Saleh (prophet) facts for kids

Saleh (also spelled Salih) is an important prophet in Islam. He is mentioned in the Quran, the holy book of Islam. Saleh was sent by God to guide the Thamud tribe in ancient Arabia. This happened long before the time of Prophet Muhammad.

A famous part of Saleh's story is about the She-Camel of God. This camel was a special gift from God. It was a miracle to show the Thamud people that Saleh was truly a prophet.

Who Was Prophet Saleh?

Saleh was a prophet who lived in ancient times. He was sent to a group of people called the Thamud. His job was to teach them about God. He wanted them to stop worshipping many gods.

The Thamud Tribe

The Thamud were a group of tribes in the northwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula. They are mentioned in old writings from the Assyrian Empire. Their name appears in documents until about 400 CE. By the 6th century, people thought of them as a tribe that had disappeared long ago.

The city where Saleh preached was called Al-Hijr. Today, this place is known as Hegra. It was an important city for trade around the first century AD. Near the city, there were large tombs carved into rocks. These tombs were used by different religious groups.

Mada'in Saleh or Al-Hijr in the mountains of Saudi Arabia

At some point, the city was left empty. It might have been replaced by another city called Al-'Ula. Since the time of Prophet Muhammad, the site has been called Mada'in Salih. This name means "Cities of Saleh."

Saleh in Other Religions

Saleh is mainly known in Islam and the Baháʼí Faith. He is not mentioned in other Abrahamic holy books. However, the story of the Thamud tribe being destroyed might have been well-known in ancient Arabia. The tribe's name was sometimes used in old poems. It meant that everything eventually passes away.

Saleh's Story in Islam

In Islamic tradition, the Thamud people relied on Saleh for support. God chose him to be a Messenger. Saleh was sent to tell the rich people to stop being selfish. He also told them to stop shirk, which means worshipping other gods or idols.

Salih Inviting His People to See the She-Camel from an old book of stories about prophets

Saleh preached for a long time. But the Thamud people did not listen to his warnings. Instead, they asked Saleh to perform a miracle. They wanted proof that he was truly a prophet. They said, "O Salih! You were our hope! Do you stop us from worshipping what our fathers worshipped? We are very unsure about what you invite us to."

Saleh reminded his people of their strong castles and palaces made of stone. He also told them they were more advanced than other groups. He also spoke about their ancestors, the ʿĀd tribe. The ʿĀd tribe was also destroyed because of their sins. Some Thamud people believed Saleh. But the leaders of the tribe refused to listen. They kept asking for a miracle to prove his prophethood.

The She-Camel Miracle

In response, God gave the Thamud a special she-camel. This camel was a source of food and a test for them. The tribe was told to let the camel graze peacefully. They were warned not to harm her.

But the people of the tribe did not listen to Saleh. They hurt the camel by cutting its legs. Saleh told them they had only three more days to live. After that, God's punishment would come upon them. The people of the city felt bad for what they did. But their crime could not be undone.

All the people in the city who did not believe were killed. This happened during an earthquake. The city of Al-Hijr became empty and stayed in ruins forever. Saleh and the few people who believed him survived.

The story is also told in another part of the Quran, Sūrat an-Naml. It says that nine men planned to kill Saleh and his family. For this crime, God punished them three days later.

More Details from Muslim Tradition

Muslim writers have added more details to the story of Saleh and the she-camel. Early Islamic stories often say the camel came out of a stone. It often came with a baby camel. The camel also provided milk.

Al-Tabari wrote that Saleh called his people to a mountain. There, they saw a rock miraculously split open. The camel appeared from inside the rock. The she-camel had a young calf. Saleh told the Thamud that the older camel would drink from their water source on one day. They would drink from it the next day. On days when they could not drink water, the camel gave them milk.

But God told Saleh that a boy would be born who would hurt the camel. This child was evil and grew very fast. The camel was indeed killed. Its calf cried out three times. This signaled that the Thamud would be destroyed in three days. Their faces turned yellow, then red, then black. They died on the third day, just as predicted.

Some Islamic scholars believe that Hajar, the mother of Ismail, was a granddaughter of Prophet Saleh.

Saleh in the Baháʼí Faith

Bahá'u'lláh, who founded the Baháʼí Faith, mentioned the story of the injured she-camel. He wrote about it in his book Lawh-i-Burhán. He also spoke about Saleh's mission in the Kitáb-i-Íqán.

'Abdu'l-Bahá, another important figure in the Baháʼí Faith, explained the story. He said the she-camel represents Saleh's holy spirit. The camel's milk means the spiritual guidance he offered his people.

In the Kitáb-i-Íqán, Saleh is called "the holy person of Sálih." It says he "again summoned the people to the river of everlasting life." But like other Prophets of God, the people of his time turned away from him. It says, "His warnings, however, did not work. His pleas were useless....All this, even though that eternal Beauty was calling the people only to the city of God."

See also

In Spanish: Salé (profeta) para niños

• Selah (biblical figure)
• Methuselah
• Biblical and Quranic narratives
• List of notable Hijazis
• Prophets and messengers in Islam
• Qiṣaṣ al-Anbiyāʾ ("Stories of the Prophets")
• Kitáb-i-Íqán (Book of Certitude)