43

Chapter 5
Prophet Salih (a.s.) and the People of Thamud
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And to the Thamud, We sent Salih one of their own brethren (Hud 11:61)

The tribe of Thamud became prominent after the destruction of `Ad. They established
their townships in the northern part of the Arabian Peninsula, known as Al-Hijr (The
Rock-Hewn City). They were named after their founder, Thamud bin `Athir bin Iram
bin Sam bin Nuh (a.s.). Like `Ad, they were also descendant of Iram, and hence was
also known as `Ad Al-Ukhra, as mentioned (in Chapter 4).



Allah recounts the favours bestowed upon Thamud for their mastery: Thamud
who hewed out rocks in the valley (Al-Fajr 89:9). Instead of being mindful and
thankful, ignorance and arrogance became prevalent in their life. They also fell to idol
worshipping and became too proud of their achievements to be heedful. As their
material wealth increased so, too, did their evil ways while their virtue decreased.
Once again the all too typical fallacy, while they made great strides in achievements,
they failed badly in Iman and virtues. So Allah sent to them Prophet, Salih (a.s.), a
man from among them, to remind and to guide them. His name was Salih bin Ubaid
bin Maseh bin Ubaid bin Hader bin Thamud bin Ather bin Iram bin Sam bin Nuh (a.s.)
He called his people: And We sent to Thamud their brother Salih (with the
Message): Serve Allah, but all of a sudden they became split into two
quarrelling factions. (An-Naml 27:45). The righteous who knew Salih (a.s.) to be one
of them heeded, but the majority rejected him and argued against them. Prophet Salih
(a.s.) was known for his righteousness and was respected by all of his people before
Allah confer upon him Prophethood. They said: O Salih! Until now you were one of
those among us on whom we placed great hopes. Now, would you forbid us to
worship what our forefathers were wont to worship? Indeed we are in
disquieting doubt about what you are calling us to (Hud 11:62).
They were the first to build
city on valleys and hewed
beautiful homes out of the
hills and rocks. They used
to hew out houses from
the mountains

and lived
in security (Al-Hijr 15:81).

[Left: View of Mount Athlab,
in Mada`in Salih, where the
People of Thamud used to
live. Later the people of
Dedan (Dedanites) dwelt in
the region and inherited the
skills of hewing houses out
of rocky valleys]
44

The disbelievers regarded false worship as customary without the need for sound
reasoning. They wanted Salih (a.s.) to join them and not to disrupt their lifestyle. Salih
(a.s.) replied: My people! What do you think? If I had clear evidence from my
Lord and then He also bestowed His mercy upon me, who will rescue me from
the punishment of Allah if I still disobey Him? You can only make me lose even
more (Hud 11:63). Salih (a.s.) reasoned with them that Allah assigned him as a
Prophet to guide Thamud and if he were to disobey Allah by neglecting his task, in
order to please them, who could save him from Allahs punishment? Surely, the people
of Thamud could not, whereas he could save them from affliction, as Salih (a.s.) was
sent by Allah for the well-being and benefit of Thamud. Despite of their prosperity they
preferred blind following when it comes to worship. Prophet Salih (a.s.) aroused them
to ponder and reflect of their prosperous status by reminding them of the past and of
being the inheritors of `Ad. And remember how He made you inheritors after the
'Ad people and gave you habitations in the land, you build for yourselves
palaces and castles in (open) plains, and carve out homes in the mountains; so
bring to remembrance the benefits (you have received) from Allah and refrain
from evil and mischief on the earth (Al-A`raf 7:74). But his reminder fell on deaf
ears and they further discredited Prophet Salih (a.s.), whom the chiefs regarded as
inferior, someone who they wanted to promote up to their ranks and by their
authority, they decided not to. Therefore, they saw Salih (a.s.) as an ordinary citizen,
not worthy of leadership. So they thought why should they listen to such a person?
They said: Are we to follow a single mortal, one from among ourselves? If we do
that, we shall surely be in error and folly Was there none but he to whom the
Reminder could be vouchsafed excluding all others? Nay; he is an insolent liar
(Al-Qamar 54:24-25). They mockingly expressed their amazement, that the Reminder
was sent to Salih (a.s.) alone to the their exclusion as leaders. So they blatantly
accused him of being a liar. A few who were deemed weak and poor followed Salih
(a.s.). They were not spiritually corrupt with arrogance and obstinacy, but those who
possessed wealth and power were corrupted. The leaders of the arrogant party
among his people said to those who were reckoned powerless, those among
them who believed, Know indeed that Salih is a messenger from his Lord?
They said, We do indeed believe in the revelation, which have been sent
through him (Al-A`raf 7:74).

