Page 106 - The Truth of the Life of This World

Exulting in affluence, Thamud led an extravagant life. In the Qur'an,
Allah says that the prophet Salih was sent to Thamud to warn them. The
prophet Salih was a person who was well-known among Thamud. His
people, who did not expect him to proclaim the religion of truth, were sur-
prised by his calling them to abandon the perversity they were in. A small

part of the community complied with Salih's summons, but most did not
accept what he said. In particular, the leaders of the community denied
Salih and were antagonistic towards him. They tried to injure those who
believed in Salih and to oppress them. They were enraged against Salih
because he called them to worship Allah. This rage was not specific to

Boasting a history
of two thousand
years, Thamud
had established a
kingdom with
another Arabian
people, the Naba-
taeans. Today, in
the Rum Valley,
otherwise called
the Petra Valley,
in Jordan, it is
possible to see
the best examples
of the stone car-
ving of these pe-
ople. Also in the
Qur'an, Thamud
are mentioned for
their mastery in
stone carving.

104 Past Civilisations