Page 13 - Perished Nations

Past Generations

Hath not the story reached them of those before them? - the
People of Nuh, and 'Ad, and Thamud; the People of Ibrahim,
the men of Madyan, and the cities overthrown. To them came
their messengers with clear signs. It is not Allah Who wrongs
them, but they wrong their own souls.
(Surat at-Tawba: 70)

or centuries, some societies have accepted Allah’s religion while ot-
hers have denied it. Occasionally, a minority from a society which
F denied the message followed a messenger.
But the majority of communities who have received the message have
not accepted it. They not only disregarded the message proclaimed by the
messenger, but also tried to do harm to the messenger and his followers.
The messengers were generally accused slanderously of "falsehood, magic,
insanity and conceit" and leaders of many peoples even sought to have
them murdered.
All that the prophets wanted from their people was their obedience to
Allah. They did not ask for money or any other worldly gain in return. Nor
did they compel their people on any matter as commanded by Allah. What
they did was to invite their people to the religion of truth and to lead a life
in accordance with Allah’s commandments together with their followers.
The reaction of Shu’ayb’s (as) tribe to Shu’ayb (as), who called them to
believe in Allah and give up the injustices they had been doing, and the
way they ended up are very interesting:
To the Madyan People (We sent) Shu’ayb, one of their own brethren: he

Perished Nations
5