فَعَقَرُوهَا فَقَالَ تَمَتَّعُوا فِي دَارِكُمْ ثَلاَثَةَ...

You have been a source of hope among us so far.'' This clause of the verse reminds us of the brilliant title of AMIN= TRUSTWORTHY, given to Mohammad (AS) in his youth by Qureish and Meccans. His life with the Arabs was so gentle and righteous that, before his prophetic mission they nicknamed him Amin which means trustworthy.

So he could easily have been elected a king or a chief of the chiefs if he had only conformed with their caprices and superstitious gods, but he was born for a much higher mission, and God's will was eventually done. And so was the case of Salih who lived a life among Thamood, before his assignment as a Messenger of God. This is why they flattered him saying:ِ ``O, Salih!

You have been a source of hope among us so far, and now you [ 183 ] forbid us to worship the gods that our fathers have been worshipping!'' This great prophet of God, without giving up or falling to despair, in a state of utmost self-possession told them:ِ ``What then if I stand upon evidences and clear proofs from my Lord, and that he has bestowed on me a Mercy from him.

How then can I disobey such a Merciful Lord, and who can protect me against his wrath, which is the manifestations of justice, if I disobey Him? O, My People! There is the miraculous she-camel of Allahِa sign of Him for your consideration. So give up your monopoly and let God's gifts on the earth be available to all His creatures.

Respect the sign of your Lord, and let her graze in this extensive pasture that God has made for His creatures, and, harm her not.'' As to the SHE-CAMEL= NA"GHIH, which was a miracle disclosed by the prophet Salih, the Holy Qura"n gives no detail. But through some Islamic traditions we come to know that she had come out of the heart of a mountain miraculously!

She was drinking a large amount of water, and when she was at the spring the other domestic animals dared not to approach or touch the water!