Prophet Salih was chosen by Allah to guide the tribe of Thamud away from idol worship and towards believing in the One True God. When the elders of the tribe demanded a miracle from Salih to prove he was a prophet, he prayed to Allah and a she-camel emerged from a mountain. Salih warned the tribe not to harm the camel. However, some evildoers killed the camel. Salih gave the tribe three days to repent, but they refused. As punishment, smoldering rocks fell from the sky, destroying the tribe except for Salih and his followers.

1. PROPHET SALIH (‘a)
Prophets of Allah

2. Once upon a time there lived a tribe called the Thamud. The people of Thamud were
rich and prosperous. They had plenty of wealth, fruitful orchards and farms. They
used to build large houses for themselves within the mountains such than no
hurricane or earthquake could destroy them. The tribe of Thamud were idol
worshippers.

3. Among the Thamud, there lived a pious man by theAmong the Thamud, there lived a pious man by the
name of Salih. Allah had chosen Salih (‘a) as aname of Salih. Allah had chosen Salih (‘a) as a
prophet and a guide for the people of Thamud. Heprophet and a guide for the people of Thamud. He
would tell the people to abandon idol worship andwould tell the people to abandon idol worship and
believe in the One True God.believe in the One True God.

4. Prophet Salih (‘a) would tell the people that their idols are man-made
and powerless. Some of the elders of the tribe said to him: O Salih! If
you are indeed a prophet, then you must show us a miracle! Salih (‘a)
said: If I bring a miracle to you, will you turn away from idol worhip and
belive in Allah? They replied: Yes, we will!

5. Some of the people said: We should also be given
the chance to show how powerful our idols are. Let
us also perform a miracle and prove we are on the
right. Salih (‘a) accepted their challenge and stood
waiting to see what miracle the idols could perform.
But after hours of praying and worship, nothing
happened!

6. When the elders of the tribe saw that there was no response from their idols,
they told Prophet Salih (‘a) to pray to his One True God and seek a miracle
from Him. They said: We will not accept just any miracle, we want you to bring
a she-camel from within the mountain. Only then will be believe!

7. Prophet Salih (‘a) raised his hands and prayed
to Allah. No sooner had he done so, that the
mountain began to shake and suddenly from
within it came a large she-camel.

8. Prophet Salih (‘a) climbed on a platform and addressed the
people. He told them that this camel was a sign from Allah
and that if they harmed it, the wrath of Allah would fall
upon them. Henceforth, the camel will drink from the
spring one day and the people will have access to the
water, the next day. And in return, you will be allowed to
benefit from the milk of the camel, he said.

9. As they saw the she-camel regularly, some of
the people gradually stopped worshipping idols
and started following Prophet Salih (‘a). When
the elders of the tribe saw this, they were
angered and decided to do something about it.

10. On the day when the she-camel came to drink water from the spring, a group
of evildoers attacked and killed it. They had ignored the warning of Pophet
Salih (‘a) about the camel. When Salih (‘a) heard what had happened, he
became very sad. He went to the people and addressed them…

11. Why did you kill the she-camel?
What harm did it do to you?
Now you have only three days
to believe in Allah and repent
for what you have done.
Otherwise you will all be
destroyed.

12. As they stubbornly refused to heed the warnings of ProphetAs they stubbornly refused to heed the warnings of Prophet
Salih (‘a), after three days, smoldering rocks of fire fell uponSalih (‘a), after three days, smoldering rocks of fire fell upon
them from the sky. All their orchards and houses were razed tothem from the sky. All their orchards and houses were razed to
the ground. And aside from Salih (‘a) and his followers, everyonethe ground. And aside from Salih (‘a) and his followers, everyone
was destroyed.was destroyed.
F.T.Jaffer