can you only blame Climate-change?

Series 4- The Thamud on lost civilizations …

Time per Quran: The prominent major civilisation to receive commissioning from God; after the civilisation of ‘Aad and many others that succeeded. Exact time line to succeed after ‘Aad remains unknow. Lower reference much before the advent of Abraham.

Location: Southern Jordan.

Popularly known: Petra or The Rose city. (read more on- wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra).

Quranic identification: The people of Thamud, featuring carved homes from the mountainous rock formations.

Crimes per Quran: Worship of idols/demi gods; Election of corrupt officials; Materialism; Refusing to bear with the miracle she-Camel sent by Allah as a sign.

Catastrophic end: Super-Charged storm thrusting out in a mighty [thunderous] shriek.

Legacy: All people lay dead. Ruins of their left-overs, marvels and construction remained for others to take heed.

Rescued: Prophet Saleh [pronounced: Saulih] and his companions.

Historic background

Quran 29:38. And the ‘Aad and the Thamud [people]: clearly will appear to you from [the traces] of their buildings [their fate]: The Evil One (Satan) made their deeds alluring to them, and kept them back from the Path, although they were prudent.

The Thamud civilisation came to the fore of determinism before God; after their predecessors, had tried to falsify many of the messengers over the time of their development and establishment. Finally, God commissioned to them Saulih one of their own from a near in their status line of leadership.

Quran 25:38-39

And [We destroyed] ‘Aad and Thamud and the companions of the Rass and many generations between them. And for each We presented examples [as warnings], and each We destroyed with [total] destruction.

Story Line of Thamud

Quran 69:4-5

3. And what can make you realise what the Inevitable Reality is?
4. The Thamud and the ‘Ad People [branded] as false the Stunning Calamity!
5. So as for Thamud- they were destroyed by an overpowering event!

Quran 89:9 And with the Thamud [people], who carved out the rocks in the vales.

When Prophet Muhammad was demanded of a miracle by Polytheists of Makkah, God answered them with the accounts of historical misconstruction toward His miracles by former people. And thus, informed them that miracles come as signs impending destruction upon its refusals.

Quran 17:59 And nothing has prevented Us from sending signs except that the former peoples denied them. And We gave Thamud the she-camel as a visible sign, but they wronged her. And We send not the signs except as a warning.

Quran 54:31

27. Indeed, We [Allah] are sending the she-camel as trial for them, so watch them and be patient.
28. And inform them that the water is shared between them, each [day of] drink attended [by turn].
29. But they called their companion, and he dared and hamstrung [her].
30. And how [severe] were My punishment and warning.
31. Indeed, We, sent upon them a [thunderous] shriek, and they became like the dry twig fragments of an [animal] pen.

As Saulih stood inviting them to faith they challenged him to produce a sign if he were truly commanded by God. Per the popular opinion (as this bit is undescribed in Quran) they said “if you are truly a Messenger, pray to Allah that He may cause a she-camel ten months loaded with calf to emerge from this rock.” Their rock cutting skills were limited to architecture but they dreamed of a camel to emerge! Upon this the she-camel appeared from the rock. Allah revealed upon Saulih to inform them, O’ people that the she-camel must be allowed exclusive access to the drinking water on alternate days. However, the she-camel would consume all the water in its turn to the water well. Clearly, as blinded they were they could not foresee to seek God’s forgiveness despite Him showing such an eye-opening miracle and then they would plan to strike her for that she was a manifest trouble maker. What prevents men from believing in their Creator? nothing but a sense of dislike, alas! a reason for destruction.

 Quran 51:43-45

43. And in Thamud: When, they were told, “Enjoy yourselves for a time.”
44. But they were insolent toward the Command of their Lord, so the thunderbolt seized them while they were looking on.
45. And they were unable to arise, nor could they defend themselves.

Quran 41:13 But if they turn away, then say (to them): “I have warned you of a thunderbolt like that which [seized] the ‘Aad and the Thamud!”

Such is God’s law. He directs Prophet Muhammad, blessing on him to inform his people in Makkah that their similar requests to produce a miracle will not be heeded to in the wake of former rejections. And that this Quran is clearly a qualifying miracle by its nature bound to evade human ability to produce it. And that if they think it is false claim or Muhammad produced it himself via hallucination then let them produce evidence against it or try to match its eloquence and narration. But, if they fail to do so then the argument of God upon them stands fulfilled.

Dialogue by the chiefs of Thamud-

Quran 41:17-18

17. As for the Thamud, We [Allah] guided them, but they preferred blindness over guidance: So the thunderbolt of humiliation seized them, because of what they had earned.
18. And We saved those who believed and used to fear Allah.

