Prophet Shuaib(as)

These people were tradesmen or businessmen and Allah had made them very rich.

However, they had fallen in love with their wealth and would use crooked ways to amass more and more.

They used to cheat and they would not use full measure. For example, if they had to measure and weigh 1 kilo they would sell like 750 or 800 gms. Thus they would charge people inappropriately.

They also used to tax everybody who would pass through their lands. In fact, they were the first ones to charge taxes.

Hazrat Shuaib(as) was very eloquent. He is also known as Khateeb ul Anbiya- he spoke very well, he reasoned and debated with people in a concise manner.

The people mocked and ridiculed him, saying he is a big liar. 

They said, Shuaib you pray too much, so you tell us to leave that which our forefathers have been doing. You tell us to change our business practices. We have the right to do however we want to amass our wealth. What does your Salah have to do with our business? We suspect that you want to stop us so that you can become richer than us.

Prophet Shuaib left his people. In the beginning, Allah sent them extremely hot weather in which the wind stopped. After seven days of this humid weather, the people saw dark clouds. They thought it was rain clouds, but it started thundering very loudly. People started running and the earth trembled and shook violently. Finally, there was a scream and all the disbelieving, corrupt people died.

Do not use unlawful means to gain wealth

Do not use wealth to exploit other people:

Rich people tend to think they are powerful and everyone should dance to their tune. They forget that all the wealth remains here and they have to go back to Allah.

Do not go beyond our means:

Many of us try to live our life according to society’s standards and that is why we resort to unlawful means of earning or unnecessary expenditures on credit. Learn to be content with what Allah has given us. It is shaitan who makes us compete in wealth.

Remember how our fathers have struggled and we will learn to be thankful for our present conditions

Do not separate religion and business:

Islam has laid out rules for our transactions as well so one cannot be a cheat in business while professing to be mindful of his salah, roza, and other ibadah.

Do not mistake an abundance of wealth as barakah