The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 4) — Page 103
PT. 16 ṬĀHĀ camest up to the standard, O Moses. 2264 2264. Important Words: (standard) is inf. noun from (qadara). means, I measured the thing; computed or determined its quantity, measure, size, value, worth, bulk, proportion, extent, amount, limit or number. (qadrun) or v (qadarun) is the quantity, quantum measure, magnitude, size, bulk, proportion and extent, of a thing. They sayi. e. it came according to measure or as it may be said, he came up to the standard (Aqrab, Mufradāt & Lane). See also 15:61. Commentary: In what a wonderful way did God fulfil the promise He made to Moses' mother (when He commanded her to cast him into the river) that he would be restored to her (28:8)! God so managed the whole affair that the baby was soon again in the loving arms of his mother. It is in this way that God demonstrates not only His existence, but also His knowledge and shows His supreme control over all things and it is events like these that inspire a living faith in the hearts of God's loving and sincere votaries. And it was that living faith which made Moses' mother cast her baby into the river which was amply rewarded by Moses being restored to her very soon. The words (We tried thee with various trials) mean that Moses was made to pass through the crucible of trials and tribulations so that his mettle might be tested, and 2017 CH. 20 after passing out of these ordeals with flying colours he might be declared fit to be endowed with God's great gifts and favours. Midian or Madyan is the name of a town on the east side of the Gulf of ‘Akabah. The name is connected with that of the tribe of Midianites. In the " 6th century Ya'qubi speaks of its position in a district rich in springs, gardens and date-groves. Istakhri describes from his own observation the spring in the town from which Moses watered the flocks of Shu'aib. It was then covered by a house which had been built over it. The town had then shown signs of gradual decay and decline. In the 12th century Idrīsī says, "It is an unimportant little trading centre with scanty resources. " In the 14th century Abul-Fidā saw that it was in ruins. In recent times it has been visited by Ruppell, Burton and Musil. The extensive ruins which the Arabs call Maghair Shu'aib after the cave-tombs lie about 16 miles east of the port of Makna, in the southern part of the valley of Al-Bad' which is rich in streams and palms and other trees. According to Burton the whole district between 29° 28' and 27° 40' is called Arḍ Madyan (Enc. of Islam under "Madyan"). The town lay on the trade route from Medina to Syria and caravans going to Syria or Egypt passed through it. The sojourn of Moses among the people of Midian fulfilled yet another divine plan. As he was destined to