ভূমিকা

“The chiefs of the arrogant among his people said: ‘We will surely expel you, O Shu‘ayb, and those who believe with you from our town, unless you return into our creed.’ He (Shu‘ayb) said: ‘what, even though we dislike (it)?’” All prophets have been threatened to be expelled and banished. This is the logic of force. Surah ’Ibrāhim, No.

14, verse 14 says: “And those who disbelieved said to their apostles: ‘We will most certainly drive you forth from our land, so else you shall come back into our religion…” The chiefs of the arrogant have always been the first enemies of prophets. The verse says: “The chiefs of the arrogant among his people said…” The method of prophets is logic and reasoning, but the style of disbelievers is force and threat.

The preachers of religion should not be afraid of the opponents’ threads, since there have always been threat and banishment in this way. The disbelievers told their prophet: “…’We will surely expel you, O Shu‘ayb…” Yet, be careful to use a kind word, politely and wisely, when you confront the ignorances of disbelievers.

“We should have forged a lie against Allah if we returned into your creed after Allah delivered us from it. It is not for us to return into it, unless Allah, our Lord, (so) will. Our Lord comprehends all things in His knowledge. In Allah we have put our trust. Our Lord! Decide between us and our people with truth, and You are the best of deciders.” The Qur’ānic term /millat/ has sometimes been used with the meaning of religion and creed.

Since the followers of Shu‘ayb had accepted their religion based upon reasoning and proof, (not upon desires), then they would not abandon it.