SAUDI ARABIA

Know the Saudi location where Moses lived, worked for 10 years

August 06, 2017

By Mohammed Al-Harbi

VERY few know the place where Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) lived before he became a Messenger of God and was sent on a mission to the Pharaoh. Few visited the site, although the story and the location were mentioned in the Qur’an.

The significance of the place lies in the name “Shuaib,” which belongs to Prophet “Shuaib” (pbuh) who befriended Moses and became his father-in-law. The carved mountains stand as witness to an immortal story that took place in Al-Bida'a governorate, one of the richest historic sites near the Red Sea.

“Magha’er Shuaib” is a historical site that lies 225 km northwest of Tabuk city in Saudi Arabia. It is the place where Moses moved to for a decade. Moses lived there to meet the dowry conditions to marry Shuaib’s daughter before his return to Egypt to advise the Pharoah and his followers.

The place has preserved its historical characteristics, with its carved facades. Dr. Ahmed Al-Abboudi, associate professor, Department of Archeology at King Saud University, told Al Arabiya that he believes the location is even older than “Madayen Saleh.”

“Magha’er Shuaib” as per the research work and sources was called “Madyan” in the past and in the Qur’an, while it is known in the present time as Al-Bida'a governorate. These researches confirm “Magha’er Shuaib” is where Prophet Moses (pubs) had lived prior to his prophethood as per the popular story in the Qur’an.

Al-Abboudi pointed out that the place has not been studied extensively and has not received attention, especially since it is closed, except for a few visits by officials, in a location that lacks services and facilities. 
Due to the similarities between "Madayen Saleh" and “Magha’er Shuaib” in the construction styles, many observers are unaware that the two sites are different and are separated by about 400 km toward the Red Sea.
The locations also share similarities with “Petra” in Jordan, in terms of patterns of sculpture and its appearance and form.

The story of Moses and Shuaib

The story in the Qur’an is told in detail since Moses fled Egypt because of the incident in which he accidentally knocked down a man dead, after seeing him fighting with an Israelite. 
Moses walked toward “Madyan,” across the Red Sea. As he reached a well, he saw two girls waiting for their turn to fetch water for their herd. Moses came and offered his help to the two girls and then retired to the shade. When the girls returned to their father Shuaib, they asked him to reward Moses for his help. 
Shuaib saw that Moses was chivalrous and valiant so he asked him to stay with him for eight years and offered him his daughter’s hand in marriage. Moses accepted and extended his stay to 10 years.

Al-Abboudi said that “Magha’er Shuaib”, located in the province of Bida'a, is part of the northwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula — a location that bears great secrets, sites and inscriptions that are countless. “Most of it has not been unearthed yet,” he said.

Orientalists talked about “Magha’er Shuaib”

Many of the travelers and Orientalists documented “Magha’er Shuaib” in their books, among them are Musil and “Abdullah Philby” who referred to the location in some detail and linked it to the story of Moses and Shuaib. — Al Arabiya English


August 06, 2017
19751 views
HIGHLIGHTS
SAUDI ARABIA
8 hours ago

Saudi Arabia chosen to chair UN Committee on the Status of Women in 2025

SAUDI ARABIA
10 hours ago

Car agents directed to receive only a portion of price as deposit while booking cars

SAUDI ARABIA
11 hours ago

Punitive measures against more firms for organizing illegal lottery prize draws