The story of the Prophet Salih and his people, Thamud, and their destruction - in the Quran

The story of Prophet Salih and his people, Thamud, is mentioned in several chapters of the Quran, including Chapters 7 (Al-A'raf), 11 (Hud), 26 (Ash-Shu'ara'), and 27 (An-Naml).

According to the Quran, the people of Thamud were skilled builders who carved their homes into the mountains. They became arrogant and rebellious towards Allah, despite the warning of Prophet Salih who was sent to guide them to the right path. Salih called upon his people to worship Allah alone and abandon their evil ways, but they rejected his message and demanded that he perform a miracle to prove his prophethood.

Allah responded to Salih's call and sent a she-camel as a miracle to demonstrate His power. The people of Thamud were amazed by the she-camel and were instructed by Allah not to harm her. However, the people of Thamud killed the she-camel out of jealousy and defiance, which angered Allah.

As punishment, Allah sent a severe earthquake that destroyed their homes and killed them. The story of Thamud and their destruction serves as a warning to people about the consequences of arrogance, disobedience, and rejection of Allah's guidance. It also highlights the importance of heeding the message of the prophets and following the straight path towards Allah's mercy and guidance.

The story of the Prophet Salih and his people, Thamud, and their destruction is mentioned in several verses throughout the Quran, but there is no exact count of how many verses. The story is mainly mentioned in Chapters 7 (Al-A'raf), 11 (Hud), 26 (Ash-Shu'ara'), and 27 (An-Naml), and each chapter contains multiple verses about the story.

Surah Ash-Shu'ara', Chapter 26, Verses 141-159

I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

(26:141) And We saved him and those who were with him by mercy from Us, and We cut off the last remnant of those who denied Our signs and were not believers.

(26:142) And to Thamud We sent their brother Salih. He said, "O my people, worship Allah; 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."

(26:143) They said, "O Salih, 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."

(26:144) 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 Allah if I disobeyed Him? So you would not increase me except in loss.

(26:145) 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."

(26:146) But they hamstrung her, so he said, "Take enjoyment in your homes for three days. That is a promise not to be denied."

(26:147) 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.

(26:148) And the shriek seized those who had wronged, and they became within their homes [corpses] fallen prone

(26:149) As if they had never prospered therein. Unquestionably, Thamud denied their Lord; then, away with Thamud.

(26:150) And certainly did Our messengers come to Abraham with good tidings; they said, "Peace." He said, "Peace," and did not delay in bringing [them] a roasted calf.

(26:151) But when he saw their hands not reaching for it, he distrusted them and felt from them apprehension. They said, "Fear not. We have been sent to the people of Lot."

(26:152) And his Wife was standing, and she smiled. Then We gave her good tidings of Isaac and after Isaac, Jacob.

(26:153) She said, "Woe to me! Shall I give birth while I am an old woman and this, my husband, is an old man? Indeed, this is an amazing thing!"

(26:154) They said, "Are you amazed at the decree of Allah ? May the mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you, people of the house. Indeed, He is Praiseworthy and Honorable."

(26:155) And when the fright had left Abraham and the good tidings had reached him, he began to argue with Us concerning the people of Lot.

(26:156) Indeed, Abraham was forbearing, grieving, and [frequently] returning [to Allah ].

(26:157) [The angels said], "O Abraham, give up this [plea]. Indeed, the command of your Lord has come, and indeed, there will reach them a punishment that cannot be repelled."

The story of Prophet Salih and the people of Thamud is a cautionary tale of a people who refused to listen to their Prophet and persisted in their evil ways. Prophet Salih warned them to worship only Allah and to refrain from harming others, but they rejected his message and demanded that he prove his prophethood by performing a miracle. In response, Allah sent them a miracle in the form of a she-camel, but they still refused to believe and plotted to kill the camel. As a result, they were punished severely by Allah, and their once prosperous civilization was destroyed by a mighty earthquake. The story serves as a reminder to all of the consequences of rejecting the guidance of Allah and persisting in sin and disbelief.