Prophet Salih (A.S.)
Quran References:
Prophet Salih (AS) is mentioned 9 times in the following versions of the Quran:
(Quran, 7:73, 11:61-62, 11:89, 26:142, 27:45, 54:23)
Call to Tawhid:
Prophet Salih (AS) would call his people to worship Allah SWT alone and to not associate partners with Him. Some of the people of the town of Thamud believed in him but many remained in their disbelief.
Allah SWT mentions Prophet Salih’s plea to his people in the Quran: ‘O my People! Worship Allah, you have no other God but him. (Quran, 11:61)
Salih (AS) was known for his wisdom, and he was well respected by the people before Allah’s revelation came to him.
The Demand for a Miracle:
The people of Thamud then wanted proof that Salih (AS) was a Messenger of Allah. They pointed at a rock and demanded: Ask your Lord to make a she-camel which must be ten months pregnant.
Salih (AS) replied: If Allah sends you what you requested, will you believe? The people answered: Yes.
Prophet Salih then prayed to Allah SWT to grant their request.
Allah SWT ordered the rock to split and it formed a ten month pregnant she-camel.
This is mentioned in the Quran: ‘A clear proof has come to you from your Lord: This is Allah’s she-camel, a sign for you.’ (Quran, 7:73)
Many of the people of Thamud now believed in Salih’s message but most of them continued to be disbelievers.
Allah SWT mentions in the Quran: ‘We sent the she-camel to Thamud as a clear sign, but they did her wrong’ (Quran: 17:59)
The Rejection of the Disbelievers:
The disbelievers started to secretly plot against the she-camel and Prophet Salih (AS) feared that they might kill the camel.
Eventually, two of the disbelievers killed the camel and they continued to insult Salih (AS).
Punishment of the People of Thamud:
Prophet Salih (AS) warned them: Enjoy life for three more days then the punishment will descend on you. The disbelievers replied: Why three days? Let the punishment come as quickly as possible.
Salih pleaded with them: My people. Why do you not ask Pardon of Allah, so you receive mercy. They replied: We see your presence and that your followers are bringing us evil.
The disbelievers also planned to kill Prophet Salih (AS) and his loved ones.
Allah SWT said about the people of Thamud: ‘So they plot and we planned a plan, while they perceived not.’ (Quran, 27:50)
Three days after Salih’s warning, thunderbolts filled the air, followed by severe earthquakes which destroyed the entire city of Thamud.
The disbelievers had now been destroyed and Prophet Salih (AS) and those who believed in his prophethood were saved.