فَقَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ نَاقَةَ ٱللَّهِ وَسُقْيَـٰهَا 13
Translations
And the messenger of Allāh [i.e., Ṣāliḥ] said to them, "[Do not harm] the she-camel of Allāh or [prevent her from] her drink."
Transliteration
Faqala lahum rasulu allahi naqata allahi wa suqyaha
Tafsir (Explanation)
The Messenger of Allah (Prophet Salih, peace be upon him) commanded his people to respect and preserve the she-camel of Allah and her water supply as a sign from Allah. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to the miraculous she-camel sent to the people of Thamud as a test of their faith, warning them against harming her or depriving her of water. The ayah emphasizes the gravity of this divine commandment and the peoples' subsequent transgression in violating it.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ash-Shams (Chapter 91), a Meccan surah that recounts the story of the people of Thamud and their destruction after rejecting Prophet Salih and slaughtering the she-camel of Allah. The context illustrates how nations were destroyed when they rejected clear signs and divine messengers.
Related Hadiths
The story of the she-camel of Thamud is referenced in multiple hadiths. Sahih Muslim records a hadith where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned the she-camel as one of the signs of Allah. The broader narrative appears in Surah Al-A'raf (7:73-79) and Surah Ash-Shu'ara (26:155-158).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that clear divine signs require proper respect and adherence; rejecting a messenger's warning based on clear evidence leads to destruction. For believers today, it serves as a reminder to recognize and honor the signs of Allah and to obey the guidance of messengers and righteous leaders.