Prophet Salih (peace be upon him) is one of the prophets mentioned in the Quran, sent by Allah to the ancient people of Thamud, a powerful and prosperous civilization that followed in the footsteps of their predecessors, the people of ‘Ad, who were destroyed for their arrogance and disobedience. Like the people of ‘Ad, the Thamud had become arrogant, turned to idol worship, and oppressed the weak. Prophet Salih was chosen by Allah to guide them back to the path of monotheism and righteousness.
One of the most significant aspects of Prophet Salih’s story is the miracle of the she-camel, a sign sent by Allah to test the faith of the people of Thamud. Despite this miraculous sign, most of the Thamud rejected Salih’s message, leading to their eventual destruction. This article explores the life of Prophet Salih, his mission, the miracle of the she-camel, the challenges he faced, and the lessons Muslims can learn from his story as told in the Quran.
1. The People of Thamud
The people of Thamud were an ancient Arabian tribe who succeeded the people of ‘Ad. They inhabited the region of Al-Hijr (also known as Madain Salih), located in the northwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula. Like the ‘Ad, the Thamud were skilled builders and engineers, known for carving homes and temples out of the mountains. The Quran praises their architectural achievements but also condemns their arrogance and idol worship.
The Thamud were blessed with material wealth, fertile land, and advanced technological abilities, but instead of using these blessings to worship and thank Allah, they became arrogant and unjust. They oppressed the weak and attributed their success to their idols rather than to Allah. To guide them back to the worship of Allah, Allah sent Prophet Salih, a man from among their own people, who was known for his wisdom, righteousness, and sincerity.
2. Prophet Salih’s Mission to the People of Thamud
Prophet Salih was sent to the people of Thamud to call them to monotheism—the worship of Allah alone. Like all the prophets before and after him, Salih’s message was clear and straightforward: abandon your false gods, worship the One True God, and live a life of righteousness. The Quran recounts Salih’s call to his people:
"And to Thamud [We sent] their brother Salih. He said, 'O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. He has produced you from the earth and settled you in it, so ask forgiveness of Him and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is near and responsive.'"
(Quran 11:61)
Salih reminded the Thamud of the many blessings Allah had bestowed upon them—their prosperity, their fertile land, and their impressive buildings. He urged them to be grateful to Allah, to stop their oppression, and to return to the worship of the Creator. He also warned them of the consequences of continuing in their disobedience.
The Reaction of the Thamud
Despite Salih’s clear message and his sincere efforts to guide his people, the Thamud responded with arrogance and disbelief. They rejected his call to monotheism and accused him of being a liar. Like the people of ‘Ad before them, the Thamud were proud of their material success and believed that their idols were responsible for their achievements.
The Quran describes their response:
"They said, 'O Salih, you were among us a man of promise before this. Do you forbid us to worship what our fathers worshiped? And indeed we are about that to which you invite us in disquieting doubt.'"
(Quran 11:62)
The Thamud’s attachment to the traditions of their forefathers and their idolatry blinded them to the truth of Salih’s message. They saw no reason to abandon the gods that had been worshiped by their ancestors, even though Prophet Salih clearly warned them of the dangers of following falsehood.
3. The Miracle of the She-Camel
To prove the truth of his message, Allah sent a great sign to the people of Thamud: the miracle of the she-camel. This camel was no ordinary animal; it was a miraculous creation, brought forth from a rock at the request of the Thamud themselves. The people of Thamud had challenged Salih to bring them a sign, and Allah answered their challenge with the she-camel, which became a test for them.
The Quran recounts this event:
"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."
(Quran 11:64)
The she-camel was sent as a visible, undeniable miracle from Allah. It was meant to be a test of the people’s obedience and faith. Prophet Salih warned the Thamud not to harm the camel and to let it graze freely, as it was a sign from Allah. He also instructed them that the camel would have a specific time to drink water, and the people would have their time, indicating that the camel was to be respected and cared for.
A Test of Faith
Despite this clear miracle, most of the Thamud refused to believe in Salih’s message. While a small group among them accepted Islam and followed Salih, the majority of the tribe continued in their disbelief and arrogance. They saw the camel as a burden rather than a blessing, and they conspired to harm it.
The leaders of the Thamud, driven by their arrogance and hatred for Salih, plotted to kill the she-camel, defying Allah’s command. They encouraged one of their men to carry out the act, and he struck the camel, killing it. The Quran describes their crime:
"But they hamstrung her, and so [their prophet] said, 'Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days. That is a promise not to be denied.'"
