Juz 12: Hūd 6 to Yūsuf 52
Section 12 of 19 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
The Story of Prophet Shu'ayb
The narrative of Prophet Shu'ayb in Surah Hood represents one of the most instructive accounts of economic justice in the Qur'an. Beginning in verse 84, Allah introduces Shu'ayb's mission to the people of Madyan:
وَإِلَىٰ مَدْيَنَ أَخَاهُمْ شُعَيْبًا قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ ۖ وَلَا تَنقُصُوا الْمِكْيَالَ وَالْمِيزَانَ
“And to Madyan (We sent) their brother Shu'ayb. He said, 'O my people, worship Allah. There is no god for you other than Him. And do not curtail the measure and the weight.'" [11:84]”
What distinguishes Shu'ayb's mission is its emphasis on commercial integrity alongside the fundamental call to tawhid (monotheism). His people were merchants who engaged in fraudulent business practices, including manipulating weights and measures to increase profits dishonestly. Shu'ayb's admonition addressed not just spiritual corruption but economic injustice as the manifestation of their moral decay.
Shu'ayb continued by reminding his people of Allah's blessings and warning against diminishing what rightfully belonged to others:
إِنِّي أَرَاكُم بِخَيْرٍ وَإِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ مُّحِيطٍ
“I see you in prosperity, and I fear for you the punishment of a day that will encompass all." [11:84]”
The economic reforms Shu'ayb advocated were founded on the principle that wealth, while desirable, must be pursued through ethical means. His call for fair dealing in business transactions demonstrates the inseparable connection between faith and economic justice in Islam. Commercial integrity is not merely a secular value but a divine command.
The response of his people reveals their materialism and attachment to ancestral practices:
قَالُوا يَا شُعَيْبُ أَصَلَاتُكَ تَأْمُرُكَ أَن نَّتْرُكَ مَا يَعْبُدُ آبَاؤُنَا أَوْ أَن نَّفْعَلَ فِي أَمْوَالِنَا مَا نَشَاءُ ۖ إِنَّكَ لَأَنتَ الْحَلِيمُ الرَّشِيدُ
“They said, 'O Shu'ayb, does your Salāh (prayer) command you that we should forsake what our fathers used to worship or that we should not do with our wealth what we please? You are surely the forbearing, the right-minded man.'" [11:87]”
Their sarcastic remark about Shu'ayb being "right-minded" reveals their deep-seated resistance to reform. They mockingly questioned whether his prayers - his connection to Allah - were dictating their economic practices, highlighting the tension between divine guidance and worldly autonomy that continues to challenge believers today.
Shu'ayb responded by emphasizing that his mission was not to restrict their economic freedom but to establish justice:
قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِن كُنتُ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّي وَرَزَقَنِي مِنْهُ رِزْقًا حَسَنًا
“He said, 'O my people, tell me, if I have a clear evidence from my Lord, and He has provided me with a good provision from Himself...'" [11:88]”
He clarified that his goal was reformation, not personal gain:
وَمَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُخَالِفَكُمْ إِلَىٰ مَا أَنْهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ ۚ إِنْ أُرِيدُ إِلَّا الْإِصْلَاحَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ
“And I do not want to do in your absence what I forbid you from. I want nothing but to set things right as far as I can." [11:88]”
Despite Shu'ayb's earnest admonitions, his people persisted in their rejection. Their arrogance culminated in threats of violence and expulsion:
قَالُوا يَا شُعَيْبُ مَا نَفْقَهُ كَثِيرًا مِّمَّا تَقُولُ وَإِنَّا لَنَرَاكَ فِينَا ضَعِيفًا ۖ وَلَوْلَا رَهْطُكَ لَرَجَمْنَاكَ
“They said, 'O Shu'ayb, we do not understand much of what you say, and surely we see you weak among us. But for your clan, we would have stoned you." [11:91]”
The consequence of their persistent rejection was divine punishment. Allah's decree came upon them in the form of a devastating earthquake:
فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الرَّجْفَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوا فِي دَارِهِمْ جَاثِمِينَ
“So, the earthquake seized them, and they remained lifeless in their homes." [11:94]”
As the destruction befell his people, Shu'ayb, having fulfilled his duty of conveying Allah's message, departed with the believers who had heeded his call:
وَلَمَّا جَاءَ أَمْرُنَا نَجَّيْنَا شُعَيْبًا وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنَّا
“And when Our command came, We saved Shu'ayb and those who believed with him, out of mercy from Us." [11:94]”
The narrative of Prophet Shu'ayb illustrates that economic justice is an integral component of faith. His story serves as a powerful reminder that commercial dealings must be conducted honestly, with full measure and justice, as these principles are essential aspects of true worship of Allah.