• The insight offered by the wondrously complex and beautiful creatures in the universe to the pure human intellect that is free of lust.

• The revealed knowledge that is dispensed by the divine messengers.

• The miracles that God gives them to confirm the believers in their faith and challenge those who deny God’s existence.

God points out that He had chosen a messenger from among their own people to convey His message. The Thamud knew the messenger well and were aware of his good character, intelligence and wisdom. Indeed, the Qur’an informs us that one of the criticisms the people of Thamud had about Salih (may peace be upon him) was that they had hoped he would become one of the wisest men in the tribe but that his seemingly absurd demand that they forsake the idols of their forefathers had caused them to change their minds. They said, “O Salih! Until now you have been one in whom we placed our hopes. Do you forbid us to worship that which our fathers worshipped? Indeed we are in grave doubt about that to which you are calling us.” (11:62) Salih (may peace be upon him) continued to remind the Thamud of God’s favors upon them, how He had created them, given them fertile land, and helped them surpass ‘Ad in terms of might and civilization. And remember how He made you to succeed ‘Ad, and lodged you in the land. You built mansions on the plains and hewed hills into houses. (7:74) Salih (may peace be upon him) then invited his people to reflect upon what had happened to ‘Ad and that it could very well happen to them if they were to remain heedless. He told them that he expected no worldly gains from them, for he would receive his reward from his Lord.

Thamud cried lies to the messengers when their brother Salih said to them, “Will you not be God-fearing? I am for you a faithful messenger, so fear God and obey me. I ask of you no wage for this, my wage falls only upon the Lord of the worlds. Do you think that you are to be left secure in this here, among gardens and fountains, sown fields, and palms with soft fruits, and still hew houses into the hills skillfully? So fear God and obey me and obey not the command of the transgressors who spread corruption in the earth and do no good.”(26:141–152)

Salih (may peace be upon him) continued to invite his people to repent, abandon their idols, ask forgiveness of God for having forgotten that they had no other creator, provider, protector or master, and obey him in what he enjoined upon them on behalf of God. They would not be left secure in their houses indefinitely, for the divine law governing their times was bound to catch up with them and cause their destruction. Some commentators have remarked that the fact that they carved houses or tombs into the rock despite the fact that they had secure lives and had no need of those dwellings indicated that they believed that they had complete mastery over the land and had grown arrogant. None of those who believed in Salih (may peace be upon him) were among the leaders or noblemen of the tribe. On the contrary, most of his followers were poor and weak people who had little social influence. Soon, tensions rose between the two groups:

And We sent to Thamud their brother Salih, saying, “Worship God!” And they split into two factions, quarrelling. He said, “O my people! Why do you hasten evil rather than good? Why do you not ask forgiveness of God, that you may receive mercy?” They said, “We augur ill of you and those with you.” He said, “Your augury is with God. You are but a people being tried.”(27:45–47)

The arrogant leaders of his people said to the weak among them, to those of them who believed, “Do you know (for sure) that Salih is one sent from his Lord?” They said, “We are believers in that with which he has been sent.” The arrogant ones said, “We are disbelievers in that which you believe.”(7:75–76)

As all divine messengers have been, Salih (may peace be upon him) was patient with his people and was hopeful till the end that they would see reason and renounce their misguided ways. The noblemen persistently rebuked him and demanded he stop insisting that they abandon idol worship. Salih (may peace be upon him) responded to their demands with one argument after another. He told them it was all God’s doing, God had chosen him, given him the light of prophecy and charged him to deliver His message. He said:

O my people! Do you not see? If I have a clear sign from my Lord and He has sent mercy from Him upon me, who then can help me against God if I were to disobey Him? You will only in-crease me in loss. (11:63)

Thamud disbelieved the warnings. They said, “Are we to follow a man who stands alone among us? We would then be prey to error and madness indeed. What, does he alone among us receive the reminder? He is but a rash liar!” Tomorrow they will know who the rash liar is. (54:23–26)

Things eventually came to a head and they asked Salih (may peace be upon him) for a sign, Produce then a sign if you are truthful. (26:154) In addition, they asked him for a specific sign, challenging him to bring a pregnant she-camel with certain characteristics out of a particular rock of their choosing. In return, they gave their solemn oaths that should he succeed, they would believe in him and follow him. Salih (may peace be upon him) turned to his Lord in prayer and soon, before the incredulous eyes of the disbelievers, the rock split open and a pregnant she-camel with the required specifications stepped out. Salih (may peace be upon him) said,