Thread by @sirnucy

Reflections On Some Verses in Sūratul Qasas

Mallam Sanusi Lafiagi

Earlier today, while reading the encounter between Prophets Mūsā عليه السلام and the old man in Madyan as revealed by Allāh in Sūratul Qasas, it gave me fresh insights into how people should conduct themselves

generally as well as employer-employee relationship. I just feel like sharing a few points:

(1) You're Your Own Marketer

وَلَمَّا وَرَدَ مَاءَ مَدْيَنَ وَجَدَ عَلَيْهِ أُمَّةً مِّنَ النَّاسِ يَسْقُونَ وَوَجَدَ مِن دُونِهِمُ امْرَأَتَيْنِ تَذُودَانِ ۖ قَالَ مَا خَطْبُكُمَا ۖ

قَالَتَا لَا نَسْقِي حَتَّىٰ يُصْدِرَ الرِّعَاءُ ۖ وَأَبُونَا شَيْخٌ كَبِيرٌ (23) فَسَقَىٰ لَهُمَا ثُمَّ تَوَلَّىٰ إِلَى الظِّلِّ فَقَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَا أَنزَلْتَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ (24)

"When he arrived at the spring of Midian, he found there a crowd of people

watering their flocks, and he found apart from them two women holding their flocks back. He asked the women: "What is it that troubles you?" They said: "We cannot water our flocks until the shepherds take their flocks away, and our father is a very old man.

On hearing this Mūsā watered their flocks for them, & then returned in a shaded place and said: "My Lord, I am truly in great need of any good that You might send down to me."

When Mūsā عليه السلام arrived in Madyan, he was no more than a refugee in self exile,

seeking succor. He was a man gifted knowledge, strength and wisdom. He watered the sheep for the two ladies out of kindness, and not because he expected anything in return. He never thought that his selfless service would fetch him job, shelter and marriage.

That singular decision to voluntarily render a vital service pro bono became his selling point.

Online or offline, never shy away from marketing your knowledge and skill. You're your own brand manager and promoter. No one will buy you if you fail to sell yourself.

Within your limited circle, display your wares and watch as you grow bigger and bigger. Most importantly, purify your intention while doing so, lest you be swayed by the vanities of this ephemeral world.

(2) Work Experience
فَسَقَىٰ لَهُمَا

"He watered their flocks for them..."

Prophet Mūsā عليه السلام got his first job as a cattle rearer based on his experience as witnessed by the sisters. He showed passion, efficiency and commitment. One of the things that a prospective

employer will ask you is, "what have you done in this line of work that makes you feel that you're worthy of this job"? Gather experiences as much as you can and be proficient and efficient in what you do. Go beyond your course of study or certificates.

Do not just sit down singing the unemployment lyrics. Do something. You never can tell what life has in stock for you.

(3) You Need Recommendation

قَالَتْ إِحْدَاهُمَا يَا أَبَتِ اسْتَأْجِرْهُ ۖ إِنَّ خَيْرَ مَنِ اسْتَأْجَرْتَ الْقَوِيُّ الْأَمِينُ

One of the two daughters suggested, "O my dear father, hire him. The best man for employment is definitely the strong and trustworthy one."

Some of the Mufassirūn said that the well from which Mūsā watered the sheep requires about ten strong men to lift its cover.

Yet, Mūsā alone did this effortlessly. No doubt this display of rare strength by a homeless stranger moved the sisters to immediately recommend him to their old father. It was not in the Tradition of the people that women tend to the flocks,

but the sisters had no choice given that their father is old and is without a male child.

Ibn Kathīr rahimahuLlāh wrote about Mūsā's strength and trustworthiness:

قال لها أبوها : وما علمك بذلك ؟ قالت : إنه رفع الصخرة التي لا يطيق حملها إلا عشرة رجال ،

وإنه لما جئت معه تقدمت أمامه ، فقال لي : كوني من ورائي ، فإذا اجتنبت الطريق فاحذفي [ لي ] بحصاة أعلم بها كيف الطريق لأتهدى إليه .

(When one of the sisters described Mūsā as strong and trustworthy) Her father said to her: "How did you know this?"

She said, "He lifted the stone (used in covering the well) which no less than ten men are required to lift. Then, when I went to fetch him, at first I was walking in front of him, but he said to me, "walk behind me and anytime I am stray from the road,

throw a stone at the right path to take so I can be guided."

