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The People of Madian and Their Character:
Long ago a nation colonised in the northern Arabia. This nation
had an ancestral link with Madian, the son of Prophet Ibrahim
(peace be upon him). The name of the habitation where he resided
was also Madian. It was a fertile land which produced rich
crops. Most of the people had adopted trade as their profession
and earned a lot of money by fair or foul means. They hankered
after wealth from dawn to dusk. They used to give short measures
and weight to their customers. They were dishonest and deceitful
in their dealings. In addition to malpractices in commerce and
trade the People indulged in theft, debauchery, fornication and
numerous unlawful acts. The abundance of wealth had made those
people refractory and wayward. They were not afraid of God even
and did whatever they liked. They ignored all moral values.
Allah sent Shu'aib for the reformation of His people. The Holy
Qur'an says:
"And unto Madian We sent their brother Shu'aib who said: O' my
people! serve Allah, you have no god save Him. There has come to
you a manifest sign from your Lord: then give good weight and
measure, and be not niggardly of your gifts to men and do not do
evils in the earth after it has been righted. That is better for
you if you are believers." (7:83-86)
The Prophet Shu'aib Preaches and is Tortured:
According to the research of Ibn Khaldun the mother of Prophet
Shu'aib (peace be upon him) was the pious daughter of the
Prophet Lut (peace be upon him). His genealogy joins with Madian
son of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him). The Prophet Shu'aib
(peace be upon him) was an eloquent orator. He had the surname
of Khatibul Anbiya (the Preacher to the Prophets).
He advised the people to mend their ways and give up wrangling
in evil ways. The people turned a deaf ear to his advice and
ridiculed him whenever they had got an opportunity. They began
to torture him. The mischief makers used to sit in the way
towards the residence of the Prophet Shu'aib (peace be upon him)
and threatened his visitors of dire consequences. They disgraced
those who followed him. He continued preaching and warned the
evil doers by saying:
"And sit not down in every path, threatening and turning from
the path of God those who believe in Him and craving to make it
crooked. Remember when you were few and He multiplied you; and
see what was the end of the evil doers. "
Some haughty chiefs of the Madian tribe threatened the Prophet
Shu'aib (peace be upon him) and his followers to be banished
from that locality. The Holy Qur'an affirms:
"Said the crowd of those who were big with pride amongst his
people: We Will surely turn you out, O' Shu'aib and those who
believe with thee from our village, or else you should return to
our faith'' (7: 88)
The Prophet Shu'aib (peace be upon him) was not coerced by such
threats and went on conveying the message of Allah. He reminded
them of dreadful calamities which befell upon the previous
nations The Holy Qur'an affirms:
"And, O' my people! let not the schism with me cause you to sin
so that there befall you that which befell the folk of Nuh? and
the folk of Hod and the folk of Salih and the folk of Lut are
not far off from you." (11: 89)
Visitation Befalls upon them:
The people jocularly rejected the veracity and truth of the
religion of Allah. They tortured Prophet Shu'aib (peace be upon
him)and his followers by transgressing all moral limits. When
they did not give up their obstinacy in doing evil actions,
Allah destroyed them by descending dreadful chastisement upon
them. The Holy Qur'an says:
"And when Our Commandment came to pass, We saved Shu'aib and
those who believed with him by a mercy from Us, and the awful
cry seized those who did injustice and morning found them
prostrate in their dwellings As though they had not dwelt there.
A far removal for Madian, even as Thamud had been removed afar."
(11:94,95)
"But they denied him, so there came on them the retribution of
the day of gloom. LO! it was the retribution of an awful day."
(16: 189)
Death and Burial:
After the perdition of that sinful nation. Prophet Shu'aib
(peace be upon him) settled in Hadramaut where he passed away
after some time. He was buried in Shaban near the Valley of Ibn
'ALI. The people came from far and wide to visit his sacred
grave.
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