Surah 26. Ash-Shuara, Ayah 141

For the Thamud people see n. 1043 to vii. 73. They were great builders in stone and a people with agricultural wealth, but they were an exclusive people and oppresed the poor. The point emphasised here is: "How long will your wealth last, especially if you depress your own people and dishonour Allah's Signs by sacrilege?" The insciptions on the Thamud remains of rock-cut buildings in Al-Hijr are described in the Appendix at the end of this Sura.