She-Camel of Salih (a): Difference between revisions

Naqa of Salih (a) was a she-camel which was created by a divine miracle in order to prove [[prophethood]] of Salih (a) to people of Thamud. The camel is mentioned in [[Qur'an]] in several [[verse]]s and it is generally called "Naqat Allah" (The She-Camel of God). The term "God" which is added after Naqat, represents the significance of the camel. The importance of the camel was because of the special way of creation of her; a divine miracle. And the people of Thamud were tested by the camel as well.

The camel is regarded as a divine [[sign]] in Quran: "Now a clear proof has come to you from your [[Rabb]]; here is Allah's she-camel as a sign for you, therefore, leave her alone to pasture on Allah's land and do not touch her with bad intentions, lest you incur a painful punishment". [[Sura al-A'raf]], verse 73.

The process of the creation of the she-camel is not described in the [[Qur'an]], it has only stated that the creation of the she-camel was a sign. However more details are mentioned about the miracle in Islamic narrations. After decades of promoting [[Monotheism]] among the people of Thamud and facing constant rejections from people, prophet Salih (a) said to them, "If you want, you can ask me anything and I will ask God to provide it for you; or if you want I ask something from your Gods and if they comply with my request I will leave you alone, as I have exhausted you and you have exhausted me".

According to narrations, Thamud people accepted Salih's (a) suggestion, they prepared the situation but when Salih (a) asked each of their gods they were unable to respond. Then it was people's turn to ask Salih's (a) God. Seventy grand figures of Thamud people went near a mountain with Salih (a) and they said, "Right now a red-headed, hairy and ten months pregnant she-camel should come out of the mountain." Then Salih (a) said, "To meet your demand is tough for me, but it is easy for my God." And he asked God to bring the desired camel. Then suddenly the mountain was split open with a loud noise and a pregnant she-camel came out of the mountain. Then they asked that the camel should give her birth, and then the baby was born. Eventually only few of [[disbelievers]] converted to Monotheism and they told the truth to people.

The she-camel was a divine miracle and her presence among Thamud people was a strong reason for the believers. prophet Salih (a) and believers used the milk of the camel and God ordered people to protect the camel as they were to be tested by the camel, "We are going to send the she-camel as a trial for them, therefore, watch them and have patience". [[Sura al-Qamar]], verse 27.

# Salih said, "Well, here is the she-camel (the sign that you asked for). She shall have her share of water as you all have yours, each drinking on an alternate appointed day". [[Sura al-Shu'ara']], verse 155.

# "Now a clear proof has come to you from your Rabb; here is Allah's she-camel as a sign for you, therefore, leave her alone to pasture on Allah's land and do not touch her with bad intentions, lest you incur a painful punishment". [[Sura al-A'raf]], verse 73.  

Although the camel was a magnificent miracle to the people of Thamud, they did not follow the divine orders and killed the camel; they said to Salih (a), "O Salih! Bring, about that [punishment] with which you has threatened us, if you are truly one of God's message-bearers". Eventually they were all punished by God. Based on Quranic verses, when they became sure of the imminent punishment, then became full of regrets, which was not useful for them anymore as an earthquake overtook them and they became lifeless bodies in their homes with their faces down.

In one verse of [[Qur'an]], it is stated that one person killed the camel. The people of Thamud called out to one of their companions, who took the responsibility and hamstrung her [[Sura al-Qamar]], verse 29; it is implicitly stated in a number of narrations as well. But in other verses, it is stated that all the people of Thamud were responsible for killing the camel, and they were all punished by God, "Then they hamstrung the she-camel, defied the commandment of their Rabb". [[Sura al-'Araf]], verse 77.

Different wordings emphasize the fact that, although several persons killed the camel, the others were happy about it and they appreciate it. According to a narration from [[Imam 'Ali b. Abi Talib (a)]], "One person cut the hands and feet of the camel, but the whole people of Thamud were punished, as they appreciated the incident."

*The material for this article is mainly taken from [http://fa.wikishia.net/view/ناقه_صالح {{ia|ناقه صالح}}] in Farsi WikiShia.

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