Prophet Saleh (PBUH) was sent to the people of Thamud who inhabited the Al Hijr region in the Arabian Peninsula, and it is said that they came to succeed the people of Aad in civilisation, prosperity, strength, and power. They also fell to idol-worshipping. Allah, The Almighty, gave them dominance over earth, as they enjoyed supernatural physical powers that enabled them to carve their homes and palaces in the mountains and plains, they also contributed to cementing their security, prosperity, and stability.
Prophet Saleh (PBUH) began spreading his message among his people with wisdom and advice; He reminded them of the fate of the people of Aad and called them to worship Allah, The Almighty, alone, and to not associate partners with Him. Moreover, Saleh reminded his people of the many blessings that Allah, The Almighty, bestowed upon them; Nonetheless, they persistently rejected his call, describing him and those who believed with him as an unfortunate people. Even so, Saleh insisted to pursue his message despite his people's rejection.
The people of Thamud insisted on their arrogance, and even tried to mock the Messenger of Allah. So, they asked him to perform a miracle, if they choose that miracle and its description. When he agreed to their request, they demanded him to ask his Lord to make a she-camel, out of a certain rock of their choice, 10 months pregnant, tall, and attractive. They also wanted the She-Camel to be so big that it could drink a similar amount of water as the people of Thamud together. Prophet Saleh (PBUH) made them swear that if he brought this miracle to pass, they would believe in his message. And he asked Allah, The Almighty, to deliver what they wanted so that they would be convinced of his call. Allah, The Almighty, answered the prayers of his Prophet and of those few who believed in him, and He brought a very huge camel from the rock in a majestic scene that astounded them.
Saleh asked his people not to approach the She-Camel or inflict her with any harm. He also asked them to let the She-Camel drink water from the well on one day, and everyone else could drink water from that well on the other day. On the day she drank water, the She-Camel provided a large quantity of milk that was sufficient for all the people of Thamud. Prophet Saleh also warned them that they will be tormented if they harm the She-Camel or its foal.
Although he fulfilled their demand, the people of Thamud soon returned to their arrogance. So, they rebelled against the instructions of the Prophet. Nine of them laid a plot to kill the She-Camel and her newborn, tempted by some women. One of them shot it in the leg with an arrow, while the other man struck it with a sword in the other leg. As it fell to the ground, it enormously growled one last time before it died. The growl was a warning for the young foal who ran towards an impregnable mountain, and growled three times, which Saleh interpreted that their punishment would come in three days.
The people of Thamud remained obstinate and underestimated Saleh's threat; Rather, they became more impudent and arrogant. After they killed the She-Camel and committed the great sin that Allah, The Almighty, and His Prophet forbade them to do, they also conspired to kill the Prophet Saleh (PBUH). Moreover, they asked him to bring the punishment as quickly as possible. Allah, The Almighty, responded to their request and their punishment came in the form of a terrible noise from heaven assailed them and the earthquakes seized them, and they lay dead and prostrate in their homes.