Such are the typical characteristics of the disbelievers, their achievements and
possessions made them too arrogant to listen and ponder. Further they were afraid of
losing their status and luxurious lifestyle by following a righteous way of life. This was
just their assumption. However, these were their underlying reasons for opposing a
Prophets call. Prophet Salih (a.s.) is a typical Prophet of Allah, who carried out his
tasks patiently and diligently. He started off as a young man and kept on preaching till
his old age, without gaining material wealth, from his noble work. The disbelievers
feared that Salihs (a.s.) followers would increase in time with such a noble and valiant
effort. So they deliberately hurled false accusation: They replied: You are nothing
but one of those who are bewitched; you are no different from a mortal like us.
So produce a sign if you are truthful (Ash-Shu`araa 26:153-4). Further, they tried
to put him off by assigning him an impossible task, to prove that he is a Messenger of
Allah by performing a miracle. They demanded Salih (a.s.) to produce a she-camel with
a particular characteristic and from a hill they called, Katibah. This hill was a lone hill
in the valley of Al-Hijr and probably the rocks were too hard for them to hew and carve
into homes, hence they specified it to Salih (a.s.).
45

Naqatullah (She-Camel of Allah)
The chiefs of Thamud thought that they have come up with an ultimate challenge. In
their arrogance, they thought they could humiliate Salih (a.s.) as a liar. Allah
assures and console His Prophet, Salih (a.s.): Tomorrow they shall know who the
insolent liar is. We shall send the she-camel as a trial for them; so watch their
end with patience (Al-Qamar 54:26-27). Salih (a.s.) remained steadfast and patient
as Allah commanded. One day, the people of Thamud gathered at a meeting place, for
the occasion. Prophet Salih (a.s.), still have hope in Allahs Rahmah for his people. So
he reminded them again to believe in Allah, the One who granted them favours and
raised them after the destruction of `Ad. But they totally ignored his call, then the
chiefs demanded, If you are a Messenger of Allah, produce a she-camel from Katibah,
this hill of ours and it has to be in its tenth months pregnancy, while being strong
and healthy. Salih (a.s.) trust in Allahs help and was steadfast in his duty as a
Prophet and that is, being concern for his peoples salvation. He was fearful for them
and wanted them to be truthful, in order to avoid Allahs punishment, so he
responded, Look now! If Allah sends you what you have requested, just as you have
described, will you believe in that which I have come to you with and have faith in the
message I have been sent with? They answered, Yes. So he took a vow from them,
then Salih (a.s.) performed Solat and prayed to Allah the Almighty, For You (Allah)
nothing is difficult, let their demand be fulfilled. All this was done, after his peoples
vow of acceptance. Prophet Salihs (a.s.) noble intention was to invite his people to the
right path and earn Allahs Pleasure and not incur His affliction. Allah granted Salih
(a.s.) this miracle and a huge, unique, beautiful she-camel appeared from the Katibah
hill. The people of Thamud witnessed the rock split as the she-camel strut away from
the rubbles to their amazement. It was pregnant and its foetus was visibly moving in
its belly, exactly as Salih's (a.s.) people asked. They couldnt believe their eyes at this
wondrous miracle and this was indeed a very clear evidence.

