Is it permissible to visit Mada'in Saleh for the sake of admonition?

The questioner : Is it permissible to visit Mada'in Saleh for the sake of admonition?

The Shaykh : The questioner asks: Is it permissible to visit Mada'in Saleh for the sake of admonition? Yes, it is permissible, on the condition that a person does not enter it except while weeping, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: As for going there to look at the extent of the power of the people in the past, that is not permissible. The difference is clear, because the one who goes there in order to look at the power of these people, his going there is a leisure trip and a luxury, and it is as if the punishment that befell them did not happen. As for the one who goes there while weeping and fearing, there is no blame on him. For this reason, when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) passed by these dwellings on his journey to Tabuk, he lowered his head, covered it, and hastened in his walking. Yes.