Among the many prophets mentioned in the Qur’an, Prophet Ṣāliḥ (عليه السلام) stands out for the famous miracle of the she-camel (Nāqatullāh). His story, with the people of Thamūd, is a lesson about rejecting clear signs of Allah and the consequences that follow.
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1. Who Was Prophet Ṣāliḥ (عليه السلام)?Prophet Ṣāliḥ (عليه السلام) was an Arab prophet sent after Prophet Hūd (عليه السلام) to the people of Thamūd.
The people of Thamūd lived in the region of Al-Ḥijr, located in present-day northwestern Saudi Arabia (the ruins still exist today and are known as Madā’in Ṣāliḥ).
They were skilled builders who carved beautiful homes and palaces directly into rocky mountains.
Like the people of ʿĀd before them, they enjoyed great prosperity but became arrogant and turned to idol worship.
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2. The Message of Prophet Ṣāliḥ:
Prophet Ṣāliḥ (عليه السلام) was known for his wisdom and noble character even before prophethood. When Allah chose him, he invited his people to:
Worship Allah alone (tawḥīd).
Abandon idol worship.
Stop oppression and arrogance.
Be grateful for the blessings of Allah.
His call was simple:
> “O my people! Worship Allah; you have no god other than Him. He produced you from the earth and settled you in it, so ask forgiveness of Him and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is near and responsive.”
(Qur’an 11:61)
But most of the people rejected him, saying he was just a human like them.
3. The Demand for a Miracle:
The people of Thamūd challenged Prophet Ṣāliḥ to prove his prophethood with a miracle. They demanded something extraordinary:
From a solid rock, a she-camel should emerge alive.
The she-camel should be special, unlike any normal animal.
By Allah’s permission, Prophet Ṣāliḥ (عليه السلام) prayed, and the rock split open. From it came a huge, magnificent she-camel — a living miracle that no human could create.
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4. Conditions of the She-Camel
This she-camel was not just an ordinary animal. Allah set conditions for the people of Thamūd:
1. The camel was a sign from Allah — they were not to harm it in any way.
2. It had rights in the land:
On one day, the camel would drink all the water from the well.
On the next day, the people could drink and water their animals.
3. The camel produced so much milk that it was enough for all the people.
Prophet Ṣāliḥ warned them clearly:
> “This is the she-camel of Allah, a sign for you. So let her graze in Allah’s land and do not touch her with harm, lest a painful punishment seize you.”
(Qur’an 7:73)
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5. Rejection and Crime Against the Camel:
Instead of accepting the miracle, the arrogant leaders of Thamūd conspired against the she-camel. They hated it because:
It reminded them of Allah’s power.
It was a daily sign of their rejection of truth.
Finally, a group of them, led by the most wicked man among them, hamstrung (killed) the she-camel. They cruelly slaughtered the very miracle that had been sent as proof of Allah’s message.
After this, they mocked Prophet Ṣāliḥ and challenged him to bring the punishment he had warned them about.
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6. The Punishment of the People of Thamūd
When the camel was killed, Prophet Ṣāliḥ (عليه السلام) warned them:
> “Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days. That is a promise not to be denied.”
(Qur’an 11:65)
After three days, a terrible punishment struck them:
A mighty earthquake shook their land.
A deafening blast (ṣayḥah) from the sky destroyed them.
By morning, they were found lying lifeless in their homes, their greatness reduced to nothing.
> “So the earthquake seized them, and they became lifeless bodies in their home.”
(Qur’an 7:78)
Only Prophet Ṣāliḥ (عليه السلام) and the small group of believers with him were saved.
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7. Lessons from the Story:
1. Miracles don’t benefit the arrogant: Even a living camel from a rock could not change the hearts of the proud.
2. Signs of Allah are sacred: Disrespecting them brings destruction.
3. Arrogance leads to downfall: The Thamūd were advanced builders but could not save themselves from Allah’s punishment.
4. Every blessing has rights: Even the camel had rights to water and life — Islam teaches mercy to all creatures.
5. Allah gives chances before punishment: The people had time to repent after killing the camel, but they refused.
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8. CONCLUSION:
The story of Prophet Ṣāliḥ (عليه السلام) and the miracle of the she-camel is a timeless reminder that arrogance and denial of truth lead to ruin. The she-camel was a clear sign of Allah’s power, but instead of submitting, the people of Thamūd committed a great crime against it.
Their destruction shows that no wealth, strength, or skill can protect those who oppose Allah’s commands. For believers today, the story teaches humility, respect for Allah’s signs, and gratitude for His countless blessings.
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