The Story of Prophet Saleh: History, Miracles, and Explanations of Qur'anic Verses

 

The Story of Prophet Saleh: History, Miracles, and Explanations of Qur'anic Verses

The story of Prophet Saleh - Do you know how many prophets and messengers there really are? The number of Prophets and Messengers is very large. There are a total of 124 thousand Prophets and 312 Messengers. But in Islam we are only required to know and study 25 Prophets and Messengers. Then what is the difference between a Prophet and a Messenger?

Linguistically, the Prophet is defined as a servant of Allah SWT who receives revelation through the angel Gabriel for himself. The Prophet is an ordinary human being like us, it's just that the Prophet was given the advantage and mandate to remind people around him and his descendants to have good behavior and worship Allah.

Nabi comes from the term 'Naba' which has the meaning "from a high place". While the Messenger is a servant of Allah SWT who receives revelation from Allah SWT through the angel Gabriel for himself and his people. All Messengers are Prophets. But not all Prophets are Messengers.

Now, is the explanation of the difference between the Prophet and the Apostle easy enough to understand? Of course it's not easy. Well, for those of you who want to know more about the Prophets and Apostles, the following will be reviewed about one of the 25 Prophets that must be known for Muslims. The discussion this time is about the story of one of the prophets, namely the Prophet Saleh AS.

The history of Prophet Saleh

Prophet Saleh Alaihissalam (peace be upon him) is one of the 25 Messengers of Allah SWT who received revelation for himself. Prophet Saleh AS is the fifth prophet who was sent to spread the teachings of worshiping Allah SWT after the destruction of the people of 'Ad who lived in the time of Prophet Hud AS.

Some scholars narrate that Prophet Saleh AS had a father named Ubaid. Nabi Saleh AS was appointed by Allah SWT as a Prophet in the year 2100 BC.

When traced, the genealogy of Prophet Saleh is Saleh bin Ubaid bin Masih bin Ubaid bin Hadir bin Thamud bin Atsir bin Aram/Iram bin Shem/Sam bin Nuh.

So it can be concluded that Prophet Saleh AS still has the blood of Prophet Noah AS. Prophet Saleh AS comes from the Arab race, precisely the tribe of Thamud. Narrated from Abu Dzar, other prophets who came from the Arab nation besides Prophet Saleh AS are Prophet Shu'aib AS, Prophet Hud AS, and Prophet Muhammad SAW.

Prophet Saleh AS is a prophet who was sent after Prophet Hud AS and before Prophet Ibrahim AS. During his life, Prophet Saleh AS resided in the North Arabian region precisely in Al-Hijr. During Al-Hijr, Prophet Saleh AS was one of the people who was highly respected and held in high esteem by the people of Al-Hijr, namely the Tsamud people.

The Thamud are very good at carving stones, especially mountain rocks. This is because the Hadramaut area which is the place where the Thamud lives is in the mountains. In accordance with the word of Allah SWT in the Qur'an Surah Al-Fajr verse 9.

"And (against) the people of Thamud who cut large rocks in the valley." (QS Al-Fajr verse 9 ).

Prophet Saleh's preaching journey

The Thamud who became the target of the da'wah of the Prophet Saleh AS were the people who made their living through farming, architecture, and livestock. The ability of the Thamud in the field of architecture is amazing.

They sculpted the rocky hills that are found in Al-Hijr into beautiful and magnificent buildings. While on the flat land they built palaces. The stone hills carved by the Thamud people form the houses they live in with the typical style of ancient Greek and Roman relics.

The Thamud people disobeyed Prophet Saleh AS

At that time it was known that the Thamud people worshiped idols according to what was done from generation to generation by their ancestors. At first the Thamud people respected Prophet Saleh AS because they hoped for him to continue the tradition of the Thamud people, that is to worship idols.

But when Prophet Saleh AS began to convey the invitation to worship Allah SWT and fear Him, then the people of Thamud became disappointed and angry. They began to antagonize Prophet Saleh AS because he asked to leave the worship of idols that had been part of their tradition for generations.

In addition to having the habit of worshiping idols, other traits possessed by the Thamud are arrogant and arrogant. They often underestimate and look down on other people.

Even in their daily life they always commit immorality such as adultery and drunkenness. The life style of the Thamud has deviated far from the teachings of Allah SWT.

Because of that reason, Allah SWT raised Saleh to be a prophet and was assigned to preach to the Thamud people. As Allah SWT said in Al-Qur'an Surat Al-A'raf verse 73.

