Upload
poisonknees
View
233
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
7/28/2019 Story of Hud and Salih - Collection
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/story-of-hud-and-salih-collection 1/19
7/28/2019 Story of Hud and Salih - Collection
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/story-of-hud-and-salih-collection 2/19
The People of 'Ad and Thamud
Hud; Salih and the She-Camelrom the writings of Muhammad and Bahá'u'lláh
Hud; Salih and the She-Camel
om "The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh" vol 4 by Adib Taherzadeh
. . Hud and Salih were prophets of God who appeared befor
braham, but they are not mentioned in the Old or the Ne
estament. The people of 'Ad and Thamud inhabited a large tract o
ountry in Southern Arabia. Tradition has it that 'Ad was a fourth
eneration descendant of Noah. His people, who are said to be of
ll race, were idolators and aggressive people. In the Qur'án it
ated that the People of both 'Ad and Thamud were fine builder
fted with intelligence and skills, but that they were guided by th
vil One, Satan.
od chose Hud to be a prophet to the people of 'Ad. He too is sa
be a fourth-generation descendant of Noah, and therefore
ousin of 'Ad. Hud proclaimed to his people that God had chosem as a prophet, and preached to them the one true God and th
7/28/2019 Story of Hud and Salih - Collection
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/story-of-hud-and-salih-collection 3/19
estruction of their idols. But they rejected him and only a fe
ecame his followers. When the people did not respond to h
eaching, he warned them of an impending calamity. This too
ace, and all perished except Hud and his followers. The nature
s calamity is given in the Qur'án:
. and 'Ad were destroyed by a roaring and furious wind; which Goaused to assail them for seven nights and eight days successivel
ou mightest have seen people, during the same, lying prostrate, a
ough they had been the roots of hollow palm-trees, and could
ou have seen any of them remaining?'
ccording to tradition Hud is buried in Hadhramaut, in the south e Arabian peninsula.
he people of Thamud were the successors to the culture an
vilization of 'Ad. Tradition has it that they were a younger branch o
e same tribe and lived in the same regions of the Arabia
eninsula. Thamud himself is also said to be a descendant of Noa
he people of Thamud were skilful in carving stone. They are reputehave made buildings out of solid rock. Like the people of 'Ad, the
ere idolators. According to the Qur'án, God had bestowed upo
em skills: they had plenty of cornfields and date farms, but the
ere unholy, oppressive and unkind to the poor.
hen God sent Salih to them as a prophet. He was one of the peopThamud like Hud, he exhorted people to believe in God and sto
orshipping idols. He argued with them for a long time, but they sa
at they could not find in him the signs of prophethood. Thereupo
od brought forth a she-camel as a sign. Tradition has it that th
he-camel came out of a rock. Salih asked the people to take ca
the she-camel and to drink of her milk, but they did not. And whe
he came to drink of their water, which was scarce in that land anerefore vital to their existence, they raised great objections an
7/28/2019 Story of Hud and Salih - Collection
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/story-of-hud-and-salih-collection 4/19
ventually they hamstrung the she-camel and killed her.
alih repeatedly warned the people that if they did not respond to h
essage they would be struck by a calamity and would be seized b
od with a grievous punishment. When the sign from God, the she
amel, had no effect on the people and the animal was killed, a
arthquake wiped them out, all except Salih and his followers, where saved. The Qur'án describes this episode in this way:
hen they hamstrung the she-camel, and insolently defied the orde
their Lord, saying: 'O Salih, I bring about thy threats, If thou art a
postle.' --So the earthquake took them unawares, and they la
ostrate in their homes in the morning.
he versions we have given in these pages are based on the verse
the Qur'án. However, there are further details derived from variou
aditions other than the Qur'án, but these seem to be unreal an
ure fantasy.
