Surah Al-Qasas — Verse 23

Word Meanings:

• Warda (وَرَدَ): Arrived at, reached.
• Madayan (مَدْيَنَ): The land of Midian, where the people of Prophet Shu'ayb (peace be upon him) lived.
• Ummah (أُمَّةً): A large group or community of people.
• Yasqoon (يَسْقُونَ): Watering their livestock.
• Tadhudan (تَذُودَانِ): Holding back, keeping away (their sheep from the water), preventing them from mixing with the flocks of others.
• Ma khatbukumā (مَا خَطْبُكُمَا): What is your matter, situation, or concern?
• Yusdira (يُصْدِرَ): To turn away, to drive away (their animals from the watering place after they have drunk).
• Ria' (الرِّعَاءُ): The shepherds.
• Shaykhun kabir (شَيْخٌ كَبِير): An old, elderly man, advanced in age and weak.

Explanation of the Verse:

When Musa (Moses, peace be upon him) fled from Egypt and traveled through the wilderness, he eventually reached the well of Midian — a place where the people of that region came to water their flocks. There, he found a large crowd of men gathered around the water, each one watering his animals. But away from them, he noticed two women standing apart, holding back their sheep from the water and not mixing with the crowd.

Musa, being a man of noble character and deep compassion, felt concern for them. He approached and asked them: "What is the matter with you? Why are you not watering your sheep with the others?"

The two women replied with modesty and honesty: "We do not water our flock until the shepherds have finished and moved their animals away from the water. We are not able to push through the crowd of men, and our father is a very old man — too weak and frail to come and water the sheep himself. So we take on this task, but we wait until the crowd has dispersed."

This brief exchange reveals the purity of Musa's heart — he did not pass by a need without addressing it, nor did he ignore the weakness of others. And the two women's words show their modesty, patience, and respect for their elderly father, as they took on a difficult task out of love and duty.

A Call to Reflection:

This beautiful scene teaches us profound lessons that resonate across time:

1. The nobility of helping others: Musa, despite being a stranger in a foreign land, tired and weary from his journey, did not hesitate to offer his help to two women in need. He did not wait to be asked — he saw the need and stepped forward. This is the character of a believer: proactive in goodness, compassionate toward the weak.
2. The dignity of modesty: The two women chose to wait rather than mix with men, preserving their honor and dignity. This teaches us that modesty is not a weakness but a strength — a shield of self-respect that Allah loves and rewards.
3. The virtue of serving one's parents: These two young women took care of their elderly father's flock, enduring hardship and waiting patiently, all out of love and dutifulness. Islam places the highest importance on kindness to parents, and this scene is a living example of that noble value.
4. The reward of good character: Because Musa helped these two women with sincerity, Allah opened for him the door to a new life — he was invited to their home, met their father, and eventually found shelter, work, and a family. When you do good for the sake of Allah, He never lets your kindness go to waste. He may open doors you never imagined.
5. Patience in times of hardship: Musa was a fugitive, alone and afraid, yet he did not lose hope. He trusted in Allah, and Allah guided him to a place of safety and provision. No matter how difficult your circumstances may seem, remember that Allah's care is with you. Turn to Him, and He will make a way out for you.

This verse is a gentle reminder that the path of righteousness — helping others, maintaining modesty, honoring parents, and trusting in Allah — is the path that leads to peace, provision, and divine favor. Let us strive to embody these qualities in our daily lives, and we will see the blessings unfold in ways we could never have predicted.