Arrival at the Valley of Tuwa and the First Revelation
The Prophet Moses (pbuh) honoured the agreement and stayed in Midian for many years. At the end of the appointed time, that is, when the agreement had come to termination, the Prophet Moses (pbuh) and his family left Midian. On their journey, the Prophet Moses (pbuh) saw a fire in the distance, on the side of the Mount Sinai, which he was passing by with his family. The Prophet Moses (pbuh) thought he could bring a brand from the fire to warm up or to gather some information from it. Allah relates in the verses thus:
When Moses had fulfilled the appointed term and had set off with his family, he noticed a fire from one side of the Mount. 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." (Surat al-Qasas: 29)
When Moses said to his household, "I can make out a fire. I will bring you news from it or at least a burning brand so that hopefully you will be able to warm yourselves." (Surat an-Naml: 7)
When he saw a fire and said to his family, "Wait here. I can make out a fire. Maybe I will bring you a brand from it, or will find guidance there." (Surah Ta-Ha: 10)
This event is indicative of yet another facet of the Prophet Moses' (pbuh) exemplary character. The Prophet Moses (pbuh) is a very attentive person, who carefully assesses everything happening around him. He knows Allah ordains all events according to a specific destiny and through Divine reason. His noticing a fire on a mountain, and his assessing the situation, is a condition of mind peculiar to a vigilant believer. His decision to go alone, leaving his family behind to ensure their security, is also exemplary of the wisdom granted to him by Allah.
