Narrated to us Muhammad bin Hasan as-Saffar; and Saad bin Abdullah; and Abdullah bin
Ja’far al-Himyari that they said: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Husain Ibne Abil Khattab,
from Ali bin Asbat, from Saif bin Amirah from Zaid Shahham from Abi Abdullah as that he
said:“Salih (a.s.) remained in occultation from his community for a period of
time: The day he disappeared from them he was of middle age, wide belly,
elegant body, thick beard, fair complexioned and medium height. When he
returned to his people, they did not recognize him from his face.
And he found them divided into three groups: A group had denied him and they were not
prepared to retract their denial. Another group was of those who had doubts about
him. The third group was firm in its faith. So he addressed the group of doubters
and said: ‘I am Salih.’ They denied and chided him and snubbed him saying:
‘May Allah become aloof from you, Salih was indeed having a different
appearance.’ The Imam says: Then Salih went to the deniers and they paid no
heed to his words and expressed a deep hatred for him. After that he went to the
third group which was a group of faithful believers and told them that he was
Salih. They said: ‘Please tell us something through which we may not have any
doubt about you. We have no doubt that Allah, the Mighty and the High, Who is
the Creator can change the appearance of anyone He wants. We had been
informed about it and we have researched and studied the signs and portents
regarding the reappearance of the Qaim. And it would be correct when he brings
the news from the heavens. Salih said: I am that same Salih who brought the shecamel
by miracle. They said: You are right. It is the same point we argued on.
But tell us what its sign was? An alternate day was reserved for this she-camel to
drink from the stream and alternate for you. We have brought faith on Allah and
also believed on whatever you have brought. At that time Allah, the Mighty and
the High said:“Do you know that Salih is sent by his Lord?” ( S. Aaraf 7:75)
And the believers and people of faith said:
“Surely we are believers in what he has been sent with.” ( S. Aaraf 7:75)
And the arrogant ones – those who doubted him – said:
“Surely we are deniers of what you believe in.” ( S. Aaraf 7:76)
The narrator asked:
Was there among them a scholar and who knew Salih? Imam replied: The
Almighty Allah is more equitable that He should leave the earth without a scholar
that guides the people to Allah. This community passed seven days in this
manner after the reappearance and advent of Salih as they had no recognition of a
leader or Imam for themselves. But in spite of this they had something from
divine religion and they had remained firm on that. Their beliefs were same. And
when Salih reappeared they gathered around him. And there is no doubt that the
simile of Qaim (a.s.) is like that of Salih.”