🐪 Salih and the she-camel

1. After the people of 'Ad came the people of Thamud. They were very skilful: they carved beautiful houses right into the mountains, and they built palaces on the plains.

2. Allah gave them gardens, springs of water, fields and palm trees full of soft dates. They had everything they needed.

3. But they prayed to idols. Allah sent them Salih (peace be upon him), one of their brothers. He said: O my people, worship Allah, you have no god other than Him. He made you from the earth. Ask Him to forgive you. My Lord is near, and He answers (Hud 11:61).

4. The people asked Salih for a sign. So Allah sent them a special she-camel. Salih said: This is the she-camel of Allah, a sign for you. Let her eat on Allah's earth, and do not harm her (Al-A'raf 7:73).

5. The water was shared: one day the she-camel would drink, and the next day the people would drink (Ash-Shu'ara 26:155). This was a test, to see if they would obey Allah.

6. But some proud people did not like this. They hurt the she-camel and disobeyed Allah's command. Salih warned them: you have three days left in your homes (Hud 11:65).

7. After three days, a mighty sound came and the earth shook. The people who had refused to believe were gone.

8. Allah saved Salih and the believers, out of His mercy (Hud 11:66). Salih said: O my people, I gave you my Lord's message and I gave you good advice (Al-A'raf 7:79).