Salih called Thamud to worship Allah alone. They asked for a sign, and Allah sent a she-camel as a clear sign, with the instruction to share the water with her and not to harm her.
The most wretched of them hamstrung the she-camel in defiance. Salih told them to enjoy themselves in their homes for three days, after which the punishment came — a mighty blast that left them lifeless in their homes.