What is the ruling on intending to visit Mada'in Saleh? And what is the ruling on passing through it?

The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh: What is the ruling on intending to visit Mada'in Saleh? And what is the ruling on visiting it if a person is heading north and, on his return, passes through it merely as a pass-through?

The Shaykh : Yes, as for passing through it, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed through it, but he hastened, (peace and blessings be upon him), and covered his head and hastened. And he said, (peace and blessings be upon him): Therefore, it is not permissible for a person to go to these ruins for sightseeing or recreation, but rather for taking a lesson that is accompanied by weeping; otherwise, he is in safety and should leave it. And the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him): does not mean general punishment, because this nation, praise be to Allah, will not be punished in a general manner. But rather, what may befall you is what befell them: hardness of heart, turning away, and abandoning the religion. So the important point and the wisdom of this is that people who go to these lands in a manner other than what the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) intended will end up with a sense of reverence for these people in their hearts, due to what they see of the precision, strength, and power of the construction. And if reverence for the disbeliever enters the heart of a believer, he is in great danger. Do you understand? So it is that what may befall you is like what befell them. Some people ask, "How is this? This nation will not be punished with a general punishment." We say: hardness of heart and turning away from the Shari'ah. Yes.