Part 8: The People of Tsamud – Rulers Who Invited Destruction

In Part 7, we saw how religious leaders led their people toward destruction. In Part 8, however, we witness how the rulers of a nation directly drove their people into a great and unbearable punishment. This is the story of the People of Tsamud , the nation of Prophet Salih A.S., another chapter in the continuing cycle of human vicegerency following the destruction of the People of Nuh and the People of ‘Aad.

We must realise that these stories are not told in the Qur’an merely for knowledge, but to be reflected upon and taken as lessons, so that the final generation does not repeat the same mistakes.

The People of Tsamud : Successors after ‘Aad

The People of Tsamud were the successors appointed by Allah S.W.T after the destruction of the People of ‘Aad. They were granted the position of caliphs on earth, inheriting the civilisation before them. They were not primitive people—they built palaces on open plains and carved homes into mountains. Their civilisation was advanced, and surely, their test was even greater.

وَٱذْكُرُوٓا۟ إِذْ جَعَلَكُمْ خُلَفَآءَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ عَادٍۢ وَبَوَّأَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ تَتَّخِذُونَ مِن سُهُولِهَا قُصُورًۭا وَتَنْحِتُونَ ٱلْجِبَالَ بُيُوتًۭا ۖ فَٱذْكُرُوٓا۟ ءَالَآءَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ

“And remember when He made you successors after the People of ‘Aad and settled you in the land. You build palaces on its plains and carve homes into the mountains. So remember the favours of Allah and do not go about spreading corruption on the earth.”

(Surah Al-A'raf 7:74)

Allah sent Prophet Salih to this nation. They had begun to deviate, and the reminder was sent so they would return to the right path.

A Trial for the Rulers

Unlike the People of ‘Aad who were led by religious figures, the People of Tsamud were ruled by an oppressive government. When Prophet Salih brought the truth, the rulers not only rejected him, but mocked and challenged his prophethood.

قَالَ ٱلْمَلَأُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ مِن قَوْمِهِۦ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسْتُضْعِفُوا۟ لِمَنْ ءَامَنَ مِنْهُمْ أَتَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ صَـٰلِحًۭا مُّرْسَلٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ ۚ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرْسِلَ بِهِۦ مُؤْمِنُونَ

“The arrogant elite among his people said to those who were oppressed—those who believed among them—‘Do you really know that Salih has been sent by his Lord?’ They said, ‘Indeed, we believe in what he has been sent with.’”

قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَكْبَرُوٓا۟ إِنَّا بِٱلَّذِىٓ ءَامَنتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ

“The arrogant said, ‘Indeed, we reject that which you believe.’”

(Surah Al-A'raf 7:75–76)

Observe how those in power mocked the matter of prophethood despite knowing the truth. This is the hallmark of rulers who invoke Allah’s wrath—knowing the truth, yet refusing to submit.

Arrogance Leads to Destruction

They did not merely reject with words. They slaughtered the miraculous she-camel, a divine sign of Prophet Salih’s prophethood, in direct defiance of Allah’s command.

فَعَقَرُوا۟ ٱلنَّاقَةَ وَعَتَوْا۟ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِمْ وَقَالُوا۟ يَـٰصَـٰلِحُ ٱئْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَآ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

“So they hamstrung the she-camel, defied the command of their Lord, and said, ‘O Salih! Bring us what you threaten us with, if you are truly one of the messengers.’”

(Surah Al-A’raf 7:77)

Finally, Allah responded with an earthquake that shook their entire civilisation, leaving them lifeless and fallen in their own homes.

فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلرَّجْفَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ فِى دَارِهِمْ جَـٰثِمِينَ

“So the earthquake overtook them, and they were left lifeless in their homes.”

(Surah Al-A’raf 7:78)

6 Steps of the Caliphate’s Cycle of Destruction

The story of the People of Tsamud further affirms the cycle Allah has set for humankind:

1. They are given power and caliphate after the downfall of the previous nation.
2. They deviate and become oppressive after gaining power.
3. A Messenger and reminder are sent.
4. The call is rejected; oppression and transgression increase.
5. They are punished and completely destroyed.
6. They are replaced by new, believing caliphs—and the cycle begins again.

A Warning for the Final Nation

We are now at the end of that cycle. The signs are clear—leaders no longer lead with tawhid, systems have replaced shariah, and society mocks sincere advice.

Reminders and warnings have already been given. The real question we must ask ourselves: Are we repeating the mistakes of the People of Tsamud ?

فَتَوَلَّىٰ عَنْهُمْ وَقَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ لَقَدْ أَبْلَغْتُكُمْ رِسَالَةَ رَبِّى وَنَصَحْتُ لَكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تُحِبُّونَ ٱلنَّـٰصِحِينَ

“So he [Salih] turned away from them and said, ‘O my people! I have certainly conveyed to you the message of my Lord and given you sincere advice, but you do not like those who advise.’”

(Surah Al-A’raf 7:79)

This is not nostalgia. It is a living script of history repeating itself. And this cycle will not end until the rise of the Prophetic Caliphate—through Imam Mahdi and Prophet Isa A.S., as promised by the Prophet S.A.W.

We do not want to be among those destroyed. We want to be among those who, like Prophet Salih and the believers, are saved by Allah’s mercy. If we truly desire His mercy, then we must become among the righteous.

May we be among those awaiting Imam Mahdi—and not among those awaiting destruction.