he stories of Hud and Salih are somewhat similar to the story oah, the flood and the Ark. They are all symbolic. In the Bahá
Writings we find explained the significance of such terms as Noah
rk, the flood, the she-camel and other incidents. For exampl
bdu'l-Bahá in a Tablet explains that the she-camel was symbolic o
e holy spirit of Salih, and the milk was symbolic of the spiritual foo
hich his spirit offered to the people. The significance of the sheamel being hamstrung is the suffering inflicted by the wicked peop
n that holy soul, Salih. The spring of water which the people denie
the she-camel signifies life on this earth. The people were s
tached to earthly things that they could not recognize the gifts
od to them, and so they rose up in opposition to Salih, and when h
eparted from their midst they became deprived of his spiritu
fluence. His absence was the calamity which caused them to beprived of the bounties of God and consequently they perishe
7/28/2019 Story of Hud and Salih - Collection
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/story-of-hud-and-salih-collection 5/19
piritually. There is a chapter in the Qur'án known as the Surah o
ud. It tells the story of all the Prophets including Hud and Salih.
escribes how they were all denied, opposed and persecuted b
eir own people. Bahá'u'lláh refers to this in the Kitáb-i-Iqán:
o them that are possessed of true understanding and insight th
urah of Hud surely sufficeth. Ponder a while those holy words our heart, and, with utter detachment, strive to grasp their meanin
xamine the wondrous behaviour of the Prophets, and recall th
efamations and denials uttered by the children of negation an
lsehood, perchance you may cause the bird of the human heart t
ng its flight away from the abodes of heedlessness and doubt unt
e nest of faith and certainty, and drink deep from the pure waters oncient wisdom, and partake of the fruit of the tree of divin
nowledge.
e also dwells briefly upon the story of Hud and Salih in these word
nd after Noah the light of the countenance of Hud shone forth abov
e horizon of creation. For well-nigh seven hundred years, accordinthe sayings of men, He exhorted the people to turn their faces an
aw nearer unto the Ridvan of the divine presence. What showers
flictions rained upon Him, until at last His adjurations bore the fru
increased rebelliousness, and His assiduous endeavours resulte
the wilful blindness of His people. 'And their unbelief shall on
crease for the unbelievers their own perdition.'[1]
Qur'án 35:9]
nd after Him there appeared from the Ridvan of the Eternal, th
visible, the holy person of Salih, Who again summoned the peop
the river of everlasting life. For over a hundred years H
dmonished them to hold fast unto the commandments of God anschew that which is forbidden. His admonitions, however, yielde
7/28/2019 Story of Hud and Salih - Collection
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/story-of-hud-and-salih-collection 6/19
o fruit, and His pleading proved of no avail. Several times H
tired and lived in seclusion. All this, although that eternal Beau
as summoning the people to no other than the city of God. Even a
is revealed: 'And unto the tribe of Thamud We sent their brothe
alih. 'O my people,' said He, 'Worship God, ye have none othe
od beside Him....' They made reply: 'O Salih, our hopes were fixe
n thee until now; forbiddest thou us to worship that which our fatheorshipped? Truly we misdoubt that whereunto thou callest us a
uspicious.'[1] All this proved fruitless, until at last there went up
eat cry, and all fell into utter perdition.
Qur'án 11:61 and 11:62.]
Adib Taherzadeh, The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh v 4, p. 424)
rom the Koran (Chapter 7 The Heights)
nd to the tribe of 'Ad We sent their kinsman Hud. He said: 'Servod, my people, for you have no god but Him. Will you not guar
ourselves against evil?'
he unbelievers among the elders of his tribe said: 'We can see yo
e a foolish man, and, what is more, we think that you are lying.'
oolish I am not, my people,' he replied. 'I am sent forth by the Lorthe Worlds to make known to you His will and to give you hone
ounsel. Do you think it strange that an admonition should come t
ou from your Lord through a mortal like yourselves and that h
hould warn you? Remember that He has made you the heirs
oah's people and endowed you with greater power than He ha
ven to other men. Remember God's favours, so that you maosper.'
7/28/2019 Story of Hud and Salih - Collection
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/story-of-hud-and-salih-collection 7/19
hey said: 'Would you have us serve God only and renounce th
ods which our fathers worshipped? Bring down the scourge yo
reaten us wit, if what you say be true.'
e answered: 'Your Lord's punishment and wrath have alread
sited you. Would you dispute with me about mere names which yo
nd your fathers have invented, and for which God has revealed nanction? Wait if you will; I too am waiting.'
