فَجَآءَتْهُ إِحْدَىٰهُمَا تَمْشِى عَلَى ٱسْتِحْيَآءٍ قَالَتْ إِنَّ أَبِى يَدْعُوكَ لِيَجْزِيَكَ أَجْرَ مَا سَقَيْتَ لَنَا ۚ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُۥ وَقَصَّ عَلَيْهِ ٱلْقَصَصَ قَالَ لَا تَخَفْ ۖ نَجَوْتَ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ 25
Translations
Then one of the two women came to him walking with shyness. She said, "Indeed, my father invites you that he may reward you for having watered for us." So when he came to him and related to him the story, he said, "Fear not. You have escaped from the wrongdoing people."
Transliteration
Fajaa'at-hu ihda-huma tamshi 'alaa istihya'in qalat inna abi yad'uka liyajziyaka ajra ma saqayta lana falamma ja'ahu wa qassa 'alayhi al-qassas qala la takhaf najawta min al-qawm al-zalimin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how one of the two daughters of Shu'ayb approached Musa with modesty, inviting him to meet her father who wished to reward him for watering their flocks. When Musa came and recounted his story, Shu'ayb reassured him that he had escaped from Pharaoh and the oppressive people of Egypt. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this demonstrates Shu'ayb's wisdom in recognizing Musa's noble character and offering him both hospitality and employment, while simultaneously assuring him of safety from pursuers.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the detailed narrative of Musa's flight from Egypt to Madyan after killing the Egyptian, a pivotal moment in Quranic history. The surah Al-Qasas focuses on stories of divine providence and protection, illustrating how Allah guided Musa through difficult circumstances and eventually became a messenger.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly narrates this event, Surah Al-Qasas 28:15-28 is frequently referenced in Quranic exegesis. The theme of seeking refuge and Allah's protection is reflected in various hadiths about reliance on Allah (tawakkul) during times of difficulty and persecution.
Themes
Key Lesson
This passage teaches us that Allah provides refuge for the righteous who flee oppression, and that genuine virtue and good character are recognized and rewarded by righteous people. The modesty displayed by the young woman and the compassion shown by Shu'ayb exemplify Islamic values of honor and mercy that transcend cultural boundaries.
Related Ayahs
وَيَوْمَ يُنَادِيهِمْ فَيَقُولُ أَيْنَ شُرَكَآءِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ كُنتُمْ تَزْعُمُونَ
And [warn of] the Day He will call them and say, "Where are My 'partners' which you used to claim?"
وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ مُهْلِكَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ يَبْعَثَ فِىٓ أُمِّهَا رَسُولًا يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا ۚ وَمَا كُنَّا مُهْلِكِى ٱلْقُرَىٰٓ إِلَّا وَأَهْلُهَا ظَـٰلِمُونَ
And never would your Lord have destroyed the cities until He had sent to their mother [i.e., principal city] a messenger reciting to them Our verses. And We would not destroy the cities except while their people were wrongdoers.
وَأَنْ أَلْقِ عَصَاكَ ۖ فَلَمَّا رَءَاهَا تَهْتَزُّ كَأَنَّهَا جَآنٌّ وَلَّىٰ مُدْبِرًا وَلَمْ يُعَقِّبْ ۚ يَـٰمُوسَىٰٓ أَقْبِلْ وَلَا تَخَفْ ۖ إِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلْـَٔامِنِينَ
And [he was told], "Throw down your staff." But when he saw it writhing as if it was a snake, he turned in flight and did not return. [Allāh said], "O Moses, approach and fear not. Indeed, you are of the secure.
قُلْ فَأْتُوا۟ بِكِتَـٰبٍ مِّنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ هُوَ أَهْدَىٰ مِنْهُمَآ أَتَّبِعْهُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
Say, "Then bring a scripture from Allāh which is more guiding than either of them that I may follow it, if you should be truthful."