Qur'anic verses - Salih and the People of Thamud:

The Thamud people were the successors to the culture and civilization of the 'Ad people. Likewise 'Ad, their story also belongs to Arabian tradition. Their land was the north-west region of the Arabian Peninsula.

Their land was green and fertile; God said:

Gardens and Springs, and cornfields and date palms with spathes near breaking (with the weight of the fruit)?
[Qur'an 26:147-148]

They were skilled Architects and great builders. They carved out of the rocks houses which are standing to the present time in a place known Petra, a site in modern Jordan. God said:

And ye carve houses out of (rocky) mountains with great skill.
[Qur'an 26:149]

The people of Thamud adored idols besides God. Prophet Salih, peace be upon him, was sent as an apostle to preach to his own people; reminding of the Oneness of God. God said in the Qur'an, in chapter 11:61:

To the Thamud people (We sent) Salih, one of their brethren: He said: "O my people! worship God; ye have no other God but Him

Further, Salih is referring to the power and knowledge of the Creator, reminding his people with God's favours. It can also be seen as a reminding of God's might in contrast to their frailty, regardless their skills and physiques;

It is He Who hath produced you from the earth and settled you therein

Other verses reveal what was underpinning their stance against Salih. They would not accept the idea of an ordinary man among themselves to be in this position and to receive God's revelation. It is a matter of haughtiness, vanity and jealously. It is apparent from other scenarios in different stories that the question of the human nature of the prophets alienates some sectors of the society, in particular those who regard themselves as upper class, or who are confused about the concept of God's Oneness.

The Thamud rejected warnings. For they said: "What! a man! a solitary one from among ourselves! shall we follow such a one?
[Qur'an 54:23-24]

Obviously, in the absence of the logic, the arrogant will turn to abusive language and aggressive attitude. Before, their dispute with Salih, the prophet, he, as a citizen, was a centre of their hopes. When Salih became a prophet of God then he became the accused one!; The following verses show clearly the drift in attitude of those few monopolizers among the chieftains of his people.

Thou hast been among us hitherto as that wherein our hope was place. Dost thou forbid us the worship of what our fathers worshipped?
[Qur'an 11:62]

They said: "Thou art only one of the those bewitched!
[Qur'an 26:153]

Nay, he is a lair, the insolent one!
[Qur'an 54:25]

In pursuing their rejection to Salih's call, they requested some form of miracle. Apparently, their request was the beginning of their end. As a matter of fact, the wise people would see God's Signs in his creations: all over the earth, in the Universe, and inside themselves. The Prophet of God is not an entertainer to please his audience, nor a superman who brings wonders and miracles. The prophecy is about receiving God's revelation as a guidance to all men to live in the way that their Creator chose for them. When the Children of Israel made a conditional offer to Moses! that is to see God, to believe in him! They were dazed with thunder and lightening as a Penalty for their arrogance (see Qur'an 2:55). It is therefore, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, would not ask God what might be regarded as a fulfilment of some people fantasies, such as, a mountain of Gold, or converting the desert into Gardens and Springs.

Then bring us a Sign, if thou tellest the truth!"
[Qur'an 26:154]

Here came the symbol to test the cruel hearts of those who oppressed the poorer people. The upper class of Thamud would not allow their poorer brethren or their cattle to share the waters and pastures with them. They asked Salih for a Sign! God's Sign for them came as a Camel, who would share the waters and pastures that the poorer people could not approach. The Camel was a miracle of God by all standards: the way she appeared to them and grazed. But most importantly it was a test for the arrogant ones who thought that they could mock with God or his prophet.

For We will send the she-camel by way of trial for them. So watch them, and possess thyself in patience! And tell them that the water is to be shared between (her and) them.
[Qur'an 54:27-28]

The inevitable end came with the Camel, the Sign which they asked for. They could not bear the Camel sharing their waters and lands. They killed her regardless of the warning from Salih;

And inflict no harm on her, or a swift Penalty will seize you. But they did hamstrung her. So he (Salih) said: "Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days: (Then will be ruin)
[Qur'an 11:64-65]

Those who were corrupted with might and power, thought that their rocky houses would prevent them from God's wrath. It took no more than a single Blast associated with a terrible earthquake which destroyed them in their own mighty homes;

So the earthquake seized them
[Qur'an 7:78]

The (mighty) Blast overtook the wrongdoers, and they lay prostrate in their homes before the morning.
[Qur'an 11:67]

Their splendid buildings became ruins; as empty as it were their hearts before the day of Penalty has seized them;

Now such were their houses,--- in utter ruin,--- because they practised wrongdoing. Verily in this is a Sign for people of knowledge.
[Qur'an 27:52]

God shall save who are righteous to inherit the earth and to establish the true religion among the coming generations;

And We saved those who believed and practised righteousness.
[Qur'an 27:53]