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The She-Camel of Thamud An Allegorical Allusion to Jesus and his Suffering The
story of the suffering She-camel and the pain inflicted
by the people of Thamud is a reoccurring theme within the Quran. This
page considers
this story of the she-camel as an allegorical illustration of
the
story of Jesus, It
is noteworthy that the first reference to the She-Camel in the Quran
is found in the same surah Jesus
says, "It is easier for a
camel to go through the
eye of the needle, than for a rich man to enter
into the kingdom of God." Matthew
19:24 According
to this revelation, the
allotment of the rich and the punishment of the sinner may also be one
and the same. The gates
of heaven will not be opened till the camel goes through the eye of the
needle. Though this sounds like a desperate and impossible situation,
even so, this can still be a day of
salvation and opportunity. All things are possible with God.
The Camel is a sign reminding the reader that the gates of
heaven, and the entrance to the garden has been provided by
Allah, even for the most blind of
sinners. Though the punishment be severe, He is most
merciful. Indeed, Jesus, and the She-camel, and the camel going through the eye of the needle are subtly presented as all being one and the same. The She-camel becomes a sign pointing to the sufferings of Jesus, and the opening up of the gates of Paradise. This page pesents a side by side comparison of these similarities unveiling the She-Camel's allegorical and hidden identity as the suffering servant Jesus: May our appreciation of the Holy Quran, Allah, and his servant Jesus be deepened as we open our hearts. |
The She-camel is
hamstrung
by the people of Thamud The story of her suffering and death |
Jesus is pierced by the people of the Talmud The story of his suffering and crucifixion |
| That
Rock There is a tradition that the she-camel issues out of a large rock that splits in two. So he took a vow from them on this, then prayed to Allah the Almighty to grant their request. Allah ordered the distant rock to split asunder, to bringing forth a great ten month pregnant she camel. When their eyes set on it, they were amazed. They saw a great thing, a wonderful sight, a dazzling power and clear evidence! There are a number of ancient accounts of this camel and its miraculous nature. It was said that the she camel was miraculous because a rock in the mountain split open and it came forth from it, followed by its young offspring. Other accounts said that the she camel used to drink all the water in the wells in one day, and no other animals could approach the water. Still others claimed that the she camel produced milk sufficient for all the people to drink, on the same day that it drank all the water, leaving none for them. |
"That
Rock was Christ" Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. Exodus 17:6 And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts [also]. Numbers 20:11 He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave [them] drink as [out of] the great depths. Psalms 78:15 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 , John 19:34 |
| Spiritual
Milk Salih asked the people to take care of the she-camel and to drink of her milk, but they did not. |
Spiritual
Milk In the last day, that great [day] of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. John 7:37 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. 1 Peter 2:2 |
| The
Rock Rent in Two Allah ordered the distant rock to split asunder, to bringing forth a great ten month pregnant she camel. Quran 17:59, Quran 15:80-81. They hamstrung the she-camel.. the earthquake seized them," Quran 7:77-78.. |
The Rocks Rent (in Two) And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent Matthew 27:15 |
| A
Sign for
you Here is God's she-camel: a sign for you. Qur'án 7:73 |
A
Sign unto you And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:12 |
| The
She-camel to Graze... in God's own Land Leave her to graze at will in God's own land and do not molest her, lest a woeful scourge should take you. Qur'án 7:73 |
Jesus
born to live in God's own Land Where is he that is born... he demanded of them where Christ should be born... And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet... thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor. Matthew 2:2-6 |
| Oppressed,
Afflicted, Suffering, Rejected, and Molested Do not molest her, lest a woeful scourge should take you. Qur'án 7:73 |
Oppressed,
Afflicted, Suffering, Rejected, and Molested He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. Isaiah 53:7 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and [of] the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. Mark 8:31 |
| The
Scourge and the Punishment Lest a woeful scourge should take you. Qur'án 7:73 |
The
Scourge and the Punishment Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered [him] to be crucified. Matthew 27:25-26 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again. Mark 10:34 And they shall scourge [him], and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. Luke 18:33 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables (of the merchants) John 2:15 |
|
A Band of... Men... in
the Night... to
Kill him In the town there was a band of nine men, who did evil in the land and nothing that was good. They said: 'Let us swear in the name of God to kill him in the night, together with all his household. Qur'án 27:48 |
A
Band of Men... with
Lanterns... that
one man should Die And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.. that one man should die for the people. . John 18:2-3, 14 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and [of] the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed. Mark 8:31 |
| The
Murderers can Say they were Not Present for the Murder We will say to his next of kin: "We were not even present when they were slain. It is the truth we are telling. Qur'án 27:49 |
The
Murderers can Say they were Not Present for
the Murder Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. John 18:28 |
| The
Dry Twigs How grievous was My scourge, and how clear My warning! A single cry was heard, and they became like the dry twigs of the sheep-fold builder. Qur'án 54:31 |
The
Dry Twigs Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry? Luke 23:30 |
| Building
a Sheepfold The sheep-fold builder. Qur'án 54:31 |
Building
a Sheepfold (Building a sheepfold without hands after the destruction of the body of Jesus.) We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. Mark 14:58 The sheepfold... the sheep follow him (Jesus) John 10:1,4 Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 |
|
The
messenger brings division To Thamud We sent their kinsman Salih. He said: 'Serve none but God.' But they divided themselves into two discordant factions. Qur'án 27:45 |
The
messenger brings division We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. But neither so did their witness agree together. Mark 14:58-59 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. Acts 14:4 |
| They
Denied Him And the messenger of Allah said: It is the she-camel of Allah, so let her drink! But they denied him, and they hamstrung her, so Allah doomed them for their sin. Qur'án 91:13-14 |
