Prophet Salih (peace be upon him) was an Arab prophet sent to the people of Thamud, a prosperous tribe living in the region of Al-Hijr (modern-day northwest Arabia, between Hijaz and Tabuk in Saudi Arabia). This nation, known for its impressive architectural skills in carving homes from mountains, was deeply immersed in idolatry and moral corruption despite their wealth. Allah ﷻ sent Prophet Salih (AS) to guide them back to monotheism, but like many nations before them, they rejected divine guidance. Their arrogance culminated in a significant demand—a miraculous she-camel, which was eventually sent by Allah ﷻ as both a sign and a test. The people of Thamud failed this test, resulting in their eventual destruction. Prophet Salih’s (AS) story is mentioned multiple times in the Qur'an, offering a powerful lesson on the consequences of rejecting Allah's ﷻ signs.
Who Was Prophet Salih (AS)?
Prophet Salih (AS) was born into the tribe of Thamud, a wealthy and advanced civilization. His status among the Thamudites is indicated by the Qur’an’s description of him as being one of their own:
“And to Thamud (We sent) their brother Salih…”
(Surah Al-A'raf 7:73)
Though he belonged to this prosperous and sophisticated tribe, Prophet Salih (AS) did not indulge in the idolatry and corruption that characterized his people. Instead, he was selected by Allah ﷻ as a prophet, entrusted with the task of bringing the Thamud back to worshipping the one true God. He was known for his wisdom, eloquence, and deep faith, and like other prophets, he faced rejection from his people despite his clear message.
The People of Thamud
The Thamudites were a powerful, wealthy, and technologically advanced civilization, blessed with abundant resources and natural luxuries. They lived in the region of Al-Hijr, known for its mountainous landscape, which they utilized to carve out impressive homes with great skill and precision. The Qur'an frequently references their architectural prowess, highlighting how they shaped solid mountains into dwellings, reflecting their advanced technology and understanding of construction.
In addition to their architectural abilities, the Thamudites enjoyed the luxuries of lush gardens, abundant springs, and bountiful crops. The Qur'an speaks of the richness of their land, mentioning their plentiful fruits, palm trees, and soft, ripened produce. They lived securely amidst this abundance, taking pride in their achievements and comfort.
"Will you be left in what is here, secure [from death], in gardens and springs, and fields of crops and palm trees with softened fruit? And you carve out of the mountains, homes, with skill."
(Surah Ash-Shu'ara 26:147-150)
"And [with] Thamud, who carved out the rocks in the valley?"
(Surah Al-Fajr 89:9)
Salih's Call to Monotheism and the People's Opposition
Prophet Salih (AS) began his mission by calling his people to the worship of Allah ﷻ alone, reminding them of the blessings they had received and the transience of their material possessions.
He warned them of the dire consequences of their disbelief and sinful behavior. Salih’s message was simple yet profound, emphasizing that their power and wealth were tests from Allah ﷻ:
“And remember when He made you successors after the people of 'Ad and settled you in the land, and you take for yourselves palaces from its plains and carve from the mountains, homes. Then remember the favors of Allah and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.”
(Surah Al-A'raf 7:74)
Despite Prophet Salih's (AS) clear warnings and guidance, the Thamud were stubborn in their disbelief. They mocked him and demanded a sign to prove his prophethood. According to the Qur'an:
“They said, ‘You are only of those affected by magic. You are but a man like ourselves. So bring a sign if you should be of the truthful.’”
(Surah Ash-Shu’ara 26:153-154)
The Demand for a Miracle and the Emergence of the She-Camel
The Thamudites, in their arrogance, sought an extraordinary miracle to challenge Prophet Salih’s (AS) message. They demanded that a she-camel be miraculously brought forth from a specific rock or mountain. They thought such a demand was impossible, but by the will of Allah ﷻ. In their defiance, the Thamud demanded a tangible, miraculous sign to test Salih's message. According to various Islamic sources, they set specific conditions:
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Physical Attributes: They requested that the camel be massive in size and visibly pregnant. The Qur’an itself does not provide details on her exact appearance, but other Islamic traditions and commentaries suggest that she was extraordinarily large, making her appearance an obvious miracle.
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Emergence from the Rock: They demanded that the camel come out of a particular rock or a specific mountain, a request meant to make the miracle even more improbable. This is often understood as a challenge to Allah’s ﷻ power, yet Allah ﷻ fulfilled their request as a sign of His ability.
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Pregnancy: Many traditional Islamic sources mention that the she-camel was pregnant when she emerged from the rock. This was likely meant to show that not only was the camel miraculously formed, but it was also capable of bearing offspring, further signifying Allah's ﷻ creative power.
- Temperature of Milk: While these details are not directly mentioned in the Qur'an, various historical and Islamic sources convey that they set increasingly impossible conditions for the miracle, even specifying the temperature of the camel's milk. They demanded that her milk should be warm in winter and cold in summer.
Prophet Salih (AS) prayed, and a she-camel emerged from the mountain, just as they had requested. The Qur'an mentions this event:
"And to the people of Thamud We sent their brother Saliḥ. He said, ‘O my people! Worship Allah—you have no other god except Him. A clear proof has come to you from your Lord: this is Allah’s she-camel as a sign to you. So leave her to graze freely on Allah’s land and do not harm her, or else you will be overcome by a painful punishment.’"
