◈ The People of Shu‘ayb (علیہ السلام) and the Divine Punishment on the Nation of Madyan ◈
By: Qari Usama bin Abdussalam حفظه الله
Allah sent Prophet Shu‘ayb (علیہ السلام) as a messenger to the people of Madyan, a nation deeply immersed in corruption, injustice, and polytheism. Despite receiving clear guidance, they rejected his message, persisted in sin, and ultimately became deserving of Allah’s severe punishment.
The people of Madyan were known for dishonesty in trade—they would shortchange in weight and measure, causing economic injustice and social decay.
They oppressed the weak, abused their power, and spread widespread injustice, violating both divine and human rights.
They were engaged in shirk, worshiping idols and rejecting the call to tawḥīd delivered by Prophet Shu‘ayb (علیہ السلام).
Prophet Shu‘ayb (علیہ السلام) warned his people of Allah’s impending punishment and urged them to abandon their evils. However, they mocked his message, denied his guidance, and refused to repent.
As an initial sign, Allah sent upon them intense heat. The scorching climate made the land unbearable, yet they did not turn back to Allah.
A cloud appeared, and in search of relief, the people gathered under it. But the cloud carried Allah’s wrath, not mercy.
As they stood under the cloud, a mighty earthquake (rajfah) struck them, followed by a thunderous blast (ṣaiḥah) that annihilated the entire nation.
Surah Al-A‘rāf (7:91):
﴿فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الرَّجْفَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوا فِي دَارِهِمْ جَاثِمِينَ﴾
"So the earthquake seized them, and they lay lifeless in their homes."
Surah Ash-Shu‘arā (26:189):
﴿فَأَخَذَهُمْ عَذَابُ يَوْمِ الظُّلَّةِ إِنَّهُ كَانَ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ﴾
"Then the punishment of the Day of the Canopy overtook them. Indeed, it was the punishment of a tremendous day."
Allah destroyed the people of Madyan due to their:
– Persistent rebellion
– Refusal to reform
– Engagement in fraud, injustice, and shirk
Their annihilation serves as a powerful reminder for all nations.
This event teaches us that when a society:
✔ Ignores divine commandments
✔ Rejects prophetic guidance
✔ Indulges in corruption, deception, and idolatry
…it becomes deprived of Allah’s mercy and vulnerable to His wrath.
The story of Prophet Shu‘ayb (علیہ السلام) urges us to embrace righteousness, fulfill rights, and adhere to divine laws so that we may be spared from punishment.
By: Qari Usama bin Abdussalam حفظه الله
❀ Introduction: The Mission of Prophet Shu‘ayb (علیہ السلام) ❀
Allah sent Prophet Shu‘ayb (علیہ السلام) as a messenger to the people of Madyan, a nation deeply immersed in corruption, injustice, and polytheism. Despite receiving clear guidance, they rejected his message, persisted in sin, and ultimately became deserving of Allah’s severe punishment.
❀ Evils of the People of Madyan ❀
➊ Cheating in Measurements
The people of Madyan were known for dishonesty in trade—they would shortchange in weight and measure, causing economic injustice and social decay.
➋ Injustice and Corruption
They oppressed the weak, abused their power, and spread widespread injustice, violating both divine and human rights.
➌ Polytheism
They were engaged in shirk, worshiping idols and rejecting the call to tawḥīd delivered by Prophet Shu‘ayb (علیہ السلام).
❀ Warnings and Rejection
Prophet Shu‘ayb (علیہ السلام) warned his people of Allah’s impending punishment and urged them to abandon their evils. However, they mocked his message, denied his guidance, and refused to repent.
❀ The Divine Punishment on Madyan ❀
➊ Scorching Heat
As an initial sign, Allah sent upon them intense heat. The scorching climate made the land unbearable, yet they did not turn back to Allah.
➋ The Shaded Cloud
A cloud appeared, and in search of relief, the people gathered under it. But the cloud carried Allah’s wrath, not mercy.
➌ Earthquake and Celestial Blast (Rajfah and Ṣaiḥah)
As they stood under the cloud, a mighty earthquake (rajfah) struck them, followed by a thunderous blast (ṣaiḥah) that annihilated the entire nation.
❀ Qur’anic References to the Punishment ❀
Surah Al-A‘rāf (7:91):
﴿فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الرَّجْفَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوا فِي دَارِهِمْ جَاثِمِينَ﴾
"So the earthquake seized them, and they lay lifeless in their homes."
Surah Ash-Shu‘arā (26:189):
﴿فَأَخَذَهُمْ عَذَابُ يَوْمِ الظُّلَّةِ إِنَّهُ كَانَ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ﴾
"Then the punishment of the Day of the Canopy overtook them. Indeed, it was the punishment of a tremendous day."
✔ Conclusion: The Consequence of Disobeying Divine Commands
Allah destroyed the people of Madyan due to their:
– Persistent rebellion
– Refusal to reform
– Engagement in fraud, injustice, and shirk
Their annihilation serves as a powerful reminder for all nations.
❀ Lesson for Today ❀
This event teaches us that when a society:
✔ Ignores divine commandments
✔ Rejects prophetic guidance
✔ Indulges in corruption, deception, and idolatry
…it becomes deprived of Allah’s mercy and vulnerable to His wrath.
The story of Prophet Shu‘ayb (علیہ السلام) urges us to embrace righteousness, fulfill rights, and adhere to divine laws so that we may be spared from punishment.
