PROPHET SHUAYB AND MADYANITES

 

"When our command came, we saved Shuayb and those who believed with him by mercy from Us. And the roaring blast overtook those who had wronged, so they fell lifeless in their homes. As if they had never prospered therein. So, away with (the people of) Madyan as had been the case with Thamud" (Q11:94-95). This is just one of the several instances where Almighty Allah (SWT) had descended his punishment immediately on wrongdoers. 

Other cases include the people of Prophet Nuh, whom Allah destroyed with flood (Q7:64); the people of Prophet Lut (the Sodomites), whom Allah punished with rain of stones (Q11:82); the people of prophet Hud (the Adites), whom Allah destroyed with violent windstorm for seven nights and eight days in succession (Q69:6-7); the people of Salih (Thamudites), whom Allah punished with thunderbolt, shriek and earthquake (Q7:78, 11:65, 51:44). These indicate that our Creator has varieties of punishments in His stock, to deal with evildoers.

Shuayb is one of the four Arabian prophets mentioned in the Holy Qur'an alongside Prophets Hud (AS), Salih (AS) and Muhammad (SAW), as stated in a Hadith of the Holy Prophet, even though many scholars considered it to be weak. Shuayb was sent by Allah to his people, the people of Madyan, a small town close to modern-day Syria. The people of Madyan are also known as ashabul-aykah because they were surrounded with trees, one of which they worship. Asides this, they were also involved in various kinds of atrocities such as reducing scale, injustice, corruption, collection of huge taxes among others. According to Sheikh Ibn Kathir, the people of Madyan were the first to impose charges and tolls on people passing through their realm (islamreligion.com).

Allah (SWT) directed Prophet Shuayb to guide them towards the right path as He said in the Holy Qur'an that "And to the people of Madyan, (We sent) their brother Shuayb. He said, "O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord. So fulfill the measure and weight and do not deprive people of their due and cause not corruption upon earth after its reformation. That is better for you, if you should be believers"" (Q7:85). He further reminded them of the mercies and blessings of Allah upon them. He made them know that he is not trying to prove that he is better them. He also warned that their ways of life can attract punishment from Allah, similar to those of the people of Nuh, Hud, Salih or Lut. "And O my people! Let not (your) opposition to me cause you to sin so that there may befall you the like of what befell the people of Nuh, or the people of Hud, or the people of Salih; and the people of Lut are not far off from you", he said to them (Q11:89). 

Despite the warnings of Prophet Shuayb, only a few people believed and obeyed him. Those who disbelieved him are not ready to abandon what their forefathers worshipped and wanted to do whatever they like with their properties. 

The eminent ones who were arrogant among them threatened to drive him out of the town and would have even stoned him (to death) if not for his family. "We will surely evict you, O Shuayb, and those who believed with you from our city or you must return to our religion", said the unbelievers (Q7:88). Despite the threats, Shuayb continued his admonition as he was ordained by Allah (SWT). They eventually expelled him and his followers after which the punishment of Allah descended upon them. They were exposed to searing heat for at least seven days, according to Ibn Kathir. They attempted to cool off with water, but to no avail (islamreligion.com). Then they were seized by shriek and earthquake, and they became corpses in their land. "Those who rejected Shuayb became as if they never dwelt in their homes. Those who denied Shuayb - it was they who were the losers" (Q7:92).

Abdulsabur Akinade