Al-A'raf 68–81
Three communities that rejected Allah's messengers are presented in succession: the 'Ad destroyed by cold wind, the Thamud who slaughtered the she-camel then struck by earthquake, and Lot's people with an evil not seen before.
Verses 68-72 continue to explain the facts faced by Prophet Hud sent to the 'Ad. The problem they faced was the same as faced by Nuh before them. Hearts dried of the watering of faith, conviction and knowledge so they greatly struggled to accept Prophet Hud's preaching to worship Allah alone and abandon polytheism and ancestral religious traditions, even though Prophet Hud conveyed his message with maximum effort and trust.
Indeed there were many concrete evidences that should have made them accept Prophet Hud's message. Among them: Hud was from their own people, spoke their language as well, they were successors of the people of Nuh before them who were destroyed by Allah with a great flood, their bodies were created stronger than previous humans and various blessings Allah bestowed upon them.
Because of their disobedience and polytheism, Allah was angered and sent them punishment with extremely cold and strong wind for 7 nights 8 days as explained in Surah Al-Haqqah verses 6-8. They all perished except those who believed in Hud whom Allah saved.
Verse 73 explains the case faced by Prophet Salih sent to the Thamud. The essence of Prophet Salih's preaching is the same as Prophet Nuh and Prophet Hud before him, namely calling his people to worship Allah alone and regulate this life according to Allah's system revealed through His Messengers. Again the same case repeated though the actors were different. They rejected the teaching of Tawhid and maintained the teaching of polytheism and its derivatives. Finally, Allah tested them with a she-camel that must not be slaughtered or harmed. If they harmed or slaughtered it, Allah would send tremendous and painful punishment upon them.
Verses 74-79 continue the story of Prophet Salih and his disobedient people. They did not want to remember at all the tremendous and many blessings Allah bestowed upon them. They were successors of the 'Ad people before them whom Allah destroyed with strong wind. Allah gave them place on earth so they could build great houses like palaces and carve mountains into magnificent dwellings.
Rather than remembering Allah's tremendous blessing, the leaders and notables of the Thamud openly said to Salih that they rejected or disbelieved in Allah's existence. They also slaughtered the she-camel that Allah had forbidden and even challenged Salih saying: O Salih! Bring upon us the punishment you promise if you are truly a Messenger. Then Allah sent a tremendous earthquake. Instantly they became corpses scattered in their houses.
Witnessing this event, as a human wishing well for his people, Prophet Salih grieved and said while separating from them: O my people! I have conveyed my Lord Creator's message to you and I have advised you. But you do not like good advice.
Verse 81 explains the same thing faced by Prophet Luth. However, with somewhat different evil and disobedience. But the outcome is the same, namely polytheism and not ready to make Allah One. The people of Prophet Luth, besides engaging in polytheism, enjoyed homosexuality so it became a very bad and disgusting culture for normal people. Such transgression had never happened in times before them. They refused to marry women, but rather with fellow males. According to Allah, as the Creator of humans, homosexual and lesbian behavior tramples His system.
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