Indexed OCR Text

Allaah then sent Hadhrat Saalih v as a reformer and guide to them so that they
could recognise who Allaah was and acknowledge that it was the bounties that
He gave them which they were flaunting all day and night. He was sent to teach
them that needs are to be begged only from Him and that He needed nothing
and no one to assist Him in the administration of the universe. All worship was to
be dedicated only to Him.
The Thamud reject the Message
What surprised the influential ones of the Thamud the most was the fact that
Allaah selected Hadhrat Saalih v to convey this message to them. In their
arrogance, they believed that they were more worthy of being selected for the
message of Allaah. When the poor and weak ones accepted the message of
Hadhrat Saalih v, the wealthy ones would deride them and say, "Do you really
believe that Saalih is a Messenger from His Rabb?" When the believers attested
that they did indeed, the others would announce, "Well, we reject that which
you profess to believe."
Hadhrat Saalih v continued to advise and preach to the people, begging them
not to be intoxicated by the wealth, buildings and natural resources they
possessed since it was all from Allaah. He pleaded with them to be grateful to
Allaah for all of it and to express gratitude by worshipping and thanking Him
before it was too late and before He snatched it all away from them. He warned
them not to follow the example of their predecessors the Aad, whose arrogance
and folly led them to destruction.
Despite his tireless efforts, the people rejected his message. In fact, they grew
more stubborn. Although many of the poor and weak ones accepted, the
wealthy and influential ones refused to forsake their idols and give thanks to
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Allaah. They mocked at Hadhrat Saalih v and said that if they were in the wrong,
why were they blessed with wealth and prestige, while Hadhrat Saalih v and his
followers were not? Hadhrat Saalih v tried to explain to them that worldly
wealth is temporary and never a yardstick to differentiate the truth from
falsehood.
They continued to reject Hadhrat Saalih v and eventually told him that he should
prove his Nabuwaat-prophethood by producing a miracle. They promised
Hadhrat Saalih v that they would have no qualms about believing in him if he
produced this miracle. When he asked them what miracle they sought, they said
that he should produce a pregnant camel from the mountain, which must then
give birth.
The Camel of Allah
Hadhrat Saalih v prayed to Allaah to grant the miracle and Allaah acceded to his
request.
When Hadhrat Saalih v produced the camel exactly as they requested, one of
the leaders named Janda bin Amr immediately believed and became a Mu'min.
Their other leaders were also about to believe when the keepers of their
temples stopped them. This prevented many of the common people also from
believing.
Hadhrat Saalih v then told the people that since they asked for the camel, it was
Allaah's decree that the camel and her calf should be allowed every alternate
day to drink from the watering place. The camels of the people would be allowed
every day in between. Allaah also told him to inform the people that if the
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camel is harmed in any way, they will not be forgiven for it and it will signal their
prompt destruction.
Although the people did not admit their belief in Hadhrat Saalih v, they were so
awestruck by the incident that they agreed to leave the camel in safety. The
camel of Allaah then watered herself every alternate day, during which time the
people were at liberty to use her milk as well. The days in between were then
left for the people and their animals to water themselves.
This continued for a long while until the hearts of some people started to detest
the situation because they were unhappy to have only a single day for
themselves. They eventually got together and plotted to kill the camel. However,
none had the courage to do the dirty work since their hearts had acknowledged
the fact that the camel was indeed a miracle from Allaah.
Eventually, a beautiful woman named Sadooq approached a wretch from her
tribe called Musadda and another beautiful and wealthy woman named Unayzah
approached a wretch from her tribe called Qudaar. Both women told their men
that they could have them in marriage if they killed the camel. The two wretches
therefore prepared for the despicable task and decided to carry it out at night.
There were others who also promised to assist.
They then ambushed the camel one night and killed it. Seeing the frightening
scene, the calf ran screaming towards the mountains, where it eventually
disappeared. When he heard of this, Hadhrat Saalih v told the people, "O
wretches! You were unable to bear it any longer and did exactly what I feared
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you would do. The punishment which cannot be averted shall arrive in three
days time and will put an end to you all."55
Explaining the details of the punishment, Allaam Aalusi al das, writes in his Tafseer
Ruhul Ma'aani that the signs of punishment arrived the very next day when the
faces of the people turned pale out of fear. The following day, their faces were
red as their trepidation mounted. Eventually, on the third day, their faces
became black and darkened like a person who is awaiting death. Although this
showed that they did believe in Hadhrat Saalih v, yet their arrogance prevented
them from admitting it. Their condition was a result of their intense natural fear
and not a sign of repentance and remorse for what they had done. They were
eventually destroyed on the third day as a landmark sign to mankind forever.
The night was extremely dark when the punishment came as a terrifying and
piercing scream that caused them all to die in their sleep.
The Qur'aan refers to this sound as a Saa'iqah (bolt of lightning with roaring
thunder), Rajfah (quaking sound) and Sayha (scream). These are all different
descriptions of the same sound that shook the ground and ripped their hearts
open, causing them to die instantly.
As the disbelievers were destroyed, Allaah rescued the Mu'mineen, who
remained unharmed. Addressing the corpses of his nation afterwards, Hadhrat
Saalih v said, "O my people! Verily I conveyed to you the message of my Rabb,
but you did not like anyone to advise you".
Emigration
55 The above has been adapted from the Tafseer of Ibn Katheer and makes reference too many
authentic narrations.