The People of Thamud Reaction
Thereafter several more people believed in Salih (a.s.), but most of them remained
obstinate and continued in their disbelief. Verily the dwellers of Al-Hijr denied the
Messengers. We also gave them Our Signs, yet they turned away from them (Al-
Hijr 15:80-81). One of the chief, Jundu` bin Amr and several men who followed him
believed and kept their oath. The rest of the noblemen of Thamud wanted to believe as
well, but Dhu'ab bin `Amr bin Labid, Al-Habbab, who tended their idols and Rabbab
bin Sum`ar bin Jilhis stopped them. One of the cousins of Jundu` bin `Amr, whose
name was Shihab bin Khalifah bin Mikhlat bin Labid bin Jawwas, was one of the
leaders of Thamud and he also wanted to accept the message. However, the chiefs as
mentioned prevented him and he conceded to their promptings. The camel remained
in Thamud, as well as, its offspring after she delivered it before them. The camel used
to drink from its well on one day and leave the well for Thamud the next day. As the
Qur`an relates: Let them know that the water should be divided between them
and the she-camel, each availing their turn (Al-Qamar 54:28). They also used to
drink its milk, for on the days she drank water, they used to milk her and fill their
containers with its milk. (Tafsir of Ibn Kathir)

The miraculous nature of the she-camel was reported in several accounts, as recorded
by Ulama` of Tafsir. It was said that a rock in the mountain split open and the she-
camel came forth followed by its young offspring. In another version the she-camel
gave birth after three days and its young followed wherever its mother roams. The she-
46

camel used to drink all the water in the wells in one day and no other animals could
approach the water. The she-camel produced milk sufficient for all the people to drink,
on the same day that it drank all the water, leaving none for them. If it slept in a
place, that place was abandoned by other animals. Thus it was obvious that not only
that the she-camel came into being miraculously, it also had a unique nature unlike
any other animals. It lived among the people of Thamud for some time and their life
was never the same, from then on. However, the changes had a mix effect. On a
positive note, the believers remained faithful with Taqwa (mindful of Allah) and abide
by their Prophets guidance. While the disbelievers still opposed Salih (a.s.) openly
even though the Sign of Allah was evident in their daily life, and some resorted to
hypocrisy just to gain benefit from the she-camels milk, devoid of Iman in Allah and
His Prophets message.

The Plot
The disbelievers envy and hatred were further enflamed when Salih (a.s.) met their
challenge for proof, that he is indeed a Messenger of Allah, when Salih (a.s.) presented
to them a clear Sign from Allah. They felt humiliated and defeated, but this was not
the aim of Salih (a.s.). On the other hand Salih (a.s.) only hoped for their reconciliation
with the truth for the sake of their own well-being. Furthermore, Prophet Salihs (a.s.)
success with some of his people prompted the disbelievers to resort to evil ways. They
turned against the blessed she-camel as a pretext. The she-camels unique nature
caused many to incline towards belief. On the other hand, the disbelievers and
hypocrites used it as a cause for hostility. They deliberately raised issues against the
she-camel. They find fault with its huge size and with that, they raised the issue of
grazing area and water consumption. They complained that it drank huge quantity of
water and with the loud sound that its make and its sheer size frightened away their
flocks during grazing. Their aim was to influence the people to see the she-camel as a
nuisance. Soon many joined in to show their resentment towards Salih (a.s.) and the
she-camel. Then, the disbelievers began to hatch a plot to kill the she-camel. Salih
(a.s.) could sense that something evil was brewing and feared that they might harm
the she-camel, so he warned them: My people! This she-camel of Allah is a sign
for you. So let her pastures on Allah's earth and do not hurt her or else some
chastisement which is near at hand should overtake you (Hud 11:64). They
thought that by killing the she-camel, they would triumph over Prophet Salih (a.s.).

Killing of the She-Camel
After gaining support, the chiefs of the disbelievers gathered the people to look for
volunteers to carry out their heinous plan. Offers were made and women were used to
tempt the men to carry out their commands. A wealthy old woman named Unaizah
binti Ghanm bin Mijlaz had a deep hatred towards Salih (a.s.). Her husband, Dhu'ab
bin `Amr was one of the chief and they had beautiful daughters. There was another
noblewoman whose name was Saduf bint Al-Muhayya bin Dahr, who was also wealthy
and beautiful. She was married to a believing man from Thamud, but she left him.
These two women offered reward for those who swore to them that they would kill the
she-camel. Saduf offered herself to Al-Habbab on condition that he would kill the she-
camel, but he refused. So she called her cousin Musaddi` bin Mihraj (According to Ibn
Hisham his name was Masrai bin Mahraj) and he agreed. As for Unaizah, she called
Qudar bin Salif bin Jundu` and offered him, I will give you any of my daughters you
wish, if you kill the she-camel. Qudar bin Salif accepted the offer and recruited
several mischievous persons from Thamud to kill the she-camel. (At-Tabari)
47

