Surah Al-Qasas 28:26
سُورَةُ القَصَصِ · Meccan · Verse 26 of 88
قَالَتْ إِحْدَىٰهُمَا يَٰٓأَبَتِ ٱسْتَـْٔجِرْهُ ۖ إِنَّ خَيْرَ مَنِ ٱسْتَـْٔجَرْتَ ٱلْقَوِىُّ ٱلْأَمِينُ
Translation
One of the women said, ‘Father, hire him: a strong, trustworthy man is the best to hire.’
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse opens with a moment of profound observation and wise counsel from one of the daughters of the righteous man to her father. It captures a deep lesson in character assessment and the power of precise language.
A Daughter's Tender Counsel
The address begins with ﴿يَٰٓأَبَتِ﴾ (Ya Abati), meaning "O my father." This isn't just a casual address. As Ibn Ashur points out, the specific grammatical form, with the "taa" replacing the "ya" of the first-person possessive, conveys a sense of tenderness and intimacy. It highlights the close, respectful bond between the daughter and her father, setting a warm, receptive tone for her advice. Her request, ﴿اسْتَـْٔجِرْهُ﴾ (ista'jirhu), "hire him," is direct and practical. It proposes a formal arrangement, suggesting Musa's dignity is preserved through a contract for work rather than mere charity, an important distinction given his desperate situation.
A Timeless Maxim
The heart of her counsel lies in her powerful statement: ﴿إِنَّ خَيْرَ مَنِ اسْتَأْجَرْتَ الْقَوِيُّ الأمِينُ﴾ (Indeed, the best of those you can hire is the strong, the trustworthy).
This is not merely a description of Musa, but a timeless, universal principle. The introductory particle ﴿إِنّ﴾ (Inna, "indeed") adds emphasis, asserting the absolute truth of her statement. Scholars like al-Zamakhshari and Ibn Ashur highlight that this phrase functions like a proverb, a general maxim applicable to any situation. By using the definite articles "al-" for "the strong" (al-Qawi) and "the trustworthy" (al-Amin), she generalizes these qualities, rather than just saying "he is strong and trustworthy." This rhetorical choice makes her statement more profound and elegant, implying that Musa embodies these universal virtues without having to state them explicitly. Ibn Ashur notes this approach is a peak of eloquence, allowing the listener to draw the conclusion themselves.
Strength and Trustworthiness
What did she observe to warrant such a strong recommendation? She saw Musa's ﴿الْقَوِيُّ﴾ (al-Qawi, "strength") when he effortlessly moved the heavy stone from the well, enabling them to water their flock, an act that normally required many men (al-Razi, al-Jalalayn). His ﴿الْأَمِينُ﴾ (al-Amin, "trustworthiness") was evident in his modesty and integrity. Al-Razi mentions how Musa lowered his gaze and instructed her to walk behind him, showing his deep respect and scrupulousness. These two qualities, strength and trustworthiness, are presented as the essential combination for anyone in a position of responsibility. Al-Zamakhshari remarks that when these two characteristics, capability and honesty, are united in a person managing your affairs, your mind is at ease and your goals are achieved. This concise advice from a young woman reveals remarkable insight into human character and leadership.
Source: al-Jalalayn, al-Zamakhshari, Ibn Ashur, al-Razi, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran, al-Muyassar
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Qasas 28:26 is discussed in 12 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Qasas 28:26 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.