Surah Al-A'raf (7:73)
“And O my people, this is the she-camel of Allah—she is to you a sign. So let her feed upon Allah’s earth and do not touch her with harm, or you will be taken by an impending punishment.”
(Surah Hud 11:64).
The miraculous camel was not an ordinary animal; it was a direct sign from Allah ﷻ, meant to test their obedience. Prophet Salih (AS) warned his people to treat the camel with care, allowing her to drink from the water source on alternate days, while they could drink on the other days:
“And inform them that the water is shared between them, each (day of) drink attended (by turn).”
(Surah Al-Qamar 54:28).
The Defiance and Slaughter of the She-Camel
Despite witnessing this miracle, the Thamudites’ arrogance only grew. A group among them, led by a wicked man named Qudar ibn Salif, conspired to kill the she-camel. The Qur'an describes their crime:
"But they rejected him and hamstrung her, so their Lord destroyed them for their sin and leveled them to the ground."
(Surah Ash-Shams 91:14)
“But they hamstrung her, and so he (Salih) said, ‘Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days. That is a promise not to be denied.’” (Surah Hud 11:65).
The decision to kill the she-camel stemmed from a mix of arrogance, greed, and defiance:
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Economic Fear: The camel drank a significant amount of water, which made the people fearful of losing their resources.
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Defiance of the Divine: By killing the she-camel, the leaders of Thamud sought to challenge and undermine the power of Allah ﷻ, rejecting the signs sent to them.
- Temptation and Rivalry: By killing the she-camel, the leaders of Thamud sought to challenge and undermine Prophet Salih’s (AS) authority, they wanted to remove what they saw as a challenge to their power, as he was gaining influence.
The murder of the she-camel was an outright rejection of Prophet Salih’s (AS) message and a direct act of defiance against Allah ﷻ. Prophet Salih (AS) warned them that punishment would descend upon them within three days.
"And as for Thamud, We guided them, but they preferred blindness over guidance, so the thunderbolt of humiliating punishment seized them for what they used to earn."
(Surah Fussilat 41:17)
The Punishment of the Thamud
True to Prophet Salih’s (AS) warning, after three days, Allah’s ﷻ punishment came upon the people of Thamud. The Qur'an describes their destruction through a combination of natural disasters—a mighty shriek and a violent earthquake:
“And they used to carve from the mountains, houses, feeling secure. But the blast seized them in the morning."
(Surah Al Hijr 15:82-83)
"Thamud and 'Aad denied the Striking Calamity. So as for Thamud, they were destroyed by the overpowering [blast]."
Surah Al-Haqqah (69:4-5)
"But they denied him, so the punishment of the day of the black cloud seized them. Indeed, it was the punishment of a terrible day."
(Surah Ash-Shu’ara 26:189)
“So the earthquake seized them, and they became within their home (corpses) fallen prone.”
(Surah Al-A’raf 7:78)
“And the shriek seized those who had wronged, and they became within their homes (corpses) fallen prone.”
(Surah Hud 11:67)
Their once-prosperous civilization was completely wiped out, leaving behind only their ruined homes as a warning for future generations.
Prophet Salih’s Fate
After the destruction of the Thamud, Prophet Salih (AS) and the few believers who had accepted his message were spared. He expressed his grief for his people and their refusal to heed his warnings, but he accepted the will of Allah ﷻ. Prophet Salih (AS) departed from the ruins of Thamud, leaving behind a cautionary tale of arrogance, disbelief, and divine punishment.
"So when Our command came, We saved Salih and those who believed with him, by mercy from Us, and [saved them] from the disgrace of that day. Indeed, it is your Lord who is the Powerful, the Exalted in Might."
(Surah Hud 11:66)
Hadith Regarding the Land of Thamud
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned his followers about the land of Thamud during an expedition to Tabuk. He instructed them not to drink from the wells where the people of Thamud once lived or to linger in the area. According to a hadith recorded in Sahih Bukhari:
"Do not enter the dwelling-places of those who wronged themselves, unless you are weeping, lest what befell them befalls you."
(Sahih Bukhari)
This hadith highlights the severe consequences of divine punishment and serves as a reminder to stay obedient to Allah’s ﷻ commands.
Conclusion
The story of Prophet Salih (AS) and the people of Thamud is a powerful narrative of divine justice, obedience, and the consequences of arrogance. The Thamud, despite their wealth and power, were tested by Allah ﷻ through a miraculous she-camel, but their defiance and arrogance led them to commit the ultimate sin of killing the camel. Their punishment was swift and devastating, serving as a stark reminder for future generations. Prophet Salih’s (AS) steadfastness and ultimate survival demonstrate the importance of faith and submission to Allah ﷻ, regardless of worldly opposition. The story, with its vivid details and divine lessons, is immortalized in the Qur'an as a warning to all of humanity.
Further Detailed References from the Quran:
- Surah Ash-Shu'ara (26:141-159)
- Surah Al-A'raf (7:73-78)
- Surah Al-Hijr (15:80-84)
- Surah Hud (61:67)
