Mada'in Salih Rock Formation

Saudi Arabia / al-Madinah / al-Ula /
 archaeological site, UNESCO World Heritage Site
AI-Hijr(Around 22Km from Al'ula city) was mentioned in the Holy Qur'an, and various Nabatean,Tsamūdic (Ashab Al-Hijr) inscriptions and classical Greek and Roman sources, as well as the journals of a number of Arab and European travellers. Some of the inscriptions found in the area are dated back to the sixth century BC.

The Tsamūd (Arabic: ثمود) were a people of ancient Arabia who were known from the 1st millennium BC to near the time of Muhammad Shallu Álaih. Although they are thought to have originated in southern Arabia, Arabic tradition has them moving north to settle on the slopes of Mount Athlab near Mada'in Saleh. According to the Qur'an, the Tsamūd were punished and destroyed by an earthquake (rajfa).

" And remember how He made you viceroys after 'Aad and gave you station (habitations) in the earth. Ye choose castles in the plains and hew the mountains into dwellings. So remember (all) the bounties of Allah and do not evil, making mischief in the earth. The chieftains of his people, who were scornful, said unto those whom they despised, unto such of them as believed: Know ye that Salih is one sent from his Lord? They said : Lo! In that wherewith he hath been sent we are believers. Those who were scornful said : Lo! in that which ye believe we are disbelievers. So they hamstrung the she-camel, and they flouted the commandment of their Lord, and they said: O Salih! Bring upon us that thou threatenest if thou art indeed of those sent (from Allah).So the earthquake seized them, and morning found them prostrate in their dwelling place. " As mentioned in Qur'an Surah Al A'raf (7) : (74-78).

A UNESCO World Heritage Site: whc.unesco.org/en/list/1293
Photos from :
mekshat.com
rujaimi
Mike - Traveltrails
Mohammad Nowfal
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   26°46'55"N   37°57'40"E

Comments

  • For the good of the people of Thamud, God sent Salih as His messenger. He asked them to believe in the Oneness of God and to worship none but Him. He told them that God had sent a Sign to the arrogant oppressors of the poor in the form of a she-camel. Water was scarce at the time, and the privileged class tried to prevent the poor and their cattle from having access to the springs and pastures. The she-camel was made a test case to see if the haughty, rich people would come to see reason. Salih wanted them to allow the she-camel to graze without any let or hindrance. He warned them that they should have no evil intentions toward her, or the wrath of God would fall upon them. He reminded them that the Lord had been kind to them in the past and had made them successors to the people of Aad, who were destroyed for their evil deeds. They had been given land, so as to build palaces and castles on the plains and homes in the mountains. Salih beseeched them not to spread disorder in the world, to remain ever-conscious of God's power and to be grateful for His kindness. But the chiefs of the tribes jeered at him; they asked the people not to believe in what Salih said. Some did not listen to them and heeded Salih's call, but many followed the advice of their chiefs. And as a mark of their defiance, they hamstrung the she-camel and killed her, challenging Salih to bring upon them the calamity which he had threatened them with. Salih grieved for his people, for he knew what lay in store for them. He therefore left Thamud with his followers, and soon thereafter there was a dreadful earthquake, which destroyed the inhabitants of Thamud, burying them along with their castles and palaces.
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This article was last modified 5 years ago