Thamud

The Thamud succeeded the 'Ad. Skilled builders, they carved their homes in rock. The prophet Salih called them to God and gave them a sign: a miraculous she-camel. When they killed her in defiance, the punishment seized them.

To the Thamud, God sent one of their own, the prophet Salih, who called them to worship God alone. As proof of his mission, God brought forth a she-camel, a living sign, which they were to let graze freely and not deny water.

But the most arrogant of the people, in defiance, killed the she-camel. It was an open challenge to Salih's warning. The punishment came without delay: seized by the Cataclysm, they were found lifeless, lying across their lands. Again, God saved Salih and the believers.

The Thamud teach that knowingly defying a sign of God leads to ruin. Skill and prosperity do not protect those who harden themselves against the truth.

وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَالِحًا

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. Vous avez été témoins d’un miracle produit par votre Seigneur : l’apparition de cette chamelle envoyée par Allah, preuve de l’authenticité de ma mission. Laissez-la paître sur la terre d’Allah. Ne lui causez aucun mal sous peine d’être saisis par un douloureux châtiment.

7:73

فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الرَّجْفَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوا فِي دَارِهِمْ جَاثِمِينَ

Saisis par le Cataclysme, ils se retrouvèrent sans vie, gisants sur leurs terres.

7:78