Virtual Quran classes · live, private, one-to-oneBook a free online Quran class →
Prophet 5 of 25

The Story of Prophet Salih

Sent to Thamud, who carved homes from the mountains and were given a she-camel as a sign.

Salih was sent to Thamud, a people skilled in carving houses out of mountains. Their story turns on a she-camel that Allah sent as a clear sign, and on what they did to her.

وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَٰلِحًۭا ۗ قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥ ۖ قَدْ جَآءَتْكُم بَيِّنَةٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ هَٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةُ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ ءَايَةًۭ ۖ فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِىٓ أَرْضِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٍۢ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ

Surah Al-Araf 7:73
Learn Quran online

Want to read the story of Salih in the original Arabic? Learn Quran online.

A private online Quran teacher takes you from the letters to reciting these very verses, correcting every word along the way.

  • Live 1-to-1 classes
  • Kids and adults
  • Male and female teachers
  • Your time zone
Chapter 1 of 4

Houses carved from mountains

Story narration · written from the Quranic account, not Quran

Salih reminded Thamud that Allah had made them successors after Ad and settled them in the land, where they built palaces on its plains and carved homes from its mountains. He told them to remember Allah's favours and not to spread corruption.

Quran · recitation and translation
Surah Al-Araf 7:73–74

وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَٰلِحًۭا ۗ قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥ ۖ قَدْ جَآءَتْكُم بَيِّنَةٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ هَٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةُ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ ءَايَةًۭ ۖ فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِىٓ أَرْضِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٍۢ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ ﴿73﴾ وَٱذْكُرُوٓا۟ إِذْ جَعَلَكُمْ خُلَفَآءَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ عَادٍۢ وَبَوَّأَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ تَتَّخِذُونَ مِن سُهُولِهَا قُصُورًۭا وَتَنْحِتُونَ ٱلْجِبَالَ بُيُوتًۭا ۖ فَٱذْكُرُوٓا۟ ءَالَآءَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ ﴿74﴾

(73) And to the Thamud [We sent] their brother Salih. He said, "O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord. This is the she-camel of Allah [sent] to you as a sign. So leave her to eat within Allah 's land and do not touch her with harm, lest there seize you a painful punishment. (74) And remember when He made you successors after the 'Aad 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 Allah and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption."

Read the verse in its surah →
Surah Ash-Shuara 26:141–152

كَذَّبَتْ ثَمُودُ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ ﴿141﴾ إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ صَٰلِحٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ ﴿142﴾ إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌۭ ﴿143﴾ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ ﴿144﴾ وَمَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ ﴿145﴾ أَتُتْرَكُونَ فِى مَا هَٰهُنَآ ءَامِنِينَ ﴿146﴾ فِى جَنَّٰتٍۢ وَعُيُونٍۢ ﴿147﴾ وَزُرُوعٍۢ وَنَخْلٍۢ طَلْعُهَا هَضِيمٌۭ ﴿148﴾ وَتَنْحِتُونَ مِنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًۭا فَٰرِهِينَ ﴿149﴾ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ ﴿150﴾ وَلَا تُطِيعُوٓا۟ أَمْرَ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ ﴿151﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ يُفْسِدُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا يُصْلِحُونَ ﴿152﴾

(141) Thamud denied the messengers (142) When their brother Salih said to them, "Will you not fear Allah? (143) Indeed, I am to you a trustworthy messenger. (144) So fear Allah and obey me. (145) And I do not ask you for it any payment. My payment is only from the Lord of the worlds. (146) Will you be left in what is here, secure [from death], (147) Within gardens and springs (148) And fields of crops and palm trees with softened fruit? (149) And you carve out of the mountains, homes, with skill. (150) So fear Allah and obey me. (151) And do not obey the order of the transgressors, (152) Who cause corruption in the land and do not amend."

Read the verse in its surah →
Chapter 2 of 4

The she-camel

Story narration · written from the Quranic account, not Quran

Thamud asked for a sign, and Allah sent a she-camel as a clear sign from their Lord. Salih told them to leave her to graze in Allah's land and not to touch her with harm, or a punishment would seize them. The water was to be shared between her and them, each with an appointed day to drink.

