Thamud people, Al-Hijr, people of Saleh, mentioned several times in the Holy Qur’an. There is a Sura in the Holy Qur’an, Chapter IVX called Sura Al-Hijr, consisting of 99 verses in which Allah, the Almighty says: “The Companions of Al-Hijr Rocky Tract also rejected the Messengers: We sent them Our Signs, but they persisted in turning away from them. Out of the mountains did they hew their edifices, feeling themselves secure. But the mighty Blast seized them of a morning and of no avail to them was all that they did with such art and care!” It is noted that every reference to Al-Hijr, Thamud or the people of Saleh in the Holy Qur’an indicated to the modern name “Madain Saleh”.

In Surat Al-Araf Verses 73-79, Allah the Almighty says: “To the Thamud people We sent Saleh, one of their own brethren: He said: "Oh my people! Worship Allah; ye have no other god but Him. Now hath come unto you a clear sign from your Lord! This she-camel of Allah is a sign unto you: so leave her to graze in Allah's earth and let her come to no harm, or ye shall seize with a grievous punishment. And remember how He made you inheritors after the 'Ad people and gave you habitations in the land: ye build for yourselves palaces and castles in open plains, and carve out homes in the mountains; so bring to remembrance the benefits ye have received from Allah, and refrain from evil and mischief on the earth. And remember how He made you inheritors after the 'Ad people and gave you habitations in the land: ye build for yourselves palaces and castles in open plains and carve out homes in the mountains; so bring to remembrance the benefits ye have received from Allah, and refrain from evil and mischief on the earth.

The leaders of the arrogant party among his people said to those who were reckoned powerless, those among them who believed: "Know ye indeed that Saleh is a Messenger from his Lord?" They said, "We do indeed believe in the revelation which hath been sent through him. The arrogant party said: "For our part, we reject what ye believe in. Then they hamstrung the she-camel and insolently defied the order of their Lord, saying, "Oh Saleh! Bring about thy threats, if thou art a Messenger of Allah! Then they hamstrung the she-camel and insolently defied the order of their Lord, saying, "O Saleh! Bring about thy threats, if thou art a Messenger of Allah! So the earthquake took them unawares, and they lay prostrate in their homes in the morning! So Saleh left them, saying, "Oh my people! I did indeed convey to you the message for which I was sent by my Lord: I gave you good counsel, but ye love not good counselors!"

Back to Madain Saleh