Transliteration:( Iz tamsheee ukhtuka fataqoolu hal adullukum 'alaa mai yakfuluhoo faraja 'naaka ilaaa ummika kai taqarra 'ainuhaa wa laa tahzan; wa qatalta nafsan fanajjainaaka minal ghammi wa fatannaaka futoonaa; falabista sineena feee ahli Madyana summa ji'ta 'alaa qadariny yaa Moosa )
"When your sister [39] walked along, then she said, 'Shall I tell you about who will nurse [40] this child'. Then We turned you back to your mother that she may find coolness in her eyes and that she may not be grieved [41]. And you slew a soul, and then We delivered you from sorrow [42] and tested you well. Then you did stay with the people of Madyan [43] for many years, and then you came at a fixed promise O Musa! [44]"
The sister of Hazrat Musa (عليه السلام) was Mariam bint Imraan.
It is important to note that the mother of Hazrat Isa (عليه السلام) was also named Mariam bint Imraan, but that Imraan was a different person.
When Pharaoh tried to find a wet nurse for the baby, Hazrat Musa (عليه السلام) refused everyone’s milk.
At this point, Bibi Mariam suggested that there was a woman in Egypt whose milk would be suitable. That woman was Yuhaiz, the actual mother of Musa (عليه السلام).
Through this, Allah fulfilled His promise and reunited mother and child.
Hazrat Musa’s (عليه السلام) mother was not only able to nurse her own son, but also received food and wages from Pharaoh’s court.
Thus, her heart found peace, and her sorrow was eased.
At the age of twelve, Hazrat Musa (عليه السلام) had struck a Qibtee, who died as a result.
Fearing the wrath of Pharaoh, Hazrat Musa fled to Madyan. This verse serves as a reminder of that time and Allah’s rescue from grief and fear.
Madyan was about eight travel stages from Egypt, where Hazrat Shuaib (عليه السلام) lived.
Hazrat Musa (عليه السلام) stayed there for eight to ten years, during which he married Bibi Safoorah, the daughter of Hazrat Shuaib (عليه السلام).
The "fixed promise" refers to when Hazrat Musa (عليه السلام) reached the age of forty, and prophethood was bestowed upon him—a fulfillment of Allah’s plan from the beginning.
40. “When your sister went and said: `Shall I show you one who will nurse him’ So We restored you to your mother, that she might cool her eyes and she should not grieve. Then you did kill a man, but We saved you from great distress and tried you with a heavy trial.”, Then you stayed a number of years with the people of Madyan. Then you came here according to the fixed term which I ordained (for you), O Musa! 41. And I have chosen you for Myself. 42. Go you and your brother with My Ayat, and do not, you both, slacken and become weak in My remembrance. 43. Go both of you to Fir`awn, verily, he has transgressed. 44. And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear (Allah).
Allah, the Exalted, says in His address to Musa that he had lived among the people of Madyan, avoiding Fir`awn and his chiefs. He worked as a shepherd for his father-in-law until the appointed time for his work ended. Then he met the decree of Allah and His predetermined will, without him having any set appointment. This entire situation was under the control of Allah, Blessed be He, the Most High. He compels His servants and His creatures to whatever end He wills. This is why Allah says,
(Then You came here according to the fixed term which I ordained (for you), O Musa!) Mujahid said, “For a set appointment.” `Abdur-Razzaq recorded that Ma`mar reported from Qatadah that he said,
(Then You came here according to the fixed term which I ordained (for you), O Musa!) “For the decree of messengership and prophethood.” Concerning Allah’s statement,
(And I have chosen you for Myself.) This means, “I have chosen you and selected you to be a Messenger for Myself. This is as I wish and according to My will.” Concerning the Tafsir of this Ayah, Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,
(Adam and Musa met, and Musa said, “You are the one who made things difficult for mankind and you caused them to be evicted from Paradise.” Adam said, “Are you the one whom Allah chose for His Message, and He selected you for Himself and He revealed the Tawrah to you” Musa replied, “Yes.” Then Adam said, “Did you find that it was preordained upon me before He (Allah) created me” Musa replied, “Yes.” Therefore, Adam defeated Musa’s argument.) Both Al-Bukhari and Muslim recorded this narration. Concerning Allah’s statement,
(Go you and your brother with My Ayat,) This means with My proofs, evidences and miracles.
(And do not, you both, slacken and become weak in My remembrance.) `Ali bin Abi Talhah related from Ibn `Abbas that he said, “This means do not be slow.” Mujahid reported that Ibn `Abbas said, “This means do not be weak.” The meaning here is that they should not slacken in the remembrance of Allah. Rather, they both should remember Allah during their meeting with Fir`awn so that the remembrance of Allah can be an aid for them against him. The remembrance of Allah would be their strength and their power that would defeat him. Allah’s statement;
(Go both of you to Fir`awn, Verily, he has transgressed.) means that he has rebelled and become haughty and insolent against Allah and he has disobeyed Him.
(And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear (Allah).) This Ayah contains a great lesson. Even though Fir`awn was the most insolent and arrogant of people and Musa was the friend of Allah among His creation at that time, Musa was still commanded to speak to Fir`awn with mildness and softness. Therefore, their invitation to him was with gentle, soft and easy speech that is used by one who is a close friend. This is so that the message may have more effect on the souls, and so it would have deeper and more beneficial results. This is as Allah, the Exalted, says,
(Invite (mankind) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better.) ﴿16:125﴾ Concerning Allah’s statement,
(perhaps he may accept admonition or fear (Allah). ) This means that perhaps he will recant from that which he is in of misguidance and destruction,
(or he will fear) meaning that he will become obedient due to fear of Allah. This is as Allah says,
(For such who desires to remember or desires to show his gratitude.) ﴿25:62﴾ Thus, to remember means to recant from that which is dangerous, and fear means to attain obedience.
(20:40) Recall, when your sister went along, saying: ‘Shall I direct you to one who will take charge of him?’ Thus We brought you back to your mother so that her heart might be gladdened and she might not grieve. Moses, recall when you slew a person. We delivered you from distress and made you go through several trials. Then you stayed for several years among the people of Midian, and now you have come at the right moment as ordained.
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
[836]- The Copt who died after being struck by Moses.
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