"And to the people of Thamud, (We sent) their brother Saleh. He said, 'O my people! Worship God! There is no God (worship) for you but Him. A clear proof has come to you from your Lord. This is (a) she-camel from God as a sign for you. Let him eat on God's earth, don't be hurt, as a result you will get a painful torment.'" (QS Al-A'raf verse 73).

When Prophet Saleh AS began to call on the Thamud people about the teaching of monotheism to worship Allah SWT alone, the Thamud people split into two opposing groups.

The first group that followed the Prophet Saleh AS led by Junda' bin Amru bin Mahlab bin Lubaid bin Jawwas. Junda' bin Amru was one of the leading figures in the Thamud.

Meanwhile, the group against Prophet Saleh AS was led by Dzu'ab bin Amru bin Lubaid Al-Habbab and Rabbab bin Sha'r bin Julmas. Dzu'ab and Rabbab even stopped when Prophet Saleh AS was about to invite his cousin, Junda' bin Shihab, to follow his teachings.

The opposing group led by Dzu'ab and Rabbab argued that Prophet Saleh AS was affected by witchcraft. They did not accept the teachings brought by Prophet Saleh AS.

In addition, Prophet Saleh AS is also considered a fraud because they do not believe that the messenger of Allah SWT is an ordinary human being just like them, so they demand miracles as proof of his apostleship.

Prophet Saleh's miracle

The female camel that came out of the rock as one of the miracles of Prophet Saleh AS

The commentators explained that as proof of the Prophet Saleh's apostleship, Thamud challenged him to be able to remove a female camel that was 10 months pregnant from a large rock appointed by them.

Prophet Saleh AS agreed to the Thamud's request and began to pray to Allah SWT. Then by the power of Allah SWT, from the surface of the stone that was struck by the hand of Prophet Saleh AS, a she-camel came out with exactly the same characteristics as mentioned by the people of Thamud. The camel is known as "Unta Betina Allah".

So they were surprised. The miraculous event made some of the Thamud people who witnessed it become followers of Prophet Saleh AS. But there are those who are still in their position to oppose Prophet Saleh AS. So said Prophet Saleh AS.

"O my people, this is a she-camel from God as a miracle (showing) the truth for you, so let her eat on God's earth, and do not disturb her with any disturbance that will cause you to be hit with near punishment." (QS Hud verse 64).

"And do not touch the she-camel with any evil, which will cause you to be afflicted with the punishment of a great day," (QS Ash-Syu'ara verse 156).

As narrated in the Qur'an, Prophet Saleh AS told his people not to do evil to Allah's She-Camel. Even Prophet Saleh AS allowed his people to milk and consume camel milk alternately.

But this does not necessarily make them grateful and grateful. The opponents of Nabi Saleh AS do not even like the presence of the camel because it is considered to drink a lot of water in their springs.

The killing of God's she-camel

The Thamud who opposed the Prophet Saleh AS were annoyed that many of their livestock lacked water.

They think that the presence of a she-camel only adds to their burden because they spend their allotted water at the springs. They immediately thought of an evil plan to kill the she-camel.

Among the people who planned to kill Allah's Camel, there were two women who became the provocateurs of the plan. The two women are Shaduq bint Mahya bin Zuhair Al-Mukhtar and 'Unaizah bint Ghunaim bin Mijlaz.

'Unaizah is the wife of Dzu'ab, one of the leaders of the opposition group of Prophet Saleh AS. 'Unaizah and Dzu'ab had 4 daughters and formed an agreement with Qudar bin Salif to be able to choose one of their children if they succeeded in killing a she-camel.

Shaduq did the same, offering himself to Mishra' bin Mahraj bin Mahya if Mishra' was able to kill the camel.

Qudar and Mishra' who were tempted by the offer of the two women were fully determined to kill the she-camel by inviting 7 other youths.

They watched as the she-camel was drinking the water in the spring, and then lightning shot the camel's calf while stabbing the camel's belly with a sword. In this way the female camel of Allah was killed which was a miracle belonging to the Prophet Saleh AS.

The Punishment Coming to the Disobedient and Abominable Thamud

Prophet Saleh AS was very sad when he found out that Allah's she-camel had been killed by his opposition group. Prophet Saleh AS immediately reminded the camel killers to repent immediately or a painful punishment will come.