The Nine Raht (Ring Leaders)
There were nine men all were chiefs, Qudar bin Salif among them and they lured the
entire tribe into agreeing to kill the she-camel. Qudar, the most-wicked chief of
Thamud with his men set an ambush. They waited until the she-camel left the well,
Qudar waited beside a rock on its path, while Musaddi` waited at another rock. When
the camel passed by Musaddi`, he shot an arrow that pierced her leg. At that time,
Unaizah was present with her daughter when Qudar was about to commit a heinous
sin. She asked her daughter to remove her veil in order to reveal her beauty to Qudar,
and thus encouraging him to finish his job without hesitation. So, Qudar slashed its
knee and it fell to the ground and screamed once to warn its offspring. Then Qudar
stabbed its neck and slaughtered the she-camel. Its offspring went up a high rock and
screamed. Qudar is the one whom Allah refers to in Surah Al-Qamar 54:29 - But they
called their comrade and he took (a sword) and killed her (i.e. the she-camel) and
in Surah Ash-Shams 91:12 - When the most-wicked man among them went forth
(to kill the she-camel). Imam Hasan Al-Basri reported that the she-camels offspring
screamed and prayed, O my Lord! Where is my mother? It was said that its offspring
screamed thrice and entered a rock and vanished in it, or they followed it and killed it
together with its mother. Soon the news reached Prophet Salih (a.s.), he stood before
the crowd and saw what they did to the she-camel. Salih (a.s.) cried and proclaimed,
Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days (Hud 11:65). The nine wicked
men in their thirst for blood, after killing the she-camel, conspired to kill Salih (a.s.).
They said, If he is truthful, we should finish him before we are finished. If he is a liar,
we will make him follow his camel (Tafsir of Ibn Kathir).

The she-camel was killed cruelly based on a flimsy pretext that they want to have full
control over the water. It was carried out by men who were after worldly pleasure and
heedless of Prophet Salihs (a.s.) warning. They took an oath to be faithful, they knew
and agreed to the arrangements regards to the use of well water and grazing and were
duly warned by Salih (a.s.) not to harm the she-camel. But lust for worldly life made
them merciless with greed for power and fame, till they became brazenly defiant. The
Qur`an relates: Then they hamstrung the she-camel,

disdainfully disobeyed the
commandment of their Lord and said: O Salih! Bring upon us the scourge with
which you threatened us if you are truly a Messenger (of Allah) (Al-A`raf 7:77).

The Plot to Kill Prophet Salih (a.s.)
As mentioned Salih (a.s.) warned them that punishment from Allah will descend upon
them in three days. Even at this stage of cruelty and injustice, Salih (a.s.) hoped that
within the period of time they would repent and seek Allahs forgiveness. Indeed Salih
(a.s.) is a Prophet of Allah with a noble character. But alas, his people mockingly
asked, Why three days? Then they added, Let the punishment come as quickly as
possible Salih (a.s.) said: O my people! Why do you seek to hasten the evil
(torment) before the good (Allah's Mercy)? Why seek you not the Forgiveness of
Allah, that you may receive mercy? They said, We augur ill-omen from you
and those with you. He (Salih) said, Your ill omen is with Allah; nay, but you
are a people that are being tested. (An-Naml 27:46-47). The disbelievers talked
about ill-omen while they were the ones who committed the heinous deeds. They
were so ignorant and arrogant at the same time that they could not see that the onus
was on them. To make matters worse they planned to kill Prophet Salih (a.s.) and his
family. The same nine ring leaders made a solemn pledge to each other and carefully
laid out a plan to kill Salih (a.s.) without having to face justice in the land.
48

