وَقَالَ ٱلْمَلَأُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن قَوْمِهِۦ لَئِنِ ٱتَّبَعْتُمْ شُعَيْبًا إِنَّكُمْ إِذًا لَّخَـٰسِرُونَ 90
Translations
Said the eminent ones who disbelieved among his people, "If you should follow Shuʿayb, indeed, you would then be losers."
Transliteration
Wa qāla al-mala'u alladhīna kafarū min qawmihi la'in ittaba'tum shu'ayban innakum idhān lakhāsirūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The chiefs and leaders of Shu'ayb's people who rejected faith warned their community that following Shu'ayb would lead them to ruin and loss. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this represents the arrogant elite's attempt to dissuade the common people from accepting the prophet's message through fear of economic and social loss, particularly regarding their fraudulent trade practices which Shu'ayb had condemned. This reflects a pattern throughout history where those with worldly power and vested interests in corruption resist prophetic reform.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Prophet Shu'ayb (peace be upon him) and his people of Madyan, who were known for their dishonesty in commerce and measurement. The context shows the people's leadership actively opposing Shu'ayb's call to monotheism and ethical conduct, attempting to maintain their corrupt economic system. This is part of the broader Meccan surah theme demonstrating the various responses to divine guidance across different nations.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever among you sees a wrong, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart—and that is the weakest of faith.' (Sahih Muslim 49). This relates to the theme of righteous resistance to societal wrongdoing that Shu'ayb exemplified.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that resistance to truth often comes from those with vested interests in corruption and injustice, and should not be deterred by worldly threats or social pressure when standing for righteousness. The true loss belongs to those who reject divine guidance, not those who follow the prophets' message.