THE JOURNEY TO MADYAN (I)

 FAJR REMINDER: THE JOURNEY TO MADYAN (I)

By: Umm Affān

Rabī' Al-Awwal 24, 1448 (6-September-2026)

Fir’aun sent his people after Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām), intending to capture and kill him. However, before the messengers of Fir’aun could reach him, a man came running from the farthest end of the city to warn him. Allāh (ﷻ) informs us of what he said: 

يَا مُوسَىٰ إِنَّ الْمَلَأَ يَأْتَمِرُونَ بِكَ لِيَقْتُلُوكَ فَاخْرُجْ إِنِّي لَكَ مِنَ النَّاصِحِينَ

“O Mūsā! Verily, the chiefs are taking counsel together about you, to kill you, so escape. Truly, I am to you of those who give sincere advice.” [Sūrah Al-Qasas (28) Verse 20]

Upon learning of their decision to kill him, Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) immediately left Egypt in a state of fear. As he departed, he sought Allāh’s Protection from Fir’aun and his chiefs, saying:

 رَبِّ نَجِّنِي مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ

“My Lord! Save me from the people who are Ẓālimūn (polytheists and wrongdoers)!” [Sūrah Al-Qasas (28) Verse 21]

In his Tafsīr of this verse, Imām Ibn Kathīr (Raḥimahullāh) mentioned that it was reported that Allāh sent an angel riding a horse to show Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) the way. Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) then left Egypt and travelled towards the land of Madyan. He took the smoothest, easiest, and straightest route. Such is the way Allāh guides His true slaves.

When he arrived in Madyan, Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) came to a well where shepherds used to bring their flocks to drink. There, he found a group of men watering their animals. He also noticed two women standing apart and holding back their sheep, preventing them from mixing with the flocks of the shepherds, lest any harm come to them.

Allāh (ﷻ) informs us of the conversation that took place between Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) and the two women:

قَالَ مَا خَطْبُكُمَا قَالَتَا لَا نَسْقِي حَتَّىٰ يُصْدِرَ الرِّعَاءُ وَأَبُونَا شَيْخٌ كَبِيرٌ

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.” [Sūrah Al-Qasas (28) Verse 23]

This is one of the first points in this account that reveals the dignity, modesty, and chastity of these women. They did not freely mix with the men at the well. Instead, they remained apart and waited until the shepherds had taken their flocks away.

This should serve as a reminder for the Muslim woman regarding the importance of chastity, modesty, and dignity. Sadly, we live in a time when many women freely mix with and shamelessly interact with members of the opposite gender. We must constantly remind ourselves of the Sacred Words of our Creator:

وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَىٰ

“And stay in your houses and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance.” [Sūrah Al-Aḥzāb (33): 33] 

Imām al-Qurṭubī (Raḥimahullah) remarked, “Although this verse is addressed to the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ), other (Muslim) women are also included... Sharī‘ah is filled with evidence that women should stay in their homes and avoid going out except when necessary.” [Tafsīr al-Qurṭubī v. 14, p. 179]

Shaykh Ibn Ḥumayd (Raḥimahullah) also stated, “Allāh has obligated Ḥijab for the women and enjoined upon them to stay in the homes and to not display themselves and to not leave (the house) except due to a necessity, being modest and concealed (from men).” [Ad-Durar As-Sanniyyah 15/266]

After hearing about their situation, Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) felt compassion for the two women and took pity on them. He stepped forward and watered their flocks for them. Allāh (ﷻ) informs us:

فَسَقَىٰ لَهُمَا ثُمَّ تَوَلَّىٰ إِلَى الظِّلِّ فَقَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَا أَنزَلْتَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ

“So he watered (their flocks) for them, then he turned back to shade, and said: ‘My Lord! Truly, I need whatever good that You bestow on me!’” [Sūrah Al-Qasas (28) Verse 24]

Compassion is one of the noble qualities and characteristics of a true believer. A believer should not turn away when he or she is able to assist someone in need. ‘Abdullāh Ibn ‘Amr (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhuma) reported that Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: 

الرَّاحِمُونَ يَرْحَمُهُمْ الرَّحْمَنُ ارْحَمُوا مَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَرْحَمْكُمْ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاءِ

“The merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on the earth, and the One in the heavens will have mercy upon you.” [Sunan At-Tirmidhī 1924]

The journey of Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) to Madyan teaches us that even in moments of fear, uncertainty, and difficulty, the believer must turn to Allāh and place his or her trust in Him. Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) left Egypt fearing for his life, yet Allāh guided him to safety and opened doors for him in ways he could not have imagined. In this journey, we also learn the importance of modesty, dignity, and chastity, as demonstrated by the two women of Madyan, as well as compassion and kindness, as demonstrated by Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) when he assisted them despite his own difficult circumstances. 

I beseech Allāh (ﷻ) to grant us the ability to remain steadfast during our trials, preserve our dignity and modesty, show mercy to those around us, and make us always place our trust in Him. Aameen.