The she-camel was killed on a Wednesday, and that night, they conspired to kill Salih
(a.s.). They further convinced each other of the need to kill Salih (a.s.), they said,
Salih claims that he will finish with us in three days, but we will finish him and his
family before the three days are over. Now there were nine Raht (ring-leaders) in
the city who created corruption in the land and never worked to set things
right. They said: Swear to one another in the name of Allah that we shall
make a sudden night swoop on Salih and his family and will then tell their
heirs that we did not witness the destruction of his family. We are indeed
truthful (An-Naml 27:48-49). According to the Tribal tradition, the nine chiefs were
also recognized as Wali (guardian) and could make a claim to blood vengeance. So as
guardian they promised to each other that none would claim blood vengeance for
Salih (a.s.) and none would even testify to any wrong-doing. So they gathered that
night to carry out their plot. They knew of the place where Salih (a.s.) worship, it was
at a rocky tract in a valley, where he used to pray. So they set out to go to a cave there
one night and said, When he comes to pray, we will kill him, then we will return.
When we have finished him off, we will go to his family and finish them off too. Then
Allah sent down a rock upon them from the mountains round about. They feared that
it would crush them, so they ran into the cave and the rock covered the mouth of the
cave while they were inside. Their people did not know where they were or what had
happened to them. So Allah punished some of them here and some of them there and
saved Salih (a.s.) and those with him. Then Salih (a.s.) recited: Thus they planned
and We too planned, while they did not know. (An-Naml 27:50)

In another version, Allah rained down stones that smashed the heads of these nine
people before calamity struck the others. Still defiant, the others challenged Salih
(a.s.) in jest, as to how and from where the calamity would come and tell them of the
signs. They were arrogantly sceptical as to how a calamity would destroy Thamuds
rock-solid city. Salih (a.s.) told them of the signs, that they will witness for themselves
happening daily during the three days of respite. The signs as told by Prophet Salih
(a.s.) and that was witnessed happened were as follows - On Thursday, the first of the
three days of respite, the people woke up and their faces were pale. On the second day
of respite, Friday, they woke up and found their faces had turned red. On the third
day of the respite, Saturday, they woke up with their faces black. It all happened as
Salih (a.s.) promised them. On Sunday, the disbelievers were in total despair that they
did not pray to Allah for forgiveness. Instead they wore the fragrance of Hanut (a
perfume for enshrouding the dead before burial) and waited for Allahs torment and
revenge. They did not know what will be done to them or how and from where the
torment would come. And As-Saihah (Loud Cry or Blast) overtook those who were
wont to do wrong and then they lay lifeless in their homes (Hud 11:67). When the
sun rose, it was As-Saihah that caught them. It came from the sky and a severe
tremor overtook them from below, the souls were captured and the bodies became
lifeless, all in an hour. (Tafsir of Ibn Kathir)

Thamuds Destruction
Three days after Salih's (a.s.) warning, there was one awesome cry, which had hardly
ended when the disbelievers were struck dead at the same time. Their rock-hewn
homes could protect them. Thunderbolts filled the air, followed by severe earthquakes,
which destroyed the entire valley. So the earthquakes seized them and they lay
dead, prostrate in their homes. (Al A`raf 7:78).
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Their plot to kill Salih (a.s.) was met with disaster. So see what was the outcome of
the plan they made, We utterly destroyed them and their people, all of them.
Now behold their houses that lie in utter ruins because of their wrong-doing.
Verily there is a Sign in this for people who know. (An-Naml 27:51-52). Allah
saved Salih (a.s.) and his followers. We saved Salih and those who shared his faith
through Our special mercy, from the disgrace of that day. Truly Your Lord is
All-Strong, All-Mighty. (Hud 11:66). Heavy hearted, Salih (a.s.) and his followers left
and migrated away from the wretched place. And Salih left them, saying: O my
people! I conveyed to you the message of my Lord and gave you good advice, but
you have no liking for your well-wishers (Al-A`raf 7:79). According to most Ulama`
of Tafsir, Prophet Salih (a.s.) said this in lamentation and not addressing any
survivors. Qatadah (r.a.) said, It has reached us that the leader of tribe of Thamud
did not kill the she-camel until their youth, their elderly, their males and their females
all pledged allegiance to him. So when the people cooperated in killing her, Allah
destroyed them all with the same punishment due to their sin. Therefore, Salih (a.s.)
lamented at the sight of dead bodies and an utterly ruined civilization. Such
lamentation is common in Arab tradition, as this also served as a reminder to those
with him of Allahs Wrath which they were saved from and of Allahs Mercy which they
were blessed with. According to one narration, there were around four thousand
people who followed him and they settled in Makkah and Salih (a.s.) passed away
there. But in another narration he went to Hadramaut, Yemen, where he passed away.
A tomb near Hasik in Oman is said to be that of Prophet Salih (a.s.). He was indeed a
righteous (as his name indicates) and a compassionate Prophet of Allah.



