Why did the shopkeepers refuse to give Baba oil, and what was their reaction to his miracle?

The shopkeepers' refusal to provide oil stemmed from a 'wicked idea' they developed, as detailed in Chapter 5. They had grown tired of what they considered a 'nuisance'—Baba coming daily to ask for free oil to light the lamps in the temple and mosque. They conspired together to put a stop to it. However, their reaction to the subsequent miracle was one of complete astonishment and repentance. When they witnessed the lamps burning all night fueled only by water, they were so amazed they 'put their fingers in their mouths.' Chapter 5 explains that they began to tremble, feeling immense regret and realizing they had sinned by lying to Baba and causing him needless trouble.