The Story of Prophet Shu'aib (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

Shu'aib (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is a Prophet in Islam and is believed to be Jethro, according to Judeo-Christian tradition. However, this belief is not unanimously agreed upon and is disputed.

The story of Prophet Shu'aib (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) unfolds in a region named Madyan, which is within greater Syria today.

This area was surrounded by dense forests and was home to a community of traders. Although they were prosperous in their trade, the people of Madyan were fraudulent in their business dealings.

They frequently deceived customers by selling defective or short-measured goods. As a hub for merchants, Madyanites were feared for ambushing caravans and demanding fees for safe passage through their town.

The Madyanites were not only dishonest in trade but also disbelievers, rejecting the existence of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) and reportedly worshipping the woodlands and nature Gods.

They are mentioned in Surah Qaf ayah 14 as Ashab al-Aykah or "Companions of the Wood." In response to their corruption and disbelief, Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) bestowed His mercy by sending guidance by appointing a prophet from their own community. He selected a man named Shu'aib (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) for the important task.

Ushering a corrupt and haughty community to abandon their past beliefs and embrace a new way of life is undoubtedly not an easy task.

Especially given how their unethical business had long benefited them and would require significant sacrifice. But, Prophet Suhaib (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was resolute in carrying out this mission of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) and bringing others into the fold of Islam.

Prophet Shu’aib (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) addressed his people, urging them to renounce their false gods and turn to worship Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) alone.

He reminded them of all the blessings that Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) had showered on them and cautioned them of the severe punishment should they persist in their rebellion against His guidance.

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So fulfill the measure and weight and do not deprive people of their due and cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. That is better for you, if you should be believers.

And do not sit on every path, threatening and averting from the way of Allah those who believe in Him, seeking to make it [seem] deviant. And remember when you were few and He increased you. And see how was the end of the corrupters.

And if there should be a group among you who has believed in that with which I have been sent and a group that has not believed, then be patient until Allah judges between us. And He is the best of judges.

(Surah Al-A’raf, ayat 85-87)

In Surah Ash-Shua'ra, verses 177-184, Prophet Shu’aib (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) shares a similar plea for the righteousness of his people and emphasizes the importance of fearing Allah.

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The disbelievers, unwilling to change and filled with greed, mocked Prophet Shu’aib (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) they replied in sarcasm,

O Shu’ayb! Does your Prayer enjoin upon you that we should forsake the deities whom our forefathers worshipped, or that we should give up using our wealth as we please? Do you fancy that you, and only you, are forbearing and right-directed?
(Surah Al-Hud, ayah 87)

Prophet Shu’aib (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was a man of wisdom and reason. He tried to show them he had no interest in taking their wealth, but the deep-seated corruption in their hearts blinded them to his honest intentions. Their suspicions and self-centeredness clouded their judgment, preventing them from recognizing the truth.

So, in an effort to awaken their conscience, he reminded them of the end that befell the people of Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), Hud (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and Salih (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and beseeched them to seek Allah’s (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) sincere forgiveness.

Undeterred by threats, Shu’aib (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) continued to renounce the religion of their ancestors and preached the religion of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). His persistence infuriated the chiefs of Madyan as they saw no respite from Shu'aib (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

The chiefs, fearing a loss of their prestige and authority within the clan, understood the risks of allowing Shu’aib (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his followers to propagate their beliefs unchallenged.

Fearing that many more would join Shu’aib (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), the chiefs withheld Shu’aib’s (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) belongings and those of his followers and drove them out of Madyan. So the Prophet prayed to his Lord and pleaded for His assistance.

This day is known as the "torment of the canopy" and is not explicitly detailed in the Qur'an or any authentic traditions. But we are told it was a day of divine retribution against those who defied Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) guidance. Some commentators write about a continuous storm, with violent thunderbolts that brought about their destruction.

In the Tafseer Ma'ariful Qur'an, a vivid depiction is presented,
"Allah Ta’ ala sent down such an extreme heat on a people that they could not find comfort either inside the houses or outside. Then He sent down a mass of dark cloud over a nearby forest, under which there was a cool breeze. As the entire people were distressed due to excessive heat, they ran to take shelter under the cloud.