The story of Ya'qub's journey to Haran to escape Esau's anger, the prophetic dream he received along the way, and his meeting with Laban and the condition of seven years of work to marry his daughter.
Ya'qub's Departure to the Land of Haran
When leaving the land of Palestine, Ishaq provided Ya'qub with many possessions and livestock as the inheritance portion of the firstborn son. Meanwhile, Esau became angry when he heard that Ya'qub departed while carrying abundant supplies from both his parents, and then Esau devised a plan to seize the worldly inheritance that Ishaq had given to Ya'qub. So Esau sent his father's servants to go and deliver a message to Ya'qub.
When this group caught up with Ya'qub, they conveyed a message that Ishaq commanded Ya'qub to return the supplies to Esau through them, so that Esau would not be jealous and so that Esau would not come after Ya'qub to the land of Haran.
On the other hand, Ya'qub was grateful to have received Allah's blessings conveyed through his parents, which was enough provision to ensure his livelihood in this world and the Hereafter. Ya'qub gave all these supplies to Ishaq's servants to be delivered to Esau, so Ya'qub had to walk without carrying any provisions when he arrived at his uncle's house, only the protection of Allah who always accompanied Ya'qub wherever he was, so that he might return safely to his father's land.
Ya'qub's Departure to the Land of Haran
When his body was very tired, he fell asleep while resting under a large rock. In the midst of this journey, Ya'qub had a prophetic dream meaning that Allah promised that Ya'qub's descendants would be very numerous, filling the earth if he remained faithful to carrying out Allah's commands.
Moreover, Ya'qub received a prophecy that he would bless his twelve sons so that later Ya'qub would be called the ancestor of the twelve tribes. Then Ya'qub erected a memorial at the place where he had dreamed, and he made a vow to Allah that he would make a special offering at that place if Allah accompanied him and allowed Ya'qub to return safely to his father's land.
Ya'qub's Departure to the Land of Haran
After traveling for many days, both day and night through a winding journey, finally Prophet Ya'qub arrived at the gate of the city of Padan Aram. His heart was relieved when he saw domestic animals roaming on the meadows, he also saw birds scattered in the air, and the city dwellers who were engaged in activities seeking livelihood to meet their needs.
A few moments later, Ya'qub arrived at a crossroads, and he stopped for a moment to ask one of the townspeople where his uncle Laban lived. Because Laban was one of the richest people who owned the largest livestock farm in the city, it was not difficult for the residents to know his name.
One of the people he asked immediately knew who Laban was, then pointed his finger toward a beautiful girl who was herding his livestock—sheep—and said to Ya'qub: 'How fortunate! That is Laban's daughter who can take you to her father's house; her name is Rahil.'
Ya'qub's Departure to the Land of Haran
After hearing what one of the townspeople said, Prophet Ya'qub went to see the beautiful girl, his heart racing. Then with a trembling voice, Ya'qub introduced himself to the beautiful girl, explaining that he was her cousin.
His mother, named Rebekah, was the sister of the girl named Rahil. Then Ya'qub explained to Rahil that the purpose of his coming to Padan Aram was to meet her father Laban to convey a message from Prophet Ishaq, who was the father of Prophet Ya'qub. The girl named Rahil received Ya'qub's explanation well, and then agreed to follow him to her house or where Laban lived.
The Story of Prophet Ya'qub After meeting with Laban, Prophet Ya'qub embraced him as a sign of joy at an unexpected reunion, then tears flowed down both their cheeks as they were mixed with happiness. Then Laban prepared a special room for his nephew and asked Prophet Ya'qub to consider it as his own house. Then after several weeks of living in Laban's house, Prophet Ya'qub conveyed a message from his father, that they become in-laws by marrying one of Laban's daughters to Prophet Ya'qub.
The message from Prophet Ya'qub's father was received well and Laban agreed to the message to marry his daughter to Prophet Ya'qub. But before that, there was one condition, namely that Prophet Ya'qub must be willing to help Laban in running his livestock business for seven years first. Prophet Ya'qub agreed to the condition proposed by his future father-in-law, and was willing to work tending the largest livestock farm in the city.
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