[ 466 ] The story of Thamud as narrated by QURA"N will show...

[ 466 ] The story of Thamud as narrated by QURA"N will show how the history has been repeated:ِ Thamud (too) belied the Messengers of God, when their brother Salih said to them:ِ ``I am a trustworthy apostle for you, then beware of Allah and obey me.'' Allah sent His Messenger Salih to preach and to warn them, and probably to guide them to truth and to the straight way of real development and evolution. He told them:ِ ``Do you think that you shall abide in what you have forever?

And that these fruitful gardens and farmlands that are watered from springs will remain in your possession forever?

Do you think that these firm chambers that you have hewed in the rocks, will prevent death to catch you?'' ``Beware of Allah and obey me, and do not obey the order of the prodigals who make mischief in the land, and amend not anything.'' In order to prove his truthfulness, Salih brought them a sign from Allah, which was a she-camel who miraculously came out of the rocks, but the people, and in particular their chiefs, accused the prophet of God of sorcery; and then they foolishly incurred the wrath of God, and soon after Allah destroyed them all.

***** WHO WERE THAMUD? Historian say that THAMUD were an old Arab tribe, whose capital was a town named Petra. As their material civilization advanced, their spiritual culture lagged behind that they became godless and infidels, and finally God destroyed them all. They were a wealthy people and skilled carvers of stones. They hewed their houses in the mountains to be secure, and were much occupied in amusements, festivity, and [ 467 ] making merry.

They were cruel to the weak, and oppressed the poor. The cities were on the old caravan road, from Medina to Syria some 180 miles; a place which is called now, ``MADA"IN-AL-SALIH'' which means the cities of Salih. In this place is seen the ruined site of the people of Thamud, to whom the apostle Salih had been sent, whose marked miracle was a she-camel that had come out of the rocks by the request of Thamud chiefs, as a sign of Salih's prophethood.

There in the cities of Salih are several dated inscriptions that are preserved, besides many sepulchral rock-hewn chambers, in some of which human bones and remain were found. Among these graves and chambers, there is also the ruins of a great hall in which their gods were worshipped. The people of Thamud were not only skilled in hewing the rocks.