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Historical reports suggest that Hadhrat Saalih v and his followers settled in
Palestine after the destruction of their nation. Historians differ with regard to
the name of the area where they settled, but because Palestine was a lush and
green place at the time, it is very possible that they lived here in an area the
Qur'aan describes as Hijr. Tafseer Khaazin states that they lived in a place close
to Ramalah in Palestine.
However, most historians agree that they settled in the very place where they
had been living. The people of Yemen have claimed from a long while back that
Hadhrat Saalih v returned to the place of his origin, which was Hadhramaut in
Yemen. They claim that the famous grave here is his. Allaama Aalusi al das y
confidently claims that Hadhrat Saalih v settled in Makkah and passed away
there. His grave is located west of the Kabah within the Haram. And Allaah
knows best.
He also states that 120 people believed in Hadhrat Saalih v and were saved,
while 1500 families were destroyed. The true nature of the incident can be read
in the eloquence of the Qur'aan.
In the Words of the Qur'an
Allaah says in verses 73-79 of Surah A'raaf:
وَ إِلَى ثَّمُؤْدَ آَخَابُمْ صُلِحًا قَالَ يُقَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ اِلْمٍ غَيْرُهُ - قَدْ جَاءَتْكُمْ بَيِّنَةٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّكُمْ + بُذِهِ نَاقَةُ اللهِ
لَكُمْ أَيَّ فَذَرُوْبَا تَأْكُلْ فِىْ أَرْضِ اللهِ وَلَا تَمَسُّوْبَا بِسُؤْءٍ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ (٧٣) وَاذْكُرُوْا إِذْ جَعَلَكُمْ خُلَفَاءَ مِنْ
بَعْدِ عَادٍ وَّ بَوَّاكُمْ فِى الْأَرْضِ تَتَّخِذُوْنَ مِنْ سُهُوْلِهَا قُصُوْرًا وَّ تَنْحِتُوْنَ الْجِبَالَ بُيُوتًاٌ فَاذْكُرُوا أَلَاءَ اللهِ وَ لَا تَعْثَوْا
فِى الْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِيْنَ (٧٣) قَالَ الْمَلَأُ الَّذِيْنَ اسْتَكْبَرُوْا مِنْ قَوْمِمٍ لِلَّذِيْنَ اسْتُضْعِفُوْا لِمَنْ أَمَنَ مِنْهُمْ آَتَعْلَمُوْنَ أَنَّ
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صُلِحًا مُرْسَلٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّم - قَالُوا إِنَّا بِمَا أُرْسِلَ بِم مُؤْمِنُوْنَ (٧٥) قَالَ الَّذِيْنَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا إِنَّا بِالَّذِى أَمَنْتُمْ بِم كُفِرُوْنَ
(٧٢) فَعَقَرُوا النَّاقَةَ وَ عَتَوْا عَنْ آَمْرِ رَبِّهِمْ وَ قَالُوْا يُصلِحُ انْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَا إِنْ كُنْتَ مِنَ الْمُرْسَلِيْنَ (٧٧)
فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الرَّحْفَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوْا فِىْ دَارِبِمْ جُثِمِيْنَ (٧٨) فَتَوَلَّى عَنْهُمْ وَقَالَ يَقَوْمِ لَقَدْ أَبْلَغْتُّكُمْ رِسَالَةَ رَبِّئْ وَنَصَحْتُ
لَكُمْ وَلَكِنْ لَّا تُحِبُّوْنَ النَّصِحِيْنَ (٧٩)
TRANSLATION: To the nation of Thamud We sent their brother Saalih v (as a prophet).
He said, "O my people! Worship only Allaah. There is no Ilaah for you but Him. An Aayah
(the miracle of the pregnant camel that came out of a rock) has already reached you from your
Rabb. This camel of Allaah is an Aayah for you (proving to you that I am Allaah's Rasool), so
leave it to graze in Allaah's land and do not touch it with evil (do not harm it), for then a
painful punishment will seize you. Remember (the time) when Allaah made you successors
after the Aad and stationed you (gave you a firm position) on earth. You build palaces on the
gentle portions of it (such as plains and gentle slopes) and carve homes out of the mountains.
Remember Allaah's bounties and do not spread corruption (kufr and Shirk) on earth." The
arrogant leaders of his nation said to those weak (poor) ones who had Imaan, "Are you
convinced that Saalih has been sent by his Rabb (as a prophet) ?" They replied, "We
certainly believe in what he has been sent with." Those who were arrogant said, "We
absolutely reject that which you believe in." So they stabbed (hamstrung) the camel,
defying the command of their Rabb and said, "O Saalih! Bring upon us that (punishment)
which you threaten us with if you are really from the Ambiyaa." So an earthquake seized
them and they lay face down (disgraced) in their (rock-hewn) homes (which were built to resist
earthquakes). Saalih v turned away from them and (addressing the dead nation) said, "O my
people! I conveyed to you the message of my Rabb and advised you, but you seemed not
to like advisors."
