We began speaking to you about our dear Prophet Musa ^alayhis-salam, about his courteous behaviour and inspiring conduct with the two sisters whom he helped by giving water for their sheep to drink.

They told their dear father Prophet Shu^ayb ^alayhis-salam about Prophet Musa ^alayhis-salam and about how polite and well-mannered he was. They also told their father how strong Prophet Musa was as he managed to lift the large rock sealing the water-well on his own, a task ordinarily requiring 10 men to do.

Prophet Musa ^alayhis-salam lifted that rock with the power and strength that Allah bestowed upon him.

Indeed, Allah is the Creator and Most-Powerful; He is the One who gave us the strength to carry out our deeds, therefore lifting a rock, be it a small or a large rock, is created by Allah.

Allah the Exalted said:

واللهُ خَلَقَكُم وَمَا تَعْمَلُون

which means: [Allah created you as well as your actions]. Therefore that which Prophet Musa ^alayhis-salam did, was by the Will and by the Creating of Allah. He lifted the large rock on his own and gave the sheep water to drink, helping the two sisters. They informed their father and asked him to return the favour to Prophet Musa for his help.

Prophet Shu^ayb was extremely delighted with the pleasant news and sent one of his daughters to invite Prophet Musa ^alayhis-salam over. Upon her father’s request one of the daughters went to Prophet Musa ^alayhis-salam and asked him to walk back with her to her father who wished to reward him for his kindness.

Prophet Musa ^alayhis-salam stood up to return with her to her father’s house, and told her to walk behind him and to direct him along the way. He explained to her that the reason for his request was based on his fear that the wind might blow and define the shape of her body under her garments if she were to walk in front of him.  This illustrates the remarkable quality of chastity all the Prophets of Allah possess.

That’s correct; these are the attributes of the great Prophets of Allah; Truthfulness, trustworthiness, courage, and chastity.  There is not a prophet who is ill-mannered or draws his eyes lustfully with desire on marriageable women. Allah protected them from such dispraised acts. And so, the daughter walked modestly behind Prophet Musa ^alayhis-salam, as he requested, and directed him along the way until they reached her father’s house, Prophet Shu^ayb peace be upon him.

Prophet Musa ^alayhis-salam told Prophet Shu^ayb his story in detail since birth and his reasons for leaving Egypt. Upon hearing Prophet Musa’s account, Prophet Shu^ayb assuringly said to him: “Do not worry, for you have survived the unjust folk, Pharaoh and his recruits who have no power here in the lands of Madyan“.

One of Prophet Shu^ayb’s daughters kindly requested that her father employs Prophet Musa ^alayhis-salam as he had immense physical strength, and was a truthful and trustworthy person.   She also informed her father about what Prophet Musa had requested of her to do on the way home.

Prophet Shu^ayb ^alayhis-salam, who was so delighted with the news, met this good act with another good act of his own.  He offered his daughter (Saffura) to Prophet Musa in marriage. Prophet Musa accepted this kind offer and agreed to take care of Prophet Shu^ayb’s sheep for 8 years, and was also given the option of continuing on for 10 years.  Prophet Musa ^alayhis-salam being one of the greatest and most patient Prophets of Allah, worked for Prophet Shu^ayb for the whole 10 years, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.

My dear brothers in Islam; Allah ta^ala says:

“هَلْ جَزَاءُ الإحْسَانِ إلا الإحْسَان“

which means: [Indeed, goodness should be the return for goodness].

Indeed, after hearing such a notable story of Prophet Musa and Prophet Shu^ayb ^alayhimas-salam, many lessons are learnt. Among these lessons is that Prophet Shu^ayb gave his daughter in marriage to a man only after making sure that he was religiously righteous, and this is the basis upon which a marriage in Islam should be founded. This is the basis which conforms to what the last of all prophets, Muhammad sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam came with: <<If a man of good religious character and conduct proposes to one’s daughter, then let one marry his daughter to him. If one does not, there will be mischief and great corruption on Earth>> narrated by Imam al-Bayhaqiyy.

Unfortunately today, if a young man comes to ask for a daughter’s hand in marriage; we witness many fathers paying absolutely no concern towards anything other than his financial status. Ask firstly about the level of obedience this young man has towards His Creator. Did he seek the personal obligatory knowledge of the religion? Is he consistent in performing the five obligatory prayers? Is he attentive to all lawful and unlawful issues? These are the questions you should ask to ensure that you are leaving your daughter in the care of a person who truly fears Allah subhanahu wa-ta^ala.

And we also learn from this story the importance of women walking behind their men whilst in the street as it acts as a form of protection for them, and the permissibility of the woman to leave her home for the purpose of employment (if it is lawful), and the importance of appreciating people and their kindness by treating them cordially. In addition, it also teaches us to conduct dealings with people who are obedient to Allah, and who can be trusted with money, among many other lessons.

We humbly ask Allah to grant us a righteous ending, and the ability to adhere to the path of the great Prophets of Allah and their righteous followers. Amin.