Surah al-A`raf (The Elevated Places) 7 : 73

Explanatory Note

This is yet another episode in the history of mankind. Yet another sinking into ignorance and a confrontation between the truth and falsehood that ends in another destruction of the unbelievers.
 
“And to Thamūd [We sent) their brother Şāliĥ. He said: My people, worship God alone: you have no deity other than Him.’” (Verse 73) It is the same single statement with which the creation of man started and to which humanity will certainly return. It is also the same method of belief, direction, confrontation and delivery of the message. Here we also have an addition referring to the miracle which was given with the Prophet Şāliĥ’s message when his people demanded it in order to believe in him: “Clear evidence of the truth has come to you from your Lord. This she-camel belonging to God is a token for you.” (Verse 73)
 
As the sūrah gives a quick presentation of the history of faith, the results of believing in it and the consequences of its rejection, it does not go into the details of the people’s request for a miracle. It simply refers to its existence as soon as it has outlined the essence of the message given by the Prophet Şāliĥ. Nor does this sūrah give us any details about the she-camel other than describing it as “a clear evidence of the truth ... from your Lord ... a she-camel belonging to God ... a token from Him.” From all this we realize that she was a very special she- camel, or that she was brought up for them in an extraordinary way to make of her a clear proof, and to make its belonging to God particularly significant, confirming Şāliĥ’s prophethood. We refrain from adding anything about the she-camel which is not mentioned in this most accurate of sources. Indeed, what is mentioned here is more than sufficient.
 
“So leave her alone to pasture on God’s earth and do her no harm, lest grievous punishment befall you.” (Verse 73) Since she is God’s camel, then she should be left alone to graze on God’s earth, or else the warning will take effect.
 
After having given them the miracle and made the warning clear, Şāliĥ begins to counsel his people to remember and reflect, bearing in mind the fate of past nations. He also reminds them that it is their duty to show their gratitude for the power they have been given as successors to those nations.