388 Page Notes

28 Surah Al-Qasas (continued)

Page 388 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 388 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 388 of the standard Madinah Mushaf contains Surah Al-Qasas (28:22–28). This section details Prophet Musa's arrival in Madyan after fleeing Egypt, his chivalrous encounter with the two daughters of an elderly righteous man (historically identified as Shuaib or his nephew), his act of watering their flock, and the subsequent marriage contract settled between them based on eight to ten years of labor.

The Sunnah and classical Hadith literature provide profound legislative, ethical, and historical insights into this page, which forms a major scriptural basis for Islamic contract law (Fiqh al-Muamalat).

1. Hadiths Related to the Virtues of Chivalry and Helping Others (Verses 22–24)

“And when he directed himself toward Madyan, he said, 'Perhaps my Lord will guide me to the sound way.' And when he came to the well of Madyan, he found there a crowd of people watering [their flocks], and he found aside from them two women keeping back [their flocks]. He said, 'What is your circumstance?' They said, 'We do not water until the shepherds move away; and our father is an old man.' So he watered [their flocks] for them; then he went back to the shade and said, 'My Lord, indeed I am, for whatever good You would send down to me, in need.'” (28:22–24)

Altruism While in Extreme Distress

Musa arrived in Madyan exhausted, starving, and pursued by Pharaoh's soldiers. Despite his own vulnerability, he immediately intervened to help the two women. The Sunnah emphasizes that assisting others during one's own time of hardship is a primary means of drawing divine relief, directly mirroring Musa's experience.

Hadith: The Prophet ($\rho$) said: “Allah continues to aid His servant as long as the servant aids his brother... and whoever relieves a believer of a burden from the burdens of this world, Allah will relieve him of a burden from the burdens of the Day of Resurrection.”

• Source Citation: Sahih Muslim (Book 35, Hadith 2699), Sunan Abi Dawud (Hadith 4946).

The Etiquette of Interacting with the Opposite Sex

Verse 23 shows the two women waiting back to avoid intermixing with the crowd of male shepherds. Musa addresses them briefly, respectfully, and directly to ascertain their need ("What is your circumstance?"). The Sunnah praises this exact framework of modesty (Haya) and purposeful communication.

2. Hadiths Related to Integrity, Strength, and Employment (Verses 25–26)

“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.' ... One of the two women said, 'O my father, hire him. Indeed, the best of everyone you could hire is the strong, the trustworthy.'” (28:25–26)

The Definition of Modesty (Haya)

The description of the woman walking with shyness ('Ala-stihya') is heavily praised in the Sunnah. The companions explicitly used the physical description of Musa's future wife on this page to measure the Prophet's ($\rho$) own unparalleled modesty.

Hadith: Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (r.a.) narrated: “The Prophet ($\rho$) was more modest than a virgin behind her bridal veil.”

• Source Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 6119), Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2320).

The Metric for Hiring Employees

In verse 26, the daughter outlines the dual pillars of professional qualification: physical/intellectual competence (Al-Qawiyy) and moral integrity (Al-Amin). The Sunnah heavily reinforces these two metrics, warning leaders that hiring people based on nepotism rather than competence destroys a society.

Hadith: The Prophet ($\rho$) said: “When authority/trust is given to those who are unsuited for it, then expect the Hour (the destruction of society).”

• Source Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 59).

3. Hadiths Related to Dowry, Contracts, and Labor Laws (Verses 27–28)

“He said, 'Indeed, I wish to wed you one of these, my two daughters, on [the condition] that you serve me for eight years; but if you complete ten, it will be [as a favor] from you. And I do not wish to put a hardship upon you. You will find me, if Allah wills, among the righteous.'” (28:27)

These verses form the foundational scriptural source in Islamic jurisprudence for the legality of Ijarah (leasing/hiring services) and using labor or teaching as a valid Mahr (dowry) for marriage.

Fulfilling the Length of the Contract

Because the contract gave an option between eight or ten years, the companions explicitly asked the Prophet ($\rho$) which of the two terms Musa actually completed.

Hadith: Sa'id bin Jubayr narrated: "A Jewish scholar from Kufa asked me, 'Which of the two terms did Musa fulfill?' I said, 'I do not know until I ask the scholar of the Arabs (Ibn Abbas).' I asked Ibn Abbas, who replied: 'He fulfilled the longer and better of the two terms (ten years), for when a Prophet of Allah says something, he does it.'”

• Source Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari (Book 50, Hadith 2684).

Using Labor or Services as a Marriage Dowry

Verse 27 shows a marriage solemnized not with money or gold, but through a commitment to honest work. The Sunnah directly replicated this allowance for members of the Ummah who did not possess physical wealth.

Hadith: A woman came to the Prophet ($\rho$) offering herself in marriage. A man from the companions who was poor said, "O Messenger of Allah! Marry her to me if you do not wish to marry her." The Prophet asked if he had any gold or property for a dowry, and the man replied he had absolutely nothing except the garment on his back. The Prophet ($\rho$) then asked, "Do you know any of the Qur'an by heart?" The man listed several chapters. The Prophet ($\rho$) concluded: “I marry her to you for what you know of the Qur'an [i.e., your dowry is to teach her those chapters].”

• Source Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 5121), Sahih Muslim (Hadith 1425).

References

• Al-Bukhari, M. (1997). Sahih al-Bukhari (Vols. 1-9). Darussalam Publishers.

• Al-Sijistani, A. D. (2008). Sunan Abi Dawud. Darussalam Publishers.

• Muslim, I. (2007). Sahih Muslim. Darussalam Publishers.