(Quran 11:65)
By killing the she-camel, the Thamud had committed a grave sin. They had rejected a clear sign from Allah and disobeyed His command. Prophet Salih warned them that they had three days to enjoy their lives before Allah’s punishment would descend upon them. Despite this final warning, the Thamud remained defiant and refused to repent.
4. The Punishment of the People of Thamud
True to Prophet Salih’s warning, after three days, the punishment of Allah descended upon the people of Thamud. A powerful and devastating earthquake struck their land, destroying their homes and burying them under the ruins of the very mountains they had carved into for shelter.
The Quran describes their destruction:
"So the earthquake seized them, and they became within their home [corpses] fallen prone."
(Quran 7:78)
"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."
(Quran 41:17)
The once-powerful and prosperous civilization of Thamud was wiped out, leaving behind only ruins as a reminder of their arrogance and disobedience. Their story serves as a lesson for future generations about the consequences of rejecting Allah’s guidance and failing to heed the warnings of His prophets.
5. Prophet Salih and the Believers Are Saved
While the disbelievers among the Thamud were destroyed, Prophet Salih and the small group of believers who followed him were saved by Allah’s mercy. After witnessing the destruction of his people, Salih expressed his sorrow for their loss, knowing that they had been given every opportunity to repent but had chosen to persist in their disbelief.
Salih said to his people:
"O my people, I had certainly conveyed to you the message of my Lord and advised you, but you do not like advisors."
(Quran 7:79)
The story of Prophet Salih and the people of Thamud serves as a powerful reminder of the mercy and justice of Allah. Those who followed the path of righteousness were saved, while those who rejected the truth faced the consequences of their actions.
6. The Story of Salih in the Quran
The story of Prophet Salih is mentioned in several chapters (Surahs) of the Quran, including Surah Al-A'raf, Surah Hud, Surah Ash-Shu’ara, and Surah Al-Qamar. These verses highlight the themes of faith, arrogance, and divine justice, underscoring the importance of following the guidance of Allah’s prophets.
In Surah Al-A'raf, the Quran narrates the exchange between Salih and his people, emphasizing the importance of repentance and the consequences of disobedience:
"And to Thamud [We sent] their brother Salih. He said, 'O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord. This is the she-camel of Allah [sent] to you as a sign. So leave her to eat within Allah's land and do not touch her with harm, lest there seize you a painful punishment.'"
*(Quran
7:73)*
The Quran uses the story of Salih and the Thamud to warn future generations of the dangers of arrogance, injustice, and disbelief, while also highlighting Allah’s mercy toward those who choose the path of righteousness.
7. Lessons from the Story of Prophet Salih
The story of Prophet Salih offers several valuable lessons for Muslims today, focusing on the importance of faith, humility, and obedience to Allah.
1. The Importance of Worshiping Allah Alone
Like all the prophets before and after him, Prophet Salih’s central message was to call his people to the worship of Allah alone. The Thamud had turned to idols, forgetting that only Allah has the power to grant success or protect from harm. Salih’s mission serves as a reminder to all believers to place their trust in Allah alone and to avoid all forms of idolatry.
2. The Dangers of Arrogance
The people of Thamud were known for their arrogance, believing that their material success and strength made them invincible. They mocked Prophet Salih’s message and rejected the signs of Allah, leading to their destruction. Their story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the importance of humility before Allah.
3. The Consequences of Rejecting Allah’s Signs
The miraculous she-camel was a clear sign from Allah, yet the Thamud rejected it and committed the grave sin of killing the animal. This act of defiance sealed their fate and led to their destruction. The story of the Thamud serves as a warning about the consequences of rejecting Allah’s signs and failing to heed the guidance of His prophets.
4. The Reward for the Believers
Despite the destruction of the disbelievers, Prophet Salih and the believers were saved by Allah’s mercy. This highlights the importance of remaining steadfast in faith, even when faced with opposition, and trusting in Allah’s protection and guidance.
Conclusion: The Legacy of Prophet Salih
Prophet Salih (peace be upon him) is remembered in Islam as a model of patience, faith, and sincerity. His mission to the people of Thamud, the miraculous sign of the she-camel, and the eventual destruction of the disbelievers serve as powerful reminders of the consequences of arrogance and disbelief. The story of Salih teaches Muslims the importance of worshiping Allah alone, remaining humble, and being mindful of the signs of Allah.
For Muslims today, the story of Prophet Salih is a timeless lesson in faith, humility, and obedience, encouraging believers to follow the guidance of the prophets and live a life of righteousness.