Moses’ Life Story, the Most Repeated Story in Quran
Moses was the greatest prophet of the Children of Israel and their leader. He guided the Children of Israel out of Egypt on their way to the Promised Land. He is one of the five Ulul Azm Prophets (Arch Prophets). The name of Moses is mentioned 136 times in the Quran. He was Prophet Shuaib’s son-in-law, and his successor was Prophet Joshua.
The Quran describes Moses (PBUH) as both a messenger and a prophet,[1] highlighting his superiority over his people due to his messengership and conversation with God. Moses, who was the leader of a heavenly religion, received the revelation of the Ten Commandments and the Torah. Among other heavenly religions, Moses’ religion (Judaism) is known as the most similar religion to Islam.[2]
According to Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah, one of the contemporary Islamic scholars, Moses’ mission was universal not limited to a specific group of people or a specific place.[3] However, based on the Quran and Torah, some researchers believe that Judaism and the Torah are exclusive to the Children of Israel and the Torah does not address other communities.[4]
Moses is the only prophet given the title “Kalimullah” (meaning “one who conversed with Allah”). Although some believe that God also spoke directly to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during the Mi’raj (the Night Journey).[5] Some Islamic scholars believe that God created sound waves and words in the space or in objects and he spoke this way. On the other hand, Mohammad Hossein Tabataba’i believed that God has not mentioned how He spoke to Moses. According to him, God spoke to Moses indirectly and it is certain that God has spoken to him. Although God had an ordinary conversation with Moses, He did not require a physical body and its parts, like a mouth, to speak.[6]
The Quran pays great attention to the history of the Children of Israel, so it is normal that the Prophet of this group is mentioned a lot in the Quran. The Children of Israel and Muslims have a lot in common. There is a hadith by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in this regard; it says, “My nation will follow the traditions of the Children of Israel and will follow in their footsteps, to the extent that if the Children of Israel enter a lizard’s hole, my nation will also enter the same lizard’s hole. Indeed, the Torah and the Quran were written by one angel on one page with one pen; nations have the same traditions and story.”[7] Therefore, recounting the story of the Children of Israel is beneficial to the Islamic Ummah and teaches them lessons.
The Jews who are originating from the Children of Israel played a significant role in the society during the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). They harbored great animosity towards Islam. In this regard, the Quran 5:82 says, “You will find that the people most hostile towards the believers are Jews and polytheists.” Therefore, examining their essence and history is considered as a countermeasure against their aggression and can neutralize their conspiracies.
You Are Mine
God’s deep love for Moses is to the extent that, according to the Quran, Allah tells him, “I have selected you for Myself.”[8] This love is clearly seen throughout Moses’ life, from his birth to his death.
Before Moses (PBUH) was born, Pharaoh was massacring the male infants of Israelites. Various reasons have been cited for this massacre:
Pharaoh had a dream. He dreamed a fire which came from Jerusalem and burned the houses of Egyptians and all Copts, but it did not do harm to the children of Israel. When he woke up, he was horrified. He then gathered his priests and magicians and asked them about this dream. They said: “This means a boy will be born of them and the Egyptian people will perish at his hands.”[9]
Previous prophets had given glad tidings of the coming of Moses. They had even foretold his characteristics. It filled Pharaoh’s people with fear. So Pharaoh took preventive measures.[10] He decided to kill newborn sons of Israelites. Given the ruthless massacres committed by Pharaoh, it was normal that when Moses’ mother got pregnant, she was terrified of losing his child.
The moment of Moses’ birth as well as his childhood were filled with many hardships. However, divine assistance and God’s support accompanied Moses at those moments. When Moses was born, his mother’s midwife who was a friend of hers intended to report Moses’ birth to Pharaoh’s officials. However, when she looked at Moses’ face, her heart filled with his love; therefore, she decided not to do that.
As the midwife was exiting Moses’ mother’s house, some of Pharaoh’s spies saw her and decided to enter the house. Moses’ sister informed their mother that the spies were going to enter their house. In her sheer panic, Moses’ mother lost her composure, wrapped her newborn in a cloth, and placed him in an oven. The spies asked Moses’ mother what the midwife was doing in her house. She replied, “She is my friend and came to visit me.” The officials, feeling disheartened, left the house.
