Shoaib NabiAS impressed with Musa Nabi’sAS honesty and nobility gave him an offer:
He said, “I would like to marry you to one of these two daughters of mine on condition that you work for me for eight full years. If you complete ten, that is up to you. I do not want to be hard on you. You will find me, God willing, to be one of the righteous.” He (Musa) said, “That is agreed between me and you. Whichever of the two terms I fulfil, there will be no injustice done to me. God is Guardian over what we say.” (Qur’an, 28: 27-28)
Musa NabiAS accepted the proposal of Shoaib NabiAS and honouring the agreement he stayed in Midian for many years. At the end of the appointed time, Musa NabiAS and his family left Midian. On their journey, Musa saw a fire in the distance on the mountain of Toor (Mount Sinai).
In one ‘ayat AllahTA relates the incident thus:
When Musa had fulfilled the appointed term and had set off with his family, he noticed a fire from one side of the Mount Toor. He said to his family, “Stay here, I can see a fire. Hopefully I will bring you back some news from it or a burning branch from the fire so that you will be able to warm yourselves.” (Qur’an, 28: 29)
Musa NabiAS went up to the fire on the mountain. It was there that he received the first revelation from Allah. The Quran states,
Then when he reached it, a voice called out, “Musa! I am your Lord. Take off your sandals. You are in the holy valley of Tuwa. I have chosen you, so listen well to what is revealed. I am Allah. There is no god but Me, so worship Me and establish prayer to remember Me.” (Qur’an, 20: 11-14)
After assuring Musa NabiAS that the voice he heard belonged to his lord, AllahTA asked him about his staff:
“What is that in your right hand, Musa?” He said, “It is my staff. I lean on it and beat down leaves for my sheep with it and have other uses for it.” (Qur’an, 20: 17-18)
Musa NabiAS was then instructed to throw down his staff. Musa NabiAS obeyed and lo it slithered like a snake. This frightened Musa NabiAS and as he turned around to leave, AllahTA reassured him:
He said, “Take hold of it and have no fear. We will return it to its original form.” (Qur’an, 20: 21)
AllahTA then gave Musa a second miracle:
Put your hand inside your shirt front. It will emerge pure white yet quite unharmed… (Qur’an, 28: 32)
AllahTA gave Musa NabiAS the two miracles as an assurance that Allah’s guidance and help were always with him, especially in his fight against the Pharoah.
