The Religion of the People of Thamud
Selections from the Book Prophet Salih (peace be upon him) and the Reasons for the Destruction of the People of Thamud …
Written by Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi...
Episode (07)
The people of Thamud worshipped idols and associated them with Allah in their worship. Like the people of ‘Aad before them, they had around forty idols, including Wadd, Jad, Hud, Shams, Manat, and Al-Lat, among others.
Thamud was a nation of polytheism and corruption, deeply engaged in the worship of statues and stones they carved with their own hands, venerating them, and offering sacrifices and tributes to them instead of Allah. Many among them were arrogant idolaters, following the misguided traditions of their ancestors in worshiping false deities and turning away from the truth. They strayed from guidance, wisdom, and the straight path, indulging in transgression, corruption, and excess.
The Quran describes Thamud as a tyrannical and oppressive nation that exceeded all bounds in its arrogance and injustice. Allah Almighty says {Thamud denied [their prophet] by reason of their transgression,} [Ash-Shams: 11].
This verse highlights the comprehensive nature of their tyranny, which extended across all aspects of life—faith, behavior, social structure, economy, and politics. Their corruption was widespread, affecting their beliefs, morals, values, and traditions, all of which were completely removed from the divine law and guidance of Allah.
The gravest form of corruption is that of faith, as it is the most dangerous and far-reaching. The people of Thamud ultimately fell into disbelief and polytheism, which led to their destruction.
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, Prophet Salih (peace be upon him) and the Reasons for the Destruction of the People of Thamud, pp. 41-42.
- The Call to Allah in Surah Hud, Abd al-Rahman bin Raji bin Raja al-Aufi, 1992 AD, p. 285.
- Prophets who left traces, p. 85.
- The Best Stories in the Holy Quran, Naila Hashem, Dar Al-Nafayes, 2020 AD, p. 116.
For further information and review of the sources for the article, see:
The Book of Prophet Salih (peace be upon him) and the Reasons for the Destruction of the People of Thamud on the official website of Sheikh Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi:
