Prophet Salih (AS) – The She-Camel of Thamud حضرت صالح علیہ السلام – قومِ ثمود اور اونٹنی

Thamud came after 'Ad and inherited their place in the land (Quran 7:74). They lived in al-Hijr, in the north-west of the Arabian Peninsula, and were skilled at carving homes out of the mountains and building palaces on the plains (Quran 7:74; 15:80-82; 89:9). Their land had gardens, springs, crops and palm trees with soft, ripe fruit (Quran 26:146-148).

Allah sent to them their brother Salih (AS), who called them to worship Allah alone. Before his mission they had placed great hopes in him, and they were shocked that he now forbade them from worshipping what their forefathers had worshipped (Quran 11:61-62). The chiefs said he was bewitched and only a human being like themselves, and demanded a sign (Quran 26:153-154).

Allah gave them a clear sign: a she-camel, called 'the she-camel of Allah'. Salih (AS) told them to let her graze freely on Allah's earth and not to harm her, or a painful punishment would seize them (Quran 7:73; 11:64). The water was to be shared: she would drink on one day and they on another (Quran 26:155; 54:28). The Quran does not describe how the camel appeared; the popular story that she came out of a rock is narrated by some commentators, but it is not established in the Quran or authentic hadith.

Instead of being grateful, the arrogant among them grew resentful. The most wretched of them rose up (Quran 91:12), and they hamstrung the she-camel, defied their Lord's command and dared Salih to bring the punishment (Quran 7:77). In the city there were nine men who spread corruption. They swore by Allah to attack Salih and his family at night and then deny any knowledge of it. They planned, and Allah planned, while they did not perceive (Quran 27:48-50).

Salih (AS) told them to enjoy themselves in their homes for three days; this was a promise that would not be broken (Quran 11:65). Then a mighty blast seized the wrongdoers, and they lay lifeless in their homes as though they had never lived there (Quran 11:67-68); elsewhere it is described as a violent earthquake (Quran 7:78). Allah saved Salih and those who believed with him (Quran 11:66). Salih turned away from them, saying he had conveyed his Lord's message and advised them sincerely, but they did not love sincere advisers (Quran 7:79).

Centuries later, when the Prophet ﷺ passed by the ruins of Thamud at al-Hijr on the way to Tabuk, he told his Companions not to enter the dwellings of those who had been punished except while weeping, lest what befell them should befall them too (Sahih al-Bukhari 433). He also instructed them not to use water from the wells there, except the well from which the she-camel used to drink (reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).