(27: 45-48)(92:12-13)(54:27-28)(54:39)(41:18)(91:11-15)(51:43-45)
The chiefs of Thamud tried every method to provoke the common folks by saying that Saleh was introducing new radical ideas into their religion and trying to deviate from the path of their ancestors.
The rich class in Saleh’s society openly declared, “Saleh is only a human being like us. He eats what we eat, and drinks what we drink. Are you going to obey a single individual and leave the group of elites in your society? If you follow this path it is going to lead you to total destruction. Moreover, his technique is very simple. He evokes a false hope in you that when you die and your bones are broken into numerous bits you will be given a new life again. The concept of a new life after death is the greatest fraud invented on the earth. This present life is the only life which we live on the earth, and Saleh is inventing a false concept by using the name of God. We are never ever going to believe in his teaching.”
The nine leaders were delivering bombastic speeches about Saleh being one common individual, unable to perform miracles. In other words, they were not attaching any importance to the truth he was putting forward. The truth told by a single man was without merit and not worth consideration.
Time and again, Saleh explained to them the prosperity and happiness that could come to the society if all the members were free from hunger. He said, “I am not asking you to give me anything. I am desirous of removing ills from the society. I am an honest messenger of God. Obey the laws of God, and obey me as the head of the administration, so that we can establish a new order which will fulfill the basic needs of everyone.”
All his advice fell on deaf ears, but his popularity grew rapidly. The chiefs were very unhappy to see his success. One day they hatched a plan to kill Saleh and his family at night, and swear in the morning to deny the murder. But the mob’s anger at the murder of their leader and the result of such fury worked as a deterrent.
One of them said, “You are the most intelligent member of our class. We had high hopes that you would enhance our perks, but you are stopping us from enjoying those which we already have. Moreover, you have broken our traditions, and your criticism is preventing us from obeying the rules set by our ancestors.”
“Let us sign a treaty in order to solve the problem of hunger and misery,” Saleh said. “Your servants are not allowing the poor men’s cattle to drink water from the springs. The cattle are dying, adding starvation and unbearable suffering to their owners. Since you do not like to mix your animals with the common people, we have to make a schedule for the animals to drink water.”
Both the parties agreed to the terms of the treaty. “This is a she-camel. I am going to use it as a symbol for our treaty, “said Saleh. “Do not harm her. This is God’s earth, and she is God’s camel. She will graze and drink water freely in the land of God. She will come to drink water at her appointed time and turn. Your animals will come to drink water at their turn. If you harm her it will clearly indicate that you have no respect for your promise, and the doom will seize you.”
The proud leaders did not stick to their word. Their pride and the desire to dominate made it unbearable for them to see the poor animals drinking water as equals. The leader, who was the worst of the lot, was called. He made a plan, killed the she-camel, and said to Saleh, “If you are really a messenger of God, bring upon us the doom which you have been threatening.”
God told Saleh that the destruction would come after three days. Saleh and his followers left the place and migrated to a safe land under the guidance and blessings of God. The nation of Thamud neglected the warning. The volcanic mountains erupted with a rumble. The rebellious nation of Thamud was obliterated from history as if it had never existed.
