The Message: Proof of Messengership
[7:75] The arrogant leaders among his people said to the common people who believed, “How do you know that Saaleh is sent by his Lord?” They said, “The message he brought has made us believers.”
[7:76] The arrogant ones said, “We disbelieve in what you believe in.”
[7:77] Subsequently, they slaughtered the camel, rebelled against their Lord’s command, and said, “O Saaleh, bring the doom you threaten us with, if you are really a messenger.”
[7:78] Consequently, the quake annihilated them, leaving them dead in their homes.
[7:79] He turned away from them, saying, “O my people, I have delivered my Lord’s message to you, and advised you, but you do not like any advisers.”
In verse 75 it shows that the message is what causes one to be a believer. The miracle is just a guiding light, but not everyone will believe despite seeing the miracle.
Is the advice mentioned in 79 different than the message?
[58:12] O you who believe, when you wish to confer with the messenger, you shall offer a charity (to the poor) before you do so. This is better for you, and purer. If you cannot afford it, then GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
[4:176] They consult you; say, “GOD advises you concerning the single person. If one dies and leaves no children, and he had a sister, she gets half the inheritance. If she dies first, he inherits from her, if she left no children. If there were two sisters, they get two-thirds of the inheritance. If the siblings are men and women, the male gets twice the share of the female.” GOD thus clarifies for you, lest you go astray. GOD is fully aware of all things.
Also the example of Joseph interpreting the king’s dream.
Interesting that the disbelieving people always ask for the retribution and not the blessings as seen in verse 77.
To what extreme a human ego will take someone to attempt to win a point.
Why would they go out of their way to slaughter the camel and not just ignore it?
[26:155] He said, “Here is a camel that will drink only on a day that is assigned to her; a day that is different from your specified days of drinking. [26:156] “Do not touch her with any harm, lest you incur retribution on an awesome day.” [26:157] They slaughtered her, and thus incurred sorrow.
Darwin felt sick to his stomach when he would see the peacock and the vibrant colors because it went against his theory of evolution.
Saaleh: One and the Same Message
[11:61] To Thamoud we sent their brother Saaleh. He said, “O my people, worship GOD; you have no other god beside Him. He initiated you from the earth, then settled you in it. You shall seek His forgiveness, then repent to Him. My Lord is always near, responsive.” [11:62] They said, “O Saaleh, you used to be popular among us before this. Are you enjoining us from worshiping what our parents are worshiping? We are full of doubt concerning everything you have told us.”
The Disbelievers Always Losers
[11:63] He said, “O my people, what if I have solid proof from my Lord, and mercy from Him? Who would support me against GOD, if I disobeyed Him? You can only augment my loss. [11:64] “O my people, this is GOD’s camel to serve as a proof for you. You shall let her eat from GOD’s earth, and do not touch her with any harm, lest you incur an immediate retribution.” [11:65] They slaughtered her. He then said, “You have only three days to live. This is a prophecy that is inevitable.” [11:66] When our judgment came, we saved Saaleh and those who believed with him by mercy from us, from the humiliation of that day. Your Lord is the Most Powerful, the Almighty. [11:67] Those who transgressed were annihilated by the disaster, leaving them in their homes, dead. [11:68] It was as if they never lived there. Indeed, Thamoud have rejected their Lord. Absolutely, Thamoud have incurred their annihilation.
False Messengers Incapable of Preaching the Worship of God ALONE*
[26:210] The devils can never reveal this. [26:211] They neither would, nor could. [26:212] For they are prevented from hearing. [26:213] Therefore, do not idolize beside GOD any other god, lest you incur the retribution.
In regards to 7:78 it seems like some people of Saaleh were annihilated by a quake and some by lighting.
[51:43] In Thamoud (there is a lesson). They were told, “Enjoy temporarily.” [51:44] They rebelled against the command of their Lord. Consequently, the lightning struck them as they looked.
Saaleh
[27:45] We have sent to Thamoud their brother Saaleh, saying, “You shall worship GOD.” But they turned into two feuding factions. [27:46] He said, “O my people, why do you hasten to commit evil instead of good works? If only you implore GOD for forgiveness, you may attain mercy.” [27:47] They said, “We consider you a bad omen for us, you and those who joined you.” He said, “Your omen is fully controlled by GOD. Indeed, you are deviant people.” [27:48] There were nine gangsters in the city who were wicked, and never did anything good. [27:49] They said, “Let us swear by GOD that we kill him and his people, then tell his tribe, `We know nothing about their death. We are truthful.’ ”
God Protects The Believers
[27:50] They plotted and schemed, but we also plotted and schemed, while they did not perceive. [27:51] Note the consequences of their plotting; we annihilated them and all their people. [27:52] Here are their homes utterly ruined, because of their transgression. This should be a lesson for people who know. [27:53] We save those who believe and lead a righteous life.
It may also be earthquake lightning:
Bizarre Earthquake Lights Finally Explained
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/01/140106-earthquake-lights-earthquake-prediction-geology-science/