Thamud

And to the Thamūd [We sent] their brother Ṣāliḥ. He said, "O my people, worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord. This is the she-camel of Allāh [sent] to you as a sign. So leave her to eat within Allāh's land and do not touch her with harm, lest there seize you a painful punishment.

And remember when He made you successors after the ʿAad and settled you in the land, [and] you take for yourselves palaces from its plains and carve from the mountains, homes. Then remember the favors of Allāh and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption."

Said the eminent ones who were arrogant among his people to those who were oppressed - to those who believed among them, "Do you [actually] know that Ṣāliḥ is sent from his Lord?" They said, "Indeed we, in that with which he was sent, are believers."

Said those who were arrogant, "Indeed we, in that which you have believed, are disbelievers."

So they hamstrung the she-camel and were insolent toward the command of their Lord and said, "O Ṣāliḥ, bring us what you promise us, if you should be of the messengers."

So the earthquake seized them, and they became within their home [corpses] fallen prone.

And he [i.e., Ṣāliḥ] turned away from them and said, "O my people, I had certainly conveyed to you the message of my Lord and advised you, but you do not like advisors."

Has there not reached them the news of those before them - the people of Noah and [the tribes of] ʿAad and Thamūd and the people of Abraham and the companions [i.e., dwellers] of Madyan and the towns overturned?¹ Their messengers came to them with clear proofs. And Allāh would never have wronged them, but they were wronging themselves.

And to Thamūd [We sent] their brother Ṣāliḥ. He said, "O my people, worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him. He has produced you from the earth and settled you in it, so ask forgiveness of Him and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is near and responsive."

They said, "O Ṣāliḥ, you were among us a man of promise before this. Do you forbid us to worship what our fathers worshipped? And indeed we are, about that to which you invite us, in disquieting doubt."

He said, "O my people, have you considered: if I should be upon clear evidence from my Lord and He has given me mercy from Himself, who would protect me from Allāh if I disobeyed Him? So you would not increase me except in loss.

And O my people, this is the she-camel of Allāh - [she is] to you a sign. So let her feed upon Allāh's earth and do not touch her with harm, or you will be taken by an impending punishment."

But they hamstrung her, so he said, "Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days. That is a promise not to be denied [i.e., unfailing]."

So when Our command came, We saved Ṣāliḥ and those who believed with him, by mercy from Us, and [saved them] from the disgrace of that day.¹ Indeed, it is your Lord who is the Powerful, the Exalted in Might.

And the shriek¹ seized those who had wronged, and they became within their homes [corpses] fallen prone

As if they had never prospered therein. Unquestionably, Thamūd denied their Lord; then, away with Thamūd.

As if they had never prospered therein. Then, away with Madyan as Thamūd was taken away.

Has there not reached you the news of those before you - the people of Noah and ʿAad and Thamūd and those after them? No one knows them [i.e., their number] but Allāh. Their messengers brought them clear proofs, but they returned their hands to their mouths¹ and said, "Indeed, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent, and indeed we are, about that to which you invite us, in disquieting doubt."

And certainly did the companions of al-Ḥijr¹ [i.e., the Thamūd] deny the messengers.

And they used to carve from the mountains, houses, feeling secure.

And nothing has prevented Us from sending signs [i.e., miracles] except that the former peoples denied them. And We gave Thamūd the she-camel as a visible sign, but they wronged her. And We send not the signs except as a warning.

And if they deny you, [O Muḥammad] - so, before them, did the people of Noah and ʿAad and Thamūd deny [their prophets],

And [We destroyed] ʿAad and Thamūd and the companions of the well¹ and many generations between them.

Thamūd denied the messengers

When their brother Ṣāliḥ said to them, "Will you not fear Allāh?

Indeed, I am to you a trustworthy messenger.

So fear Allāh and obey me.

And I do not ask you for it any payment. My payment is only from the Lord of the worlds.

Will you be left in what is here, secure [from death],

Within gardens and springs

And fields of crops and palm trees with softened fruit?

And you carve out of the mountains, homes, with skill.

So fear Allāh and obey me.

And do not obey the order of the transgressors,

Who cause corruption in the land and do not amend."

They said, "You are only of those affected by magic.

You are but a man like ourselves, so bring a sign, if you should be of the truthful."