70 We delivered him and those who were with him through Ou
ercy, and annihilated those that disbelieved Our revelations. The
ere unbelievers all.
nd to Thamud We sent their kinsman Salib. He said:
erve God, my people, for you have no god but Him. A veritabl
oof has come to you from your Lord. Here is God's she-camel:
gn for you. Leave her to graze at will in God's own land and do no
olest her, lest a woeful scourge should take you.
emember, He has made you the heirs of 'Ad, and provided you wi
wellings in the land. You have built mansions on its plains an
ewed out houses on the mountains. Remember God's favours an
o not corrupt the earth with wickedness.'
he haughty elders of his people said to the believers who wer
ppressed: 'Do you really believe that Salih is sent forth from h
ord?'
hey answered: 'We believe in the message he has been sent with
he haughty elders said: 'We deny all that you believe in.' The
aughtered the she-camel and defied the commandment of the
ord, saying to Salih: 'Bring down the scourge you threaten us with,ou truly are an apostle.'
7/28/2019 Story of Hud and Salih - Collection
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/story-of-hud-and-salih-collection 8/19
hereupon the earthquake felled them, and when morning came the
ere crouching lifeless in their dwellings. He left them, saying:
onveyed to you, my people, the message of my Lord and gave yo
ood counsel; but you had no love for those who give good counsel
*
Whenever We sent a prophet to a city We afflicted its people wi
alamities and misfortunes so that they might abase themselves.
hen We changed adversity to good fortune, so that when they ha
ultiplied they said: 'Our fathers also had their sorrows and the
ys.' And in their heedlessness We suddenly smote them.
ad the people of those cities believed and kept from evil, We wou
ave showered upon them blessings from heaven and earth. But the
sbelieved, and We punished them for their misdeeds.
Were the people of those cities secure from Our power when
vertook them in the night while they were sleeping?
Were the people of those cities secure from Our power when
vertook them in the morning at their play? Did they feel themselve
ecure from God's cunning? None feels secure from God's cunnin
xcept the losers.
it not plain to the present generation that if We pleased, We cou
unish them for their sins and set a seal upon their hearts, leavin
em bereft of hearing?
We have recounted to you the history of those nations. Their apostle
ame to them with veritable proofs, yet they persisted in the
nbelief. Thus God seals up the hearts of the unbelievers.
7/28/2019 Story of Hud and Salih - Collection
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/story-of-hud-and-salih-collection 9/19
he Qur'an, s07-heights_dawood)
rom the Koran (Chapter 11 Hud)
o 'Ad We sent their kinsman Hud. He said: 'Serve God, my people
ou have no god but Him. False are your inventions. I demand of yo
o recompense, my people, for none can reward me except mreator. Will you not understand?
My people, seek forgiveness of your Lord and turn to Him
enitence. He will send from the sky abundant rain upon you; He w
dd strength to your strength. Do not turn away from Him wi
rongdoing.'
hey replied: 'Hud, you have given us no proof. We will not forsak
ur gods at your behest, nor will we believe in you. We can on
uppose that our gods have afflicted you with evil.'
e said: 'God is my witness, and you are my witnesses too: I disow
our idols. Scheme against me if you will, and give me no respiteave put my trust in God, my Lord and your Lord. There is not a livin
eature on the earth whose destiny He does not govern. Straight
e path of my Lord.
you pay no heed, I have made known to you my message, and m
ord will replace you by other men. You will in no way harm Him. M
ord is watching over all things.'
nd when Our judgement came to pass, We delivered Hud throug
ur mercy, together with those who shared his faith.
