Prophet Salih (PBUH) was sent as a Prophet to the tribe of Bani Thamud to rectify their depraved people. The Thamudites were the descendants of Thamud, a grandson of Sam. They lived in Wadi al-Qura and Al-Hajr between Syria and Hijaz. They were idol worshipers and their tribe flourished for more than two centuries after 'Ad. Its people were renowned for their longevity and enormous well-built bodies. They built spacious buildings in the caves of the mountains and attained considerable powers.
The Prophet Salih (PBUH) was commissioned by God to invite the tribe to the worship of One God but the tribe turned a deaf ear to the Prophet's preaching. Finally, the tribe decided to kill the Prophet. The Almighty fixed a she-camel as a sign and warned them if they slew her, they would be overtaken by the chastisement from God. Prophet Salih (PBUH) asked the tribe to be kind to the she-camel and let her graze in the pastures and drink water from the spring but the tribesmen denied the access, instead they slaughtered the she-camel.
After the slaughtering of the she-camel the tribesmen decided to carry out their final plan against Prophet Salih (PBUH). Before they could proceed, a visitation befell them and they were exterminated by the showering of stones from the volcanic eruption.
Some references regarding
the Prophet Salih (PBUH) and his people are as follows:
"And to the Thamud
We sent their brother Salih. He said: O my people: Serve The Almighty.
You have no God other than Him. Clear proof, indeed, has come to you from
your Lord. This is The Almighty's she-camel for you, a sign. Therefore,
leave her alone to pasture on the Almighty's Earth and do not do her any
harm. Otherwise painful chastisement will overtake you. And remember when
He has made you the successors after 'Ad and settled you in the land. You
made mansions on its plains and hew out houses in the mountains: remember,
therefore, The Almighty's benefits and do not act corruptly in the land
making any mischief. The Chiefs of those who behaved proudly among his
people said to those who were considered weak, to those who believed from
among them. Are you sure that Salih is sent by his Lord? They said: Surely
we are the believers in what he has been sent with. Those who were haughty
said: Surely we deny of what you believe in. So they slew the she-camel
and revolted against their Lord's Commandments and they said: O Salih!
Bring us of what you have threatened us with if you are one of the Apostles.
Then the earthquake overtook them so they became motionless bodies in their
abodes." (Qur'an 7:73-78)
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