Prophet Saleh’s She-Camel, a miracle sign, which emerged from under the mountain at the hands of the Prophet Saleh (PBUH) to his people Thamud from the same stone and rock where they built their houses and castles. They were very solid rocks that can only split by strongly bodied men. So that the miracle came out from their own profession as they deeply knew how solid the rocks were. They asked for this miracle to emerge from under the dumb rocks because they knew that He (PBUH) could do that only if he was truly a messenger of Allah.

When the people insisted on that He must bring a big she-camel, not like the camels they had, so that they can all to drink from its milk and that is pregnant in the last month before the birth. When he saw their insistence on this and for his desire to worship Allah alone and renounce worshiping all other idols, he prayed to Allah the Almighty to grant their request. Allah ordered the distant rock to split asunder, bringing forth a great ten month pregnant she camel in a memorable day. Allah, the Almighty says in Surat Hud Verse 64: “And, Oh my people! This will be as Allah's she-camel for you, a sign; therefore leave her to pasture on Allah's earth and do not touch her with evil, for then a near chastisement will overtake you.” In Surat Al-Qamar Verse 27: “For We will send the she-camel by way of trial for them. So watch them, Oh Saleh and possess thyself in patience!”

At first, the people of Thamud were greatly surprised when the she camel issued from the mountain rocks. It was a blessed camel and its milk sufficient for thousands of men, women and children. When their eyes set on it, they were amazed. They saw a great thing, a wonderful sight, a dazzling power and clear evidence! A number of Saleh's people believed, while the majority continued in their obstinacy and disbelief. Their hatred of Saleh turned towards the blessed she camel and became centered on it.

A conspiracy started to hatch against the camel by the disbelievers and they secretly plotted against it. Saleh feared that they might kill the camel, so he warned them: "Oh my people! This she camel of Allah is a sign to you, leave her to feed on Allah's earth and touch her not with evil lest a near torment will seize you." (11:64 Qur’an) For a while, Saleh's people let the camel graze and drink freely, but in their hearts, they hated it. However, the miraculous appearance of the unique camel caused many to become Saleh's followers and they clung to their belief in Allah. The disbelievers now began complaining that this huge she camel with its unusual qualities drank most of the water and frightened their cattle. They laid a plot to kill the camel and sought the help of their women folk to tempt the men to carry out their commands. Saduq bint of Mahya, who was from a rich and noble family, offered herself to a young man named Masrai ibn Mahraj on condition that he will hamstring the camel. Aniza, an old woman offered one of her daughters to a young man, Gadar Ibn Saluf, in return for killing the camel.

Naturally, these young men were tempted and set about finding seven others to assist them. They watched the camel closely, observing all its movements. As the she camel came to drink at the well, Masarai shot it in the leg with an arrow. It tried to escape but hampered by arrow. Gadar followed the camel and struck it with a sword in the other leg. As it fell to the ground, he pierced it with his sword. The killers were given a hero's welcome, cheered with songs and poetry composed in their praise. In their arrogance, they mocked Saleh, but He warned them: "Enjoy life for three more days then the punishment will descend upon you." Saleh was hoping that they would see the folly of their ways and change their attitude before the three days went out. "Why three days?” they asked. "Let the punishment come as quickly as possible."

He pleaded with them: "My people, why do you hasten to evil rather than good? Why do not you ask pardon of Allah so that you may receive mercy?" They replied, "We see your presence and that of your followers as bringing evil on us." Almighty Allah related their story: And indeed, We sent to Thamud their brother Saleh, saying "Worship Allah Alone and none else." Then look! They became two parties (believers and disbelievers) quarreling with each other. He said, "Oh my people! Why do you seek to hasten the evil (torment) before the good (Allah's Mercy)? Why seek you not the Forgiveness of Allah that you may receive mercy?" They said, We augur ‘till omen from you and those with you. He said, "Your ill omen is with Allah; nay, but you are a people that are being tested." And there were nine men in the city (from the sons of their chiefs) who made mischief in the land and would not reform. They said, "Swear to another by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on Him and His household and afterwards we will surely say to His near relatives: "We witnessed not the destruction of his household and verily! We are telling the truth." So they plotted a plot and We planned a plan, while they perceived not. Then see how the end of their plot was! Verily, We destroyed them and their nation, all together.

These are their houses in utter ruin, for they did wrong. Verily, in this is indeed an Ayah (a lesson or a sign) for people who know. We saved those who believed and used to fear and obey Allah. (Qur’an 27:45-53) They also plotted to kill Saleh and his household as Almighty Allah stated: "So they plot a plot and We planned a plan, while they perceived not." (Qur’an 27:50) Allah saved Saleh and his followers from their wicked plans. Heavy hearted, they left the evil doers and moved to another place. Three days after Saleh's warning, thunderbolts filled the air followed by severe earthquakes that destroyed the entire tribe and its homeland. The land violently shaken, destroying all living creatures in it. There was one terrific cry that had hardly ended when the disbelievers of Saleh's people struck dead, all, at the same time.

Neither their strong buildings nor their rock-hewn homes could protect them. Allah the Exalted, said to Thamud people, We sent their brother Saleh. He said, "Oh my people! Worship Allah, you have no other Allah but Him (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). Indeed there has come to you a clear sign (the miracle of the coming out of a huge she camel from the midst of a rock) from your Lord. This she camel of Allah is a sign unto you so you leave her to graze in Allah's earth and touch her not with harm, lest a painful torment should size you. Remember when He made you successors after Ad people and gave you habitations in the land, you build for yourselves palaces in plains and carve out homes in the mountains.

So remember the graces bestowed upon you from Allah and do not go about making mischief on the earth." The leaders of those who were arrogant among His people said to those who counted weak to such of them as believed: "Know you that Saleh is one sent from his Lord." They said, "We indeed believe in that with which He has been sent." Those who were arrogant said, "Verily, we disbelieve in that which you believe in." So they killed the she camel and insolently defied the Commandment of their Lord and said: "Oh Saleh! Bring about your threats if you are indeed one of the Messengers of Allah." So the earthquakes seized them and they lay dead, prostrate in their homes. Then He (Saleh) turned from them and said, "Oh my people! I have indeed conveyed to you the Message of my Lord and have given you good advice but you like not good advisers." (Qur’an 7:73-79) All destroyed before they realized what was happening.

As for the people who believed in the message of Saleh (PBUH), they saved because they had left the place. Ibn Omar narrated that while the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) was passing by Thamud's houses on his way to the battle of Tabuk; he stopped together with the people there. The people fetched water from the wells from which the people of Thamud used to drink. They prepared their dough for baking and filled their water skins from it (water from the wells). The Prophet of Allah (PBUH) ordered them to empty the water skins and give the prepared dough to the camels. Then He went away with them until they stopped at the well from which the she camel of Saleh (PBUH) used to drink. He warned them against entering upon the people that had punished, saying "I fear that you may be affected by what afflicted them; so do no enter upon them."

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