Surah 7:73

By

Dr. Zohurul Hoque & Husain Nuri

 

7:73  And to Thamud their brother Salih.  He said: "O my people! worship Allah, you have no deity other than Him.  Clear proof has already come to you from your Rabb.  This is Allah's she-camel - for you a Sign; so leave her alone to pasture in the earth of Allah, and do not harm her with any harm, lest a painful punishment overtake you.

7:73 The tribe of Thamûd might have descended from the tribe of 'Âd, therefore, they are often referred to as the second ?Âd (7:65,74; 11:61-68), although geographically they came to inhabit a territory in the northernmost Hijâz, covering the land of al-Hijr (15:80), which is in the plains of Wâdi al-Qura in the peninsula between Arabia and Syria. As seen with Hûd (v. 65) and Shu'aib (v. 85), Sâlih was also addressed as brother, indicating he was a familiar member of a well-knit community.

There is nothing miraculous or divine about the she-camel, although she is mentioned as naqat Allâh (lit. Allâh's she-camel, 91:13). Prophet Sâlih placed particular stress on humane treatment towards the ownerless she-camel as an eye opener for a community that was cruel towards all those who were weak, even if it were an animal. The ownerless she-camel was made a sign for the Thamûd in the sense that the people were instructed to leave her alone to pasture in the earth of Allâh, and not to harm her in any way (11:64; 91:13). Thus, it was a test for the Thamûd whether they would act arrogantly or obey the divine command to restrain their cruelty.

 

Source: http://www.qurancommentary.com/comm7_73.html

 

 

 

 

Return to Commentary on Selected Verses in the Qur'an

Return to Homepage