The people of Thamud lived in the Al-Hijr region between Hijaz and Tabuk, and God gave them strong bodies and skill in carving houses inside the mountains. Despite the great blessings they had, they worshiped idols and disbelieved in God, so God sent to them a prophet from among them, Saleh, peace be upon him, a man known among them for honesty, honesty, and a rational mind.
Saleh, peace be upon him, called them to worship God alone and abandon what they worship besides God, and reminded them of God’s blessings upon them, and how He enabled them on earth, and that they should be grateful for His blessings, not disbelieve in Him. But most of them argued and were arrogant, and said to him: “You are only human like us,” and they challenged him to bring them a sign that would prove his prophethood.
The people asked for a specific sign, which was for Salih to emerge for them from a great rock, a living she-camel with perfect creation. So he called upon his Lord, and God responded, and the she-camel emerged before their eyes in a majestic scene. It was a miraculous camel:
She had something to drink one day, and they had something to drink another day, but when the day of her drinking came, they would not approach water, and they would drink from her milk, and it would be enough for all of them.
As the miracle became clear, most of the people continued to be stubborn, and even began to think about getting rid of the camel. Qadar bin Salif and a group of miscreants killed the camel after they agreed to do so, despite Saleh’s warning to them. When they killed her, Saleh said to them:
“Enjoy yourselves in your home for three days. This is a promise that cannot be lied to.”
That is, God's punishment will befall you after three days.
On the first day their faces became yellow, on the second day red, and on the third black, and these were signs of approaching torment.
At the end of the three days, a great cry came from the sky and a tremendous trembling from the earth, so they became crouched in their homes, and none of them who disbelieved and oppressed were spared. As for Saleh, peace be upon him, and those who believed with him, they were saved and moved away from the people’s homes before the torment descended.
The story of Saleh, peace be upon him, is a reminder of God’s rule among nations: that stubbornness and arrogance, despite the clarity of the truth, lead to destruction, and that God’s mercy is vast for those who believe and follow guidance.