Transliteration:( Fa'aqarun naaqata wa'ataw 'an amri Rabbihim wa qaaloo yaa Saalihu' tinaa bimaa ta'idunaaa in kunta minal mursaleen )
"Then they chopped the legs of the she-camel [190] and rebelled against the command of their Lord and said: 'O Saleh! Bring upon us that which you are threatening if you are surely a Messenger.'" [191]
Though it was Qaidar who physically cut the hamstrings of the she-camel, the sin is attributed to the whole nation because it was done with unanimous approval. This teaches that supporting or suggesting sin—especially acts of infidelity or rebellion against divine command—carries the same weight of guilt. The slaughter took place on a Wednesday, after which Prophet Saleh (عليه السلام) foretold their destruction within three days.
Day 1: Faces turned yellow
Day 2: Faces turned red
Day 3: Faces turned black
On Sunday, they were destroyed—first by a terrifying scream that shattered their hearts, followed by a violent earthquake that completed their annihilation.
An incident recorded in Tafseer Roohul Bayaan mentions a woman named Sadook, a wealthy and attractive woman, who resented the she-camel for interfering with her livestock. She offered her beautiful daughters in marriage to Masda ibn Dahar if he would have the she-camel killed. Masda joined Qaidar in the act, but Qaidar delivered the fatal blow, and both were complicit in the heinous sin.
After committing the grave crime, the people mockingly challenged Prophet Saleh, saying: “Bring the punishment you promised, if you are truthful.” This was not a sincere test of truth but an act of blatant rebellion, showcasing their hardened hearts and denial. It reveals that when arrogance reaches its peak, mockery replaces reflection, and destruction becomes inevitable.
The tafsir of Surah Al-A’raf verse 77 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah A’raf ayat 73 which provides the complete commentary from verse 73 through 78.
(7:77) Then they hamstrung the she-camel,[61] disdainfuliy disobeyed the commandment of their Lord, and said: ‘0 Salih! Bring upon us the scourge with which you threatened us if you are truly a Messenger [of Allah].’
61. Although the she-camel was killed by an individual, as we learn also from surahs al-Qamar (54) and al-Sharns (91), the whole nation was held guilty since it stood at the killer’s back. Every sin which is committed with the approval and support of a nation, is a national crime even if it has been committed by one person. In fact the Qur’an goes a step further and declares that a sin which is committed publicly in the midst of a gathering is considered to be the collective sin of the people who tolerate it.
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