The Tribe of Thamud

The Tribe of Thamud

Hanna Ziyad and Ala'a Hasanat

• The Thamud people were very amazed and some of them believed and followed Prophet Saleh
• It was clear even to the disbelievers that she was not a normal camel but was a miracle from Allah and a blessed animal
• However, the disbelievers were bothered by her because she was a reminder of the oath they gave to Prophet Saleh
• So they claimed that she was an obstacle and a danger to their cattle and sheep
• Their hatred towards Prophet Saleh turned into a hatred for the she-camel

• The tribe of Thamud plotted to kill her, so they could use the well every day
• Nine men (who were known for crime) were appointed with the mission of killing the camel
• After confirming the disbelievers agreement with the plan, the men went out into the night to kill the camel and her offspring

• The she-camel and her children lived calmy among the people of Thamud
• She would drink from the water of the well for one day, and leave it to the tribe the second day (as Allah ordered)
• "She has a right to drink (water), and you have a right to drink water, each on a day appointed," (Al-Shu'ara', 26:155).
• Allah ordered Prophet Saleh to tell his people of the camel's right, saying: "And tell them that the water is to be shared between her and them. Each one's right to drink being established by turns," (Al-Qamar, 54:28).
• On the day the she-camel would drink from the well, she would have enough milk for all of the people of Thamud

Background

• When he heard of their horrible crime, Prophet Saleh warned them saying: "Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days. This is a promise that will not be belied!" (Hud, 11:65)
• This warning was meant for the tribe to repent but instead, the tribe of Thamud decided to kill Prophet Saleh
• They said: "Swear one to another by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his household, and afterwards we will surely say to his near relatives: We witnessed not the destruction of his household, and verily! We are telling the truth," (Al-Namal, 27:48,49)
• But Allah did not allow them to carry on their plot
• A shower of rocks from the sky fell on them and killed them on their way to committing the crime
• The nine men were the first among their people to meet their punishment

• Lived between Madinah and Syria
• Land made of rocky mountains and fertile plains
• Thamud people were arrogant and oppressed the poor
• exploiting the plains and water resources
• Prophet Saleh was respected and the most righteous among them, so he was sent as a warner

The Story

• Saleh’s people disbelieved in him
• They asked him to show them a sign from Allah that he was a prophet
• The disbelievers pointed to a rock and told prophet Saleh to ask Allah to create a she-camel out of it
• They of course thought that it was a good way to dumbfound and silence him
• But Saleh took a strong oath from them stating that if Allah provided them with this sign they would believe and follow him
• Allah provided the Thamud people this miracle which was also a test for them, to see if they obey His orders
• Saleh told them: "O my people! This she-camel of Allah is a sign to you. Leave her to feed on Allah's earth, and inflict no harm on her, or a swift punishment will seize you!"(Hud, 11:64)

• The people of Thamud waited for three days not believing that Allah's punishment would strike them
• On the third day, when the sun rose above the horizon, a mighty blast overtook them, followed by a terrible earthquake that left them lying dead prostrate in their homes and the area was left barren as if nobody had lived there before
• Prophet Saleh was saved from this torment along with those who believed
• He turned away from the dead disbelievers saying: "O my people! I have indeed conveyed to you the Message of my Lord, and have given you good advice but you like not good advisers!" (Al-A'raf, 7:79)
• In the end, he and the believers left the desolated area

Quran References

O my people, worship God. There is no one other than Him. The other notions you have are all false. He is the only true God. I ask you to worship Him, I ask nothing for myself. My reward is with Him who has fashioned me. Will you not understand this? Seek His forgiveness and remember His bounties, and do not revert to your evil ways. [Quran 11:50-52]

But they persisted in their unbelief and told Hud: You have brought us no clear Signs save what you are telling us. How can we abandon our gods? It seems some of our gods have smitten you with evil so that you go on the wrong path. [Quran 11:53-54]

Hud answered them: I swear by my Lord that I am not guilty of your charge. I believe only in my Lord; To me no one else matters and none can delude me and make me go against Him. Nothing moves without His will; His path alone is the right path. If you do not respond to my call and turn away from the Lord, the loss will be yours, not His. In your place He will bring others, for He has control over all things, He watches over all that happens. [Quran 11:54-57]