and branches—into doors, chairs, and the like. Thus, the creation attributed to a created being is not the same as the creation attributed to the Creator. The creation attributed to the Creator means bringing something into existence from nothing, which no one else is capable of doing. What is attributed to a created being is merely alteration and transformation: changing something from one state into another. As for changing substances themselves—such as turning gold into silver, silver into iron, or the like—that is impossible. None can do this except Allah alone, who has no partner.
Then He said: “And Thamūd, who carved the rock in the valley.” Thamūd were the people of Sālih, and their dwellings are still known today, as Allah, Exalted is He, said: “The people of al-Hijr denied the messengers.” [al-Hijr: 80]
In Sūrat al-Hijr, Allah mentioned that Thamūd inhabited the land of al-Hijr, which is well known. The Prophet—may Allah bless him and his family and grant them peace—passed by it on his way to Tabūk. He hastened and covered his head—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and said: “Do not enter upon these people who were punished unless you are weeping. If you are not weeping, then do not enter upon them, lest what befell them should befall you.” (1)
Allah granted these people such strength that they could cut through mountains and massive rocks and fashion houses from them. Hence He said: “They carved the rock in the valley,” meaning the valley of Thamūd, which is well known. Allah also inflicted punishment and exemplary chastisement upon them. They were told, “Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days.” Then, after those three days, the mighty blast and the earthquake seized them, and by morning they lay lifeless in their dwellings. We must therefore take heed from the fate of these deniers, whose ultimate end was destruction and ruin.
It should also be known that this nation will not be destroyed by the same universal punishment with which the previous nations were destroyed, for the Prophet—may Allah bless him and his family