Translation
(Shuaib continued his conversation): “O my people, do not make your opposition to me push you to do evils and thereby face the same consequences that visited the people of Noah, the people of Hud and the people of Salih. The people of Lot were not too far from where you are. Ask for forgiveness from your Sustainer God and turn to Him in repentance. My Sustainer God is full of Mercy and Love!”
(Leaders of his) community responded: “Shuaib, we do not understand (or care to understand) much of what you say. We find you weaker among ourselves. It is only because of clan that we have not stoned you (to death) yet and you have very little power against us.” He (Shuaib) replied: “O my people, how do you hold my clan more in awe than God? And regarding God, you cast Him aside and become utterly unmindful, whereas God takes accounts of all that you do. O my people, do whatever you can (against me), according to your ability and I too am exerting myself (to the best of my ability). You will come to know, soon enough, who faces the evil consequences of his conducts that will disgrace him and will prove him to be a liar. You wait and watch and I do the same with you.” 505
As the time to carry out God’s decision came, We saved Shuaib and his followers with mercy from Us while a loud bang overtook those who did evils such that they were lifeless bodies in their own homes, as if they have never lived in them. The people of Midian perished, and so did the people of Thamud!
Interpretation
505 Prophet Shuaib was sent to a region of the Gulf of Aqabah to the mountain of Moab, east of Dead Sea, close to where Sodom and Gomorrah are situated. His community not only refused to give up their evil social and business practices and worship of false gods, but also argued with him about the unreasonableness of his guidance in that he was asking them to change their life and social norms. It was clear that they would do him physical harm except that his clan was protecting him from such abuse, no different than what Prophet Mohammad had faced from his own community, which is well documented in historical narratives of his life. Advice given to Shuaib by God for patience, humility, and righteous conduct is the same that was given to Prophet Mohammad—6:135, 39:38–41, 9:52, 32:28–30, 7:87
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REFLECTION
The history of human conditions does not repeat exactly, but it does rhyme in a way that shows similar forces and similar mindsets at work, and the consistency with which God deals with human conditions and human conducts.
ACTION
Forces of evil should be confronted, especially in our world of the twenty-first century, with sound reasoning, forceful arguments, social policies, and democratic means rather than with force and coercion, which cause more harm than good, all the while maintaining unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and respect for fellow human beings.