Here Allah tells us about His servant and Messenger Salih, whom He sent to
his people Thamud. They were Arabs living in the city of Al-Hijr -- which is
between Wadi Al-Qura and Greater Syria. Their location is well known. In our
explanation of Surat Al-A`raf, we mentioned the Hadiths which tell how the
Messenger of Allah passed by their dwelling place when he wanted to launch a
raid on Syria. He went as far as Tabuk, then he went back to Al-Madinah to
prepare himself for the campaign. Thamud came after `Ad and before Ibrahim,
peace be upon him. Their Prophet Salih called them to Allah, to worship Him
alone with no partner or associate, and to obey whatever commands were conveyed
to them, but they refused, rejecting him and opposing him. He told them that he
did not seek any reward from them for his call to them, but that he would seek
the reward for that with Allah. Then he reminded them of the blessings of Allah.
[أَتُتْرَكُونَ فِى
مَا هَاهُنَآ ءَامِنِينَ - فِى جَنَّـتٍ وَعُيُونٍ - وَزُرُوعٍ وَنَخْلٍ طَلْعُهَا
هَضِيمٌ - وَتَنْحِتُونَ مِنَ الْجِبَالِ بُيُوتاً فَـرِهِينَ فَاتَّقُواْ اللَّهَ
وَأَطِيعُونِ وَلاَ تُطِيعُواْ أَمْرَ الْمُسْرِفِينَ الَّذِينَ يُفْسِدُونَ فِى
الاٌّرْضِ وَلاَ يُصْلِحُونَ ]
(146. "Will you be left secure in that which you have here'') (147. "In
gardens and springs.'') (148. "And crops and date palms with soft clusters.'')
(149. "And you hew out in the mountains, houses with great skill.'') (150. "So,
have Taqwa of Allah, and obey me.'') (151. "And follow not the command of the
extravagant,'') (152. Who make mischief in the land, and reform not.'')
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