Verses 61-68 of Surah Hood states:
وَ إِلَى ثَّمُؤْدَ آَخَابُمْ صُلِحًا" قَالَ يُقَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ اِلٍ غَيْرُهُ - بُوَ أَنْشَاكُمْ مِّنَ الْأَرْضِ وَ اسْتَعْمَرَكُمْ فِيْهَا
فَاسْتَغْفِرُؤْهُ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ ﴿ إِنَّ رَبِّئْ قَرِيبٌ مُجِيْبٌ (١) قَالُوا يُصلِحُ قَدْ كُنْتَ فِيْنَا مَرْجُوًّا قَبْلَ بُذَا آَتَنْهُنَا أَنْ
نَّعْبُدَ مَا يَعْبُدُ أَبَاؤُنَا وَ إِنَّنَا لَفِىْ شَكِّ مِّمَّا تَدْعُوْنَا إِلَيْهِ مُرِيْبٍ (٢) قَالَ يُقَوْمِ آَرَءَيْتُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُ عَلَى بَيِّنَةٍ مِّنْ رَّبِّىْ
وَأَتْنِىٌ مِنْهُ رَحْمَةً فَمَنْ يَّنْصُرُنِىْ مِنَ اللهِ إِنْ عَصَيْتُمْ فَمَا تَزِيْدُوْنَنِى غَيْرَ تَخْسِيْرٍ (٢٣) وَ يُقَوْمِ بُذِهِ نَاقَةُ اللهِ
لَكُمْ أَيَّ فَذَرُوْبَا تَأْكُلْ فِىْ أَرْضِ اللهِ وَ لَا تَمَسُّوْبَا بِسُؤْءٍ فَيَأْخُذَّكُمْ عَذَابٌ قَرِيْبٌ (٢٣) فَعَقَرُوْبَا فَقَالَ تَمَنَّعُوْا فِىْ
دَارِكُمْ ثَلَّةَ آَيَّامٍ * ذُلِكَ وَعْدٌ غَيْرُ مَكْذُوْبٍ (٢٥) فَلَمَّا جَاءَ آَمْرُنَا نَجَّيْنَا صُلِحًا وَّ الَّذِيْنَ أَمَنُوْا مَعَهْ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنَّ وَ
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مِنْ خِزْىٍ يَوْمِئِذٍ ﴿ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ بُوَ الْقَوِىُّ الْعَزِيْزُ (٢٢) وَ آَخَذَ الَّذِيْنَ ظَلَّمُوا الصَّيْحَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوْا فِىْ دِيَارِبِمْ جُثِمِيْنَ
(٢٧) كَانْ أَمْ يَغْنَوْا فِيْهَا - آَلَا إِنَّ تَّمُوْدَأْ كَفَرُوْا رَبَّهُمْ ﴾ آلَا بُعْدًا لَّنَّمُوْدَ (٢٨)
TRANSLATION: To the (nation of) Thamud We sent their brother Saalih v (as a Nabi). He
said, "O my people! Worship (Only) Allaah. There is no Ilaah for you besides Him. He
created you from the earth and settled you on it. So seek forgiveness from Him, then turn
to Him. Undoubtedly, my Rabb is Near, Responsive." They said, "O Saalih! Certainly we
entertained high hopes in you before (before you started preaching Towheed to us we thought
that you would be one of our leaders or a saint because of your wisdom and intellect). Do you forbid
us from worshipping what our forefathers worshipped? Surely we are in such doubt about
what you call us towards, that it has cast us into uncertainty." He said, "O my people! Tell
me. If I am upon a clear proof from my Rabb (which proves that I am a Nabi) and He has
granted me a mercy (prophethood) from Himself, who will assist me against (the punishment
of) Allaah if I disobey Him (by doing what pleases you and not conveying the message of Towheed
that He has commanded me to convey) ? (By discouraging me from doing what I have been
commanded to do and asking me to follow you) You only increase me in loss (increase my
misfortune because this will attract Allaah's punishment). O my people! This (camel which emerged
from the mountain) is Allaah's camel (which He has sent) as an Aayah (miracle) for you (to prove
to you that I am Allaah's Nabi). So leave it to graze in Allaah's land and do not touch it with
evil intent, for then a near (swift) punishment shall afflict you." However, they killed
(hamstrung) it (the camel), to which he (Saalih v) said, "Enjoy yourselves in your homes for
three days (after which Allaah's punishment will destroy you). This is a promise that will not
prove false." When Our order (punishment) came, We saved Saalih v and those who had
Imaan with him by Our mercy and (We also saved them) from the humiliation of that day
(because being the victim of Allaah's punishment is humiliating). Indeed your Rabb is Powerful,
the Mighty. A (terrible) scream (from the sky) seized (killed) the oppressors and they were left
lying face down in their homes as if they had never existed there. Behold! The Thamud
disbelieved in their Rabb. Behold! May the Thamud be distanced (from Allaah's mercy).
Allaah briefly relates the incident in verses 80-84 of Surah Hijr, where He says:
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وَ لَقَدْ كَذَّبَ أَصْحُبُ الْحِجْرِ الْمُرْسَلِيْنَ (٨٠) وَ أَتَيْنُهُمْ أَيْتِنَا فَكَانُوْا عَنْهَا مُعْرِضِيْنَ (٨١) وَكَانُوْا يَنْحِتُوْنَ مِنَ
الْجِبَالِ بُيُوْتًا أَمِنِيْنَ (٨٢) فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الصَّيْحَةُ مُصْبِحِيْنَ (٨٣) فَمَا أَغْنَى عَنْهُمْ مَّا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُوْنَ (٨٢)
TRANSLATION: The people of Hijr (the Thamud) rejected the Ambiyaa (although Saalih v was
the only Nabi who came to the Thamud, the verse mentions that they rejected all the Ambiyaa. This is
so because rejecting the message of one Nabi is tantamount to rejecting all the Ambiyaa since all their
messages were the same). Our Aayaat (such as the camel emerging from a mountain) came to
them, yet they ignored these. They used to carve homes out of the mountains with peace
(without any difficulty). (However, despite their ingenuity and strength, Allaah's punishment destroyed
them when) A scream seized them during the morning (this scream of Jibra'eel v was so
frightening that it killed them). Whatever they earned was of no benefit to them (because it
neither saved them from Allaah's punishment in this world nor will it save them in the Aakhirah).
