Introduction
Stories of honorable prophets sent by Allah to lead humanity toward monotheism and morality abound in Islamic history. Although each prophet had a distinct message tailored to the demands of their era, they all had the same main objective: to exhort people to worship the only real God. The Qur’an makes repeated references to Hazrat Saleh (A.S.), one of these revered messengers. He was assigned to Thamud, a powerful but misguided nation renowned for its arrogance, strength, and rejection of divine truth.
The People of Thamud
The Thamud were a wealthy and influential tribe that inhabited what is now Saudi Arabia, or Al-Hijr. They demonstrated their power and engineering prowess by cutting gorgeous dwellings from mountains. They were gifted with material wealth, yet they rejected Allah and worshipped other deities instead. They strayed far from the straight and narrow because of their pride and conceit.
The Message of Hazrat Saleh (A.S.)
Raised among the Thamud, Hazrat Saleh (A.S.) was renowned for his piety, intelligence, and honesty. He was sent by Allah to lead his people back to Tawheed, or belief in a single God, after Allah selected him as a prophet. He exhorted people to give up worshiping idols, to fear Allah, and to live a just and humble life.db
But his message was dismissed by Thamud’s intelligentsia and authorities. Even though he was one of their own and had led a well-respected life among them, they accused him of lying. They insisted on a miracle to validate his prophetic claim.
The Miracle of the She-Camel
As a direct response to their request, Allah provided a miraculous she-camel. By Allah’s will, this she-camel came out of a solid rock. The camel would drink from the well one day, and they would drink the next. Hazrat Saleh (A.S.) advised his people not to hurt the camel and explained the terms.
Their hearts were hardened, even though this amazing sign should have strengthened their confidence. The she-camel was murdered by a group of haughty unbelievers from the Thamud who disregarded Allah’s warning.
The Divine Punishment
Following this act of disobedience, Hazrat Saleh (A.S.) forewarned his followers that they would face Allah’s wrath within three days. As promised, a powerful earthquake and a horrifying noise shook the Thamud on the scheduled day. Every person who denied Allah was instantly exterminated, and their towns were annihilated. The only people saved were Hazrat Saleh (A.S.) and his followers.
Lessons from His Story
There are timeless truths to be learned from the narrative of Hazrat Saleh (A.S.):
Devastation results from rejecting the truth in spite of obvious indications.
People are unable to recognize direction because of their pride and arrogance.
Hearts cannot be guided by miracles alone; humility and faith are needed.
It is crucial to obey Allah and show reverence for His messengers.
His narrative is mentioned in the Qur’an as a caution and admonition to those who follow. In Surah Al-Hijr (15:80–84), Allah states, “And undoubtedly did the companions of Thamud disbelieve the messengers. They were therefore taken by the cry and fell prone inside their houses.
Conclusion
Hazrat Saleh (A.S.) is regarded as a great prophet who bravely, patiently, and sincerely conveyed Allah’s message. His tale serves as a living reminder of both Allah’s mercy for those who believe and obey, as well as the doom of those who reject the truth. May we learn from the past and hold fast to our morals and beliefs.
