Salih

Salih was sent to the Thamud, a people of skilled builders who carved their dwellings in rock in the region of al-Hijr. Having become proud, they demanded a sign.

To challenge Salih, the notables demanded a miracle: that a she-camel emerge from the rock. Salih called upon God, and the camel appeared, a living sign addressed to the people.

Salih warned them: 'This is God's camel; let her graze freely and do her no harm.' A pact was established for sharing the water, one day for her, one day for them.

But a group of rebels killed the camel in defiance. Salih then announced to them that the punishment would come in three days. And a heavenly cry swept away the unjust, while Salih and the believers were saved.

Salih teaches that attacking out of pride the signs of God's mercy leads to a ruin that no power can avert.

وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَالِحًا ۚ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ ۖ هُوَ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ الْأَرْضِ وَاسْتَعْمَرَكُمْ فِيهَا

Aux Thamoud, Nous avons envoyé l’un des leurs, Sâlih, qui leur dit : « Mon peuple, adorez Allah ! Vous n’avez d’autre divinité que Lui. C’est Lui qui vous a tirés de la terre et vous a permis de peupler ses contrées. Implorez Son pardon et revenez à Lui repentants. Mon Seigneur est si proche de Ses serviteurs, si prompt à exaucer leurs prières. »

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