The Meaning of Allah’s Saying: “Thamud denied [the truth] because of their transgression” and the Ruling on Going to the Lands of Thamud and Others

The Shaykh : Thamud, do you know them, my brother? Do you know Thamud? Do you know Thamud? Who are they?
The student: The people of Salih.

The Shaykh : The people of whom?
The student: The people of Salih.

The Shaykh : Well done, may Allah reward you. Thamud are the people of Salih. Their cities are known today in al-Hijr, the Cities of Salih. These people denied [the truth] and transgressed, and their transgression will be mentioned later. These cities exist and are known today, and many people visit them. But unfortunately, many people go there to take a lesson from the strength of these people and their carving of dwellings out of the mountains, and they see this as a historical monument. And this, by Allah, is the very error. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)—and there is no doubt about this—the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) passed by these cities on his way to Tabuk. Do you know what he did? He lowered his head, covered it, and hastened his pace. And he said: . Where are those who enter these cities weeping? Where are they? They are few. If you wish, say they are nonexistent. Most of them go for the spectacle and to see the strength of these people. And this is the very error.
If someone were to say: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . And this Ummah is protected from being struck by a general punishment. This is a mercy from Allah (Mighty and Majestic). We say: The saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him): does not mean the earthquake and the shout; it means arrogance toward the truth and rejecting the truth. Perhaps this man who went to these cities to see the strength of these punished people might develop a sense of awe for these people and their monuments in his heart. And when that happens, he will perish, he will perish just as they perished, because if he exalts them, their arrogance will become small in his own eyes, and Satan will take hold of him and say, “These people were punished for no sin,” may Allah protect us from that. And when that happens, he will perish. Because some people have asked: How can the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) say: when this Ummah is guarded against a general punishment? We say: The “striking” here is not the striking of punishment, but the striking of what? Denying the truth and being arrogant toward it. A person may be tested with this. Therefore, I advise my brothers who go to these places not to go except under the condition that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned. What is it? That they be weeping. If they are not weeping, they should not enter them or approach them.