When Moses’ mother regained her composure, she asked her daughter where the baby was. The daughter replied that she had no idea. At that moment, Moses cried. The mother rushed to the oven and saw that fire had become cool and safe for Moses at God’s will. She took her child out while he was safe and sound.
Still worried, Moses’ mother was aware that even the slightest cry from her child could potentially reveal his presence and inform the spies about him. In her distress, she prayed to God and asked for His guidance.[11] God inspired the mother of Moses: “Nurse him; then, when you fear for him, cast him into the river, and do not fear, nor grieve; We will return him to you, and make him one of the messengers.”[12]
Furthermore, Moses’ mother received divine assistance by being able to nurse her baby in secrecy for three months. During those times, Moses never cried. As a result, the spies did not notice his existence.[13]
Following divine inspiration, Moses’ mother decided to cast her child into the river. She secretly went to an Egyptian carpenter who was one of Pharaoh’s people and asked him to make a small chest for her. The carpenter asked, “What do you need the chest for?” Moses’ mother who was an honest woman replied, “I want to hide my newborn in it.”
Upon hearing that, the carpenter decided to inform the Pharaoh’s officials about it. So he went to them, but a tremendous fear overwhelmed him and he got speechless. He tried to convey the message by gesture, but the officials interpreted his gesture as mockery. They beat him and threw him out of their office. This occurrence happened three times, and each time he tried to inform the officials about Moses, he got speechless. Realizing that there must be a divine secret related to this issue, he ultimately built the chest and handed it over to Moses’ mother.[14]
In the quiet of the early morning, Moses’ mother put him in the chest. Then she went to the Nile river and cast the chest into the water. The waves of the Nile carried the chest away. It was a crucial and an emotional time for Moses’ mother. If it were not for God’s grace, she would have cried out over the absence of her baby. As a result, the spies would have discovered her secret. However, Recalling the divine inspiration, “Do not fear, nor grieve; We will return him to you, and make him one of the messengers,”[15] brought comfort to her heart and provided reassurance.
The Quran 20:39 speaks of Moses being cast into the river. It highlights how God commanded the river to obey His will and wash Moses to the shore, where his enemies would pick him up.
According to the Quran, once Pharaoh and his wife (Asiya)[16] saw a small chest being carried by the waves of the Nile river. At Pharaoh’s command, the chest was brought to Pharaoh. Asiya opened the lid of the chest. Suddenly her eyes fell on a baby. Just at that moment, her heart filled with Moses’ love. When Pharaoh saw the baby, he became furious and said, “Why has this boy not been killed?” Asiya replied, “This boy is not born this year. You ordered the babies born this year to be killed. Let him live.” According to the Quran, Asiya said, “An eye’s delight for me and for you. Do not kill him; perhaps he will be useful to us, or we may adopt him as a son.”[17]
Meanwhile, Moses’ mother said to her daughter, “Go after him and see what happens.”[18] Moses’ sister followed her mother’s instructions. She watched him from afar and saw that Pharaoh’s people picked him up.
Obeying Asiya and Pharaoh’s orders, the officials set out to find a wet nurse for Moses. Despite finding several candidates, the baby surprisingly refused to nurse from any of them. While the officials were continuing search for a wet nurse, they stumbled upon Moses’ sister nearby. She said to them, “Shall I tell you about a family that can raise him for you, and will look after him?”[19]
The officials, guided by Moses’ sister, went to Moses’ mother and brought her to Pharaoh’s palace to nurse the baby. The baby breastfed eagerly. From that moment on, Moses’ mother nursed her child. Thus, God fulfilled His promise to Moses’ mother that He would return Moses to her.[20]
The Light in Darkness
When Moses reached maturity, he entered the city. He came upon two men fighting, one from his own sect and one from among his enemies. The member of his sect asked for his help against his enemy.[21] so Moses punched him, and killed him.[22] Moses did not intend to kill him because it would have serious consequences both for him and the Children of Israel. He was truly penitent. So he sought forgiveness from God.[23]
Informed of the incident, Pharaoh and his advisors met and sentenced Moses to death. One of Pharaoh’s relatives, named Hezekiah (who later became known as the believer among Pharaoh’s people), was informed of the decision made in the meeting. Although he believed Moses, he was hiding his faith. So he secretly went to Moses and said, “O Moses, the authorities are considering killing you, so leave; I am giving you good advice.”[24] Moses decided to head towards the land of Midian, which was located south of Syria and northwest of Saudi Arabia. It was also outside Egypt, the land of Pharaoh. Although it was a long journey and he had no provisions for it, he had no other choice but to go on that journey. Trusting God and hoping for divine assistance, he set out on the journey and said, “My Lord, deliver me from the wrongdoing people.”[25]
In Midian, Moses married the daughter of Prophet Shuaib. After living in Midian for ten years, he said to Prophet Shuaib, “I must return to my homeland and visit my mother and relatives. After serving you for several years, would you give me something?”
