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
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُم مِّنَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ غُرَفًا تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ نِعْمَ أَجْرُ ٱلْعَـٰمِلِينَ
And those who have believed and done righteous deeds - We will surely assign to them of Paradise [elevated] chambers beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. Excellent is the reward of the [righteous] workers
فَإِذَا رَكِبُوا۟ فِى ٱلْفُلْكِ دَعَوُا۟ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ فَلَمَّا نَجَّىٰهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْبَرِّ إِذَا هُمْ يُشْرِكُونَ
And when they board a ship, they supplicate Allāh, sincere to Him in religion [i.e., faith and hope]. But when He delivers them to the land, at once they associate others with Him
يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّ أَرْضِى وَٰسِعَةٌ فَإِيَّـٰىَ فَٱعْبُدُونِ
O My servants who have believed, indeed My earth is spacious, so worship only Me.
بَلْ هُوَ ءَايَـٰتٌۢ بَيِّنَـٰتٌ فِى صُدُورِ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ ۚ وَمَا يَجْحَدُ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِلَّا ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ
Rather, it [i.e., the Qur’ān] is distinct verses [preserved] within the breasts of those who have been given knowledge. And none reject Our verses except the wrongdoers.