Verses 141-159 of Surah Shu'araa states:
كَذَّبَتْ تَمُودُ الْمُرْسَلِيْنَ (١٣١) إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوْبُمْ صلِحْ آَلَا تَتَّقُوْنَ (١٢٢) إِنِّيْ لَكُمْ رَسُوْلٌ آَمِيْنٌ (١٢٣)
فَاتَّقُوا اللهَ وَ أَطِيْعُوْنِ (١٢٣) وَمَا اسْلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ◌َّ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَى رَبِّ الْعُلَمِيْنَ (١٣٥) *
آَتُتْرَكُوْنَ فِى مَا بُهْنَا أَمِنِينَ (١٢٢) فِى جَنَّتٍ وَّ عُيُوْنٍ (١٢٧) وَ زُرُوْعٍ وَّ نَخْلٍ طَلْعُهَا بَضِيْمٌ (١٢٨) وَ
تَنْحِتُوْنَ مِنَ الْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا قُرِبِيْنَ (١٢٩)﴾ فَاتَّقُوا اللهَ وَ أَطِيْعُوْنِ (١٥٠) وَلَّا تُطِيْعُوْا أَمْرَ الْمُسْرِفِيْنَ (١٥١)
الَّذِيْنَ يُفْسِدُوْنَ فِى الْأَرْضِ وَلَا يُصْلِحُوْنَ (١٥٢) قَالُوا إِنَّمَا أَنْتَ مِنَ الْمُسَخَّرِيْنَ (١٥٣) مَا أَنْتَ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ
مَثْنَا وَُّ فَآتِ بِأَيَةٍ إِنْ كُنْتَّ مِنَ الصُّدِقِيْنَ (١٥٣) قَالَ بُذِهِ نَاقَةٌ لَّهَا شِرْبٌ وَّ لَكُمْ شِرْبُ يَوْمٍ مَّعْلُوْمٍ (١۵۵) وَ
لَا تَمَسُّوْبَا بِسُؤْءٍ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابُ يَوْمٍ عَظِيْمٍ (١٥) فَعَقَرُوْبَا فَأَصْبَحُوْا نُدِمِيْنَ (١٥٧) فَآَخَذَبُمُ الْعَذَابُ ٥* إِنَّ
فِى ذَلِكَ لَأَيَةًّ ٥﴿ وَ مَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُبُمْ مُّؤْمِنِيْنَ (١٥٨) وَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ الْعَزِيْزُ الرَّحِيمُ (١٥٩)٪
TRANSLATION: The (nation of) Thamud rejected those sent (as Ambiyaa). (Remember the
time) When their brother Saalih v said to them, "Do you not fear (Allaah's punishment for
committing Shirk) ? I am certainly a trustworthy Rasool to you. So fear Allaah and obey me.
I do not ask you for any payment for this (for preaching Towheed to you). My payment
(reward) is the responsibility of Allaah, the Rabb of the universe. Will you (Do you think that
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you will) be left in peace with what is here (in this world without having to leave it all behind after
death and without having to answer for everything you say and do)? Do you think that you will be left
in peace) In (your) orchards, springs, plantations and date palms with heavily laden stalks
(your date palms that bear dates in abundance) ? And (in addition to thinking that you will remain in
the world forever) you boastfully carve homes from the mountains (thinking that they will save
you from death). So fear Allaah and obey me. Do not obey the command of the
transgressors (sinners) who cause corruption on earth (commit Shirk, sin and oppression) and
who do not make amends (for the wrong that they do)." They (the Thamud mockingly) said,
"You are merely one of the bewitched ones." You are merely a human like us (why should
we then obey you). So produce an Aayah (miracle) for us (to prove that you really are a Rasool) if
you are from the truthful (if you are true in your claim to prophethood)." (When the Thamud then
requested Saalih v to extract a pregnant camel from a mountain, he made du'aa to Allaah, Who
granted the request. When the camel emerged from the mountain,) He (Saalih v) said (to the
people), "This is the camel (that you asked for). (Because of its great size,) It will have a day to
drink (from the watering place by herself) and your animals will have an appointed day to
drink (by themselves). Do not touch it (the camel) with evil intentions (do not harm it), for
then a punishment (disaster) of a dreadful day will afflict you."However, they (sent one of
their ruffians, who) killed (hamstrung) the camel, but then (they all) grew to regret it (when
Allaah's punishment came). The punishment then seized them (three days later). There is
certainly a great Aayah in this. However, most of them do not have Imaan. Verily your
Rabb is Mighty (Powerful enough to destroy whoever He wills), the Most Merciful (Forgiving
enough to pardon whoever repents sincerely).
