Stories of the Prophets

Salih (A.S.)

Prophet Salih

Description of the People of Thamud

After the destruction of the Ad, the tribe of Thamud succeeded them in power and glory. They

also fell to idol-worshipping. As their material wealth increased so, too, did their evil ways while

their virtue decreased. Like the people of Ad, they erected huge buildings on the plains and hewed

beautiful homes out of the hills. Tyranny and oppression became prevalent as evil men ruled the land.

Description of Salih

So Allah sent unto them His Prophet Salih (PBUH), a man from among them. His name was Salih

Ibn Ubeid, Ibn Maseh, Ibn Ubeid, Ibn Hader, Ibn Thamud, Ibn Ather, Ibn Eram, Ibn Noah. He

called his people to worship Allah alone, and to not associate partners with Him. While some of

them believed him, the majority of them disbelieved and harmed him by both words and deeds.

Salih directed them:

"O my people! Worship Allah, you have no other Ilah (god) but Him." (Ch 11:61)

Salih was known for his wisdom, purity and goodness and had been greatly respected by his

people before Allah's revelation came to him. Salih's people said to him:

"O Salih! You have been among us as a figure of good hope and we wished for you to be our

chief, till this, new thing which you have brought that we leave our gods and worship your God

(Allah) alone! Do you now forbid us the worship of what our fathers have worshipped? But we

are really in grave doubt as to that which you invite us to monotheism." (CH 11:62 Quran).

Salih's People Demand a Miracle

They merely wanted to worship the same gods as their fathers had, with no reason, no proof, no

thought. The proof of Salih's (PBUH) message was evident, but despite this it was obvious that

most of his people did not believe him. They doubted his words, thinking he was charmed, and

they saw that he would not stop preaching. Fearing that his followers would increase, they tried to

put him off by assigning him an important task; to prove that he was a messenger of Allah by

performing a miracle. Let a unique she camel issue from the mountains. Allah granted Salih this

miracle and a huge, unique, she camel appeared from the direction of the mountain. The Quranic

commentators said that the people of Thamud gathered on a certain day at their meeting place,

and the prophet Salih (PBUH) came and addressed them to believe in Allah, reminding them of

the favors Allah had granted them. Then pointing at a rock, they demanded: "Ask your Lord to

make a she camel, which must be 10 months pregnant, tall and attractive, issue from the rock for

us." Salih replied: "Look now! If Allah sends you what you have requested, just as you have

described, will you believe in that which I have come to you with and have faith in the message I

have been sent with?"

They answered: "Yes."

So he took a vow from them on this, then prayed to Allah the Almighty to grant their request.