Tafsir of Ash-Shu`ara' 26:155

"He said: This is a she-camel..."

"Shirb" (share of water): A portion of water, similar to saqy (watering) and qut (sustenance), referring to the allotted share of water and food. It is also recited with a damma (shurb).

The Miracle: It is narrated that they said: "We want a pregnant she-camel to emerge from this rock and give birth to a foal." Salih sat reflecting, then Gabriel (peace be upon him) said to him: "Pray two rak'ahs and ask your Lord for the she-camel." He did so, and the she-camel emerged, knelt before them, and gave birth to a foal equal to her in size.

Size and Consumption:

• Abu Musa: I saw the place from which it emerged, and it was sixty cubits.
• Qatada: On the day of its turn to drink, it would consume all their water, while they had a turn on the day it did not drink.

"With evil" (bi-su'): Meaning with a blow, slaughter, or otherwise. The day is described as "great" because the punishment descended upon it. Describing the day itself is more emphatic than describing the punishment, for when a time is magnified due to an event, the impact of that event is more severe.

"But they hamstrung her, and became regretful. So the punishment seized them. Indeed, in that is a sign, but most of them were not believers. And indeed, your Lord—He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful."