At first...

At first, he restrained them from defraudation, falsification in social relationships which they were polluted with, and told them now that the path of Allah was revealed to them they should pay the right measure and weight so that the due things of people might not be diminished. The verse says: "... Therefore give full measure and weight and do not diminish to men their things....." Then, he points to one of other wrong actions of those people, and says: "...

and do not make mischief in the earth after its improvement. ..." It is certain that none may make profit from making mischief, irrespective of ethical mischief, faithlessness, and insecurity. So, at the end of the verse, it adds: "...

This is better for you, if you are believers." Surah Al-‘A’raf, Verse 86 وَلاَ تَقْعُدُواْ بِكُلِّ صِرَاطٍ تُوعِدُونَ وَتَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللّهِ مَنْ آمَنَ بِهِ وَتَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا وَاذْكُرُواْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ قَلِيلاً فَكَثَّرَكُمْ وَانظُرُواْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُفْسِدِينَ 86. "And do not sit in every path, threatening and hindering from the path of Allah those who believe in Him, desiring to make it crooked.

And remember when you were few, then He multiplied you; and consider how the end of the mischief makers was." In this verse, the fourth advice of Shu'ayb has been pointed out, where it says: "And do not sit in every path, threatening and hindering from the path of Allah those who believe in Him, desiring to make it crooked. ..." Then, at the end of the verse, the fifth advice of Jethro has been referred to.

It reminds them the bounties of Allah in order to stimulate the feeling of gratitude and thanksgiving in them. The verse says: "... And remember when you were few, then He multiplied you....." It is understood from this phrase of the verse that, in most instances, multiplicity of persons can be the origin of power and greatness of the development of the society.

Finally, the Qur'an advises people to carefully observe the end of the mischief-mongers that how evil was their fate, and that they do not follow the way of makers of mischief. "... and consider how the end of the mischief makers was." Surah Al-‘A’raf, Verse 87 وَإِن كَانَ طَآئِفَةٌ مِّنكُمْ آمَنُواْ بِالَّذِي أُرْسِلْتُ بِهِ وَطَآئِفَةٌ لَّمْ يْؤْمِنُواْ فَاصْبِرُواْ حَتَّى يَحْكُمَ اللّهُ بَيْنَنَا وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الْحَاكِمِينَ 87.

✦ ✦ ✦