That Allah, Majestic is His Majesty, only granted respite to Thamud and delayed the Cry (Sayha) from them when they deserved the punishment—for He, Exalted is the Speaker, said: "{Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days. That is a promise not to be denied.}" 1 .
And that was because it was the day of Nowruz. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, magnified it too much to send down punishment during it. So Allah delayed them a day before it and a day after it, then the Cry seized them.
And from him, may Allah brighten his face, with a chain of his tracing it up to the Master (Al-Mawla), may His Might be exalted, that He said:
"The day of Nowruz is a day preferred over all other days, like My preference over all creation.
It is a Light (Nur) for him who knows it, and a Ruz that shelters (yujiru) the servants of Allah from the wrath of Allah and His punishment. It is the day on which Allah turned in mercy towards Adam. And it is the day on which Allah raised Idris to a high place. And it is the day on which Allah saved Noah and those with him from drowning. And He ransomed Ishmael with a great sacrifice. And He returned Joseph to Jacob.