thamud 5

“Do you have any solution for this problem,” said one of them.

(91-11-14)(51-43-45)(54-27-28)(26-15159)

“Yes, I have. This is a camel. She will serve as a symbol for our agreement. We will fix the time for the animals to drink water and graze in the valley. Everyone will bring their cattle at the fixed time to drink water. I am leaving this camel as one belonging to Allah to graze in the land of Allah. Do not harm her; otherwise, you will be destroyed. It is also a test to measure your respect for the agreement.”

Seeing the tumult in the poor population the leaders agreed, but they did not keep their promise. One of them came to the valley in the morning. He saw that their shepherds were stopping their animals from drinking water because it was the time for poor peoples’ cattle to drink water. This scene made him mad. His blood rushed to his head in anger. He called his leader and both saw the change. They were so consumed by anger that they hamstrung the camel and said to Saleh, “Bring upon us what you threatened us with if you are a prophet of God.”

Saleh was very calm, but he said, “Enjoy what you have accumulated so far by wasting countless human and animal lives for three days; after that doom will seize you.” In these three days Saleh and his follower migrated to another part of the land.

When the promised time was over, a roar from the volcanic mountain filled the atmosphere; it erupted with a bang, spewing ash and lava with great force. The leaders saw the lava gushing toward them, but they were helpless; the shock had taken all their strength and left them too weak to stand or do anything for protection. They could have gotten great bounties from God by working in accordance with his laws, but they adopted the way of denial and deprivation. Their lust for power, unreasonable desire to control, and stubborness resulted in destruction. They were lying face down in lava; their houses were as desolate as if no one had ever lived in them. Saleh and his followers were saved from this humiliating death because they acted in accordance with the laws of God.