The city is shattered because the people reject the teachings of the Prophet Saleh that is currently known as Mada'in Saleh.
Madain Saleh comes from Arabic meaning Saleh City, is an ancient city located in northern Hijaz (currently called Saudi Arabia).
Located about 25 kilometers from the city of Al-Ula, Mada'in Saleh was once populated by the Thamud (the Prophets of Saleh) and Nabatea.
They lived 3,000 years before Christ, lived between the days of Noah's Prophet until the time of Prophet Musa (AS).
This historic site is located northwest of the city of Al-Ula, in a strategic position on one of the most important routes during the ancient trading period.
This region connects the southern peninsula of Arabia to the north, along with the advent of the economic and cultural center of Mesopotamia, Syria and Egypt.
The distance between Mada'in Saleh and the city of Madinah is about 450 kilometers, while from Makkah about 900 kilometers. From Medina taken about 4 hours through a long path splitting the mountain and desert rocks.
Mada'in Saleh was formerly known as Al-Hijr (rocky hill), or Hegra in Greek. Al-Hijr means rocky place, because its location is indeed a rocky hill.
This title lasted until the 14th century or 1336 AD, until a tourist from Andalusia (now Spain) changed its name to Mada'in Saleh or Saleh city. The name Saleh is taken from the name of Prophet Saleh AS.