The Ruling on Visiting Mada'in Saleh

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, is it permissible to visit Mada'in Saleh, which exists today, for the sake of admonition and taking a lesson? And is there a ruling against visiting it except by weeping and passing through it quickly without stopping there?

Answer:
When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed by it, he covered his head (peace and blessings be upon him) and forbade his Companions, saying: "Do not enter the homes of these punished people unless you are weeping, lest you be afflicted with what afflicted them." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade entering it. Therefore, it is better for a person not to go there or enter it. If he is determined to go, he should not enter it except while weeping, fearful, and trembling. He should not enter it with an open chest, relaxed, strolling, and enjoying himself as if going to a spring, a pond, or a stream. No, that is not permissible. It is possible that you will be afflicted with what afflicted them, may Allah protect us from that. Yes.