Verses 45-53 of Surah Naml relate the incident thus:
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَى تَّمُؤْدَ آَخَابُمْ صُلِحًا آَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللهَ فَإِذَا بُمْ فَرِيْقُنِ يَخْتَصِمُوْنَ (٣٥) قَالَ يُقَوْمِ لِمَ تَسْتَعْجِلُوْنَ
بِالسَّيِّئَةِ قَبْلَ الْحَسَنَةِ وَ لَوْلَا تَسْتَغْفِرُونَ اللهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُوْنَ (٣٢) قَالُوا الطَّيَّرْنَا بِكَ وَبِمَنْ مَّعَكَ ﴾﴿ قَالَ
طَئِرُكُمْ عِنْدَ اللّهِ بَلْ آَنْتُمْ قَوْمٌ تُقْتَنُوْنَ (٢٧) وَكَانَ فِى الْمَدِيْنَةِ تِسْعَةُ رَبْطٍ يُفْسِدُوْنَ فِى الْأَرْضِ وَ لَا يُصْلِحُوْنَ
(٣٨) قَالُوْا تَقَاسَمُوْا بِاللهِ لَنُبَيَِّنَّهُ وَ أَبْلَهُ ثُمَّ لَنَقُوْلَنَّ لِوَلِّم مَا شَهِدْنَا مَهْلِكَ أَبْلِمٍ وَ إِنَّا لَصُدِقُوْنَ (٣٩) وَ مَكَرُوْا
مَكْرًا وَّ مَكَرْنَا مَكْرًا وَّبُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُوْنَ (٥٠) فَانْظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ مَكْرِبِمْ ﴿ أَنَّا دَمَّرْنُهُمْ وَ قَوْمَهُمْ أَجْمَعِيْنَ
(٥١) فَتِلْكَ بُيُوْتُهُمْ خَاوِيَةٌ بِمَا ظَلَمُوْا ﴿ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَأَيَةَّ لَّقَوْمٍ يَّعْلَمُوْنَ (٥٢) وَ أَنْجَيْنَا الَّذِيْنَ امَنُوا وَكَانُوا
يَتَّقُونَ (٥٣)
TRANSLATION: We had certainly sent to the (nation of) Thamud their brother Saalih v (as a
Nabi to tell them) "Worship Allaah." However, they suddenly became two rival groups (when
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one group accepted his message while another group opposed him). He said, "O my people! Why
do you seek to hasten evil before good (by asking for Allaah's punishment instead of asking for
safety) ? Why do you not seek forgiveness from Allaah (from Shirk) so that mercy may be
shown to you (and you may be saved from punishment) ?" They said, "We predict only evil (like
famine and hardship) to come (to us) from you and from those with you." He said, "Your
predictions of evil is with Allaah (only He can bring you the evil you expect from us). You are
but a nation that is being tested (to see whether you will do good by accepting Imaan or whether
you will remain on kufr and suffer the consequences)." There were nine persons in the town
who spread corruption (trouble, evil, robbery) in the land and never made amends (for their
wrongs). They said (to each other), "You should all swear an oath by Allaah that we will all
secretly kill him (Saalih v) and his family (the Mu'mineen) at night, after which we shall tell
his successors (his tribe), 'We were not present at the place where his family was killed
(and therefore know nothing about the murders), and we are certainly truthful." They plotted a
scheme (to murder Saalih v and the Mu'mineen) while We plotted a scheme (to destroy the
Kuffaar and save the Mu'mineen) without their knowledge. (When mischief reaches such limits,
destruction of the mischief- makers soon follows.) So see what was the outcome of their plot.
(Far from achieving their objective,) We annihilated them and their entire nation. These are
their homes (between Makkah and Shaam) that lie in ruins because of their oppression. There
is definitely an Aayah in this for people with knowledge. (As always,) We rescued (from the
punishment) those who had Imaan and who adopted Taqwa.
Allaah says in verses 17-18 of Surah HaaMeem Sajdah (Surah Fussilat):
وَ آَمَّا ثَمُؤْدُ فَهَدَيْتُهُمْ فَاسْتَحَبُّوا الْعَمَى عَلَى الْهُدَى فَآَخَذَتْهُمْ صِعِقَةُ الْعَذَابِ الْهُوْنِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُوْنَ (١٧٩) وَ
نَجَّيْنَا الَّذِيْنَ أُمَنُوْا وَكَانُوا يَتَّقُوْنَ (١٨)
TRANSLATION: As for the Thamud, We guided them (by sending Saalih v to preach Towheed to
them), but they chose (spiritual) blindness instead of guidance. So, because of what they
earned (their kufr and sins), a disastrous punishment seized them, which was extremely
humiliating. We rescued (from the punishment) those who had Imaan and who possessed
Taqwa.
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Verses 43-46 of Surah Dhaariyaat states:
وَ فِى ثَّمُؤْدَ إِذْ قِيْلَ لَهُمْ تَمَتَّعُوْا حَتَّى حِيْنٍ (٣٣) فَعَتَوْا عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِمْ فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الصَّعِقَةُ وَ بُمْ يَنْظُرُوْنَ (٣٣)
فَمَا اسْتَطَاعُوْا مِنْ قِيَامٍ وَّ مَا كَانُوْا مُنْتَصِرِيْنَ (٢٥) وَ قَوْمَ نُوْحٍ مِّنْ قَبْلُ - إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا قَوْمًا فُسِقِيْنَ (٪٣۶)
TRANSLATION: And (there is also a lesson) in (the story of) the Thamud when (after killing the
miraculous camel) they were told (by their Nabi Saalih v), "Enjoy yourselves for a while." They
transgressed against the command of their Rabb, so a (shattering) scream (or thunderbolt
from the sky) seized them as they looked on. (When Allaah's punishment struck them,) They
were unable to even stand and were helpless to avenge themselves. (Such was the condition
of) The nation of Nooh v (who were destroyed) before (all these nations mentioned above).
