Page 91 - Perished Nations

But they ham-strung her: then did they become full of regrets. (Surat ash-
Shu’ara: 141-157)
The Prophet Salih’s (as) struggle with his people is told as follows in
Surat al-Qamar:
The Thamud (also) rejected (their) Warners.
For they said: "What! a man! a Solitary one from among ourselves! shall we
follow such a one? Truly should we then be straying in mind, and mad!
Is it that the Message is sent to him, of all people amongst us? Nay, he is a
liar, an insolent one!"
Ah! they will know on the morrow, which is the liar, the insolent one!
For We will send the she-camel by way of trial for them. So watch them,
(O Salih), and possess thyself in patience!
And tell them that the water is to be divided between them: Each one's
right to drink being brought forward (by suitable turns).
But they called to their companion, and he took a sword in hand, and ham-
strung (her). (Surat al-Qamar: 23-29)
The fact that they were not punished at that very moment, increased the
insolence of these people more. They attacked Salih (as), criticised him
and accused him of being a liar .
Then they ham-strung the she-camel, and insolently defied the order of
their Lord, saying: "O Salih! bring about thy threats, if thou art a messenger
(of Allah)!" (Surat al-A‘raf: 77)
Allah rendered the plans and stratagems of the unbelievers feeble and
saved Salih (as) from the hands of those who wanted to do him harm. After
this event, seeing that he had proclaimed the message to his people in
many different ways and that still nobody took the advice to heart, Salih
(as) told his people that they would be destroyed in three days:
But they did ham-string her. So he said: "Enjoy yourselves in your homes
for three days: (Then will be your ruin): (Behold) there a promise not to
be belied!" (Surah Hud: 65)
Sure enough, three days later, Salih’s (as) warning came true and the
Thamud were destroyed.

Perished Nations
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