:60 We delivered them from a horrifying scourge. Such were 'Ad
hey denied the revelations of their Lord, disobeyed His apostlend did the bidding of every headstrong reprobate. Cursed we
7/28/2019 Story of Hud and Salih - Collection
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/story-of-hud-and-salih-collection 10/19
ey in this world, and cursed they shall be on the Day
esurrection.
d denied their Lord. Gone are 'Ad, the people of Hud.
nd to Thamud We sent their kinsman Salih. He said:
erve God, my people; you have no god but Him. It was He wh
ought you into being from the earth and gave you means to dwe
pon it. Seek forgiveness of Him, and turn to Him in penitence. M
ord is near at hand and answers all.'
alih,' they replied, 'great were the hopes we placed in you. Wou
ou now forbid us to serve the gods our fathers worshipped? Trulye strongly doubt the faith to which you call us.'
e said: 'Do but consider, my people! If my Lord has revealed to m
s will and bestowed on me His grace? who would protect me fro
od if I rebelled against Him? You would surely aggravate my ruin.
:64 'My people, here is God's she-camel, a sign for you. Leave h
graze at will in God's own land, and do not molest her lest a
stant scourge should fall upon you.'
et they slew her. He said: 'You have but three days to take you
ase in your dwellings. This prophecy shall not prove false.'
nd when Our judgement came to pass, We delivered Salih throug
ur mercy from the ignominy of that day, together with those wh
hared his faith. Mighty is your Lord and all-powerful.
he Cry took the evil-doers, and when morning came they wer
ouching lifeless in their dwellings, as though they had neve
ospered there.
7/28/2019 Story of Hud and Salih - Collection
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/story-of-hud-and-salih-collection 11/19
hamud denied their Lord. Gone are the people of Thamud. (Th
ur'an, s11-hud_dawood)
rom the Koran (Chapter 26 The Poets)
6:120 (Of Noah) We delivered him and those who were with him
e laden ark, and overwhelmed the others with the Flood. Surely at there was a sign; yet most of them did not believe.
our Lord is the Mighty One, the Merciful.
d, too, disbelieved the apostles. Their kinsman Hud had said t
em:
Will you not fear God? I am indeed your true apostle. Fear Go
en, and follow me. For this I demand of you no recompense; non
an reward me except the Lord of the Worlds. '
Will you erect a monument on every hill? Vain is your work. You buil
rong fortresses, hoping that you may last for ever.
6:130 'When you exercise your power, you act like cruel tyrant
ave fear of God, and follow me.
ear Him who has given you all the things you know. He has give
ou flocks and children, gardens and fountains. Beware the torme
a fateful day.'
hey replied: 'We care nothing whether or not you preach to us. Th
th which you threaten us is but an ancient myth. Surely we shall n
e punished.'
hey rejected him, and thus We utterly destroyed them. Surely in th
ere was a sign; yet most of them did not believe.
7/28/2019 Story of Hud and Salih - Collection
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/story-of-hud-and-salih-collection 12/19
6:140 Your Lord is the Mighty One, the Merciful. Thamud, too
sbelieved the apostles.
heir kinsman Salih had said to them:
Will you not fear God? I am indeed your true apostle. Fear God an
llow me. For this I demand of you no recompense; none caward me except the Lord of the Worlds.
re you to be left secure in this land, arnidst gardens and fountain
ornfields and palm-trees laden with fine fruit, hewing your dwelling
the mountains and leading a wanton life?
6:150 Have fear of God and follow me.
o not obey the bidding of transgressors who perpetrate corruptio
the land and do no good at all.'
hey replied: 'Surely you are bewitched. You are but a mortal lik
urselves. Show us a sign, if what you say be true.'
ere,' he said, 'is this she-camel. She shall have her share of wate
s you have yours, each drinking on an appointed day. Do no
olest her, or the scourge of a fateful day shall take you.'
et they slew her, and then repented of their deed. The scourge too
em. Surely in that there was a sign. Yet most of them did noelieve. Your Lord is the Mighty One, the Merciful.
he Qur'an, s26-poets_dawood)
rom the Koran (Chapter 17 The Night Journey)
othing hinders us from giving signs except that the anciensbelieved them. To Thamud We gave the she-camel as a visibl
7/28/2019 Story of Hud and Salih - Collection
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/story-of-hud-and-salih-collection 13/19
gn, yet they laid violent hands on her. We give signs only by way o
arning. -- (The Qur'an, s17-night-journey_dawood)
rom the Koran (Chapter 54 The Moon)
We have made the Koran easy to remember: but will any take heed
d, too, did not believe. How grievous was My scourge, and hoear My warning!
