Allah the Almighty revealed the story of Shu'aib (pbuh): "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. Remember when you were but few, and He multiplied you. See what was
the end of the Mufsideen (mischief makers, corrupts and 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 have 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. 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 gives 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!"
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)." (Ch 7:85-93 Quran)
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.
Defraud not people by reducing their things nor do evil making corruption and mischief
in the land. 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 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." (Ch 26:176-191 Quran).