But they actually underestimated the warning from Prophet Saleh AS and even challenged that the punishment be immediately lowered. So the Prophet Saleh AS also advised them to rejoice for 3 days before the coming of doom. As narrated in the Qur'an Surah Hud verse 65.

"So they slaughtered the camel, then he (Salih) said, 'Rejoice all of you in your homes for three days. That is a promise that cannot be denied.'” (QS Hud verse 65).

Their act of killing the camel is a violation of the prohibition of Prophet Saleh AS. For this reason, Allah SWT sent them a punishment that is to limit their lives to only three days, so as a mockery they were told to enjoy themselves for those three days.

On the first day before the punishment that killed the camel killers and the disobedient Thamud people, their faces turned yellow. On the second day, their faces turned red. And on the third day, their faces turned black.

Narrated by Ibnu Katsir, on the fourth day after sunrise, Allah SWT's terrible punishment came to the people of Thamud who disobeyed. The punishment they received was a loud voice from the sky and a terrible earthquake. The camel killers and the group opposing Nabi Saleh AS also died lying in their respective homes.

It was said that none of the groups opposed to Prophet Saleh AS survived, except for Kalbah bint As-Salq. Kalbah was a slave girl who, at the time of the doom, fled to an Arab village and told the people there.

Kalbah was given a drink by one of the residents of the village. But after drinking, Kalba died instantly. Such is the punishment of Allah SWT.

Whereas Prophet Saleh AS and his followers who believed in Allah SWT survived the incident.

Although it is not told in the Qur'an about the life of Prophet Saleh AS and his followers after the incident that happened to the Thamud, there are sources who say that they moved to the Ramlah area in the Palestinian Territories.

Verses In The Qur'an That Talk About Prophet Saleh AS

The story of the journey of Prophet Saleh AS in preaching is listed and enshrined in several letters of the Qur'an, including:

1. Al-Qur'an chapter Ash-Shams verse 11-15

"(The people of) Thamud have denied (their messenger) because they transgressed the limit," (QS Ash-Shams verse 11).

"When the most wretched of them rise up," (QS Ash-Syams verse 12).

"Then the Messenger of God (Saleh) said to them: (Leave) the she-camel of God and her drink." (QS Ash-Shams verse 13).

"Then they denied it and slaughtered the camel, so their Lord destroyed them because of their sin, then God leveled them (with the ground)," (QS Ash-Shams verse 14).

"and God is not afraid of the consequences of His actions." (QS Ash-Shams verse 15).

2. Al-Qur'an surat Hud ayat 61-68

"And to the people of Thamud (We sent) their brother, Saleh. He said, “O my people! Worship God, there is no God for you but Him. He has created you from the earth (land) and made you prosperous, therefore ask Him for forgiveness. Indeed, my Lord is very close (His mercy) and accepts (His servant's prayer)." (QS Hud verse 61).

"They (Tsamud's people) said, "Oh Saleh! Indeed, you were previously among us a person to be expected, why do you forbid us to worship what our ancestors worshiped? Indeed, we are truly in doubt and anxiety about what (religion) you call to us." (QS Hud verse 62).

"He (Saleh) said, "O my people! Explain to me if I have a clear proof from my Lord and He has given me mercy (prophethood) from Him, then who will save me from the (punishment) of God if I disobey Him? Then you will only add to my loss.” (QS Hud verse 63).

"And O my people! This is a she-camel from God, as a miracle for you, so let her eat in God's land, and do not disturb her with any disturbance that will cause you to be immediately afflicted (punishment)." (QS Hud verse 64).

"So they slaughtered the camel, then he (Saleh) said, "Rejoice all of you in your homes for three days. That is a promise that cannot be denied.” (QS Hud verse 65).

"So when Our decision came, We saved Saleh and those who believed with him with Our mercy and (We saved) from humiliation on that day. Indeed, your Lord, He is Mighty, Mighty.” (QS Hud verse 66).

"Then the sound of thunder fell upon the oppressors, until they died lying in his house," (QS Hud verse 67).

"as if they have never lived in that place. Remember, the people of Thamud denied their God. Remember, the people of Thamud perish." (QS Hud verse 68).

In addition to being found in Surat Ash-Shams and Surat Hud, the story of Prophet Saleh AS is also narrated in Surat Al-Qamar verses 23-32, Surat Fushshilat verses 17-18, Surat An-Naml verses 45-53, Surat Ash-Shu'ara ' verses 141-159, surah Al-Isra' verse 59, surah Al-Hijr verses 80-84, and surah Al-A'raf verses 73-79.