He said, "This is a she-camel.¹ For her is a [time of] drink, and for you is a [time of] drink, [each] on a known day.

And do not touch her with harm, lest you be seized by the punishment of a terrible day."

But they hamstrung her and so became regretful.

And the punishment seized them. Indeed in that is a sign, but most of them were not to be believers.

And indeed, your Lord - He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful.

And We had certainly sent to Thamūd their brother Ṣāliḥ, [saying], "Worship Allāh," and at once they were two parties conflicting.

He said, "O my people, why are you impatient for evil before [i.e., instead of] good?¹ Why do you not seek forgiveness of Allāh that you may receive mercy?"

They said, "We consider you a bad omen, you and those with you." He said, "Your omen [i.e., fate] is with Allāh. Rather, you are a people being tested."¹

And there were in the city nine family heads causing corruption in the land and not amending [its affairs].

They said, "Take a mutual oath by Allāh that we will kill him by night, he and his family. Then we will say to his executor,¹ 'We did not witness the destruction of his family, and indeed, we are truthful.'"

And they planned a plan, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.

Then look how was the outcome of their plan - that We destroyed them and their people, all.

So those are their houses, desolate because of the wrong they had done. Indeed in that is a sign for people who know.

And We saved those who believed and used to fear Allāh.

And [We destroyed] ʿAad and Thamūd, and it has become clear to you from their [ruined] dwellings. And Satan had made pleasing to them their deeds and averted them from the path, and they were endowed with perception.

And [the tribe of] Thamūd and the people of Lot and the companions of the thicket [i.e., people of Madyan]. Those are the companies.¹

Like the custom of the people of Noah and of ʿAad and Thamūd and those after them. And Allāh wants no injustice for [His] servants.

But if they turn away, then say, "I have warned you of a thunderbolt like the thunderbolt [that struck] ʿAad and Thamūd.

And as for Thamūd, We guided them, but they preferred blindness over guidance, so the thunderbolt of humiliating punishment seized them for what they used to earn.

The people of Noah denied before them,¹ and the companions of the well² and Thamūd

And in Thamūd, when it was said to them, "Enjoy yourselves for a time."

But they were insolent toward the command of their Lord, so the thunderbolt seized them while they were looking on.

And they were unable to arise, nor could they defend themselves.

And Thamūd - and He did not spare [them] -

Thamūd denied the warning.

And said, "Is it one human being¹ among us that we should follow? Indeed, we would then be in error and madness.

Has the message been sent down upon him from among us? Rather, he is an insolent liar."

They will know tomorrow who is the insolent liar.

Indeed, We are sending the she-camel as trial for them, so watch them and be patient.¹

And inform them that the water is shared between them,¹ each [day of] drink attended [by turn].

But they called their companion,¹ and he dared² and hamstrung [her].

And how [severe] were My punishment and warning.

Indeed, We sent upon them one shriek [i.e., blast from the sky], and they became like the dry twig fragments of an [animal] pen.

Thamūd and ʿAad denied the Striking Calamity [i.e., the Resurrection].

So as for Thamūd, they were destroyed by the overpowering [blast].

And as for ʿAad, they were destroyed by a screaming,¹ violent wind

Which He [i.e., Allāh] imposed upon them for seven nights and eight days in succession, so you would see the people therein fallen as if they were hollow trunks of palm trees.

Then do you see of them any remains?

Has there reached you the story of the soldiers -

[Those of] Pharaoh and Thamūd?

But they who disbelieve are in [persistent] denial,

While Allāh encompasses them from behind.¹

With their effort [they are] satisfied

And [with] Pharaoh, owner of the stakes?¹

[All of] whom oppressed within the lands

And increased therein the corruption.

So your Lord poured upon them a scourge of punishment.

Indeed, your Lord is in observation.

And [with] Thamūd, who carved out the rocks in the valley?

Thamūd denied [their prophet] by reason of their transgression,

When the most wretched of them was sent forth.¹

And the messenger of Allāh [i.e., Ṣāliḥ] said to them, "[Do not harm] the she-camel of Allāh or [prevent her from] her drink."

But they denied him and hamstrung¹ her. So their Lord brought down upon them destruction for their sin and made it equal [upon all of them].

And He does not fear the consequence thereof.¹