Other tribes migrated and lived in the area amongst the ruins and they probably took
over Thamuds dwellings and later learnt the skills themselves. Such were the people
who came later, like the Tribes of Dedan (500 BC), Lihyan (100 BC) and Nabataean (37
CE). This has survived to this day and is spread over thousands of acres. It was once
inhabited by no less than half a million people. At the time of the revelation of the
Qur'an Arab trade caravans passed through the ruins of this city. When Ibn Batutah
reached there in the 8
th
century AH on his way to Makkah, he wrote: I have seen the
buildings of Thamud hewed into red mountains; the paintings look so bright as if they
have been put on only recently, and rotten bones of human beings are found in them
even today
[More Details in Appendix III]
Thamuds Legacy
The site of Thamuds ruins is
also known as Al-Hijr. In the
present time there is a
station on the Hejaz railway
between Madinah and Tabuk.
This is called Mada'in Salih,
which was the capital town of
Thamud. Numerous carved-
out rocks and tombs still
stand.
[Left Picture: Al-`Ula Valley in
Madain Salih]
50

Prophet Muhammads (s.a.w.) Journey
Ibn Umar (r.a.) narrated that when the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) was on a journey
to Tabuk, he (s.a.w.) and his companions passed by Thamud's ruins. They encamped
there and fetched water from the wells from which the people of Thamud used to
drink. They prepared their dough (for baking) and filled their water skins from it (the
water from the wells). The Prophet (s.a.w.) ordered them to empty the water skins and
feed the prepared dough to the camels. Then he went away with them until they
stopped at the well from which the she-camel (of Salih a.s.) used to drink. He
instructed the Muslims to draw water from that well alone and to avoid all other wells.
The mountain pass through which that she-camel came to drink was also indicated by
the Prophet (s.a.w.). The pass is still known as Fajj An-Naqah. The Prophet (s.a.w.)
then gathered all the Muslims who had been directed to look around that city of rocks
and addressed them. He drew their attention to the tragic end of the Thamud, who by
their evil ways had invited Allahs punishment upon themselves. The Prophet (s.a.w.)
asked them to hastily move ahead for the place was a grim reminder of Allahs severe
punishment and he hence called for reflection and repentance. He warned them
against entering upon the people that had been punished, saying, I fear that you may
be affected by what afflicted them, so do no enter upon them. Even the Prophet
Muhammad (s.a.w.) was in awe of Allahs calamity. This can be seen in his reaction
when he (s.a.w.) taught his people to act accordingly with Taqwa.

Abdur Razzaq reported another interesting incident about the Prophet Muhammads
(s.a.w.) journey. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) passed by a grave site and asked his
Companions if they knew whose grave it was. They said, Allah and His Messenger
know better. He (s.a.w.) said, This is the grave of Abu Righal, a man from Thamud.
He was in the Sacred Area of Allah (Makkah) and this fact saved him from receiving
Allah's torment. When he went out of the Sacred Area, a stone fell from the sky and
killed him. He was buried here along with a branch made from gold. So the people
used their swords and looked for the golden branch and found it. Imam Az-Zuhri said
that Abu Righal is the father of the tribe of Thaqif.

