The events that occured in the life of Musa NabiAS bear witness to the fact that he grew up to be a strong and virtuous man. The Quran relates the following incident that led him to leave the household of the Pharaoh and begin the journey that would decide the destiny of those who chose to follow him:
He (Musa Nabi) entered the city at a time when its inhabitants were unaware and found therein two men fighting — one of his own sect and the other from that of his enemy. He who was from his sect asked for his support against him who was of his enemies. Musa hit out at the enemy, dealing him a fatal blow. He said, “This is Satan’s doing. Lo, he is an enemy and a misleader.” (Qur’an, 28: 15) A single blow from Musa Nabi proved fatal for the reciever. Musa NabiAS realized that he had wronged and besieged Allah for forgiveness.
He said, “My Lord, I have wronged. Forgive me.” So Allah forgave him. He is the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. He said, “My Lord, because of Your blessing to me, I will never be a supporter of evildoers.” (Qur’an, 28: 16-17)
Morning found him in the city, fearful and on his guard. Then suddenly the man who had sought his help the day before, shouted for help from him again. Musa said to him, “You are clearly a misguided man.” (Qur’an, 28: 18)
Since Musa NabiAS was considered responsible for the death of an Egyptian, the Pharaoh and his followers discussed his punishment, even the possibility of executing him. Someone who overheard the discussion came to warn Musa. Concerned over the plot against him, Musa fled from Egypt: A man came in haste from the furthest part of the city, saying, “Musa, the Council are conspiring to kill you, so leave! I am someone who brings you good advice.” So he left there fearful and on his guard, saying, “My Lord, rescue me from the people of the wrongdoers!” (Qur’an, 28: 20-21)
Musa NabiAS set off to Midian. (Midian is a region beyond the Sinai desert to the east of Egypt, corresponding to the southern end of Jordan today.)
When Musa NabiAS reached Midian, he found a crowd of people drawing water from a well. Standing at a distance from them, he saw two women, holding back their sheep. To Musa’s inquiry, they explained that they had to graze their father’s flocks for him since he was an old man, but they couldn’t because of the shepherds. Musa NabiAS helped the women by leading their flock to the water and lifting the rock, that covered the well, all by himself:
After helping the women Musa Nabi withdrew into the shade and said, “My Lord, I am in need of whatever good You send down for me.” (Qur’an, 28: 24) One of the two women heard Musa NabiAS and went home to inform their father – Shoaib NabiAS who asked her to bring Musa NabiAS home. While Musa was resting, one of the women approached him to convey her father’s invitation in appreciation for his help:
When Musa Nabi narrated his story to Shoaib NabiAS he said: “Have no fear, you have escaped from the wrongdoers.” (Qur’an, 28: 25) One of the women asked her father to hire Musa NabiAS as he was strong and trustworthy: Syedna Qadi al NomanRA explains in Da‘aim ul Islam, quoting Imam Jaafar us SadiqSA, that the daughters of Sho‘aib NabiAS assumed that Musa NabiAS was both strong and virtous, for he single handedly drew water from the well and had the daughters of Shoib NabiAS lead him from behind saying: “I am not from those who follow the hind of women.”
Convinced of his trustworthiness, Sho‘aib NabiAS decided to wed his daughter to Musa NabiAS.