(Allaah's punishment destroyed them because) They were indeed a sinful nation (who rejected
the message of Towheed).
Allaah also discussed in somewhat detail in verses 23-32 of Surah Qamar:
كَذَّبَتْ تَمُؤْدُ بِالنُّذُرِ (٢٣) فَقَالُوا أَبَشَرًا مِّنَّا وَاحِدًا تَتَّبِعُمَّ ◌ٌ إِنَّا إِذَا لَّفِىْ ضَلْلٍ وَّ سُعُرِ (٢٣) ءَ أَلْقِىَ الذِّكْرُ عَلَيْهِ
مِنْ بَيْنِنَا بَلْ بُوَ كَذَّابٌ أَشِرٌ (٢٥) سَيَعْلَمُوْنَ غَدًا مَّنِ الْكَذَّابُ الْأَشِرُ (٢٢) إِنَّا مُرْسِلُوا النَّاقَةِ فِتْنَّ لَّهُمْ
فَارْتَقِبْهُمْ وَ اصْطَبِرْ (٢٧) وَ نَبِّنْهُمْ أَنَّ الْمَآءَ قِسْمَةُّ بَيْنَهُمْ نَّ كُلُّ شِرْبٍ مُّحْتَضَرٌ (٢٨) فَنَادَوْا صَاحِبَهُمْ
فَتَعَاطَى فَعَقَرَ (٢٩) فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِىْ وَ نُذُرِ (٣٠) إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَّيْهِمْ صَيْحَةً وَّاحِدَةً فَكَانُوْا كَهَشِيْمِ
الْمُحْتَظِرِ (٣١) وَ لَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْأَنَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَبَلْ مِنْ مُذَّكِرٍ (٣٢)
TRANSLATION: The Thamud rejected the (message of Towheed brought by Our) warners
(the Ambiyaa). (By rejecting the message of their Nabi Saalih v, they actually rejected the
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message of all the Ambiyaa because every Nabi brought the same message.) They said, "If we
were to follow a lonesome human from among ourselves, we would surely be in error
and insane. Has a revelation come only to him from among all of us (instead of coming
to one of our affluent people)? No (he cannot be true), he is but an arrogant liar."
Tomorrow (soon) they shall come to know who is an arrogant liar (they will then learn
that it was they and not the Nabi who was "an arrogant liar"). (When the Thamud requested
Saalih v to bring a pregnant camel from a rock, he made du'aa to Allaah, Who said to him,) "We
shall certainly send the camel as a test to them (to see which of them will then believe
that you are a Nabi and who will not) so watch them and be patient. (When the camel
comes, then) Inform them that the (drinking) water (for their livestock) shall be shared
between them (between the miraculous camel and the rest of their livestock) and each
should present himself on his turn (with the camel having a day for herself and the rest of
their livestock having the next day for themselves)." (However, the people were dissatisfied with
this arrangement and decided to have her killed.) So they (the people) called for their
companion (a notorious thug) who attacked (the camel) and cut (her hamstring, causing her
to die). How (severe) was My punishment and warnings (when it came to them
afterwards)? Verily We sent against them a single shout (from the sky, which killed them
all) and they became like the rubble of a fence builder (This is a proverb the Arabs used to
refer to something completely destroyed and useless). Undoubtedly We have made the Qur'aan
simple to take lesson from (to understand), so is there any who will take lessons (who will think)?
Allaah says in verses 4-5 of Surah Haaqa:
كَذَّبَتْ تَمُؤْدُ وَ عَادَّ بِالْقَارِعَةِ (٣) فَآَمَّا تَمُوْدُ فَأُبْلِكُوْا بِالطَّاغِيَةِ (٥)
TRANSLATION: The Thamud and the Aad rejected the Clamour (they refused to believe in the
coming of Qiyaamah). As for the Thamud, they were destroyed by a deafening sound.
Verses 11-15 of Surah Shams states:
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كَذَّبَتْ تَّمُؤْدُ بِطَغْوُبِهَا (١١) إِذِ انْبَعَثَ أَشْقُهَا (١٢) فَقَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ نَاقَةَ اللهِ وَ سُقْيُهَا (١٣٠) فَكَذَّبُوْهُ
فَعَقَرُوْبَا بَنْ فَدَمْدَمَ عَلَّيْهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ بِذَنْيِهِمْ فَسَوُّبِهَا (١٣) وَ لَا يَخَافُ عُقْبُهَا (١٥)
TRANSLATION: The Thamud rejected (the message of their Nabi) because of their
rebelliousness. (Remember the time) When the worst of them stood up (to kill the camel)
and the Rasool of Allaah (Saalih v) warned them, "Do not interfere with the camel of
Allaah (the camel that Allaah created very specially by causing it to emerge from a rock) and
its drinking." However, they rejected him (his warning) and killed it (the camel). So their
Rabb annihilated them because of their sins and made their destruction widespread
(so that none of them were spared). Allaah does not fear the consequences (of His actions.
Because of His immense wisdom in everything He does and because of His great power, none
can hold Him accountable for anything).
Conclusions and lessons
1. A Test for the People and the Camel of Allah
The camel was called the Camel of Allaah because it emerged directly from the
mountain without any apparent means, just as Hadhrat Aadam v, Hadhrat
Hawwa wie dil , and Hadhrat Isa u were born without means. Just as it was a sign
for the Thamud, it was also a test for them. It has always been the practice of
Allaah (called Sunnatullaah) to grant grace to the people who reject his Ambiyaa
pull sk. They are not destroyed immediately, but allowed to complete their
appointed term on earth before being destroyed.