Quran · recitation and translation
Surah Al-Araf 7:73

وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَٰلِحًۭا ۗ قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥ ۖ قَدْ جَآءَتْكُم بَيِّنَةٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ هَٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةُ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ ءَايَةًۭ ۖ فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِىٓ أَرْضِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٍۢ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ

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

Read the verse in its surah →
Surah Hud 11:64

وَيَٰقَوْمِ هَٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةُ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ ءَايَةًۭ فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِىٓ أَرْضِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٍۢ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌۭ قَرِيبٌۭ

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

Read the verse in its surah →
Surah Ash-Shuara 26:155–156

قَالَ هَٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةٌۭ لَّهَا شِرْبٌۭ وَلَكُمْ شِرْبُ يَوْمٍۢ مَّعْلُومٍۢ ﴿155﴾ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٍۢ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابُ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍۢ ﴿156﴾

(155) He said, "This is a she-camel. For her is a [time of] drink, and for you is a [time of] drink, [each] on a known day. (156) And do not touch her with harm, lest you be seized by the punishment of a terrible day."

Read the verse in its surah →
Surah Al-Qamar 54:27–28

إِنَّا مُرْسِلُوا۟ ٱلنَّاقَةِ فِتْنَةًۭ لَّهُمْ فَٱرْتَقِبْهُمْ وَٱصْطَبِرْ ﴿27﴾ وَنَبِّئْهُمْ أَنَّ ٱلْمَآءَ قِسْمَةٌۢ بَيْنَهُمْ ۖ كُلُّ شِرْبٍۢ مُّحْتَضَرٌۭ ﴿28﴾

(27) Indeed, We are sending the she-camel as trial for them, so watch them and be patient. (28) And inform them that the water is shared between them, each [day of] drink attended [by turn].

Read the verse in its surah →
Chapter 3 of 4

The hamstringing

Story narration · written from the Quranic account, not Quran

The arrogant among them mocked the believers and hamstrung the she-camel, defying their Lord's command, and dared Salih to bring what he had threatened. Salih told them to enjoy themselves in their homes for three days, a promise that would not be belied. The Quran names the one who rose to the deed as the most wretched of them.

Quran · recitation and translation
Surah Al-Araf 7:75–77

قَالَ ٱلْمَلَأُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ مِن قَوْمِهِۦ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسْتُضْعِفُوا۟ لِمَنْ ءَامَنَ مِنْهُمْ أَتَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ صَٰلِحًۭا مُّرْسَلٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ ۚ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرْسِلَ بِهِۦ مُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿75﴾ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَكْبَرُوٓا۟ إِنَّا بِٱلَّذِىٓ ءَامَنتُم بِهِۦ كَٰفِرُونَ ﴿76﴾ فَعَقَرُوا۟ ٱلنَّاقَةَ وَعَتَوْا۟ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِمْ وَقَالُوا۟ يَٰصَٰلِحُ ٱئْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَآ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ ﴿77﴾

(75) 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 Salih is sent from his Lord?" They said, "Indeed we, in that with which he was sent, are believers." (76) Said those who were arrogant, "Indeed we, in that which you have believed, are disbelievers." (77) So they hamstrung the she-camel and were insolent toward the command of their Lord and said, "O Salih, bring us what you promise us, if you should be of the messengers."

Read the verse in its surah →
Surah Hud 11:65

فَعَقَرُوهَا فَقَالَ تَمَتَّعُوا۟ فِى دَارِكُمْ ثَلَٰثَةَ أَيَّامٍۢ ۖ ذَٰلِكَ وَعْدٌ غَيْرُ مَكْذُوبٍۢ

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

Read the verse in its surah →
Surah Ash-Shams 91:11–15

كَذَّبَتْ ثَمُودُ بِطَغْوَىٰهَآ ﴿11﴾ إِذِ ٱنۢبَعَثَ أَشْقَىٰهَا ﴿12﴾ فَقَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ نَاقَةَ ٱللَّهِ وَسُقْيَٰهَا ﴿13﴾ فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَعَقَرُوهَا فَدَمْدَمَ عَلَيْهِمْ رَبُّهُم بِذَنۢبِهِمْ فَسَوَّىٰهَا ﴿14﴾ وَلَا يَخَافُ عُقْبَٰهَا ﴿15﴾

(11) Thamud denied [their prophet] by reason of their transgression, (12) When the most wretched of them was sent forth. (13) And the messenger of Allah [Salih] said to them, "[Do not harm] the she-camel of Allah or [prevent her from] her drink." (14) But they denied him and hamstrung her. So their Lord brought down upon them destruction for their sin and made it equal [upon all of them]. (15) And He does not fear the consequence thereof.

