Surah An Naml Tafseer

Salih and Thamud

Allah tells:

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَى ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَالِحًا أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ

And indeed We sent to Thamud their brother Salih, (saying):"Worship Allah."

Allah tells us about Thamud and how they responded to their Prophet Salih, when Allah sent him to call them to worship Allah alone, with no partner or associate.

فَإِذَا هُمْ فَرِيقَانِ يَخْتَصِمُونَ

Then look! They became two parties quarreling with each other.

Mujahid said,

"These were believers and disbelievers."

This is like the Ayah,

قَالَ الْمَلَ الَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُواْ مِن قَوْمِهِ لِلَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُواْ لِمَنْ ءامَنَ مِنْهُمْ أَتَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ صَـلِحاً مُّرْسَلٌ مّن رَّبّهِ قَالُواْ إِنَّا بِمَأ أُرْسِلَ بِهِ مُوْمِنُونَ

قَالَ الَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُواْ إِنَّا بِالَّذِى ءامَنتُمْ بِهِ كَـفِرُونَ

The leaders of those who were arrogant among his people said to those who were counted weak -- to such of them as believed:"Know you that Salih is one sent from his Lord."

They said:"We indeed believe in that with which he has been sent."

Those who were arrogant said:"Verily, we disbelieve in that which you believe in." (7:75-76