Surah Al A'raf Notes (85-93) | Story of Shu'ayb & the Land of Madyan

Story of Shu`ayb, upon him be Peace, and the Land of Madyan

Muhammad bin Ishaq said, "They (the people of Madyan) are the descendents of Madyan, son of Midyan, son of Ibrahim. Shu`ayb was the son of Mikil bin Yashjur. And in the Syrian language, his name was Yathrun (Jethro)''.

Shu`ayb was called `Speaker of the Prophets', because of his eloquent words and eloquent advice.

 (85)And to (the people of) Madyan (Midian), (We sent) their brother Shu'aib. He said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. [La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)]." Verily, a clear proof (sign) from your Lord has come unto you; so give full measure and full weight and wrong not men in their things, and do not mischief on the earth after it has been set in order, that will be better for you, if you are believers.

(He said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other God but Him'') and this is the call of all Messengers.

("Verily, a clear proof (sign) from your Lord has come unto you;'') meaning, `Allah has presented the proof and evidences of the truth of what I brought you.' He then advised them and commanded them to give full measure and full weight and not to wrong men in their dealings, meaning, to refrain from cheating people in buying and selling. They used to treacherously avoid giving full weight and measure.


Prophet Shu`ayb forbade his people from setting up blockades on the roads.

(86)"And sit not on every road, threatening, and hindering from the Path of Allah those who believe in Him. and seeking to make it crooked. And remember when you were but few, and He multiplied you. And see what was the end of the Mufsidun (mischief-makers, corrupts, liars).

("And sit not on every road, threatening,'') threatening people with death if they do not give up their money, as they were bandits.

("and hindering from the path of Allah those who believe in Him, and seeking to make it crooked.'') meaning, you seek to make the path of Allah crooked and deviated.

("And remember when you were but few, and He multiplied you.'') meaning, you were weak because you were few. But you later on became mighty because of your large numbers. Therefore, remember Allah's favor.

("And see what was the end of the mischief-makers. '') from the previous nations and earlier generations. See the torment and punishment they suffered, because they disobeyed Allah and rejected His Messengers. 

 (87)"And if there is a party of you who believes in that with which I have been sent and a party who do not believe, so be patient until Allah judges between us, and He is the Best of judges."

("And if there is a party of you who believes in that with which I have been sent and a party who does not believe,'') that is, if you divided concerning me.

("and He is the best of judges.'') Surely, Allah will award the best end to those who fear and obey Him and He will destroy the disbelievers.


Allah describes the way the disbelievers answered His Prophet Shu`ayb and those who believed in him.

 (88)The chiefs of those who were arrogant among his people said: "We shall certainly drive you out, O Shu'aib, and those who have believed with you from our town, or else you (all) shall return to our religion." He said: "Even though we hate it!

("Even though we hate it''), means, would you force us to do that, even though we hate what you are calling us to Certainly if we revert to your religion and accept your ways, we will have uttered a tremendous lie against Allah by calling partners as rivals to Him.

 (89)"We should have invented a lie against Allah if we returned to your religion, after Allah has rescued us from it. And it is not for us to return to it unless Allah, our Lord, should will. Our Lord comprehends all things in His Knowledge. In Allah (Alone) we put our trust. Our Lord! Judge between us and our people in truth, for You are the Best of those who give judgment."

(And it is not for us to return to it unless Allah, our Lord, should will.) This part of the Ayah refers all matters to Allah's will, and certainly, He has perfect knowledge of all matters and His observation encompasses all things.

(In Allah (Alone) we put our trust. ), concerning all our affairs, what we practice of them and what we ignore.

(Our Lord! Judge between us and our people in truth) judge between us and our people and give us victory over them.

(for You are the best of those who give judgment) and You are the Most Just Who never wrongs any in His judgment.

 (90)The chiefs of those who disbelieved among his people said (to their people): "If you follow Shu'aib, be sure then you will be the losers!"

 (91)So the earthquake seized them and they lay (dead), prostrate in their homes.

(So the earthquake seized them and they lay (dead), prostrate in their homes) Allah said that the earthquake shook them, as punishment for threatening to expel Shu`ayb and his followers.

 (92)Those who belied Shu'aib, became as if they had never dwelt there (in their homes). Those who belied Shu'aib, they were the losers.

(They became as if they had never dwelt there) meaning, after the torment seized them, it looked as if they never dwelled in the land from which they wanted to expel their Messenger Shu`ayb and his followers. 

(93)Then he (Shu'aib) turned from them and said: "O my people! I have indeed conveyed my Lord's Messages unto you and I have given you good advice. Then how can I sorrow for the disbelieving people's (destruction)."

("O my people! I have indeed conveyed my Lord's Messages unto you and I have given you good advice.'') Shu`ayb said, I have conveyed to you what I was sent with, so I will not feel any sorrow for you since you disbelieved in what I brought you.