Prophet Saleh and Thamud: The Miracle of the Camel

This is a presentation for kids about Prophet Saleh and the People of Thamud.

1. Prophet Saleh & the People of Thamud Created by: Banan Mahmaljy Obeid

2. The people of T h amud lived in Al-Hijr in Northern Saudi Arabia. People & their Location: T h eir city is called Madai’n Salah ﴿ وَتَنْحِتُونَ مِنَ الْجِبَالِ بُيُوتاً فَـرِهِينَ ﴾ They were known for carving elaborate homes into the mountains.

3. Prophet Saleh was a descendant of Prophet Nuh (AS) Prophet Saleh was a man with high standing in society. He built a reputation of respect and was wealth for himself. The People of Thamud held him in high regard for his wisdom and virtue and were prepared to appoint him as their leader. It was during this period that Allah bestowed Saleh with Prophethood . His name has been mentioned 9 times in the Quran and his people (Thamud) mentioned 26 times . Their story has been told in various surahs. Saleh in Arabic means “righteous”

4. Sins of Thamud They were a c ommunity that was run by 9 families who oppressed others to stay in power. The people of Thamud were idol worshippers. Prophet Saleh had come to stop his tribe from worshipping anyone but Allah (S). They mocked him and kept asking to see a miracle: “We want a camel to come out of the rocks- a pregnant one, one that is larger than any we have seen, one that will give milk to the whole village.” They were mocking him.

5. The Miracle … هَـٰذِهِ نَاقَةُ اللَّـهِ لَكُمْ آيَةً فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِي أَرْضِ اللَّـهِ ۖ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوءٍ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ Allah (S) gave Prophet Saleh (AS) the exact miracle his people had asked for: A pregnant she-camel emerged from the heart of the mountain before their very eyes. …This is Allah’s camel- a miracle for you . Leave her to eat from Allah’s land and do not har m her , otherwise you will be punished with a painful punishment.

6. The townspeople saw this as a clear victory and cheered loudly for the men. They went on to slaughter the camel and eat her meat. When Prophet Saleh (AS) heard of this, he hurried to warn the people, but it was too late. Thamud Challenges Allah Nine disbelievers (one from each family) had a meeting in which they decided to kill the camel together.

7. فَعَقَرُوا النَّاقَةَ وَعَتَوْا عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِمْ وَقَالُوا يَا صَالِحُ ائْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَا إِن كُنتَ مِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ After they killed the miracle of Allah (S), t he people mocked Prophet Saleh (AS), saying : O Saleh, bring us what you promise us, if you are telling the truth

8. The Punishment P. Saleh responded: This meant that a punishment would come to them in three days. P. Saleh (AS) and the believers safely fled the city. فَعَقَرُوهَا فَقَالَ تَمَتَّعُوا۟ فِى دَارِكُمْ ثَلَٰثَةَ أَيَّامٍۢ  ذَٰلِكَ وَعْدٌ غَيْرُ مَكْذُوبٍۢ Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days . That is a promise that will not be denied.

9. The day after this warning, Allah turned the faces of the disbelievers yellow . On the 2 nd day, he turned the faces of disbelievers red , and on the 3 rd day, he turned their faces black. Allah (S) released a horrific & loud sound which caused the disbelievers to be struck dead all at the same time. Their strong buildings could not protect them .

10. The people of Thamud were wiped out, but Allah (S) left their homes behind as an example for us to remember those who challenged the power of Allah. Today, tourists flock to Mada’in Saleh to see this city and remember the story of Prophet Saleh. The Prophet said: “Do not enter the homes of those who were unjust to themselves unless (you enter) weeping….” Because of this Hadeeth, we believe that it is not permissible to visit the ruins of a destroyed nation with the intention to take pictures or have a picnic. It is only permissible to visit with the intention of taking a lesson from their story.