ShoaibAS Nabi, a descendent of Ibrahim Nabi was sent to the people of Madyan. Allah mentions in al Quran e Karim:
“And to Madyan (We sent) their brother Shoaib. He said, O my people! Serve Allah, you have no god other than Him. Clear proof has indeed come to you from your Lord. Therefore give full measure and weight. And do not diminish to men their things and do not make mischief in the land after its reform. This is better for you if you are believers.”(A’raaf: 85)
The inhabitants of Madyan, located in present day Palestine, were mostly traders. Due to Allah’s grace they led a very happy and a prosperous life. However, instead of thanking Allah for His bounties, they became greedy and started to cheat and betray people in business. They cheated by tampering their scales i.e. when they sold goods the scales showed the weight more than it actually was whereas whilst buying they showed less. Fraud was commonplace and the one who was more deceitful was considered more intelligent and wise.
Shoaib NabiAS prohibited them from committing such deeds, and reminded them about Allah’s chastisement. But the people mocked him and said, “You want us to worship as you worship? You expect us to leave the religion of our forefathers? You expect us to employ some other method in our trade? You want us to deal honestly and suffer losses? Never! Certainly we will never heed you! Since you have become old and also have children, we pardon you, otherwise we would certainly have stoned you to death!”
However, regardless of the severe opposition Shoaib NabiAS continued encouraging his people to live according to Allah’s ways. Finally they drove him out of the city.
When the people were unwilling to listen to Shoaib NabiAS and lead their lives according to his guidance, and continued with their oppressive and mischievous ways AllahTA perished them in their houses by a devastating earthquake.
Likewise, in all eras, AllahTA sends a representative who guides people towards the right path in both spiritual and temporal matters. Today, the teachings of Aqa MoulaTUS enable us to lead a respectful life evident in the fact that today the Dawoodi Bohra community is renowned for its honesty in trade and loyalty to the nation.