The Dense Forest Dwellers 2

(11-84-87)(7-84-90)

          Shuaib further elaborated his position and said, “You want us to join you in your ancient ways, but this would amount to telling lies about Allah and fabricating stories about the Almighty. This daring step we cannot take. Once the guidance comes to us and we have accepted it, we cannot turn back.  I do not tell other people to do something and then refuse to do it myself.  I see that you are enjoying prosperity. God has given you many bounties, so don’t change these bounties into doom by defrauding people and not giving them their due.

          The stiff-necked chieftains refused to accept Shuaib’s advice. Since the guidance was clear and based on facts, they were unable to give a reasonable answer. Like most powerful and mean people, they took refuge in violence.  The proud leaders went to the members of Shuaib’s party and threatened them with the dire consequences of their choices.  With the help of money and power, they blocked every road that led to righteous living.  Shuaib also reminded them about the painful end of those who denied God’s laws.

          All of Shuaib’s sympathy and compassion for the nation bore no fruit.  The leaders blankly refused to accept Shuaib’s advice.  They said, “We do not understand what you are saying. One thing we do understand: you want us to leave the gods of our forefathers. Moreover, the worship of gods according to us is: to pray in the temple, sing praises for various gods, do some charity in their name, and help in maintaining the structure of the temple. But you are telling us that we cannot spend our money in any way we like.  Your salath (prayer) is covering every aspect of our behavior.  You say we have to surrender ourselves completely to the laws of God. This concept is beyond our comprehension, and we do not believe in it.”

          (11-92)(26-186-188)(7-91-92)

          Shuaib’s only answer was, “I have received the light of guidance from God, and I am calling you towards it.  I am not afraid of you because I depend on God for my protection and food.  The greatest difficulty you face in understanding my message is that you comprehend God not as all powerful sovereign. You use the Almighty God as a dhriah (extra).”

          In ancient times, people used to travel on camels.  Sometimes the camel could fall sick or meet an accident. In order to safeguard such an eventuality, Midians used to take an extra camel with them, so they could use it in the time of emergency.  Otherwise this extra camel had no use; it was a burden for the caravan.  What Shuaib pointed out was their use of God as a last resort, or an excuse.  In reality, the people of Midian and the Dwellers of the Dense Forest did not believe in God.

          When Shuaib pointed out the weakness in their concept of God, the leaders became furious and said, “You are not a powerful man in our nation.  We place you among the weak folks.  We are not doing any harm to you because we have regards for your community.  You want to rob us of our prosperity by introducing your new way of living. You had better be more careful about what you say.  We think you are either a liar or bewitched.  Ask your God to cut a piece of sky and throw it upon us; then we will believe in you.  At present, you are posing as though you are the only kind and righteous person in the nation.”

          “Shame on you! You are not afraid of God Almighty; you are afraid of my community,” said Shuaib.  “You have called me a liar. Let us wait and see what God will decide between us because He is the best judge, and I put all my trust in Him.  Be careful because no one can repel the doom when it comes.  The retribution for your acts will definitely come to you.  It is the law of God and your feeble tricks cannot alter it.”

          The stiff-necked chieftains of Midian and the Dense Forest Dwellers did not pay any heed to Shuaib’s advice. Ultimately, an earthquake seized them. The next morning found them lying lifeless in their homes. The bustling city of trade and commerce had changed into a silent ruin when Shuaib and his companions left it.  

           

The Dense Forest Dwellers 1

 

 

The Dense Forest Dwellers

 

(7-85-86) (26-176-178)

          According to some historians, the prophet Shuaib and the prophet Moses were contemporaries. Moses was sent to Israel, and Shuaib was sent to the Dense Forest Dwellers and Midian. Some historians proclaim that the Dense Forest Dwellers and Midian were two different nations.  Other scholars maintain that these were two different tribes of the same origin, living in two different locations.  Shuaib was sent to both of them because they came from the same origin and had similar characteristics.

          These people were living near a well-known trade-route which runs from Arabia to Syria. Their land was fertile and covered with thick forest.  Along with having lush green wood and fertile land, these people were great experts of commerce.  Their caravans went to many countries and nations, carrying the local goods. The business of buying and selling goods in many countries made them very rich and powerful.  

          The peace and prosperity in the land helped to increase their number, which was a great asset in those times.  Wealth, number, and prosperity made them very proud.  The money they earned lit an insatiable fire of greed in their hearts.  They were not content to enjoy their material goods; the lurking lust in their hearts led them to the unfair practice of giving short measures in business.  The greed for wealth had such a strong grip on their minds that they forgot all decency and morality, and occasionally took refuge in robbery.

          Many prophets were sent by God to these people, warning them about the ill consequences of their foul deeds.  But they were intoxicated with power and money, so they paid no attention to these warnings.  Near the end of their glory, the prophet Shuaib came to them with the message of God.  He told them that there is no sovereign in the universe except God, and that he was his messenger to warn them about the lurking doom.  In addition to this, he declared, “Obey the laws of God.  You have been given the guidance of the Almighty, so give full measures to those who buy from you.  Do not upset the established law of the land; this is the best course of action for you.  I am an honest messenger of God, so believe in me, and obey the laws of God.”

          A small minority believed in Shuaib, but the majority of people were with the strong leaders.  These leaders were very proud of their prosperity and business.  They were convinced that no one could do any harm to them.  All the powerful leaders were against Shuiab and his movement, so they openly declared, “Shuiab, one thing is definitely going to happen.  We are going to force you, and the people who believe in your message, to come back into the fold of ancient traditional ways, or we are going to throw all of you out of the city.”

          Shuaib reminded the nation that once they had been few in number. God had given them peace, prosperity, and increased their number. In addition to these blessings, He had given them many bounties, so they had to obey his laws and not create confusion and disorder after the establishment of order in the land.  Their habit of being stingy when they were selling things could bring doom upon them.   They had to give full measures for the money they received from the customers, not withhold from the people the things that were their due.  This is the right way.  Moreover, Shuaib clarified his position and said, “It was my duty to tell you the truth; it is up to you to follow my guidance or reject it. I am not sent as a watchman over you.”