Moses began a journey with his people, not knowing where they were headed. They travelled day and night. They arrived at Sinai, where Moses had first spoken to Allah. Moses asked Allah for guidance on leading his people. Allah told him to fast for thirty days and then go to Mount Sinai to receive the laws to govern his people.

After Moses fasted for thirty days, he hesitated to speak to Allah because he worried about his bad breath, so he chewed a tree leaf to freshen his breath so Allah asked Moses to fast for ten more days and then return. Moses followed this instruction.

Based on this our prophet told us that the breath of fasting person is more beloved to Allah than the smell of musk.

Allah told Moses to fast for a total of forty days. Moses then asked his brother Aaron to take care of the people and guide them in the right way.

We appointed for Moses thirty nights then added another ten—completing his Lord’s term of forty nights. Moses commanded his brother Aaron, “Take my place among my people, do what is right, and do not follow the way of the corruptors.”7:142

When Moses spoke to Allah, he asked to see Him. Allah spoke to him from behind a 'curtain', showing the high rank of Moses. Moses longed to see Allah without that curtain, Allah explained that he could not see him by showing Moses a sign. Allah revealed himself (Suddi narrates He showed 'only the amount of his little finger') to a strong firm mountain which immediately crumbled in His presence, and Moses fainted. When Moses woke up, he praised Allah and repented. Some earlier scriptures say Allah responded explaining that if any living person would ever see Him, it would die instantly.

In hadith we learn: The saying of the Prophet ﷺ was that "Allah does not sleep" and "His veil is light, and if he were to remove it, the splendour of his face would burn all of his creation, as far as his sight reaches" [Muslim 179]

When Moses came at the appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he asked, “My Lord! Reveal Yourself to me so I may see You.” Allah answered, “You cannot see Me! But look at the mountain. If it remains firm in its place, only then will you see Me.” When his Lord appeared to the mountain, He levelled it to dust and Moses collapsed unconscious. When he recovered, he cried, “Glory be to You! I turn to You in repentance and I am the first of the believers.”7:143

Allah said that He had chosen Moses for a special role, and He gave him the teachings - The Ten Commandments. Allah encouraged Moses to hold on to these teachings and guide his people with gratitude.

Allah said, “O Moses! I have ˹already˺ elevated you above all others by My messages and speech. So hold firmly to what I have given you and be grateful.”7:144

We wrote for him on the Tablets ˹the fundamentals˺ of everything; commandments and explanations of all things. ˹We commanded,˺ “Hold to this firmly and ask your people to take the best of it. I will soon show ˹all of˺ you the home of the rebellious.7:145

The essence of the Ten Commandments is found in the Quran; in particular, they are covered in 6:151-152. It emphasises not associating anything with Allah in worship, being kind to parents, not harming children, avoiding shameful actions, and not taking a life without a just reason, for example.