4:20 On a day of unremitting woe, We let loose on them a howlin
nd which snapped them off like trunks of uprooted palm trees. Ho
ievous was My scourge, and how clear My warning!
We have made the Koran easy to remember: but will any take heed
hamud, too, disbelieved Our warnings. They said: 'Are we to follo
mortal who stands alone among us? That would surely be error an
adness. Did he alone among us receive the admonition? He
deed a foolish liar.'
o him We said: 'Tomorrow they shall learn who the foolish liar is
We are sending to them the she-camel, that We may put them to th
oof. Observe them closely and have patience. Tell them that the
ust share their drink with her, and that for every draught they mus
tend in person.'
hey called their friend, who took a knife and slew her.
4:30 How grievous was My scourge, and how clear My warning!
ngle cry was heard, and they became like the dry twigs of th
heep-fold builder.
We have made the Koran easy to remember: but will any take heed
*
7/28/2019 Story of Hud and Salih - Collection
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/story-of-hud-and-salih-collection 14/19
l their deeds are in their books: every action, small or great,
oted down. The righteous shall dwell in gardens watered by runnin
ooks, honourably seated in the presence of a Mighty King. -- (Th
ur'an, s54-moon_dawood)
rom Koran (Chapter 91 The Sun)
the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
:1 By the sun and his midday brightness; by the moon, which rise
ter him; by the day, which reveals his splendour; by the night, whic
eils him!
y the heaven and Him that built it; by the earth and Him that sprea
by the soul and Him that moulded it and inspired it with knowledg
sin and piety;
:9 Blessed shall be the man who has kept it pure, and ruined h
at has corrupted it!
their presumptuous pride the people of Thamud denied the
postle when their arch-sinner rose against him.
od's apostle said: 'This is God's own she-camel. Let her drink.'
hey disbelieved him, and slaughtered her.
nd for that crime their Lord let loose His scourge upon them an
zed their city to the ground. He did not fear the consequences.
he Qur'an, s91-sun-journey_dawood)
rom the Koran (Chapter 25 Al-Furqan)
5:40 The tribes of 'Ad and Thamud were also destroyed, and s
7/28/2019 Story of Hud and Salih - Collection
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/story-of-hud-and-salih-collection 15/19
ere those who dwelt at Rass, and many generations in between. T
ach of them We gave examples, and each of them W
xterminated.
hey must surely have passed by the city which was destroyed by th
tal rain: have they never seen its ruins? -- (The Qur'an, s25
rqan_dawood)
rom the Koran (Chapter 27 The Ant)
o Thamud We sent their kinsman Salih. He said:
erve none but God.' But they divided themselves into tw
scordant factions.
My people,' he said, 'why do you wish to hasten evil rather tha
ood? If you seek forgiveness of God, you may be shown mercy.'
hey said: 'We presage evil from you and from your followers.'
e replied: 'The evil you presage can come only from God; you are
eople put to the proof.'
7:50 In the town there was a band of nine men, who did evil in th
nd and nothing that was good. They said: 'Let us swear in the nam
God to kill him in the night, together with all his household.
We will say to his next of kin: "We were not even present when the
ere slain. It is the truth we are telling."'
hus they plotted: but We too plotted, without their knowledge. An
ehold the consequences of their plots! We destroyed them utterly
gether with all their people. Because they sinned, their dwelling
e desolate ruins. Surely in this there is a sign for prudent men.
7/28/2019 Story of Hud and Salih - Collection
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/story-of-hud-and-salih-collection 16/19
et We delivered the true believers and those who kept from evil.
