THE SHE – CAMEL OF PROPHET SALIH
Allah says:
(……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..-)
“The Thamud belied (the truth) in their insolence when the basest of them uprose. The messenger of Allah, (salih) said to them, “it is the she-camel of Allah, so lather drink!” but they belied him And they hamstrung her, so their lord crushed them for their sin and leveled them (with the ground). And he fears not its consequence.” (Ash-shams
Verse 11 to 15)
The thamud lived in a fertile region of Arabia,
Among gardens and springs of water Allah had provided them abundant sustenance. The people cultivated fields and were expert builders. They had built large house both on plains and on mountains. They lived long in peace and blessing but were in grateful to Allah and were infidels and arrogant. They worshipped idols.
Allah sent to them prophet salih (…………..)to warn them of the consequences. He said
,
(……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………IU…………………………………………….-)
“O my people worship Allah; you have no god other than him. He brought you forth8 the earth and has made you dwell in it, so ask forgiveness of him, then repent to him. Surely, my lord is nigh responsive.” (surah hud, verses 617)
He continued to invite them to worship Allah alone and ascribe no partner to him. Only the weak gave a positive response to him, but the proud people distanced themselves from him and asked the believer if they were sure that prophet salih (……………………………………)
Was sent by his lord the poor people were very confident and assured them that they had faith in what he had brought. The former people reacted with a declaration of disbelief in him
Prophet salih (………………….) persisted in his call:
(…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………I…………………………………………………………………U……………………………………………………………………8………………………………………………………-)
“Surely I am to7 you a faithful messenger, so fear Allah and obey me. And I ask of you Xenon reward for it,’ my reward is only with the lord of the worlds. Will you be left Secure in what is here, in gardens and spring, and corn fields and date-palms of which the spat he are fine? And hew house out of the mountains exultantly, so fear Allahand obey me.” (surah shu-ara, 143 150)
This had no effect on them. They persisted in their ways and obstructed other people from the straight path. Rather, they accused salih (…………………………..) of falsehood and later of being bevitched. Then, they demanded that I he should present a miracle testifying to his truth.
Prophet salih (……………………….) prayed Allah humbly to help him and conform his mission with a miracle. Allah accepted his prayer and gave him a miracle.
A large she-camel emerged from the rocks of a mountain in full view of the people they had not seen the like of this she-c7amel ever before, nether as nether as large nor as beautiful. They were gripped in tripped fright. Some of them agreed that it was a miracle but some others refused toaccept it as a miracle and thought that that prophet salih (………………) had wrought magic.
He said to them that his was a sign of Allah for them and they should leave it alone to eat in the land and not hurt it otherwise Allah will give them a peninaful punishment.
Then Allah revealed to prophet salih (………..)That
He should tell the people that the she –camel will drink the water of their will one day exclusively while the will would be available to them and their animals on the next day when she would not drink from it he warned them that if they did not follow the arrangement, then Allah would punish them severely. Also, they should not hurt the she-camel. This is also stated in surah ash-shu”ara (verses 155 and 156)
Soon, they conspired to get rid of the she-camel. They picked some of their numbers to kill it. Thus, they put their conspiracy into action and the devil made it seem beautiful to them. In other words, they challenged Allah and his prophet salih (………………………………………………)
He said to them:
(………………………………………………………………..,,-)
“Enjoy yourselves in your dwelling-three days that are a promise not to be belied. (surah, hud, verse 65)
However, they remained immersed in their wrong ways and disbelief. They want so far as to conspire to kill prophet salih (…………..) Allah revealed to him that he should go away from there with his family members and other believers because he would punish them:
At the time Allah said that he would punish them, a loud shriek was heard from the heaven piercing their eardrums and a severe earthquake jolted the earth. They fell dead in their homes. Indeed, Allah spoke the truth:
(………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..-)
“So when our command came, we delivered salih and those who believed with him, by a mercy from us. From the degradation of that day surely your lord, he is the strong, the mighty, and the cry seized those who did evil so the lay prone in their dwellings, as if they never dwelt there behold! Surely thamud disbeliever in their lord Behold! Away with thamud (surah hud, verses 66 to 68)