Salih: ‘And to Thamud We sent their brother Salih’

Salihas was a Prophet of God who was sent to the people of Thamud, a tribe that lived after ‘Ad, located in the western part of Arabia. (Surah al-A‘raf, Ch.7: V.74) The people to whom Prophet Salihas was sent were known as Ashab al-Hijr. (Surah al-Hijr, Ch.15: V.81) The Holy Quran states that the tribe of ‘Ad, to whom was sent Prophet Hudas, were successors to the people of Noahas [Nuh]. (Surah al-A‘raf, Ch.7: V.70) Salihas, as stated in the article about Prophet Hudas, was a prophet after Hudas. Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra has explained that “Hudas, Salihas and Shu‘aybas, were in close association with their respective peoples.” (Introduction to the Study of the Holy Quran, p. 9)

Prophet Salih’sas character was so great, as evident from the Holy Quran, that the people of Thamud, prior to his call, relied on him greatly. His story has been linked and remembered with the she-camel he used for travelling and performing his preaching activities.

Prophet Salih’sas call

As every prophet was commanded to spread the message of Tawhid, i.e., divine unity and oneness, so too was Prophet Salihas. Addressing his people, he said, “O my people worship Allah; you have no God but Him. He raised you up from the earth, and settled you therein. So ask forgiveness of Him, then turn to Him [whole-heartedly].”

(Surah Hud, Ch.11: V.62)

Prophet Salihas reminded his people of the favours of God that were bestowed upon them, being a lowly people and having been granted prosperity and a high position on earth.

His people, hearing his message, responded, “O Salih, thou wast among us one in whom we placed our hopes. Dost thou forbid us to worship what our fathers worshipped? And we are surely in disquieting doubt concerning that to which thou callest us.” (Surah Hud, Ch.11: V.63)

The people of Salihas had deemed him to be someone in whom they could place their trust. However, after hearing that Salih’sas message would stop them from following the erred ways of their forefathers, they turned against him. This is a very common theme in the lives of prophets of Allah. Before they are commissioned by God, they are held in great esteem by their people, however, when they call people to the Oneness of God, the same people stand against them. This also happened to the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa

The people of Salihas led luxurious