The People of Madyan
The people of Madyan were Arabs who lived in the region of Ma'an, located in part of what is known today as greater Syria. They led wicked lives, rejected belief in Allah, and were driven by greed.
In their business practices, they regularly cheated people. They gave short measure and weight, falsely praised their goods beyond what they were worth, and deliberately hid defects in what they sold to lie to their customers. In addition to their corruption in trade, they would sit along the roads, threatening travelers, robbing them, and trying to turn people away from the path of Allah.
The Call of Shu'aib
Allah sent His Prophet Shu'aib to them, equipping him with miracles to confirm his message. Shu'aib began preaching to his people, calling them back to the worship of Allah alone and urging them to reform their society. He told them:
"O my people! Worship Allah, you have no other Ilah (God) but Him. 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. 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. Remember when you were but few, and He multiplied you. See what was the end of the Mufsideen (mischief makers, corrupts and liars). And if there is a party of you who believes in that 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." Surah Al-A'raf (7:85-87)
He also preached to the dwellers of Al-Aiyka (a place located near Madyan), reminding them to fear Allah, keep their duty to Him, and obey his command. He emphasized that he was asking for no wealth or personal reward for delivering his message, stating that his reward was only with the Lord of the worlds. He instructed them:
"Give full measure, and cause no loss to others. And weigh with the true and straight balance. Defraud not people by reducing their things nor do evil making corruption and mischief in the land. Fear Him Who created you and the generations of the men of old." Surah Ash-Shu'ara (26:181-184)
Shu'aib remained patient and calm while addressing them. He reminded them of his close kinship to them and assured them that his efforts were not for any personal gain.
The Opposition of the Chiefs
Instead of taking his advice, the leaders of his people mocked him and rejected his calls. The arrogant chiefs threatened Shu'aib and those who believed with him:
"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." Surah Al-A'raf (7:88)
Shu'aib responded that they could never return to disbelief after Allah had saved them from it, saying:
"Even though we hate it! We should have invented a lie against Allah if we returned to your religion, after Allah has rescued us from it. 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 gives judgment." Surah Al-A'raf (7:88-89)
The chiefs of the disbelievers continued to warn the rest of the town, telling them that following Shu'aib would only lead to their ruin and that they would end up as total losers.
The people of Al-Aiyka similarly dismissed Shu'aib. They claimed he was under a spell, arguing that he was just an ordinary human being like themselves and calling him a liar. In their mockery, they challenged him: "So cause a piece of heaven to fall on us, if you are of the truthful!" Surah Ash-Shu'ara (26:187)
Shu'aib simply replied: "My Lord is the Best Knower of what you do." Surah Ash-Shu'ara (26:188)
The Expulsion and Punishment
Eventually, the hostility grew to the point where the disbelievers seized the belongings of Shu'aib and his followers and drove them out of the city. Having exhausted his efforts to guide them, Shu'aib turned to Allah for help, praying for judgment between him and his people.
Allah answered his prayer and sent down a terrible punishment. First, He sent down a period of intense, scorching heat. The people suffered terribly from the heat until they saw a large, dark cloud gathering in the sky. Mistakenly believing it would bring them cool, refreshing rain, they all rushed outside to gather underneath it.
Instead of rain, the dark cloud burst, hurling down thunderbolts and fire upon them. At the same time, a violent, thunderous blast struck from above, causing the earth to tremble violently under their feet. The disbelievers were destroyed in an instant, perishing in horror where they stood.
Seeing their complete destruction, Shu'aib turned away 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)." Surah Al-A'raf (7:93)