The Sacred Exile

Exodus 2:15

“When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well. Now a priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father's flock. Moses got up and helped them, and watered their flock.”

Moses' exile in Midian before the Exodus

Quran 9:40

“If you do not aid the Prophet—[it is no matter], for Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out [of Mecca] as one of two, when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, 'Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.' And Allah sent down his tranquility upon him and supported him with soldiers you did not see, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest, while the word of Allah—that is the highest.”

Prophet's Hijra (migration) to Medina

Valmiki Ramayana 2:20

“Rama, though born to kingship, accepted his father's command and went into exile for fourteen years in the forest. With his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, he wandered the wilderness, maintaining dharma and righteousness, until the time of his return and restoration.”

Rama's exile as fulfillment of duty

Lalitavistara

“Prince Siddhartha departed in the night from his father's palace, leaving behind his wife and child. He wandered for six years as an ascetic, facing temptation and suffering, until he finally sat beneath the Bodhi tree and attained enlightenment.”

Buddha's departure and ascetic journey

Mosiah 23:1-3

“And Alma and his people took their tents and their families and departed into the wilderness. And they were in number about four hundred and fifty souls. And Alma was their high priest and their leader of the church. And the Lord was with Alma and his people, and he did establish a church among them.”

Alma's flight and founding of a refuge community

1 Nephi 16:11-14

“And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did go forth upon the top of the mountain, and there I beheld the heavens open, and the Lord spake unto me saying, 'Nephi, behold the Liahona!' And I beheld a round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass. And it had a spindle in the center thereof, and the spindle was of pure gold.”

Nephi's wilderness journey guided by Liahona