Thamud
Definition
Thamud was the powerful Arabian civilization to whom Prophet Salih was sent, renowned for carving magnificent dwellings directly into the rock of mountains — architecture so durable that their empty homes survive to this day in the region of al-Hijr (Madain Salih) in northwest Arabia. Despite their architectural genius and established civilization, they rejected Salih's message with deliberate collective defiance, most dramatically expressed in their killing of the miraculous she-camel. Destroyed by a single thunderous divine blast, they became the Quran's second major example of a civilization brought low not by external conquest but by its own refusal of the divine mercy that was offered to it.
As understood in the classical tradition of Ibn Kathir and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Thamud.
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"where some people claim it is Hud's grave, Allah knows best. The story of Sali, peace be upon him, the Prophet of Thamud. The Thamud were a well-known tribe named after their forefather Thamud, the brother of Jadis. They were descendants of Abir, son of Aram, son of Sam, son of Noah. These original Arabs lived in Al-Hijr between the Hijaz and Tabuk. The messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, passed by their land on his way to Tabuk with his companions, as will be explained later. The Thamud succeeded the people of Ad and like those before them, worshipped idols. Allah sent among them a man from their own people, his servant and messenger, Salih ibn Abad ibn Masih."
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 1 — From Creation to Mūsā
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"is a place in its Grand Mosque that some claim to be his grave. God knows best. The story of Sarih, peace be upon him, tells of the Prophet sent to the tribe of Thamud. This tribe, named after their ancestor Thamud, were descendants of Noah through his son Shem. They were Arabs of the original stock, residing in Al-Hijr, located between Hijaz and Tabuk. The messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, passed by their land on his way to Tabuk with his companions. The people of Thamud succeeded the people of Aad and, like them, worshipped idols. God sent among them a man from their own people, his servant and messenger, Salih,"
— Ibn Kathir, Hud, Salih & the Destroyed Nations
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"blast, and they became within their homes corpses, fallen prone, as if they had never prospered therein. Unquestionably Thamud disbelieved in their Lord, then away with Thamud. In Surah Al-Hijr, Allah says, And certainly did the companions of the stone deny the messengers. And we gave them our signs, but they were from them turning away. And they used to carve from the mountains houses, feeling secure. But the blast seized them in the morning, and what they had earned did not avail them. And in Surah Al-Isra he says, And nothing has prevented us from sending signs, except that the former peoples denied them. And we gave Thamud"
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 1 — From Creation to Mūsā
Appears in
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