They
Denied Him But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all. Mark 14:31 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:75 Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Mark 8:34 |
| Angels
are not sent to deliver the She Camel Had it been our Lord's will He would have sent down angels. Qur'án 41:14 |
Angels are not called to deliver Jesus Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26:53 |
| The
Legs are Pierced In their presumptuous pride the people of Thamud denied their apostle when their arch-sinner rose against him. Then they hamstrung the she-camel So they hamstrung the she-camel, and they flouted the commandment of their Lord, and they said: O Salih! Bring upon us that thou threatenest if thou art indeed of those sent (from Allah). Qur'án 7:77 |
The
Legs are Pierced And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. Luke 24:40 |
| They
pierced and slew the Camel (They pierced the she-camel). They called their friend, who took a knife and slew her. Qur'án 54:29 |
They
pierced and slew Jesus The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Acts 5:30 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. John 19:34 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced. John 19:37 |
| The
Sun, the Night, and the Veil By the sun and his midday brightness; by the moon, which rises after him; by the day, which reveals his splendour; by the night, which veils him! Qur'án 91:1-3 |
The
Sun, the Darkness, and the Veil And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. Luke 23:45 |
| The
Earthquake Three Days after the Murder Prostrate in their homes Then they hamstrung the she-camel, and insolently defied the order of their Lord, saying: 'O Salih, I bring about thy threats, If thou art an apostle.' So the earthquake took them unawares, and they lay prostrate in their homes in the morning. Qur'án 7:77-78 |
The
Earthquake Three Days after the Murder His body was laid... (in) the sepulchre Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly. Matthew 27:54 (At the time of the crucifixion) And he took it (the body) down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. Luke 23:53 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. Matthew 28:2 |
| They
Slew Her Three days until the Judgment Yet they slew her. He said: 'You have but three days to take your ease in your dwellings. This prophecy shall not prove false.' Qur'án 11:65 |
They...
Kill Him Three days until the Resurrection And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and [of] the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. Mark 8:31 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. John 2:19 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry. Matthew 17:23 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. Mark 15:58 |
|
The Resurrection And when Our judgement came to pass, We delivered Hud through Our mercy, together with those who shared his faith. We delivered them from a horrifying scourge. Such were 'Ad. They denied the revelations of their Lord, disobeyed His apostles, and did the bidding of every headstrong reprobate. Cursed were they in this world, and cursed they shall be on the Day of Resurrection. Qur'án 11:58-60 |
The Resurrection And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Matthew 27:52-53 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Matthew 27:63 |
| They
Kill Her and Afterward Repent Yet they slew her, and then repented of their deed. The scourge took them. Surely in that there was a sign. Yet most of them did not believe. Your Lord is the Mighty One, the Merciful. Qur'án 26:157-159 |
They
Kill Him and Afterward Repent And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry. Matthew 17:23 let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent Acts 2:37-38 |
| Signs of an
apostle Bring down the scourge you threaten us with, if you truly are an apostle.' Qur'án 7:77 |
Signs of an
apostle And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles Acts 2:43 |
| The
City Razed to the Ground And for that crime their Lord let loose His scourge upon them and razed their city to the ground. He did not fear the consequences. Qur'án 91:14 |
The
City Razed to the Ground And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. Mark 13:2 And he (Jesus) beheld the city,(weeping)... they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. Luke 19:40-44 |
| Great
Lamentation and Crying and Judgement upon the City There went up a great cry, and all fell into utter perdition. Qur'án 11:67
|
Great
Lamentation and Crying and Judgement upon the City And he (Jesus) answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it... For the days shall come upon thee... And (they) shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. Luke 19:40-44 |
|
An Allegorical Interpretation of the She-Camel That Rock was Christ: The Spirit of the man Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 On
the cross his physical body
dies and his spirit returns to God. The Molested She-camel: The Sorrowing Soul of the man Christ Jesus. Jesus
says, "My soul is exceeding
sorrowful unto death." Mark
13:34.
The Death of the She-camel: The Crucifixion of the Physical Body of the man Christ Jesus. The
body is pierced and the body
dies. Jesus
said, "Do not be afraid of
them that kill the body" Luke
12:4. Every soul will taste of death... the life of the world is but matter of illusion. Qur'án 3:185. The disbelievers are in naught but illusion. Qur'án 67:20. The Day of Assembling, that will be a day of mutual disillusion Qur'án 64:9. Because of their mutual delusion they declare, "We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger" They slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; And lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; They have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain. Qur'án 4:157. Did they kill Jesus? They did not kill Christ Jesus, though it appeared to them that they had, for they had killed his body. Their physical eyes beheld the illusion of death. An illusion is what the five physical senses experience. "The disbelievers are in naught but illusion," Qur'án 67:20. Those who only see the physical world are in illusion. The physical body of Jesus was killed. But His spirit did not die. On the cross, as the body dies, Jesus says, "Into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost." Luke 23:46. The spiritual ascension of the Christ is the unseen spiritual reality, only for the believer. What is the testimony of the Quran? Speaking prophetically God said, "O Jesus, Verily I will (terminate you) cause you to die, and will raise you to myself," (Quran 3:55, c.f 19:15) Early in life Jesus said, "Peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!" (Quran 19:33 Pickthall, c.f 5:116-117) However speaking of these past events, God Declares, "Call not those who are slain in the way of Allah "dead." Nay, they are living, only ye perceive not," Quran 2: 154 Pickthall. Jesus did not die, except a physical death. Let us follow his example.
And
so, this She-camel is a sign pointing the
believer to faith in the one true God. |