وَإِلَىٰ مَدْيَنَ أَخَاهُمْ شُعَيْبًا فَقَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱرْجُوا۟ ٱلْيَوْمَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ 36
Translations
And to Madyan [We sent] their brother Shuʿayb, and he said, "O my people, worship Allāh and expect the Last Day and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption."
Transliteration
Wa ilaa Madyana akhahum Shuayban faqala ya qawmi oAAbudoo Allaha wairjoo alyawma alakhira wala taAAthaw fee alardi mufsideen
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah sent the Prophet Shuayb to the people of Midian, calling them to worship Allah alone, believe in the Day of Judgment, and cease their corruption and injustice on earth. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that this ayah presents Shuayb's comprehensive message addressing both spiritual obligations (tawhid and faith in the hereafter) and moral conduct (forbidding earthly corruption), reflecting the holistic nature of prophetic guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Al-'Ankabut, which discusses various prophets and their struggles against their peoples' disbelief. The context is part of a broader narrative recounting how Allah sent messengers to different nations throughout history. Shuayb's mission to Midian is presented as another example of divine guidance being rejected, culminating in the people's punishment.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'Verily, the best of your religion is piety' relates to Shuayb's call to righteousness and avoiding corruption. Additionally, the hadith about 'None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself' (Sahih Bukhari) connects to the ethical dimension of Shuayb's message.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true faith encompasses both vertical devotion to Allah and horizontal responsibility toward society—believers must worship Allah sincerely while actively working against injustice and corruption. Modern readers are reminded that Islamic practice demands both spiritual commitment and ethical conduct in addressing societal wrongs.
Related Ayahs
وَعَادًا وَثَمُودَا۟ وَقَد تَّبَيَّنَ لَكُم مِّن مَّسَـٰكِنِهِمْ ۖ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَكَانُوا۟ مُسْتَبْصِرِينَ
And [We destroyed] ʿAad and Thamūd, and it has become clear to you from their [ruined] dwellings. And Satan had made pleasing to them their deeds and averted them from the path, and they were endowed with perception.
ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
Who have been patient and upon their Lord rely.
أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِهِمْ أَنَّآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَرَحْمَةً وَذِكْرَىٰ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
And is it not sufficient for them that We revealed to you the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] which is recited to them? Indeed in that is a mercy and reminder for a people who believe.
وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ
If you asked them, "Who created the heavens and earth and subjected the sun and the moon?" they would surely say, "Allāh." Then how are they deluded?