(11:84-85)(7:84-86)(26:176-178)(11:84-87)(7:77-90)
The Quran gives another story to illustrate the intoxication of power and its results. This is the story of another nation that lived on the main trade route which runs from Arabia to Syria. The time is approximately 2,000 BC. Some historians say that the time when the prophet Shoaib came to his nation and the dwellers of the thick forest was 1600 or 1700 BC. This means that the people of Midian had been living for four hundred years when the prophet Shoaib’s mission started. This is the time when Moses came to Israel. When Moses ran from Pharaoh, he took shelter in the valley of Midian with Shoaib and married one of his daughters. Before that, the caravan which took Joseph to Egypt, and sold him there, consisted of these Midians.
The prophet Shoaib was sent to two nations, living side by side: the nation of Midian and the people of the forest. Before him, many prophets were sent to these nations, but they turned deaf ears to the advice which was given to them. The prophet Shoaib was the last link of the prophets before the complete destruction of these two nations. The prophet Shoaib told them that he was a messenger from God with the message that the nation had to mend its ways. Moreover, he pointed out the vices and said,
“You are cheating people and not giving them full measure for the money you are taking from them. You think this practice is fetching more money, but in reality, it is destroying your image as honest businessmen. Very soon people will not like to do business with you, and you are going to have the reputation of cheats and dishonest thugs. In order to avoid this ignominy, start giving full measure and full weight.”
The land was fertile and covered with thick forests, and the air was pure and strength-giving. Very quickly these tribes increased in population and became nations. When money and commerce are in the hands of dishonest people, they can devise many deceptive means of cheating people. The nation of Midian had perfected the art of cheating people. They took the best that their money could buy, but when they had to give back they blatantly refused.
The prophet Shoaib told them, “I am a messenger from God; I am here to establish the law of God. There is only one God who has created the universe. His laws are working in perfect harmony in the universe; if you obey His laws in the society, they will work in complete harmony as they are working in the universe. Help me in establishing the laws of God and obey me as the messenger of God.”
When the rich leaders of the nation saw that the message of the prophet had a special interest for the depressed class and it was giving them a message of hope and a better life, they threatened them by saying, “If you follow Shaoib you are going to be lost forever.”
The prophet told them, “Do not block all the ways that lead people to the right direction.” The only answer he got was, “We are planning to force you and your followers back into our traditional fold or we will turn your group out of our town.”
“How can you force us to adopt your ways?” said Shoaib. “We have guidance from God. I have been talking about it frequently. If I contradict what I have said it will mean that I am a liar and I have been cheating people and fabricating lies about God. It is impossible for me to do so. Moreover, we have complete trust in the laws of God, and his knowledge is encompassing the whole universe. He will certainly decide between you and us and His decision is the best.”
“How can we agree with you, when you are against the gods we and our ancestors have been worshipping, and you don’t allow us to spend our money the way we like?” the rich leaders asked contemptuously with great pride. “Do you think that you are the only virtuous and kind-hearted man left in our nation?”
