Shuaib (pbuh)
The Prophets of Allah
based on
the narrations by Ibn Kathir
The Story of Shuaib
Allah the Almighty revealed
the story of Shu'aib (PBUH): « And to (the people of) Madyan
(Madian) (We sent) their brother Shu'aib. He said: "O my people! Worship Allah,
you have no other Ilah (God) but Him. Verily, a clear proof (sign) from your
Lord has come unto you; so give full measure and full weight and wrong not men
in their things, and do not mischief on the earth after it has been set in
order, that will be better for you, if you are believers. And sit not on every
road, threatening, and hindering from the Path of Allah those who believe in
Him, and seeking to make it crooked. And remember when you were but few, and He
multiplied you. And see what was the end of the Mufsideen (mischief-makers,
corrupts, liars). And if there is a party of you who believes in that which I
have been sent and a party who do not believe, so be patient until Allah judges
between us, and He is the Best of judges."
The chiefs of those who were
arrogant among his people said: "We shall certainly drive you out, O Shu'aib,
and those who hare believed with you from our town, or else you (all) shall
return to our religion."
He said: "Even though we hate it! We should have
invented a lie against Allah if we returned to your religion, after Allah has
rescued us from it. And it is not for us to return to it unless Allah, our Lord,
should will. Our Lord comprehends all things in His Knowledge. In Allah (Alone)
we put our trust. Our Lord! Judge between us and our people in truth, for You
are the Best of those Who give judgment."
The chiefs of those who
disbelieved among his people said (to their people): "If you follow Shu'aib, be
sure then you will be the losers!"
So the earthquake seized them and they
lay (dead), prostrate in their homes. Those who belied Shu'aib, became as if
they had never dwelt there (in their homes). Those who belied Shu'aib, they were
the losers.
Then he (Shu'aib) turned from them and said: "O my people! I
have indeed conveyed my Lord's Messages unto you and I have given you good
advice. Then how can I sorrow for the disbelieving people's
(destruction)."»Surah 7: 85-93
The people of Madyan were Arabs who
lived in the country of Ma'an, part of which today is greater Syria. They were a
greedy people who did not believe that Allah existed and who led wicked lives.
They gave short measure, praised their goods beyond their worth, and hid their
defects. They lied to their customers, thereby cheating them.
Allah sent
His Prophet Shu'aib (PBUH) armed with many miracles. Shu'aib preached to them,
begging them to be mindful of Allah's favors and warning them of the
consequences of their evil ways, but they only mocked him. Shu'aib remained calm
as he reminded them of his kinship to them and that what he was doing was not
for his personal gain.
They seized the belongings of Shu'aib and his
followers, then drove them out of the city. The Messenger turned to his Lord for
help, and his plea was answered. Allah sent down on them scorching heat, and
they suffered terribly. On seeing a cloud gathering in the sky, they thought it
would bring cool, refreshing rain, and rushed outside in the hope of enjoying
the rainfall. Instead, the cloud burst, hurling thunderbolts and fire. They
heard a thunderous sound from above, which caused the earth under their feet to
tremble. The evil-doers perished in this state of horror.
Allah the
Exalted stated: «The dwellers of Al-'Aiyka (near Midian or
Madyan) belied the Messengers. When Shu'aib said to them: "Will you not fear
Allah (and obey Him)? I am a trustworthy Messenger to you. So fear Allah, keep
your duty to Him, and obey me. No reward do I ask of you for it (my Message of
Islamic Monotheism), my reward is only from the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind,
jinn and all that exists). Give full measure, and cause no loss (to others). And
weigh with the true and straight balance. And defraud not people by reducing
their things, nor do evil, making corruption and mischief in the land. And fear
Him Who created you and the generations of the men of old."
They said:
"You are only one of those bewitched! You are but a human being like us and
verily, we think that you are one of the liars! So cause a piece of the heaven
to fall on us, if you are of the truthful!"
He said: "My Lord is the Best
Knower of what you do."
But they belied him, so the torment of the day of
shadow (a gloomy cloud) seized them, indeed that was the torment of a Great Day.
Verily, in this is a sign, yet most of them are not believers. And verily! Your
Lord, He is indeed the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.» Surah 26:
176-191