The Arrival at Midian
After days of arduous travel through the unforgiving desert, Prophet Musa (Moses) finally reached an oasis. The scene before him was chaotic—men were jostling and shouting as they watered their animals. Exhausted, Musa sank beneath the shade of a tree, grateful for the brief respite. Amidst the chaos, his eyes fell upon two women standing at a distance, hesitant to approach the waterhole with their flock of sheep.
Musa, despite his own exhaustion, could not ignore their plight. Approaching them, he asked why they were waiting. The women explained that their father was an elderly man, unable to tend to the sheep himself, and they had no choice but to wait until the men finished. Moved by their situation, Musa selflessly stepped forward to help. Navigating through the crowd, he watered their sheep and returned to the shade, his energy completely spent.
In this moment of vulnerability, Musa turned to Allah in heartfelt supplication, saying, “My Lord, I am in dire need of whatever good You may bestow upon me” (Quran 28:24).
Divine Assistance Arrives
The Quran recounts this moment beautifully:
“And when he arrived at the water of Midian, he found there a group of men watering their flocks, and besides them, he found two women who were keeping back their flocks. He said, ‘What is the matter with you?’ They said, ‘We cannot water (our flocks) until the shepherds take their flocks. And our father is a very old man.’ So, he watered their flocks for them, then turned back to shade and said, ‘My Lord! Truly, I am in need of whatever good that You bestow on me!’” (Quran 28:22-24).
The Quranic stories of the prophets serve as timeless lessons for believers. Like Musa, we too experience moments of despair and exhaustion, times when it feels impossible to move forward. Yet, Musa’s response teaches us that turning to Allah in sincere prayer can bring relief and unexpected blessings.
An Unexpected Invitation
As Musa rested under the tree, one of the women approached him modestly. She conveyed her father’s invitation to their home, saying he wished to reward Musa for his kindness. Musa, despite his fatigue, accepted and went to meet the elderly man. During their conversation, Musa shared his story. The man assured Musa of his safety, explaining that he was now beyond the reach of Pharaoh’s oppressive regime.
“Then there came to him one of the two women, walking shyly. She said, ‘Verily, my father calls you that he may reward you for having watered our flocks for us.’ So, when he came to him and narrated the story, he said, ‘Fear not. You have escaped from the wrongdoing people.’” (Quran 28:25).
A New Beginning
Impressed by Musa’s strength and trustworthiness, one of the daughters privately advised her father to hire him. She described Musa’s qualities as ideal for someone who could assist their family. Recognizing Musa’s virtues, the elderly man, believed by some scholars to be Prophet Shuaib (though not confirmed), offered him a remarkable proposal. He proposed that Musa marry one of his daughters on the condition that he work for their family for eight years, with an option to extend to ten years.
Musa accepted the offer, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his life. He had entered Midian as a stranger, fleeing his past and uncertain of his future. Yet, through Allah’s guidance, he found safety, sustenance, and a family.
“And said one of them (the two women): ‘O my father! Hire him! Verily, the best of men for you to hire is the strong, the trustworthy.’ He said, ‘I intend to wed one of these two daughters of mine to you, on condition that you serve me for eight years, but if you complete ten years, it will be a favour from you. But I intend not to place you under a difficulty. If Allah wills, you will find me one of the righteous.’” (Quran 28:26-28).
Lessons for Believers
The story of Prophet Musa’s arrival in Midian teaches us profound lessons about faith, patience, and divine providence. Despite being in an unfamiliar land and facing immense hardship, Musa demonstrated unwavering trust in Allah. His prayer exemplifies humility and reliance on the Creator, reminding us that Allah is always aware of our struggles.
This narrative also underscores the importance of noble character traits such as strength, trustworthiness, and selflessness. These qualities not only earned Musa the respect of those he encountered but also paved the way for his new beginning.
As believers, we are reminded that no matter how dire our circumstances may seem, Allah’s wisdom and mercy encompass all. By placing our trust in Him, we can endure trials and emerge stronger, just as Musa did during his journey through Midian.
Conclusion
The story of Musa’s arrival in Midian is not just a historical account; it is a source of inspiration for navigating life’s challenges. It reminds us to turn to Allah in our most vulnerable moments and to act with integrity and compassion, even when faced with adversity. Through faith and perseverance, we too can find solace and guidance in the most unexpected places.