* *
ay: 'Roam the earth and see what was the end of the guilty.' Do no
ieve for them, nor be distressed at their intrigues.
nd they ask: 'When will this promise be fulfilled, if what you say b
ue?' Say: 'A part of what you challenge may well be near at hand.'
urely your Lord is bountiful to men: yet most of them do not giv
anks. Your Lord surely knows what their bosoms hide and wh
ey say in public. There is no secret in heaven or earth but
corded in a glorious book.
he Qur'an, s27-ant_dawood)
they pay no heed, say: 'I have given you warning of a thunderbo
e the thunderbolt which struck 'Ad and Thamud. When the
postles came to them from before them and from behind themaying: "Serve none but God," they answered:
Had it been our Lord's will He would have sent down angels. W
ll never believe in your message. As for 'Ad, they conducte
emselves with arrogance and injustice in the land. 'Who is mightie
an we?' they used to say. Could they not see that God, who ha
eated them, was mightier than they? Yet they denied Ouvelations.
o, over a few ill-omened days We let loose on them a howling gal
make them taste a shameful scourge in this nether life; but mor
hameful still will be the scourge of the life to come. They shall hav
one to help them.
s for Thamud, We offered them Our guidance, but they preferre
7/28/2019 Story of Hud and Salih - Collection
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/story-of-hud-and-salih-collection 17/19
ndness to guidance.
herefore the thunderbolt of a humiliating scourge struck them fo
eir misdeeds; and We delivered those who believed and thos
ho feared God.
orewarn them of the day when the enemies of God will be brouggether and led into the Fire, so that when they enter it, their ear
eir eyes, and their very skins will testify to their misdeeds.
:20 'Why did you speak against us?' they will say to their skin
nd their skins will reply:
od, who gives speech to all things, has made us speak. It was Hho in the beginning created you, and to Him shall you be recalle
ou did not hide yourselves, so that your ears and eyes and skin
ould not be made to testify against you. Yet you thought that Go
d not know much of what you did. It was the thoughts yo
ntertained about your Lord that ruined you, so that you are no
mong the lost.'
he Qur'an, s41-revelations_dawood)
rom the Koran (Chapter The Winds)
the fate of 'Ad there was another-sign. We let loose on them
ghting wind, which pounded into dust all that it swept before it.
nd in Thamud. They were allowed to take their ease awhile; b
ey disobeyed the commandments of their Lord. The thunderbo
ruck them as they looked on; they could not rise up from their fa
or did they gain their end.
nd the people of Noah before them. They too were impious men.
7/28/2019 Story of Hud and Salih - Collection
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/story-of-hud-and-salih-collection 18/19
We built the heaven with Our might, giving it a vast expanse, an
retched the earth beneath it. Gracious is He who spread it out. An
things We have made in pairs, so that you may take thought.
herefore seek God. I come from Him to warn you plainly. Set up n
her deity besides God. I come from Him to warn you plainly.
hus whenever an apostle came to those that flourished before the
ey cried: 'Sorcerer!' or 'Madman!' Have they handed down this c
om one generation to the next? Surely they are transgressors a
ay no heed to them; you shall incur no blame. Exhort them
xhortation helps the true believers. -- (The Qur'an, s5
nds_dawood)
9:1 The Catastrophe: and what is the Catastrophe? Would that yo
new what the Catastrophe is!
hamud and 'Ad denied the Last Judgement. By a deafening sho
as Thamud destroyed, and 'Ad by a howling, violent gale which H
t loose on them for seven nights and eight successive days: yoight have seen them lying dead as though they had been hollo
unks of palm-trees. Can you see even one of them still alive?
he Qur'an, s69-catastrophe_dawood)
9:1 By the Dawn and the Ten Nights; by that which is dual, and tha
hich is single; by the night, when it comes!
there not in this a mighty oath for a man of sense?
ave you not heard how your Lord dealt with 'Ad? The people of th
any-columned city of Iram, whose like has never been built in th
hole land?
nd with Thamud, who hewed out their dwellings among the rocks
e valle ? -- The Qur'an s89-dawn dawood
7/28/2019 Story of Hud and Salih - Collection
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/story-of-hud-and-salih-collection 19/19
_