Quran 26:141-159

141. Thamud denied the messengers.
142. When their brother Saulih said to them,

“Will you not fear Allah?

143. Indeed, I am to you a trustworthy messenger.
144. So fear Allah and obey me.
145. And I do not ask you for it any payment. My payment is only from the Lord of the worlds.
146. Will you be left in what is here, secure [from death]?
147. Within gardens and springs.
148. And fields of crops and palm trees with softened fruit?
149. And you carve out of the mountains, homes, with skill.
150. So fear Allah and obey me.
151. And do not obey the order of the transgressors.
152. Who cause corruption in the land and do not amend.”

153. They said, “You are only of those affected by magic.
154. You are but a man like ourselves, so bring a sign, if you should be of the truthful.”
155. He said, “This is a she-camel. For her is a [time of] drink, and for you is a [time of] drink, [each] on a known day.
156. And do not touch her with harm, lest you be seized by the punishment of a terrible day.”

157. But they hamstrung her and so became regretful.
158. And the punishment seized them. Indeed, in that is a sign, but most of them were not to be believers.
159. And indeed, your Lord – He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful.

Another perspective and detail of Thamud’s behaviour-

Quran 27:45-53

45. And We had certainly sent to Thamud their brother Saulih, [saying], “Worship Allah [alone],” and at once they were two parties conflicting.
46. He said, “O my people, why are you impatient for evil instead of good? Why do you not seek forgiveness of Allah that you may receive mercy?”
47. They said, “We consider you a bad omen, you and those with you.” He said, “Your omen is with Allah. Rather, you are a people being tested.”
48. And there were in the city nine family heads causing corruption in the land and not amending [its affairs].
49. They said, “Take a mutual oath by Allah that we will kill him by night, he and his family. Then we will say to his beneficiary, ‘We did not witness the destruction of his family, and indeed, we are truthful.’ “

[Thus, they planned and attacked the she-camel first …]

50. And they planned a plan, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.
51. Then look how was the outcome of their plan – that We destroyed them and their people, all.
52. So those are their houses, desolate because of the wrong they had done. Indeed, in that is a sign for people who know.
53. And We saved those who believed and used to fear Allah.

Quran 91:11-15

11. Thamud denied [their prophet] because of their transgression.
12. When the most wretched of them was sent forth.
13. And the messenger of Allah [Saulih] said to them, “[Do not harm] the she-camel of Allah or [prevent her from] her drink.”
14. But they denied him and hamstrung her. So, their Lord brought down upon them destruction for their sin and made it equal [upon all of them].
15. And He does not fear the consequence thereof.

Thamud’s rejection of reasoning and evidences-

Quran 11:61-68

61. To the Thamud People [We sent] their brethren Saulih. He said: “O my people, Worship Allah: you have no other god but Him. He has produced you from the earth and settled you therein, so ask forgiveness of Him, and repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is near and responsive.”
62. They said, “O Saulih, you were among us a man of promise before this. Do you forbid us to worship what our fathers worshipped? And indeed, we are about that to which you invite us, in disquieting doubt.”
63. He said, “O my people, have you considered: if I should be upon clear evidence from my Lord and He has given me mercy from Himself, who would protect me from Allah if I disobeyed Him? So, you would not increase me except in loss.
64. And O my people, this is the she-camel of Allah – [she is] to you a sign. So, let her feed upon Allah ‘s earth and do not touch her with harm, or you will be taken by an impending punishment.”
65. But they hamstrung her, so he said, “Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days. That is a promise not to be denied.”
66. So when Our command came, We [Allah] saved Saulih and those who believed with him, by mercy from Us, and [saved them] from the disgrace of that day. Indeed, it is your Lord who is the Powerful, the Exalted in Might.
67. And the [thunderous] shriek seized those who had wronged, and they became within their homes [corpses] fallen prone.
68. As if they had never prospered therein. Unquestionably, Thamud denied their Lord; then, away with the Thamud.

Thamud’s oppression and corruption traits-

Quran 7:73-79

73. And to the Thamud [We sent] their brother Saulih. He said, “O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord. This is the she-camel of Allah [sent] to you as a sign. So, leave her to eat within Allah ‘s land and do not touch her with harm, lest there seize you a painful punishment.
74. And remember when He made you successors after the ‘Aad and settled you in the land, [and] you take for yourselves palaces from its plains and carve from the mountains, homes. Then remember the favors of Allah and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.”
75. Said the eminent ones who were arrogant among his people to those who were oppressed – to those who believed among them, “Do you [actually] know that Saulih is sent from his Lord?” They said, “Indeed we, in that with which he was sent, are believers.”
76. Said those who were arrogant, “Indeed we, in that which you have believed, are disbelievers.”
77. So they hamstrung the she-camel and were insolent toward the command of their Lord and said, “O Saulih, bring us what you promise us, if you should be of the messengers.”
78. So the quiver [due to thunderous shriek] seized them, and they became within their home [corpses] fallen prone.
79. And he turned away from them and said, “O my people, I had certainly conveyed to you the message of my Lord and advised you, but you used to not like advisors.”

