The story of Prophet Shuʕayb's preaching inviting the people of Midyan to abandon idol worship and deception in weights, until he was insulted, threatened, and eventually moved his preaching to the people of Aykah.
The Preaching of Prophet Shuʕayb to the People of Midyan
When all the inhabitants of the city no longer wished to do good, Allah finally raised up His prophet. That person was Prophet Shuʕayb. Prophet Shuʕayb was sent to uphold the truth and fight falsehood and to reform the corrupt morals of the people of Midyan.
Shuʕayb's prophethood has been explained in the Qur'an:
And to Midyan [We sent] their brother Shuʕayb. He said, 'O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. And do not lessen the measure and the balance. Indeed, I see you in prosperity and indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a Day of Destruction.' (Qur'an 11:84)
And to the people of Midyan [We sent] their brother Shuʕayb. He said, 'O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord. So fulfill the measure and weight and do not deprive people of their due and cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. That is better for you, if you should be believers.' (Qur'an 7:85)
At first, Prophet Shuʕayb only observed their behavior, but as time went on and their morals became increasingly corrupted, he took action. Prophet Shuʕayb strove to return them to the right path with words that were gentle but somewhat pointed. He wanted to know the reaction of the Midyanite society after hearing his words.
The Preaching of Prophet Shuʕayb to the People of Midyan
His first preaching goal was to eliminate idol worship.
'O my brothers, stop worshipping that statue. Worship Allah who created the heavens and earth,' Prophet Shuʕayb invited at one time. His invitation received a different response from the people of Midyan. They thought that Prophet Shuʕayb had lost his mind.
'Why do you forbid us to worship those gods, Shuʕayb? If you do not like it, then leave this place,' said the people of Midyan angrily, for their god had been insulted.
'Allah, there is none like Him. Know that Allah is the Lord who can relieve hardship,' said Prophet Shuʕayb in a calm voice.
Midyan did not like receiving such an invitation. Every afternoon they would sit in the middle of the road to prevent people from going to Prophet Shuʕayb's house. The people of Midyan greatly enjoyed insulting the followers of Prophet Shuʕayb. They considered those who followed Prophet Shuʕayb to be foolish, dull, and many other hurtful insults.
The followers of Prophet Shuʕayb reported the insults they received from them. But Prophet Shuʕayb never became angry. Instead, he prayed that they be shown the way so that his call would be accepted by them.
The Preaching of Prophet Shuʕayb to the People of Midyan
Because his followers always faced obstacles and insults, finally Prophet Shuʕayb spoke to the people of Midyan. This statement has been preserved in the Qur'an surah Al-Aʕraf verse 86:
And do not sit on every path, threatening and averting from the way of Allah those who believe in Him, seeking to make it [seem] unstraight. And remember when you were few and He increased you. And observe the end of the corruptors. (7:86)
Every time Prophet Shuʕayb preached, he always received ridicule and insults from the people of Midyan. They tried to stop his preaching. But to that extent his efforts never bore fruit. For Prophet Shuʕayb received protection from Allah.
Because the main goal of ordering the people of Midyan to abandon their worship did not succeed, he did not stop there. He still sought to make the people of Midyan willing to follow his teachings. And was answered by the people of Shuʕayb:
'O Shuʕayb! Does your prayer command you that we should abandon what our fathers worshipped or that we do not do with our wealth what we wish? Indeed, you are the forbearing, one of good counsel.' (Qur'an 11:87)
The Preaching of Prophet Shuʕayb to the People of Midyan
Then Prophet Shuʕayb refuted them with words that were gentle while inviting them to the truth:
'O my people! Tell me: if I am upon clear evidence from my Lord and He has provided me with good provision from Him... should I not command you to that from which I forbid you myself? I only desire reform to the extent that I am able. And my success is not but through Allah. Upon Him I have relied, and to Him I return.' (Qur'an 11:88)
Thus was Prophet Shuʕayb, preaching with strong arguments, so that he was called Khatib al-Anbiyaʕ (the Orator of the Prophets).
Next, he spoke to them, frightening them with Allah's punishment and calling them back to Allah:
'O my people, let not disagreement with me cause you to suffer a punishment similar to that of the people of Nuh or the people of Hud or the people of Salih. And the people of Luth - they are not far from you. And ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is Merciful and Affectionate.' (Qur'an 11:89-90)
Then they threatened to punish him, saying:
'O Shuʕayb, we do not understand much of what you say, and indeed we see you among us as weak. Were it not for your family, we would have stoned you [to death], and you are not to us mighty.' (Qur'an 11:91)
Shuʕayb replied:
'O my people, is my family more mighty to you than Allah? And you have neglected Him behind your backs. Indeed, my Lord encompasses what you do.' (Qur'an 11:91)
Next, Prophet Shuʕayb frightened them with Allah's punishment if they remained in error and sin, but his people answered the warning by threatening him and offering a choice:
'Either follow our religion or expel him and his believing companions from your city.' But Prophet Shuʕayb and those who believed with him stood firm in their faith and entrusted their affairs to Allah. So his people accused him of being a sorcerer and a liar. (Qur'an 26:185-186)
The Preaching of Prophet Shuʕayb to the People of Midyan
Little by little the people of Midyan abandoned Prophet Shuʕayb and his followers. Finally there was not a single person left. Before leaving, they mocked Prophet Shuʕayb's teachings, saying that he had gone insane.
Because his call was never heeded by the people of Midyan, finally Prophet Shuʕayb went to another region. There was Aykah. Prophet Shuʕayb hoped that his preaching among the people of that place would be accepted and his teachings followed.
But that people were no different from the people of Midyan. In fact, they dared to insult Prophet Shuʕayb more. They said that Prophet Shuʕayb was a sorcerer. Despite this, Prophet Shuʕayb never became angry and he continued his preaching until some were also willing to follow his teachings.
Because the people of that place continued to insult and try to prevent his preaching, finally Prophet Shuʕayb complained and appealed to Allah.
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