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Moses in Islam

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

category: Prophethood

source: Islam-QA.com

reads: 14542

Allaah sent revelation to Moosa ibn 'Imraan (peace be upon him) and sent him to the Children of Israel to call them to worship Allaah alone, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And indeed We sent Moosa (Moses) with Our Ayaat (signs, proofs, and evidences) (saying): 'Bring out your people from darkness into light, and remind them of the annals of Allaah.'" [Ibraaheem 14:5]

And Allaah sent Haaroon the brother of Moosa as a support to Moosa when He wanted to send him to Pharaoh, to call him to worship Allaah. This was in response to the request of Moosa:

"And We granted him his brother Haaroon (Aaron), (also) a Prophet, out of Our Mercy." [Maryam 19:53]

At that time, the Children of Israel were in Egypt, under the rule of Pharaoh, who had enslaved and humiliated them. He used to let their women live but he killed their sons:

"…weakening (oppressing) a group (i.e. Children of Israel) among them: killing their sons, and letting their females live. Verily, he was of the Mufsidoon (i.e. those who commit great sins and crimes, oppressors, tyrants." [al-Qasas 28:4]

Moosa was born in Egypt, and Allaah willed that he should be brought up in the house of Pharaoh… So his mother put him in a box which she threw into the river, and it was picked up by the family of Pharaoh. His wife Aasiyah rejoiced over him and forbade them to kill him… When he grew up and attained his full strength, Allaah gave him wisdom (Prophethood, right judgement of affairs) and knowledge (of the religion of his forefathers, i.e., Islamic monotheism). [cf. al-Qasas 28:14]

One day a man from among the Children of Israel sought Moosa's help against his enemy. Moosa struck him with his fist and killed him [cf. al-Qasas 28:15]. Then Moosa regretted it, and sought the forgiveness of his Lord, and He forgave him. Then he became afraid, looking about in the city (waiting to see the result of his crime of killing) [cf. al-Qasas 28:18]. The next day, Moosa found that man fighting another enemy. He asked Moosa to help him again, and Moosa became angry with him. The man thought that he was going to kill him, so he said to him:

"'Is it your intention to kill me as you killed a man yesterday?"" [al-Qasas 28:19]

That enemy told the people of Pharaoh about that, and they started to look for him in order to kill him. A righteous man came and told Moosa what the people were plotting against him. He advised him to leave Egypt:

"So he escaped from there, looking about in a state of fear. He said: 'My Lord! Save me from the people who are Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers)!'" [al-Qasas 28:21]

Moosa headed for the land of Madyan (Midian), where he married the daughter of a noble shaykh in return for working for him for eight years. When that time was over, Moosa travelled with his family towards Egypt. When he came to al-Toor (Mount Sinai), Allaah wanted to single him out, to honour him with Prophethood and to speak with him. Moosa lost his way, then he saw a fire…

"… he said to his family: 'Wait! Verily, I have seen a fire; perhaps I can bring you some burning brand therefrom, or find some guidance at the fire.'"

"And when he came to it (the fire), he was called by name: 'O Moosa (Moses)!'"

"Verily, I am your Lord! So take off your shoes; you are in the sacred valley, Tuwa."

"And I have chosen you. So listen to that which will be revealed (to you)."

"Verily, I am Allaah! Laa ilaaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so worship Me, and perform As-Salaah (Iqaamat-as-Salaah) for My remembrance."

"Verily, the Hour is coming and I am almost hiding it that every person may be rewarded for that which he strives." [Ta-Ha 20:10-15]

Then Allaah showed him some of the miracles. He commanded him to throw his stick on the ground, and it turned into a snake; then to put his hand into his garment, and it came out white. Then He told him to go with these two miracles to Pharaoh, so that he might accept admonition or fear Allaah, for he had transgressed all bounds in oppression and corruption. And He sent with Moosa his brother Haaroon. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

" 'Go, both of you, to Fir'awn (Pharaoh), verily, he has transgressed (all bounds in disbelief and disobedience and behaved as an arrogant and as a tyrant)."

"And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear (Allaah)."

"They said: 'Our Lord! Verily, we fear lest he should hasten to punish us or lest he should transgress (all bounds against us).'"

"He (Allaah) said: 'Fear not, verily, I am with you both, hearing and seeing."

"So go you both to him, and say: 'Verily, we are Messengers of your Lord, so let the Children of Israel go with us, and torment them not; indeed, we have come with a sign from your Lord! And peace will be upon him who follows the guidance!'" [Ta-Ha 20:43-47]

Moosa and Haaroon (peace be upon them) went to Pharaoh and conveyed the message to him. Pharaoh asked Moosa:

"Fir'awn (Pharaoh) said: 'And what is the Lord of the 'Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)?'"

"Moosa (Moses) said: 'The Lord of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, if you seek to be convinced with certainty.'" [al-Shu'araa' 26:23-24]

Then Pharaoh asked Moosa for a sign to prove that he was speaking the truth:

"(Fir'awn (Pharaoh)) said: 'If you have come with a sign, show it forth, if you are one of those who tell the truth.'"

"Then (Moosa (Moses)) threw his stick and behold! it was a serpent, manifest!"

"And he drew out his hand, and behold! it was white (with radiance) for the beholders." [al-A'raaf 7:106-108]

When Pharaoh and his people saw that, they accused Moosa of sorcery. They brought the sorcerers together and offered them a great reward. Then they gathered the people together on a feast day. The sorcerers threw down their sticks and ropes,

"…So when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of the people, and struck terror into them, and they displayed a great magic." [al-A'raaf 7:116]

Then Allaah supported Moosa against the sorcerers and exposed the falsehood of their plots. Then the sorcerers believed in the Lord of the Worlds:

"And We revealed to Moosa (Moses) (saying): 'Throw your stick,' and behold! It swallowed up straight away all the falsehood which they showed. Thus truth was confirmed, and all that they did was made of no effect. So they were defeated there and returned disgraced. And the sorcerers fell down prostrate. They said: 'We believe in the Lord of the 'Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists). The Lord of Moosa (Moses) and Haaroon (Aaron).'" [al-A'raaf 7:117-122]

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