Prophet Shuaib(as)

Prophet Shuaib(as)

Prophet Shuaib(as) was sent to the people of Madyan- a city to the north of Medina, between Syria and Hejaz.

His people were called Ashab-ul-Madyan and Ashab-ul-Ayka or the people of the tree because they used to worship a really large, thick tree called Ayka nestled among lots of trees.

The dishonest people

These people were tradesmen or businessmen and Allah had made them very rich.

However, they had fallen in love with their wealth and would use crooked ways to amass more and more.

They used to cheat and they would not use full measure. For example, if they had to measure and weigh 1 kilo they would sell like 750 or 800 gms. Thus they would charge people inappropriately.

They also used to tax everybody who would pass through their lands. In fact, they were the first ones to charge taxes.

Multiple Choice

What area did Prophet Shuaib(as) came to?

• Egypt

• Madyan

• Jerusalem

• Ninevah

Khateeb ul Anbiya

Hazrat Shuaib(as) was very eloquent. He is also known as Khateeb ul Anbiya- he spoke very well, he reasoned and debated with people in a concise manner.

Open Ended

Use the word eloquent to write a sentence

Prophet Shauib advised

• Oh my people, worship Allah, you have no god other than Him.

• Give full measure and weight in all fairness.

• Do not defraud people of their goods and do not spread mischief in the land.

• Do not sit in ambush on every road to threaten people and hinder from the way of Allah those who believe in Him, seeking to make His Way crooked.

• What remains from Allah (through a lawful transaction) is better for you if you are true believers.

• Remember how He multiplied you when you were few in numbers.

Multiple Select

What were the sins these people had fallen into?

• idol worshiping

• tree worshiping

• robbing people of their lawful income

• burying their daughters

• cheating people

mocked and insulted

The people mocked and ridiculed him, saying he is a big liar. 

They said, Shuaib you pray too much, so you tell us to leave that which our forefathers have been doing. You tell us to change our business practices. We have the right to do however we want to amass our wealth. What does your Salah have to do with our business? We suspect that you want to stop us so that you can become richer than us.

Prophet Shuaib's response

• I have a clear sign from my Rabb and He has given me good sustenance from Himself

• It is not my intention to forbid something, while I do the same forbidden thing

• My desire is to do as much goodness as possible

• My success and guidance depends on Allah

• In Allah do I trust and to Him do I turn for everything

• You might dislike me but do not let that mislead you from the right path. Concentrate on what I am saying

Multiple Select

How did the people insult and mock the Prophet?

• called him a liar

• called him a hypocrite

• threw stones at him

• made fun of his salah

• threatened him

Open Ended

How could those people have created mischief through their business transactions?

Azab of Allah

Prophet Shuaib left his people. In the beginning, Allah sent them extremely hot weather in which the wind stopped. After seven days of this humid weather, the people saw dark clouds. They thought it was rain clouds, but it started thundering very loudly. People started running and the earth trembled and shook violently. Finally, there was a scream and all the disbelieving, corrupt people died.

Lessons from this story

Do not use unlawful means to gain wealth

Do not use wealth to exploit other people:

Rich people tend to think they are powerful and everyone should dance to their tune. They forget that all the wealth remains here and they have to go back to Allah.

Multiple Select

some ways to cheat people in business are:

• cheating, lying about the quality or quantity of your goods

• Paying your employees less than their efforts

• paying people on time

• delaying the other person's payment for no valid reason

• being honest about any defects in your goods

Do not go beyond our means:

Many of us try to live our life according to society’s standards and that is why we resort to unlawful means of earning or unnecessary expenditures on credit. Learn to be content with what Allah has given us. It is shaitan who makes us compete in wealth.

Remember how our fathers have struggled and we will learn to be thankful for our present conditions

Do not separate religion and business:

Islam has laid out rules for our transactions as well so one cannot be a cheat in business while professing to be mindful of his salah, roza, and other ibadah.

Do not mistake an abundance of wealth as barakah

concept of goodness and tawfique