Hazrat Salih (Peace be upon him) – Part 2
The people of Thamud said, “You are only one of those bewitched.
You are nothing but a man like us. So bring a sign if you are truthful.” Salih
said, “Look, this is a she-camel. One day is for her to drink, and on a fixed
day it is your turn. And do not touch her with harm, or a severe punishment
will seize you.” But they hamstrung her. In the end, they were left full of
regret. So the punishment seized them. Indeed, in that is a sign, and most of
them were not believers.
“O Salih, We are sending the she-camel as a trial for them, so
watch them and be patient. And inform them that the water is to be shared
between them — each drink to be observed by turn.”
Hazrat Salih said, “If I fulfill the demand exactly as you have
said, will you truly believe in the religion I have brought and affirm me in
the miracles by which I have been sent?” They said, “Yes, we will believe in
you and affirm your words.” He took a firm covenant and pledge from them. Then
he stood and offered prayer. Then he supplicated to Allah Ta‘ala to fulfill
their demand.
By the command of Allah, that rock split open, and from it emerged
a very large pregnant she-camel possessing all the qualities the requesters had
described. When they saw the miracle with their own eyes, they felt its
greatness and were overawed. It was a clear sign of Allah’s power and an
undeniable proof of the prophethood of Hazrat Salih (Peace be upon him). So
some people of the nation believed, but most remained upon disbelief,
misguidance, and stubbornness.
That is why Allah Ta‘ala said: _they denied it_ — meaning, upon
seeing it they did not follow the truth. What is meant is the action of their
majority.
That she-camel remained among them. She grazed wherever she wished
in their land. When she went to the well to drink, she would drink all the
water of the well. So the people would draw water on their turn for the next
day as well. They would drink her milk, and it was sufficient for all of them.
Therefore he said to them, “One day is for her to drink, and on a fixed day it
is your turn.” Allah Ta‘ala says: _We are sending the she-camel as a trial for
them._
In the end, they hamstrung the she-camel and defiantly disobeyed
the command of their Lord. And they said, “O Salih, bring upon us what you threaten
us with, if you are a messenger of Allah.”
_Source: Al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya, Imam Ibn Kathir_
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