Shu'ayb
Description
Shuaib, Shoaib, Shuayb or Shuʿayb is an ancient Midianite prophet in Islam and the most revered prophet in the Druze faith. Shuaib is sometimes identified with the Hebrew biblical Jethro, Moses's father-in-law. Shuaib is mentioned in the Quran 11 times. He is believed to have lived after Ibrahim (Abraham), and Muslims believe that he was sent as a prophet to the Midianites, who are also known as the Aṣḥāb al-Aykah for their worship of a large tree. To the Midianites, Shuaib proclaimed the "straight path", warning them to end their fraudulent ways. When the community did not repent, God destroyed the community.
Facts
| Preceded by | Ayyub |
| Succeeded by | Musa |
| Relatives | Issachar (grandfather) |
| Religion | Islam |
Life & work in brief
Summarised by section — one row per topic, for fast reading.
| Topic | Summary |
|---|---|
| Historical context | The area to which Shuʿayb was sent to is named Madyan in the Qur'an, known in English as Midian, which is frequently referred to in the Hebrew Bible. |
| Narrative in the Quran | The Qur'an states that Shuaib was appointed by God to be a prophet to the people of Midian. |
| Parallels with other prophets | Shuayb's mission is often mentioned in the Qur'an with the mission of Noah, Hud, Saleh and Lot. |
| Claimed burial places of Shuayb | One claimed tomb of Shuayb is found in Jordan, 2 km (1.2 mi) west of the town of Mahis, in an area called Wādī Shuʿayb (Arabic: وَادِي شُعَيْب). |
Prophecies
Key prophetic utterances and visions attributed to Shu'ayb, with sources.
| Prophecy / vision | Source |
|---|---|
| Give full measure; diminish not the people's goods | Quran 11:85 |
| The shock seized those who wronged; they lay prostrate in their dwellings | Quran 11:94 |