Page 108 - The Truth of the Life of This World

Thamud: they were repeating the mistake made by the people of Nuh and
'Ad who preceded them in history. This is why the Qur'an refers to these
three peoples as follows:

Has not the story reached you, (O people!), of those who (went) before you?
Of the people of Nuh, and 'Ad and Thamud? And of those who (came) after
them? None knows them but Allah. To them came messengers with clear
(signs); but they put their hands up to their mouths, and said: "We deny (the
mission) on which you have been sent, and we are really in suspicious (dis-
quieting) doubt as to that to which you invite us." (Surah Ibrahim: 9)

Thamud were determined to remain arrogant and never change their
attitude towards the prophet Salih and even were making plans to kill him.
Salih warned them further saying: "Will you be left secure, in (the enjoy-
ment of) all that you have here?" (Surat ash-Shu'ara: 146-149) Indeed, the
Thamud increased their perversity being unaware of the penalty of
Allahand adressed prophet Salid with pride and exultation:
"O Salih! Bring about your threats, if you are a messenger (of Allah)!" (Surat
al-A'raf: 77).
The prophet Salih told them, by Allah's revelation, that they would be
perished in three days.
Three days later, the prophet Salih's warning came true and Thamud
perished.
The (mighty) blast overtook the wrongdoers, and they lay prostrate in their
homes before the morning, as if they had never dwelt or flourished there. Ah!
Behold! For Thamud rejected their Lord and Cherisher! Ah! Behold! Removed
(from sight) were Thamud! (Surah Hud: 67-68)
Thamud paid dearly, by being destroyed, for not obeying their mes-
senger. The buildings they had constructed and the works of art they had
produced could not protect them from the penalty. Thamud were
destroyed with a grievous penalty just like all the other peoples who have
denied faith before and after them. In brief, their ends matched their atti-
tude. Those who revolted were utterly ruined, and those who obeyed
received eternal deliverance.

106 Past Civilisations