 

Similar traces in Saudi Arabian Tabuk region-

The people of Rocky track descriptive of a story in surah 15 in Quran is often misconstrued as the people of Thamud. Because of similar workmanship of carved homes from the rock formations in North of Saudi Arabia. As there isn’t great distance between Petra in South Jordan and what is found in North of Saudi Arabia. Thus, the inference develops in its favour as a collective civilisation. But, investigations into it can produce evidences to treat the people of the rocks as later settlers who emerged after the Thamud. Who then had to necessarily carve out homes by their already learned skills since they were saved and dwelled away from their formers who had disbelieved in Saulih’s Prophethood.

Archaeological findings on Petra, Jordan’s Yarmouk University-

The remains of their innovative networks of water capture, storage, transport, and irrigation systems are found to this day throughout this area.

Scholars know and trace them as Nabataeans in Petra since at least 312 B.C., says archaeologist Zeidoun Al-Muheisen of Jordan’s Yarmouk University. These Nabataeans who were later conquered and absorbed by the Roman empire are not the receptors of God’s commission as addressed in the Quran. Clearly these Nabataeans make up the later settlers in those regions occupying constructions once erected and established by the target civilisation as described in the Quran.

Quranic accounts predate this story ages before the advent of Prophet Abraham blessings on him. In fact, the story of the people of Madyan or the woods mentioned in Quran nearly approaches time lines of Prophet Abraham.

However, some of the most important considerations to bear in mind while investigating their historical time lines is that these cities including ‘Aad had great potential to resettlement as their infrastructure carved from rocks had lasted or survived terrible wrath of God. Therefore, due to continuous settlements the original traces may have been heavily eroded. By this, modern archaeology is perhaps limited to accurately trace their historical time lines.

What does it take for God to drive severe climate-

A clear violation of His laws. Which is very complex in nature and within humanities, but needs to be studied and understood to avoid similar fates of former people. Then, as they stand violated God issues a command and the climate begins to form to overwhelm the target. In case of Thamud it took 3 days to arrange the means and as enormous clouds overshadowed them. Then from the midst of this gloom a thunderbolt jolted them arresting their lives and sparing none of those who had transgressed.

Summary-

1. The Thamud civilisation built their houses in mountainous rocks.
2. The Thamud civilization replenished with many generations of their posterity in prosperity had flourished greatly with successes. Their ability to produce agriculture, manage water, their skill of architecture in plains & on mountains and luxury & materialism were unique in that landscape.
3. Traces of its remains per Quran relate to Petra per its archaeological findings.
4. Prophet Muhammad, wasn’t a historian neither he nor did his tribe had the knowledge of the sciences of weather or for that matter archaeology. It is undoubtedly a miracle that Quran has related their details, no not any human could do this.
5. Post admonishment by a line of successive advisors it culminated with Prophet Saulih that God for their persuasive crimes of worshipping idols; for their corrupt practices and not considering amendments; for their not reasoning toward God; for their rejection of His Prophets and finally for plotting to execute Saulih and killing God’s sign, the she-Camel destroyed them.
6. The means of destruction was via a Super-Charged storm that erupted in 3 days’ time since it was informed to them by Saulih upon a hint from God. Saulih told them to rejoice for 3 days and then a jolt bolted them as in a quiver killing them and then they lay dead in their rock-solid homes.
7. The Prophet Saulih and his fellow companions were saved.
8. Their ruins were left for the beholders to seek Wisdom.

End of Series 4.

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Click here to read on Series 1 Introduction: can you only blame Climate-change.

Click here to read on Series 2 God- Just isn’t a destroyer, but undoubtedly is a stern Punisher: can you only blame Climate-change

Click here to read on Series 3 The ‘Aad on lost civilizations: can you only blame Climate-change.

Credits-

Pictures from Wikipeida.org and others.

Main image- www.cadalyst.com
The red squares on this map indicate high-resolution GPS points marking the locations of primary tomb facades in Petra. At ±2–4 cm accuracy, it is the most accurate location data ever collected in the valley.