar. Before this, the space shuttle Challenger had discovered, by radar, many trails from different places leading to one place. Historians guessed that the trails were leading to Ubar, the city that was at the center of the frankincense trade during ancient times.

History

According to the Quran, the people of this great city were the people of 'Ad upon whom Allah carried His punishment of strong winds that lasted seven nights and eight days [Al-Haqqa 69:7] because they refused to believe in Allah (SWT). The 'Ad people came after Nuh, alayhi-salam's people. Allah (SWT) had given them a stature tall among the nations [Al-A'raf 7:69] The people of 'Ad took great pride in their strength and stature and they used to say, "Who is superior to us in strength?" [Fussilat 41:15). In the same ayah, Allah says, "Did they not see that Allah, who created them was superior to them in strength? But they continued to reject Our Signs!" They called their Prophet, Hud, alayhi-salam, a liar [Al-A'raf 7:65]. Hud, alayhi-salam, warned them of Ahqaf (winding sand-tracts). [Al-Ahqaf 46:21] Their city was totally wiped out and now was discovered in a huge and unlivable desert with great sand dunes.

Discovery

Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a whole fortress with huge pillars that were ten feet in diameter and thirty feet tall. The Quran says, "Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with the people of 'Ad, people of pillars, the like of which was not seen in the land?" [Al-Fajr 89:6-8] The people of 'Ad were great builders. The Quran mentions that Hud, alayhi-salam, said to his people, "Do you build a landmark on every high place to amuse yourselves? And do you get for yourselves fine buildings in the hope of living therein forever?" [Ash-Shu'araa 26:128-129] The archaeologists also discovered that the place was once fertile, with plenty of water. The Quran says that Hud, alayhi-salam, reminded his people to fear Allah who had bestowed upon them gardens and springs. [Ash-Shu'araa 26:134]

Significance

The significance of this discovery is that it provides one more proof that the Quran is the authentic Book of Allah (even though the other books revealed by Him were authentic, of course, but they were later changed by people). Among all of the scriptures in the world, only the Quran has spoken about these people. Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, did not discover the city, nor did anyone else because the city was buried deep in the sand, but Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, in the Quran about these people. Now fourteen centuries after Qur'an told us about them, the city has been unearthed.