And as to the reaction of the obstinate Thamood to the...

And as to the reaction of the obstinate Thamood to the logical reasoning of their prophet, they rudely hamstrung God's she-camel and destroyed their own self and soul!:ِ ``They hamstrung her! And Salih said to them:ِ Enjoy yourselves in your houses for three days and then God's wrath will smite youِa promise not to be belied.'' A respite of three days was given them for further consideration and perhaps repentance, that God is the Most Merciful and the Compassionate Forgiver.

But they paid no heed, because their hearts were sealed, their eyes veiled, and their ear were deaf! When three days elapsed an awful earthquake preceded by a heavy rolling sound, came by night, and turned their secure and safe homes to their graves and pits of the Hell! In the morning they were lying on their faces and the powerful was rendered powerless!

It seemed so that the terrible earthquake had eyes to see, and sight to [ 184 ] distinguish friend from foe, because no harm was done to Salih and to those who believed with him! The verb hamstring has been used collectively in the above verse, while the traditions imply that only one man from among Thamood hamstrung the she-camel and disabled her.

This is because the majority of the people of Thamood approved the action of the individual, and in the sight of Islam, he who agrees by heart with an action of the others, and encourages and enjoins that action, he too has actually taken a part in that, and has his own share of responsibility.

(FROM GOD'S MERCY) [ 185 ] THE COMMENTARY THE FATE OF THAMOOD (VERSE NO.