The People of Thamud^-AS also refused to listen to Allah^-SWT's Messenger, when Prophet Salih^-AS, a fellow brother, was raised amongst them. He^-AS told his^-AS people to fear Allah^-SWT , and that he^-AS, as a Messenger, was conveying His^-SWT Message with utmost sincerity. The people must, therefore, concede to Allah^-SWT's obedience. Besides, he^-AS did not seek any wages from them or aspire to become a ruler. Rather his^-AS reward was with Allah^-SWT , the Provider of the entire universe. He^-AS reminded them that they would not be able to live forever and would have to, one day, leave behind their beautiful abodes, springs and date palms laden with fruit. They must acknowledge Allah^-SWT's favour how He^-SWT had given them the expertise whereby they hewed out of the mountains luxuriant homes.

Skilfulness

Expertise in any of the skills is a Divine favour and every epoch is marked by some particular art. History reveals the existence of certain arts and skills through time, which even today seem very challenging. For instance, the construction of the Pyramids involved incredible expertise in the geometrised angles and judging the direction of rays from the sun. Similarly the lavish dwellings of Thamud were hewed out of the mountains in multi-storeys, a task seemingly impossible even in modern times.

So to attain perfection in any skill which serves humanity is a Divine favour. However, if it is used for destruction, or it becomes a source of neglect towards Allah^-SWT , it will invoke His^-SWT punishment. In other words, the real issue is not the attainment of expertise but how it is put to use. So the people must fear Allah^-SWT and obey him^-AS, said the Prophet^-AS. They must not listen to those who disobey Allah^-SWT , that is, the rulers and chieftains, who cause mischief on His^-SWT land and were devoid of any aspect of virtue.

The people thought that being under strong influence of a magical spell, he^-AS was saying such weird things. And as a human being like them his^-AS claim to be Allah^-SWT's Prophet^-AS could not possibly be entertained. So they asked him^-AS to prove his credibility by manifesting a miracle. The Prophet^-AS prayed to Allah^-SWT and a she-camel miraculously emerged from a large rock.

He^-AS told them that this she-camel was the proof of his^-AS Prophethood. So now she will drink water from all the springs one day while their animals will take their turn on the following day. He^-AS also warned them against harming the camel lest they are seized by Divine punishment. Despite the miracle they were not to believe, save a few, and impudently hamstrung and killed the camel. So one morning the signs of an imminent devastation appeared. They repented in vain on what they had done but the respite was over and they were destroyed. Though it is an admonishing chapter of history, yet many refuse to become believers. Allah^-SWT is Potent over everything and can punish the deniers but it is by His^-SWT Mercy that they are given the respite.