Compassion, Humility and Sincere Advice of Prophet Shu’aib [alayhis salaam]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allaah [The Most High] said in Surah Hud Ayah 88 that Shu’aib [alayhis-salaam] said to his people: [يَا قَوْمِ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِن كُنتُ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّي – O my people! Tell me, if I have a clear evidence from my Lord]- Meaning: I am upon certainty and tranquillity regarding the correctness of [the Message] I have brought; [وَرَزَقَنِي مِنْهُ رِزْقًا حَسَنًا – and He (Allaah) has given me a good sustenance from Himself]- Meaning: Allaah has given me various types of wealth; [وَمَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُخَالِفَكُمْ إِلَىٰ مَا أَنْهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ  – I wish not, in contradiction to you, to do that which I forbid you]- Meaning: I do not wish to forbid you from [the evil practice of giving lower in weight and Measure by way of cheating in business transactions], yet I myself do the same and eventually you will charge me for doing so; rather I will not forbid you from an affair except that I will be the first person to hasten to abandon it.

[إِنْ أُرِيدُ إِلَّا الْإِصْلَاحَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ – I only desire reform so far as I am able, to the best of my power]- Meaning: I do not have any other intentions [goals or aims] other than to rectify your state of affairs and the things that are of benefit to you. And because this statement of Shu’aib contains something which may indicate that he is attributing piety to himself, he repels it with the statement [وَمَا تَوْفِيقِي إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ – And my guidance cannot come except from Allah]-Meaning: The ability I have to do good and to refrain from evil is a bestowal from Allaah [The Most High] and it is neither due to my strength nor power. [عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ – in Him I trust and unto Him I repent]- Meaning: I rely on Allaah in all my affairs and suffice myself with Him. I turn to Allaah in all the various acts of worship He has commanded me and seek to get close to Him by performing good deeds.

By way of these two affairs- seeking aid and assistance from Allaah, turning to Him in repentance, complete submission and obedience-  a person’s state of affairs becomes upright, just as Allaah  [The Most High] said in another Aayah: [فَاعْبُدْهُ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَيْهِ– So worship Him (O Muhammad) and put your trust in Him].

[Source: An Excerpt from Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan). slightly paraphrased]