Prophets of Allah – Shu’aib (Alayhis Salam)
The People of Madyan were Arabs, who lived in the city called Madyan which is closer to Syrian border not far from Dead Sea.
The People of Madyan were disbelievers, they worshipped a thicket tree Al-Aiykah. They were highway robbers who frightened and robbed wayfarers. They cheated in business in measure and weight. Overall they were people with evil behaviour.
Allah sent Prophet Shu’aib (AS) to the people of Madyan to call them to the worship of Allah and to forbade them from the evil they were doing.
Some people believed in the preaching of Shu’aib (AS) and became believers but most of them rejected him. The chiefs of Madyan behaved arrogantly with him and threatened to expel him and his followers from the city, unless they return back to their religion and worship Al-Aiykah.
After a long process of preaching and repeated rejection and threats, Shu’aib (AS) sought help from Allah against his people to inflict upon them what they deserved for their evil practice. And Allah does not reject the prayers of His Prophets and Messengers against those who persistently reject their call to monthesim and good.
”So an earthquake overtook them and they fell lifeless in their abodes” (Quran 7:91)
This ayat from Surah Al-A’raf, describes that they were seized by an earthquake. The earth was shaken so violently that their souls departed their bodies and they fell lifeless.
“And when Our Commandment came, We saved Shu’aib and those who believed with him by a Mercy from us. And As-Saihah (a blast, a torment awful cry) seized the wrong-doers. And they lay dead prostrate in their homes (Quran 11-94)
This Ayat from Surah Al-Hud describes the people of Madyan shouted out loud to Prophet Shu’aib (AS) so their shout met the shout (blast) of Allah and they were seized and destroyed by the tremendous Blast.
“But they belied him, so the torment of the day of shadow (a gloomy cloud) seized them. Indeed that was the torment of a Day of overshadowing gloom, it was the chastisement of a grevious day” (Quran 26-189)
This Ayat from Surah Ash-Shu’ara describes the shadowing gloom which came over them bringing a shower of ashes and cinder.
Ibn Kathir explains the events which brought about the destruction of the people of Madyan as follow –
The people of Madyan faced a severe punishment from Allah. They were siezed by a severe heat and the wind stopped blowing for seven days by Allah’s permission. Neither any water cooled them nor was there any shade to relieve them from the heat.
So they left their homes searching for open places and there came a cloud where they gathered underneath it. When they all gathered below the cloud, Allah sent sparks, shower of ashes and cinders. (Surah Ash-Shu-ara)
And then the earth was shaken (earthquake – Surah Al-A’raf).
And then came the Blast (Surah Hud) from the sky and they all fell lifeless.
Allah rescued Shu’aib (AS) and those who believed with him by his Mercy.
Reference : The Holy Quran; Stories of the Prophets (Ibn Kathir)
(For introduction and Mission of Prophet Shu’aib (AS) please read on Instagram Account – rise_02_shinewithquran)