However, when a nation demands that the Nabi v produces a miracle with the
promise that they would believe in him when he does, then their term of
existence is abruptly curtailed if they fail to believe. It is for this reason that the
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nations of Hadhrat Nooh u were destroyed by a swift punishment, as were the
nations of Aad, Thamud, Fir'oun, etc.
There was only one nation that Allaah exempted from this sequence of events.
Allaah describes the incident in verse 98 of Surah Yunus, where He says, "There
has been no nation who accepted Imaan (just before Allaah's punishment struck them), then
their Imaan profited them (because they were saved from Allaah's punishment), except the
nation of Yunus v. When they accepted Imaan, We turned away from them a punishment
of disgrace in this worldly life and We granted them enjoyment for a while (for as long as
they lived afterwards".
However, Imaan does not profit anyone when it is brought after the arrival of
the punishment, as was the case of Fir'oun. Apart from the nation of Hadhrat
Yunus v, no nation was saved after the decree of punishment had been issued.
Since the Qur'aan does not describe exactly why they were exempted, we
cannot make a statement to confirm the reason. However, what we have
deduced from other verses of the Qur'aan and the Ahadeeth is that this nation
repented sincerely to Allaah once they saw the signs of punishment and
noticed that Hadhrat Yunus u had left the city.
2. Dispelling a Doubt
Although the practice of Allaah (Sunnatullaah) had been like this with the
previous nations, the Ummah of Rasulullaah p has also been exempted.
Rasulullaah p said, "I prayed to Allaah not to destroy all of my Ummah with His
punishment and Allaah granted my prayer."56
56 Bukhaari.
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The Qur'aan also states, "Allaah shall not punish them while you (O Muhammad &) are
among them (because punishment affects all present and a Nabi can never be made to suffer
punishment) and Allaah will not punish them while (as long as) they (people among them) seek
forgiveness".57
3. Man's Self Deception
People are given to think that when a nation is blessed with the comforts and
wealth of this world, they are indeed the favoured one's of Allaah and are
shaded by His mercy. It was this misconception that caused many nations to be
deprived of the message of their Ambiyaa pul sk. In fact, it often happens that the
more luxury and comfort people find themselves enjoying, the harsher will they
be punished.
The Thamud were also duped by this deception and, instead of being grateful to
Allaah, they ridiculed the poor people who followed Hadhrat Saalih v.
Eventually, most of them rejected his message and were destroyed by Allaah's
punishment.
They argued with Hadhrat Saalih v that the wealth, power, mansions and
bounties that they had been granted was all because Allaah was pleased with
them. On the other hand, they said, Hadhrat Saalih v and his followers were
deprived of this because Allaah was not pleased with them. Hadhrat Saalih v told
them that these bounties were favours only when they expressed gratitude to
Allaah for them by submitting to Him and worshipping Him Alone. Otherwise, he
told them, these could be a curse and a means of punishment when they create
pride and arrogance.
57 Surah Anfaal, verse 33.
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In fact, Allaah states in the Qur'aan, "As for him who carries out kufr, I shall grant him
enjoyment for a while, after which I will drive (compel) him into the punishment of the
Fire (in the Aakhirah). It is the worst of places to be".5
4. Some Lessons
When Rasulullaah p and the Sahabah w were marching to Tabook on a military
expedition, they passed by the ruins of Hijr. Some of the Sahabah w drew water
from the well there and made some dough. When Rasulullaah p heard about it,
he had the water thrown out of the utensils and instructed that the dough be
fed to the animals. He then addressed the Sahabah y saying, "These are the
settlements of people whom Allaah had punished. We will not camp here or take
benefit from anything here. Let us proceed from here and camp elsewhere, lest
we be afflicted with some calamity."
Another narration states that Rasulullaah p said, "O people! When you pass by
the cities of the Thamud, and then do so weeping with the fear of Allaah.
Otherwise, do not go there at all."
When Rasulullaah p himself passed through, he said, "Never ask for Allaah signs.
When the people of Saalih v asked to see a sign, Allaah extracted a camel from
the mountain for them ... However, they eventually rebelled and hamstrung the
camel, causing it to die. Allaah therefore punished them with a shout and they
died in their homes. Only a solitary man by the name of Abu Rihaal was left
alive since he happened to be in the Haram at the time. However, he was
destroyed by the punishment as soon he left the Haram."59
58 Surah Baqarah, verse 126.
59 Taareekh Ibn Katheer (Vol.1 Pg.138).
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5. Addressing Impure Corpses
After the Kuffaar from the Thamud had been destroyed, Hadhrat Saalih v
returned to the city and, looking down at all the corpses, he said, "O my people! I
conveyed to you the message of my Rabb and advised you, but you seemed not to like
advisors".60 This address was similar to the manner in which Rasulullaah p
addressed the corpses of the Mushrikeen that had been cast into a well at Badr.
Addressing them by name, Rasulullaah p said, "Indeed, we have found
everything that our Rabb had promised us. Have you also found that which your
Rabb had promised you?"61
It was only the Ambiyaa pull se who could address the dead because Allaah made
their words reach the dead people, even though they were unable to reply.
When Rasulullaah p addressed the dead Mushrikeen on this occasion, Hadhrat
Umar t asked whether they could hear him. "Certainly!" Rasulullaah p replied,
"In fact, they can hear me better than you, but they are unable to reply."
