Prophet Musa / Moses (AS) is among the most frequently mentioned prophets in the Qur’an. The life of Jesus contains a string of miracles, divine encounters, and lessons that reverberate throughout time. Every phase of life from his miraculous birth to the later years of his life is a source of wisdom and guidance.
The Inspiring Life of Prophet Musa / Moses (AS)
Birth and Divine Protection
One of the darkest periods for the Israelites had occurred during the lifetime of Prophet Musa (AS). The tyrant Pharaoh, king of Egypt, had ordered the slaughter of every male newborn among the Israelites to stem their multiplying numbers and potential uprising. But Allah (SWT)’s plan for Musa / Moses (AS) was much bigger.
When Musa / Moses (AS) was born, Allah (SWT) gave Musa / Moses (AS)’s mother divine inspiration to protect him by putting him in a basket and letting him float upon the Nile River:
“And We inspired to the mother of Musa, ‘Suckle him; but when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear nor grieve. Indeed, We will return him to you and will make him [one] of the messengers.”
(Qur’an 28:7)
Through Allah’s divine guidance, it eventually reached the palace of Pharaoh, and was found by his wife Asiya (RA). Moved by seeing the infant, she persuades Pharaoh to spare the babe and adopt him:
“And the wife of Pharaoh said, ‘He will be 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.’ And they perceived not [what was to come].”
(Qur’an 28:9)
Reunion with His Mother
Allah (SWT) had planned for Musa’s (AS) mother to see her son again. The baby would not nurse with anyone in Pharaoh’s palace. His sister, who had been following the basket, proposed a wet nurse (his mother). This is how Allah fulfilled his promise:
“So We restored him to his mother that she might be content and not grieve and that she would know that the promise of Allah is true. But most of them do not know.”
(Qur’an 28:13)
Youth and Early Adulthood in Pharaoh’s Palace
Musa / Moses (AS) was brought up in the royal palace of Pharaoh yet kept a strong link to his people. Due to his age, Allah (SWT) granted him wisdom and strength as he matured:
“And when he reached his full strength and was [mentally] mature, We bestowed upon him judgment and knowledge. And thus do We reward the doers of good.”
(Qur’an 28:14)
The Accidental Killing and Musa’s Exile
One day during his exile, Musa / Moses (AS) saw two people fighting, one an Israelite and the other an Egyptian. In a misguided attempt to stop it, he killed the Egyptian. Purged and penitent, he turned to Allah (SWT) seeking forgiveness:
“He said, ‘My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, so forgive me,’ and He forgave him. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.”
(Qur’an 28:16)
News of the incident spread, and Musa / Moses (AS) fled Egypt after being warned of Pharaoh’s intention to kill him:
“So he left it, fearful and anticipating [apprehension]. He said, ‘My Lord, save me from the wrongdoing people.’”
(Qur’an 28:21)
Life in Madyan and Service to Prophet Shu’ayb (AS)
When Musa (AS) fled to Madyan, it became a sanctuary for him. At a well, he helped two sisters water their flock, and it was this act of goodness that brought him to meet their father Prophet Shu’ayb (as). As a more common explanation to the story, Shu’ayb (AS) gave his daughter to Musa / Moses (AS) in exchange for 8 to 10 years of labor:
“He said, ‘Indeed, I wish to wed you one of these, my two daughters, on the condition that you serve me for eight years; but if you complete ten, it will be [as a favor] from you.’”
(Qur’an 28:27)
Musa / Moses (AS) accepted the offer and began a peaceful life in Madyan.
The Divine Call at Mount Tur
Having completed his term of service, Musa / Moses (AS) departed Madyan, with his family. While on his way to the mountain of Tur Allah, he saw a fire. There, Allah (SWT) spoke to him directly, appointing him as a prophet:
“And when he came to it, he was called, ‘O Musa, indeed I am your Lord, so remove your sandals. Indeed, you are in the sacred valley of Tuwa.’”
(Qur’an 20:11-12)
Allah (SWT) equipped Musa / Moses (AS) with miracles, including his staff turning into a serpent and his glowing hand, as signs of his prophethood:
“Insert your hand into the opening of your garment; it will come out white without disease. And draw in your arm close to you [as prevention] from fear; for those are two proofs from your Lord to Pharaoh and his establishment. Indeed, they have been a people defiantly disobedient.”
(Qur’an 28:32)
The Mission to Confront Pharaoh
Musa / Moses (AS) was ordered by Allah (SWT) to go to Pharaoh and proclaim the message of Tawheed. ‘At Musa’s (AS) request, his brother Haroon (AS) was appointed as his companion and helper:
“He said, ‘We will strengthen your arm through your brother, and We will give you both authority so they will not reach you.’”
(Qur’an 28:35)
Despite Musa’s (AS) warnings and miraculous signs, Pharaoh rejected the message, accusing Musa / Moses (AS) of sorcery:
“Indeed, this is a learned magician.”
(Qur’an 26:34)
The Plagues and Pharaoh’s Stubbornness
Allah (SWT) sent various punishments to Pharaoh and his people, including locusts, frogs, blood, and famine, as warnings:
“So We sent upon them the flood and locusts and lice and frogs and blood as distinct signs, but they were arrogant and were a criminal people.”
(Qur’an 7:133)
Pharaoh remained defiant, leading to his ultimate destruction.
The Exodus and the Miracle of the Red Sea
Allah (SWT) commanded Musa / Moses (AS) to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. As Pharaoh and his army pursued them, Musa / Moses (AS) struck the Red Sea with his staff, and it parted:
“And We inspired to Musa, ‘Strike with your staff the sea,’ and it parted, and each portion was like a great towering mountain.”
(Qur’an 26:63)
Pharaoh and his forces were drowned as the sea returned to its original state:
“And We drowned Pharaoh and those with him altogether.”
(Qur’an 17:103)
The Covenant at Mount Sinai
Musa / Moses (AS) went up to Mount Sinai to receive the Torah in the wilderness. During that time he was away, the Israelites lapsed into idol worship forming a golden calf. Musa / Moses (AS) came back in a rage, he warned his people and prayed for their forgiveness:
“And Musa chose from his people seventy men for Our appointment. When the earthquake seized them, he said, ‘My Lord, if You had willed, You could have destroyed them before and me as well. Would You destroy us for what the foolish among us have done?’”
(Qur’an 7:155)
The Final Years of Prophet Musa / Moses (AS)
The Qur’an does not detail the death of Prophet Musa / Moses (AS), but Islamic tradition holds that he passed away after leading the Israelites for many years.
Conclusion
Prophet Musa / Moses (AS) lived a life of faith, resilience, and the impact of divine direction. He is drowning in fertility and obstinacy, and his mouth is the marrow of dangerous marrows: freedom has its kind of freedom, and the truth to which these stories are dedicated is one of them.
“Indeed, in their stories, there is a lesson for those of understanding.”
(Qur’an 12:111)
May Allah (SWT) enable us to draw inspiration from the life of Prophet Musa / Moses (AS) and apply its lessons to our own lives. Ameen.
