Is My Family of More Weight to You Than Allah?

Look at the response of Sayyidunā Shuʿayb (peace be upon him). He said: qāla yā qawmi a-rahṭī aʿazzu ʿalaykum mina Allāh? O my people, is my family of more weight to you than Allah? You say that you don't want to kill me for my family — Allah (swt), you're not afraid of Him at all? So you're keeping me alive not for the sake of Allah, just because of my family. Allah (swt) — you're not including Him in the equation at all. He's telling them: why should you respect me for my family? Respect me for Allah (swt). Fear Allah.

Wa-ttakhadhtumūhu warāʾakum ẓihriyyā: and you have cast Allah away behind your backs. They have put Allah (swt) behind their backs. They're completely ignoring the law of Allah (swt) — completely.

And this is expected from people who are wealthy, and rich, and strong. Because the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) says: aw ghinan muṭghiyā — wealth that will make you arrogant. When people have money, they feel that they could get everything they want. They could buy everything. They could buy material goods; they can buy happiness; they can buy power; they can buy fame; they can buy political positions. People think they could buy anything they want with their money. A person could start thinking that with my money I don't need anyone, because I could buy everything with my money — I don't even need Allah (swt). Sometimes that happens.

And the people of Shuʿayb were in that state. They felt that they don't need anybody; they don't need anyone; they don't even need Allah (swt). So they were so arrogant. They have put Allah (swt), and the commandments of Allah, behind their backs. So this is the message of Shuʿayb.