The Story of the Dwellers of Ar-Rass

The Prophets of Allah
based on the narrations by Ibn Kathir

The Story of the Dwellers of Ar-Rass

Allah Almighty revealed: «And Nuh's (Noah's) people, when they denied the Messengers We drowned them, and We made them as a sign for mankind. And We have prepared a painful torment for the Zalimeen (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.). And (also) 'Ad and Samood (Thamud), and the dwellers of Ar-Rass, and many generations in between. And for each of them We put forward examples (as proofs and lessons, etc.), and each (of them) We brought to utter ruin (because of their disbelief and evil deeds).» Surah 25: 37-39

Allah, the Exalted also revealed: «Denied before them (i.e., these pagans of Mecca who denied you, O Muhammad) the people of Nuh (Noah), and the dwellers of Ar-Rass, and Samood (Thamud), and 'Ad, and Firun (Pharaoh), and the brethren of Lut (Lot), and the dwellers of the Grove (Wood), and the people of Tubba'; everyone of them denied (their) Messengers, so My Threat took effect.» Surah 50: 12-14

These verses indicate that the dwellers of Ar-Rass were destroyed as were the other people who refused to believe in the prophets of Allah.

Ibn Jarir stated that the dwellers of Ar-Rass were the people of one of Samood's (Thamud's) villages. Allah sent a prophet to them called Huzlah Ibn Safwan. They denied and killed him, so Allah destroyed them.

Abu Bakr Muhammad Ibn Al-Hassan narrated: "The dwellers of Ar-Rass had a well sufficing them and their land. They also had a just and good-hearted king. When he died, they were much grieved for him. After four days Satan took his form and said: 'I was not dead, but I kept absent from you to see your reaction.' They were very joyful. He commanded them to set up a curtain between him and them and told them that he would never die. A great number of them believed him and were fascinated with and worshiped him. Then Allah sent them a prophet telling them that it was Satan who was addressing them from behind the curtain. He forbade them to worship him and commanded them to worship only Allah and no partner with Him. In spite of that, they killed their prophet and threw his body into a well. Therefore, Allah destroyed them and their homes."