The Story of Ashab Ar-Rass (Dwellers of Ar-Rass)
The Qur`an only mentions them by name and that they denied their Prophet and not
much is known about them for certain. However, in the time of the revelation of the
Quran the Arabs were generally aware of this nation and its history, but traditions
about them could not be preserved in historic records. In the traditions of Arabia two
places are well known by the name of Ar-Rass, one in the Najd and the other in
northern Hejaz. Ar-Rass of the Najd is better known and has been referred to more
often in the pre-Islamic poetry of Arabia. Now it is difficult to determine which of these
the home of the Ashab Ar-Rass was. No reliable detail of their story is found in any
tradition either. About them the Qur`an relates: And in like manner were the 'Ad
and the Thamud destroyed and the people of Ar-Rass and many a nation in the
centuries in between (Al-Furqan 25:38). In another verse: In the past (i.e. before
the pagans of Makkah) Nuh's people and the people of Rass and Thamud gave
the lie (to Messengers) (Qaf 50:12).

These verses indicate that the dwellers of Ar-Rass were destroyed, as were the other
people who refused to believe in the prophets of Allah. The most popular version is
that it was a nation which had thrown its Prophet into a well and rendered the well
useless. Ar-Rass literally mean unused or dried well or well without stones or rocks.
51

Ad-Dahak (r.a.) related that they migrated with Prophet Salih (a.s.) to Hadramaut,
after Thamud was destroyed. Salih (a.s.) passed away there and that is why it was
called Hadra Maut (death overcame). Generations later, they were led astray by Satan
into worshiping idols. Allah sent to them a Prophet to guide them but they killed him.
Allah punished them by rendering their wells useless and their buildings and
dwellings were desolated. Ad-Dahak (r.a.) related the verse: How many towns have
We destroyed because their people were steeped in iniquity, so they lie fallen
down upon their turrets! How many wells lie deserted and how many towering
palaces lie in ruins! (Al-Hajj 22:45)

At-Tabari related that the dwellers of Ar-Rass were the people of one of Thamud's
villages. Allah sent a prophet to them called Huzlah bin Safwan. They denied and
killed him, so Allah destroyed them. Abu Bakr Muhammad bin Al-Hassan narrated:
The dwellers of Ar-Rass had a well sufficing them and their land. They also had a just
and good-hearted king. When he died, they were very much in grief. After four days
Satan took his form and said, I was not dead, but I kept absent from you to see your
reaction. They were very joyful. He commanded them to set up a curtain between him
and them and told them that he would never die. A great number of them believed him
and were fascinated with and worshipped him. Then Allah sent them a prophet telling
them that it was Satan who was addressing them from behind the curtain. He forbade
them to worship him and commanded them to worship only Allah and no partner with
Him. In spite of that, they killed their prophet and threw his body into a well.
Therefore, Allah punished them.

In other version, a prophet named Hanzalah bin Safwan was appointed amongst the
people of this village and he called them to belief. They killed him and threw his dead
body in a well called Ar-Rass. That was the origin of them being called companions of
Ar-Rass. Allah destroyed that whole village because of their arrogance in rejecting
belief and the heinous crime of killing a Prophet. Other tradition narrated from Ibn
Abbas (r.a.) said that Ashab Ar-Rass were the people of one of the villages of Thamud.
Sufyan Ath-Thawri narrated from Abu Bukair from Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl that Ar-Rass
was a well where they buried (Rassu) their Prophet. In any case, the Qur`an referred to
Ashab Ar-Rass as amongst those who rejected their Prophets, along with Nuhs (a.s.)
people, `Ad and Thamud. Thus Ashab Ar-Rass is widely believed belonging to that era.

Lessons
Achievement followed by haughtiness, then denial, then rejection and a rebellious
mind set develops and then defiance. When they did not see any harm befalling them
in years and decades, they became more defiant. All these happened to the ancient
people of `Ad, Thamud and Ashab-Ar-Rass and the same happens in current times.
Basically, this is the root of atheism or rejection of belief that has become common
today. There is nothing intelligent about it but rather an ancient fallacy that is all too
typical. Human held on to what becomes dear to them with obsession that triggered
obstinacy. Greed for power, control of material wealth and luxurious life divert
humans focus on superficial matters in life. However, Allah the Almighty is unaffected
by humans follies, and always grants respite as a Mercy from Him and to Allah is the
final destination.

How many towns did I respite at first though they were steeped in iniquity and
then I seized them! To Me are all destined to return (Al-Hajj 22:48).