The Reasons for the Destruction of the People of Thamud;
The Sunnah of the Collective Fate
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 (22)
Allah Almighty said: {And for every nation is a [specified] term. So when their time has come, they will not remain behind an hour, nor will they precede [it].} [Al-A'raf: 34]. Allah has set an appointed term for each individual, which marks the end of their life in this world. He has also set appointed terms for nations, civilizations, and states, at which point they will fall and their existence will come to an end. Similarly, the collective history of nations follows many precise laws determined by the All-Knowing, the Wise. These laws are fixed and cannot be shortened or surpassed. Their times are predetermined, and their events are written: {And for every nation is a [specified] term.}.
Since these appointed terms are related to fixed deadlines known to Allah, as part of a coherent cosmic system, and according to time scales that may seem long to humans, who have limited capacities, Allah's will and wisdom in creation has decreed that these terms be extended to allow each people or nation to repent for their wrongdoings and sins and to strive towards the just and straight path. Because of this, some people imagine that they are immune from Allah's punishment and that there will be no downfall or collapse: {They know what is apparent of the worldly life, but they, of the Hereafter, are unaware.} [Ar-Rum: 7].
Others hasten towards their fate as an act of challenge and provocation: {And [remember] when they said, "O Allah, if this should be the truth from You, then rain down upon us stones from the sky or bring us a painful punishment."} [Al-Anfal: 32]. However, both these and those did not realize that their time had not yet come, and that when it does come, there will be no escape, only facing the consequences they themselves have brought about. As Allah Almighty says: {And if Allah were to impose blame on the people for their wrongdoing, He would not have left upon it [i.e., the earth] any creature, but He defers them for a specified term. And when their term has come, they will not remain behind an hour, nor will they precede [it].} [An-Nahl: 61].
This means that every nation has a set time for the end of their term and life span. When the time for the end of their term and the destruction of their lives comes, they will not be delayed for even an hour, nor will they be advanced in time, because Allah has decreed this since long ago.
Allah Almighty says: {And We did not destroy any city but that for it was a known decree. (4) No nation will precede its term, nor will they remain thereafter. (5)} [Al-Hijr:4-5].
The verse clarifies that every destroyed city had a predetermined term for its destruction, which was established when Allah set forth the argument against its people through the advance warnings, opportunities for delay, and the laws of gradual enticement. Allah's Sunnah remains constant, and the destruction of nations is tied to their appointed time. The destruction that Allah has destined is contingent on their actions, beliefs, and perceptions. Through this, Allah’s will is carried out. Let not the disbelievers be deceived by the delay of Allah's punishment for them over time. It is just that everyone tastes the consequences of their deeds and actions, and Allah’s law steadily progresses toward the appointed term He has set for those cities, until no goodness remains. At that point, the nation reaches its term and proceeds to its fate.
There is no nation that has been known in life and then rebelled against the truth, turning away from justice, except that Allah will destroy it before the Day of Judgment or punish it with severe punishment. This is a predestined matter in the written record. Allah says: {And there is no city but that We will destroy it before the Day of Resurrection or punish it with a severe punishment. That has ever been in the Register inscribed.} [Al-Isra: 58].
This is what happened to the Thamud people, as Allah sent them Prophet Salih (peace be upon him) to guide them. They rejected his call out of arrogance and obstinacy, turning away from it and asking for the punishment to be hastened. As a result, they received divine punishment for their sins, according to Allah’s decree and in accordance with His Sunnah: {And for every nation is a [specified] term.}. Allah’s knowledge does not change, and His law does not alter. It proceeds according to His will, knowledge, and wisdom, the Most High.
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, Prophet Salih (peace be upon him) and the Reasons for the Destruction of the People of Thamud, pp. 361-364.
- The Sunnahs of the Quran in the Rise and Fall of Civilizations, p. 302.
- Allah's Sunnahs in Creation, Abdul Hamid Tahmaz, p. 35.
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:
