Description of the People of Thamud
After the destruction of the Ad, the tribe of Thamud succeeded them in power and glory. They
also fell to idol-worshipping. As their material wealth increased so, too, did their evil ways while
their virtue decreased. Like the people of Ad, they erected huge buildings on the plains and hewed beautiful homes out of the hills. Tyranny and oppression became prevalent as evil men ruled the land.
Description of Salih
So Allah sent unto them His Prophet Salih (PBUH), a man from among them. His name was Salih Ibn Ubeid, Ibn Maseh, Ibn Ubeid, Ibn Hader, Ibn Thamud, Ibn Ather, Ibn Eram, Ibn Noah. He called his people to worship Allah alone, and to not associate partners with Him. While some of them believed him, the majority of them disbelieved and harmed him by both words and deeds.
Salih directed them:
“O my people! Worship Allah, you have no other Ilah (god) but Him.” (Ch 11:61)
Salih was known for his wisdom, purity and goodness and had been greatly respected by his
people before Allah’s revelation came to him. Salih’s people said to him:
“O Salih! You have been among us as a figure of good hope and we wished for you to be our chief, till this, new thing which you have brought that we leave our gods and worship your God (Allah) alone! Do you now forbid us the worship of what our fathers have worshipped? But we are really in grave doubt as to that which you invite us to monotheism.” (CH 11:62 Quran).