Read the verse in its surah →
Chapter 4 of 4

The blast

Story narration · written from the Quranic account, not Quran

The mighty blast seized those who had done wrong, and they lay fallen in their homes as if they had never lived there. Salih turned away from them, saying he had conveyed his Lord's message and advised them, but they did not love advisers. Allah saved Salih and those who believed with him.

Quran · recitation and translation
Surah Al-Araf 7:78–79

فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلرَّجْفَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ فِى دَارِهِمْ جَٰثِمِينَ ﴿78﴾ فَتَوَلَّىٰ عَنْهُمْ وَقَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ لَقَدْ أَبْلَغْتُكُمْ رِسَالَةَ رَبِّى وَنَصَحْتُ لَكُمْ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تُحِبُّونَ ٱلنَّٰصِحِينَ ﴿79﴾

(78) So the earthquake seized them, and they became within their home [corpses] fallen prone. (79) And he 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."

Read the verse in its surah →
Surah Hud 11:66–68

فَلَمَّا جَآءَ أَمْرُنَا نَجَّيْنَا صَٰلِحًۭا وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ بِرَحْمَةٍۢ مِّنَّا وَمِنْ خِزْىِ يَوْمِئِذٍ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ ٱلْقَوِىُّ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ﴿66﴾ وَأَخَذَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ ٱلصَّيْحَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ فِى دِيَٰرِهِمْ جَٰثِمِينَ ﴿67﴾ كَأَن لَّمْ يَغْنَوْا۟ فِيهَآ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ ثَمُودَا۟ كَفَرُوا۟ رَبَّهُمْ ۗ أَلَا بُعْدًۭا لِّثَمُودَ ﴿68﴾

(66) So when Our command came, We saved Salih and those who believed with him, by mercy from Us, and [saved them] from the disgrace of that day. Indeed, it is your Lord who is the Powerful, the Exalted in Might. (67) And the shriek seized those who had wronged, and they became within their homes [corpses] fallen prone (68) As if they had never prospered therein. Unquestionably, Thamud denied their Lord; then, away with Thamud.

Read the verse in its surah →
Surah Al-Qamar 54:29–31

فَنَادَوْا۟ صَاحِبَهُمْ فَتَعَاطَىٰ فَعَقَرَ ﴿29﴾ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِى وَنُذُرِ ﴿30﴾ إِنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ صَيْحَةًۭ وَٰحِدَةًۭ فَكَانُوا۟ كَهَشِيمِ ٱلْمُحْتَظِرِ ﴿31﴾

(29) But they called their companion, and he dared and hamstrung [her]. (30) And how [severe] were My punishment and warning. (31) Indeed, We sent upon them one blast from the sky, and they became like the dry twig fragments of an [animal] pen.

Read the verse in its surah →
Where is this story mentioned?

Passages about Salih in the Quran

Opening passage, rendered from the stored text:

  1. Surah Al-Araf7:73

    وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَٰلِحًۭا ۗ قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥ ۖ قَدْ جَآءَتْكُم بَيِّنَةٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ هَٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةُ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ ءَايَةًۭ ۖ فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِىٓ أَرْضِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٍۢ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ

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

    Read in context →
The story of Salih

Read the story of Salih in the Quran's own words.

The verses cited above are the original telling. A teacher takes you from the letters to reading them yourself, correcting every word.

From any levelArabic with meaningChildren welcomeFirst lesson free
◆

Read the story of Salih in Arabic

A teacher takes you from the letters to reading these very verses, correcting every word. The first lesson is free.

Book my free trial

No commitment required. One free trial lesson per learner, with no payment details required.

Learn Quran online

Virtual Quran classes from $29 a month

Two to five live classes a week with a real teacher. No registration fee, no contract, free trial first.

  • Private 1-to-1 live classes
  • Male and female teachers
  • Flexible timings in your time zone
  • No card needed
  • Online Quran classes
  • Virtual Quran classes
  • Quran learning online
  • Virtual Quran learning
Book a free trial classFree 30-minute trial · no obligation
Free trialWhatsApp
WhatsApp