🕌 Prophet Musa (Moses)

Core Attributes

Birth and Early Life

The Tyrant's Decree

Musa was born during a time of oppression when Fir'awn (Pharaoh) ruled Egypt with tyranny. A prophecy warned that a child from the Israelites would overthrow him, so Pharaoh decreed that all newborn Israelite boys be killed. Allah inspired Musa's mother to place her infant son in a basket and set him adrift on the Nile River, with the promise that he would be returned to her.

Raised in the Palace

The basket was found by Pharaoh's wife Asiya, one of the four perfect women in Islamic tradition. She convinced Pharaoh to adopt the child, saying "A comfort of the eye for me and for you. Do not kill him; perhaps he may benefit us, or we may adopt him as a son" (Quran 28:9). Miraculously, baby Musa refused all wet nurses until his own mother was brought to nurse him, reuniting mother and child while fulfilling Allah's promise.

The Accidental Killing and Flight

As a young man in Pharaoh's palace, Musa witnessed an Egyptian oppressing an Israelite. When Musa intervened, he struck the Egyptian, accidentally killing him. Filled with remorse, Musa prayed: "My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, so forgive me" (Quran 28:16). Allah forgave him, but when the incident became known, Musa fled Egypt to the land of Madyan.

Meeting Prophet Shu'ayb

In Madyan, Musa helped two women water their flocks, displaying the noble character that would mark his prophethood. The women's father, the prophet Shu'ayb (Jethro), offered Musa marriage to one of his daughters in exchange for eight years of service. Musa accepted, spent the years in humble work, and matured into the man who would confront Pharaoh.

Confrontation with Pharaoh

The Two Signs

Allah equipped Musa with two miraculous signs: his staff that turned into a serpent, and his hand that shone with divine light when placed in his garment. These signs demonstrated Allah's power over creation - the staff showing dominion over life, the shining hand representing divine knowledge and authority.

The Contest with the Magicians

Pharaoh gathered his best magicians to challenge Musa. They threw down their ropes and staffs, creating illusions of serpents. When Musa threw down his staff, it became a real serpent that swallowed all their illusions. The magicians, recognizing true divine power, immediately prostrated in belief, declaring: "We believe in the Lord of Harun and Musa" (Quran 20:70). Despite Pharaoh's threats of crucifixion, they remained steadfast, choosing eternal truth over temporal power.

Receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai

After the exodus, Allah appointed Musa for a meeting at Mount Tur (Sinai). Musa asked to see Allah directly, and was told: "You will not see Me, but look at the mountain; if it should remain in place, then you will see Me" (Quran 7:143). When Allah manifested His glory to the mountain, it crumbled to dust, and Musa fell unconscious, realizing the impossibility of perceiving the Divine Essence in this world.

The Golden Calf Incident

During Musa's absence on the mountain, a man named Samiri fashioned a golden calf from the people's jewelry. The calf made a lowing sound, and some Israelites began worshipping it, breaking their covenant with Allah. When Musa returned with the Tawrat (Torah), he was enraged. His brother Harun had tried to stop them but was unsuccessful. Musa destroyed the idol and led his people in repentance.

The Journey with Al-Khidr

In a profound lesson on divine wisdom, Musa encountered Al-Khidr, a mysterious servant of Allah possessing special knowledge. Musa asked to accompany him to learn, but Al-Khidr warned that Musa would not have patience with things he did not understand. During their journey, Al-Khidr performed three seemingly unjust acts: damaging a boat, killing a young boy, and repairing a wall for ungrateful people.

Each time, Musa objected, breaking his promise of patience. Finally, Al-Khidr explained: the boat belonged to poor people and he damaged it to save it from a tyrannical king seizing every boat; the boy would have grieved his righteous parents with disbelief and disobedience, and Allah would replace him with a better child; the wall belonged to orphaned boys whose righteous father had buried treasure beneath it, and Allah willed it preserved until they matured. This story teaches that divine wisdom operates beyond human comprehension.

Legacy and Significance

Parallels with Muhammad

Islamic scholars note many parallels between Musa and Prophet Muhammad: both were orphaned, raised in privilege, called to prophethood at Mount (Tur/Hira), persecuted by their people, made migration (hijrah), achieved victory after years of struggle, and brought divine law. The Quran frequently addresses Prophet Muhammad through stories of Musa, providing comfort during persecution and guidance for leadership.

The Tawrat (Torah)

Musa received the Tawrat, one of the four major scriptures in Islam (along with Zabur/Psalms, Injil/Gospel, and Quran). While the original Torah has been altered according to Islamic belief, Muslims respect it as divine revelation containing guidance and light for the Children of Israel.

Connections to Islamic Cosmology

Musa's story embodies key Islamic concepts. His direct communication with Allah demonstrates the prophetic relationship, while his struggle with Pharaoh illustrates the battle between Tawhid (monotheism) and tyranny. The Jinn worked under authority during Solomon's time, and Jibreel (Gabriel) revealed the Torah to him on Mount Sinai. His journey demonstrates the reality of prophetic vision and his place in Jannah (Paradise).

Sources

• The Holy Quran - Surah Al-Baqarah (2), Al-A'raf (7), Ta-Ha (20), Al-Qasas (28), and many others
• Sahih Al-Bukhari - Book of Prophets (Kitab al-Anbiya)
• Sahih Muslim - Hadith about Musa and Al-Khidr
• Tafsir Ibn Kathir - Comprehensive commentary on Musa's story
• Stories of the Prophets by Ibn Kathir
• The Life of the Prophet by Ibn Hisham (comparisons with Muhammad)