Allaah says in the Qur'aan, "The blind and the seeing cannot be equal, neither can
a multiplicity of darkness and the light (be equal), neither (can) shade and heat (be the
same). (Just as all of the above are opposites, so too are kufr and Imaan, sin and virtue,
the Kuffaar and the Mu'mineen.) (In the same manner,) The living (the Mu'mineen) and
the dead (the Kuffaar) cannot be the same. Whoever Allaah wills He makes him hear (the
truth), and you (O Rasulullaah p) cannot make those in the graves hear (without Allaah's
will). You (O Rasulullaah p) are only a warner (you can only warn them about the
consequences of kufr but cannot force them to renounce it)".62
6. The Reality of Miracles
60 Surah A'raaf, verse 79.
Bukhaari.
62 Surah Faatir, verse 19-23.
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The emergence of the camel from the mountain was a Mu'jizah (miracle) of
Hadhrat Saalih v. While scholars have deliberated at length about the reality of
miracles, we shall give just as gist here. The Arabic word Mu'jizah literally refers
to something that makes others helpless. Technically, it refers to something that
is accomplished without using the standard means. When such a thing is done, it
renders the human mind helpless to understand. Such acts force people to
accept that they cannot be accomplished by human beings without the help of a
Divine being. It is therefore an accepted fact that a Mu'jizah is an act of Allaah to
prove the truthfulness of a Nabi v.
Now the Qur'aan makes it evident that the system and practice of Allaah in this
world does not change. If this is so, why does a Mu'jizah appear contrary to the
system of events in this world?
In reply to this, we need to understand that the system of Allaah operates on
two different levels. The first is the standard system, which is by far most
common and widespread. According to this system, fire will burn, water will
have a cooling effect, poison will be fatal, honey will display curative properties,
etc. This may be termed as the standard system of cause and effect.
The second system is one that does not work by the cause and effect rule. In
fact, it works against means. By this system, all the means of burning will be
available, but something will not burn or food cooked for 100 people will fill the
bellies of 200 people without it depleting. These occurrences defy all logic and
take place only when necessary. They always have a specific purpose. Although a
fire that does not burn and poison that does not kill may seem to contradict the
common system, it does not contradict Allaah's special system. This system
often came into action when Allaah's Ambiyaa pull needed to prove that they
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were indeed sent by Allaah. It will not be used when an imposter requires it to
prove prophethood.
At the same time, it is also necessary to add that a miracle is not the only
indication of a person's Nabuwaat-prophethood. If a Nabi u never showed a
single miracle, this cannot be used to say he was not a Nabi. The Ambiya pul ale
possess many other qualities that prove their Nabuwaat-prophethood. Many
Ambiyaa pull # have passed who displayed no Mu'jizah. However, if a nation asks
for a Mu'jizah, it is a clear indication of the Nabuwaat-prophethood of their Nabi
v and if they then deny it, they will clearly be Kuffaar.
Also fundamental to understand is that any person demonstrating what seems
to be a miracle cannot be called a Nabi. Every aspect of a Nabi's life can be
tested for traits of Nabuwaat-prophethood. There can be no aspect of a Nabi's
life that can be put to question or be objectionable. For example, his character
will always be of the highest degree, he will be free from sin, he will always be
truthful and his teachings will be beyond objection. These are miracles in
themselves.
All this has been discussed just to define what a Mu'jizah is. Otherwise, there
cannot be any Mu'jizah that will take place after the passing of Rasulullaah p
since no Nabi will ever come after him and need to prove his prophethood. If a
supernatural feat has to be displayed after Rasulullaah p by any pious person,
then it will not be called a Mu'jizah, but a Karaamah. On the other hand, if a
sinful person or Kaafir displays such an act, it will be referred to as Istidraaj or
magic, etc.
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A Mu'jizah can be displayed only by a Nabi of Allaah. Since the Ambiyaa pul Atak
were all human beings, their miracles were done only with the help of Allaah.
They were unable to it by themselves since they are unable to alter the regular
system of Allaah without Allaah;s permission. During the Battle of Badr,
Rasulullaah p threw a handful of sand into the enemy army, which temporarily
blinded them all. Referring to this incident, Allaah says, "you (O Rasulullaah p) did not
throw (the handful of sand into the eyes of the Mushrikeen to temporarily blind all of them) when
you threw, but it was (actually) Allaah Who threw (because if it were not for Allaah placing the
power into the handful of sand, it would not have had the desired effect)".63
This verse is sufficient to describe the nature of a Mu'jizah. The furthest a human
can throw a handful of sand is perhaps 100 to 200 yards. Then too, it would
travel only directly ahead. However, with the help of Allaah, the sand Rasulullaah
p threw reached the eyes of every member of the Mushrikeen army, even
though they were more than a thousand in number and spread out all over the
battlefield.
7. Visible Lessons
The ruins of the cities of the Thamud lay north-west of Arabia and is still referred
to as the Hijr area. Nowadays, there is a settlement there called Madain Saalih,
which is located between Madinah and Tabook. Their rock buildings carved out
of the mountains are still standing and span an area of many thousands of acres.
One can well imagine that the area was once home to three to four hundred
thousand people.
During the time of Rasulullaah p, the Arab traders passed through these ruins
often as they travelled to Shaam. When Rasulullaah p and the Sahabah \ passed
63 Surah Anfaal, verse 17.
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