Tafsir of Ash-Shams 91:13

Surah Ash-Shams (The Sun): Verse 13

Issue 1: Who is the Messenger, and the meaning of "She-camel of God" (ناقة الله)

The messenger referred to is Salih (عليه السلام).

When the people intended to hamstring the she-camel, he pointed to her and said to them: "This is the She-camel of God (ناقة الله) and the sign (Ayah) indicating His Oneness and my prophethood. Therefore, beware of harming her in any way. Also, beware of preventing her from her allotted share of water."

We have previously explained in this book that she had a specific day for drinking water, and they and their livestock had a day. They were greatly inconvenienced by this arrangement concerning their livestock, which led them to intend to hamstring her.

Salih (عليه السلام) continuously warned them of a punishment that would befall them if they proceeded with that action. Since this situation was clear in their minds, he sufficed by saying: "She-camel of God and her drink" (ناقة الله وسقياها), because this concise reference was sufficient given the preceding context we have mentioned.

Issue 2: Grammatical Status of "She-camel of God"

The phrase "She-camel of God" (ناقة الله) is in the accusative case (نصب) used for warning/caution (التحذير), similar to saying, "The lion, the lion!" (الأسد الأسد) or "The child, the child!" (الصبي الصبي).

This implies the omitted command: "Leave alone her hamstringing, and beware of preventing her from her drink, so do not stop her from it, nor claim it exclusively for yourselves over her."