Al-Qamar (The Moon)

29. But they called their comrade and he took [a sword] and slew [her].

30. Then, how is My Torment and My Warnings?

The disobedient, vain, and obdurate people made up their minds to slay the she-camel though Prophet Salih (as) had warned them that if they harm her in any way, they would be afflicted with torment.

But, they ignored his warning and called one of their comrades and asked him to slay the she-camel. The Arabic word sahib may herein allude to one of the chiefs of the people of ‘Ad who was one of their most notorious scoundrels named in historical accounts as Qadara ibn Salif. He was an ugly villain and one of the most inauspicious people of the time.

The Arabic word ta‘ati originally denotes handling something or embarking upon some act, but it also connotes fulfilling significant, perilous, toilsome, and profitable tasks. It is worthy of not that all these interpretations are possible in the blessed Verse in question, since embarking upon slaying the she-camel required audacity.

Furthermore, it was toilsome and naturally entailed remuneration. The Arabic word ‘aqar is cognate with ‘uqr originally denoting root and basis, but employed as to camels, it connotes slaying or cutting sinews. Different reports exist as to the manner of slaying the she-camel. Some maintain that her sinews were severed with sword.

Some hold that Qadara lay in ambush behind a rock and shot her with an arrow and then attacked her with a sword. The following blessed Verse in question opens the account of the horrible torment of the disobedient people: "Now observe the manner of My Torment and Warnings."