You need recommendation to land some jobs in life. This is why prospective employers do request for referee's report. These days, even to gain admission into higher institutions requires that

a person of integrity and that knows you well recommends you.

A lot of people have lost their jobs to their uncouth and uncivilised attitudes on the social media. You never can tell who your prospective employer may ask about your general conduct and suitability for the job.

In fact, I've personally been phoned several times by virtual friends who I've never met before in real life, seeking my opinion on some marriage suitors among some brothers here. The virtual life is the real life now. Well, u can waive it & say, it's Qadar that u won't get it.

(4) Your Curriculum Vitae is Crucial

فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُ وَقَصَّ عَلَيْهِ الْقَصَصَ قَالَ لَا تَخَفْ ۖ نَجَوْتَ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ

"When Mūsā came to him and narrated to him the whole of his story, he said: "Have no fear. You are now safe from the iniquitous people."

The old man could never have entrusted his flock of sheep to a total stranger about whom he knew nothing. He had to hear from him who he was, where he was coming from and why he has come to Madyan. This is what your CV does. It's the first thing that every prospective employer

wants to see even before meeting you personally. The well structured and intimidating your CV is, the higher your chance of landing the job. If your CV is empty, it will end up either with the Suya or gúgúrú seller.

(5) Read and Understand the Terms and Conditions of Service

قَالَ اِنِّىۡۤ اُرِيۡدُ اَنۡ اُنۡكِحَكَ اِحۡدَى ابۡنَتَىَّ هٰتَيۡنِ عَلٰٓى اَنۡ تَاۡجُرَنِىۡ ثَمٰنِىَ حِجَجٍ​ۚ فَاِنۡ اَتۡمَمۡتَ عَشۡرًا فَمِنۡ عِنۡدِكَ​ۚ وَمَاۤ اُرِيۡدُ اَنۡ اَشُقَّ عَلَيۡكَ​ؕ

سَتَجِدُنِىۡۤ اِنۡ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ مِنَ الصّٰلِحِيۡنَ
He said to Mūsā "I want to marry one of these two daughters of mine to you if you serve me for eight years. But if you complete ten years, that will be of your own accord (but not an obligation).

I do not intend to treat you harshly. If Allāh wills, you will find me an upright man."

Mūsā's employer tabled a deal before him. He was to be signed for a period of eight years with an option two years voluntary extension. This was NEITHER the marriage contract NOR the Sadāq.

It was a deal between a prospective father in-law and a prospective son-in-law. According to the verse, the old man was yet to name which of his daughters he was going to marry to Mūsā (probably he left that to Mūsā himself). Obviously, the marriage would have been done

according to the Tradition of the people.

Mūsā knew the implication of what he was about to sign, so he made clear his position right from the start. He said:

قَالَ ذٰلِكَ بَيۡنِىۡ وَبَيۡنَكَ​ ؕ اَيَّمَا الۡاَجَلَيۡنِ قَضَيۡتُ فَلَا عُدۡوَانَ عَلَـىَّ​ ؕ

وَاللّٰهُ عَلٰى مَا نَقُوۡلُ وَكِيۡلٌ
Mūsā replied: "So that is agreed between me and you. Whichever of the two terms I fulfil, I trust that I shall not be wronged. Allāh is a witness over the covenant we are committing ourselves to."

Before you sign on any paper,

read and understand its content well. If possible, consult people that are wise, more experienced and familiar with such nature of jobs. Some people ended up signing themselves off into bondage because they were not patient enough to read the condition of service of their jobs.

A typical Nigerian that doesn't read ordinary phone or TV manual is likely to disregars the terms and conditions of his deal. I've seen some educated persons dressed in suit fighting with Okada riders and Taxi drivers over minor disagreement on transportation fare.

Both parties had failed to come to agreement on the tfare before service was rendered.

(6) Fulfil Your Obligations

فَلَمَّا قَضَىٰ مُوسَى الْأَجَلَ

"And when Mūsā had fulfiled the term..."

A man's word is his bond. Mūsā gave his word to the old man and lived by it.

The Mufassirūn have mentioned that Mūsā served his father-in-law for a period of ten years. This view is attributed to Ibn Abbās radiyaLlāhu an-hu. He never at any point absconded or failed to discharge his responsibilities.

When you're signed to a job, you have an obligation

to fulfil your own end of the deal independent of your employer's attitudes and disposition.

Note: I deliberately used "the old man in Madyan" because according to the more correct view, he is NOT prophet Shua'ib. And Allāh knows best.

I hope I'm able to inspire your day.