And when he informed them that disobedience to Allah is loss, he reminded them of the matter of the she-camel which Allah, glorified and exalted is He, brought forth for them from the earth as a witness to their being equal to the idols in being preferred over them by having life. He warned them of His severe vengeance and said: "And O my people, this" pointing to the present, and that was after He brought it forth for them, glorified and exalted is He, when Salih, peace be upon him, called upon Him; and he clarified the reference by saying: "The she-camel of Allah" meaning the supreme king. Then he established a state from "a sign" preceding it so that it would not be a description for it, and he said: "For you" meaning: specifically for your sight of it when it emerged and for everyone who hears of it after you. And the news is not like the sighting. It was pointed out to it while it was "a sign" by the fact that Allah, exalted is He, brought it forth for you from a rock, and it is ten months old according to what you proposed, and you are witnessing it. And by its being unique in drinking on one day, and you all being unique in drinking on one day, and it being unique in grazing on one day, and all the animals of your livestock and the wild beasts of your land being unique in grazing on one day, and other than that which you are seeing and knowing. "So leave it" meaning: let it be in whatever state you leave it. "To eat" [meaning from what it desires] "in the land of Allah" meaning the king to whom belongs all command, which He created from it. "And do not touch it with harm" and eating is chewing that occurs when swallowing; and touching is the general term for contact and can be between the animal and others, and touching is more specific than it due to the perception involved in it. "So that it may take you" meaning: it may cause you to be taken "by a near punishment" meaning: from the time of your harming it.