Surah Al-Qasas — Verse 27

Key Words and Their Meanings:

• Unkihaka (أُنكِحَكَ): To marry someone off, i.e., to give one's daughter in marriage.
• Ta'juranī (تَأْجُرَنِي): To work for someone in exchange for wages or a service; here, it means to serve as a hired shepherd.
• Hijaj (حِجَجٍ): Plural of *hijjah*, meaning years.
• Min `indik (مِنْ عِندِكَ): As a voluntary favor from you, not an obligation.
• Ashudda (أَشُقَّ): To cause hardship or difficulty.

Explanation of the Verse:

In this blessed verse, we see the noble character of the righteous man—the father of the two women—who addressed Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) with kindness and generosity. He said: "I wish to marry you to one of my two daughters here, on the condition that you work for me for eight years as a shepherd of my flocks." This was to be the dowry (mahr) for the marriage—a practice that shows the simplicity and purity of that time, where a man's labor and trustworthiness could be a means of establishing a family.

He then added: "But if you complete ten years, that is a favor from you"—meaning that the agreement was firmly set at eight years, and any additional two years would be a voluntary act of goodness from Musa, not something the father would impose upon him. This reflects the father's fairness and his desire not to burden his future son-in-law. He explicitly said: "I do not wish to make things difficult for you," showing his gentle nature and his concern for Musa's comfort.

Finally, he reassured Musa: "You will find me, if Allah wills, among the righteous"—meaning that he would be true to his word, faithful to the covenant, and kind in companionship. He would not break his promise or treat Musa harshly, but rather would uphold the best of manners and fulfill all that he had pledged.

This verse teaches us profound lessons: the importance of clear and fair agreements in marriage and business, the virtue of kindness and flexibility in dealings, and the beauty of trust and good character between people. It also highlights the dignity of work—Musa, a prophet of Allah, did not shy away from honest labor, and through his patience and integrity, Allah blessed him with a peaceful home and a righteous wife. Indeed, when a person places their trust in Allah and acts with sincerity, Allah opens doors of goodness and tranquility that they could never have imagined.