Surah Taha 20:10

A Discussion of the Message of Musa

From this point, Allah begins to mention the story of Musa, how revelation began to come to Him, and Allah's speaking directly to him. This occurred after Musa had completed the time agreed upon between he and his father-in-law that he would herd sheep. He was traveling with his family, and it has been said that he was headed for the land of Egypt, after having been away from it for more than ten years. He had his wife with him and he became lost on the way during a cold, wintery night. Therefore, he settled down, making a camp between some mountain passes and mountains that were covered with snow, sleet, dense clouds, darkness and fog. He began to try to make a fire with a kindling device he had with him, in order to produce some light, as was customary. However, it would not kindle anything and it even stopped giving off sparks. While he was in this condition, he saw a fire from the side of the mountain. It appeared to him to be a fire glowing from the right side of the mountain from where he was. He then announced the good news to his family saying,

(Verily, I have seen a fire; perhaps I can bring you some burning brand) This means a flame from a fire. In another Ayah he said,

(or a burning firebrand.) 28:29) This is a coal that has a burning flame.

(that you may warm yourselves. ) 28:29 This proves that it was in fact cold weather at that time. Concerning his statement,

(some burning brand) This proves that it was dark. In reference to his statement,

(or find some guidance at the fire.) This means someone who can guide me to the road. This proves that he lost the road. This is as Ath-Thawri reported from Abu Sa`id Al-A`war, from `Ikrimah, from Ibn `Abbas that he said concerning Allah's statement,

(or find some guidance at the fire.) "This means someone who will guide me to the road. They were cold and had lost their way. Then, when he (Musa) saw the fire he said, `Either I will find someone who can guide us to the road, or at least I can bring you all some fire that you can kindle with.' "

Setelah habis masa perjanjian, Musa menggembalakan kambing Syekh Madyan, sebagai mahar yang harus dibayarkan Musa kepada mertuanya di Madyan, dia minta izin untuk kembali ke Mesir, menemui ibunya yang telah ditinggalkan selama sepuluh tahun lebih. Setelah mendapat izin, berangkatlah Musa a.s. bersama keluarganya menuju Mesir, dengan menghindari jalan biasa dan mengambil jalan di lereng, karena takut kalau-kalau keluarganya mendapat gangguan dari raja Syam. Dalam tafsir ar-Razi dan al-Qurthubi disebutkan bahwa setelah sampai di lembah Tuwa sebelah Barat dari gunung Tursina, istrinya melahirkan seorang anak, pada malam yang gelap gulita, berhawa dingin dan dalam keadaan tersesat. Untuk menghangatkan rasa dingin yang menusuk sampai ke tulang itu, dan mendapat penerangan di dalam suasana gelap gulita, Musa a.s. berusaha mendapatkan api, tetapi usahanya itu belum juga berhasil. Kemudian secara tidak disangka-sangka, terlihat olehnya api dari jauh di sebelah kiri jalan. Maka berkatalah ia kepada keluarganya dengan rasa gembira, "Tinggallah kalian di sini dulu, saya melihat api dari jauh, dan sekarang saya akan ke sana. Mudah-mudahan saya dapat membawa api itu ke sini, atau mendapat petunjuk daripadanya, untuk dapat keluar dari kesesatan jalan kita ini." Peristiwa seperti ini, dicantumkan juga dalam ayat yang lain di dalam Al-Qur'an, sebagaimana firman Allah:

Maka ketika Musa telah menyelesaikan waktu yang ditentukan itu dan dia berangkat dengan keluarganya, dia melihat api di lereng gunung, dia berkata kepada keluarganya, "Tunggulah (di sini), sesungguhnya aku melihat api, mudah-mudahan aku dapat membawa suatu berita kepadamu dari (tempat) api itu atau (membawa) sepercik api, agar kamu dapat menghangatkan badan." (al-Qashash/28: 29)