(73–79) “And to Thamūd We sent their brother Sālih”—to the end of their story (1).

That is, “And” We sent “to Thamūd”—the well-known tribe who inhabited al-Hijr and its surrounding areas in the Hijāz and the Arabian Peninsula—“their brother Sālih,” as a prophet calling them to faith and monotheism and forbidding them to associate partners and rivals with Allah. “He said: O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him.” His call, peace be upon him, was of the same nature as that of his fellow messengers: commanding the worship of Allah and explaining that people have no deity other than Him.

“A clear proof has come to you from your Lord”—that is, an extraordinary event transcending customary norms, which could only be a heavenly sign beyond human power. He then explained it by saying: “This she-camel of Allah is a sign for you.” That is, this is a noble and distinguished she-camel because she is ascribed ⦗295⦘ to Allah Most High as a mark of honor, and in her is a tremendous sign for you. The nature of that sign is mentioned in His words: “She shall have her share of water, and you shall have your share on an appointed day.”

They had a large well, known as the She-Camel’s Well, which they and the she-camel used on alternate days. On the she-camel’s day, she would drink from it, and they would drink the milk from her udder. On their day, they would come to draw water from it, while the she-camel would withdraw from them.

Their prophet Sālih, peace be upon him, told them: “So leave her to graze in Allah’s land,” for you bear none of the burden of providing for her, “and do not touch her with harm”—that is, by hamstringing her or harming her in any other way—“lest a painful punishment seize you.”