Prophet Shuaib agreed that Moses return to his homeland and gave him some sheep either according to a prior agreement with Moses or without any prior agreements. Moses packed his bags and headed towards Egypt along with his wife who was in the final days of pregnancy and the sheep that Shuaib had given him.
On his way back, Moses lost his way. It was bitterly cold and pitch dark. He was caught up in a difficult situation. He was bewildered. Suddenly, he saw the light coming from Mount Sinai. He thought maybe someone had set fire to something. So he said to his wife, “Stay here, I have glimpsed a fire. Perhaps I can bring you some information from there, or an ember from the fire, that you may warm yourselves.”[26]
The Quran does not say that Moses’ wife was about to give birth. However, it is commonly believed that she had gone into labor at that moment and that made Moses anxious. Reaching a unique fire—light without heat, devoid of burning—he was called from the right side of the Valley of Tuwa from within a bush: “O Moses, it is I, Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.”[27]
As Moses got closer to the fire, he noticed that flames were shining brightly from within a green branch, becoming more radiant and beautiful gradually. With a small tree branch in his hand, he bent down to take a bit of it, but the fire moved toward Moses. He became frightened and walked backward. He moved toward the fire and then the fire moved toward him. This incident repeated several times. Suddenly a voice called out, giving the good news of receiving revelation. Through these undeniable signs, it became clear to Moses that the voice was nothing but a divine calling.
God commanded Moses to take off his shoes out of reverence to that blessed valley and enter there with humility, listen to God’s voice, and receive His revelation. “I am your Lord. Take off your shoes. You are in the sacred valley of Tuwa.”[28]
Regarding this part of Moses’ life, Imam Sadiq (PBUH) says, “Be hopeful to gain the things in your life you do not have any hope to gain because Moses ibn Imran had gone to bring his family an amber from the fire and he came back to them while he had become a prophet.”[29] This hadith refers to this point that most of the time we hope for something to happen, but it never happens. On the other hand, there are more important things in life that we may not expect to happen, but they occur because of God’s grace.
Moses, the Unappreciated Prophet
The Children of Israel are the children and descendants of Prophet Jacob, who lived in the land of Canaan. When Joseph became what we might call the Prime Minister—or the second-in-command—of the entire land of Egypt, there was a famine in Canaan. Josef invited Jacob and his sons to Egypt. They moved to Egypt and settled there.
For many years, the Children of Israel were oppressed and tortured by Pharaoh because they believed in God. God sent Prophet Moses to save them. Aaron, Moses’s brother, was his companion to assist him in his mission.
During his time, Prophet Moses performed numerous miracles to validate his claim to prophethood and to save his people. Each of these miracles was of significant importance. However, instead of being thankful to God and appreciating Prophet Moses, they were ungrateful. Of course, there were some believers among the children of Israel, and not all of them were ungrateful.
When Moses stroke the sea with his staff and it parted at God’s command, and the Children of Israel crossed the sea, they came upon a people who were devoted to some statues of theirs. Their feet were still wet, they said, “O Moses, make for us a god, as they have gods.”[30]
After the Exodus, when Moses was with God for forty days and nights, the Children of Israel made a golden calf and started to worship it. The calf was the sacred animal of Egyptians and the symbol of fertility. The hearts of the Children of Israel became filled with the love of the calf. According to the Quran, a person named Samiri made the golden calf and promoted its worship,[31] while according to the Torah, Prophet Aaron has made the golden calf.
The Children of Israel exemplified rudeness, ingratitude, excuse-making, weakness, and welfarism. For example, when Moses asked them to enter the Holy Land and fight against oppressors,[32] they refused to enter it and said, “O Moses, there are tyrannical people in it; we will not enter it until they leave it. If they leave it, we will enter.”[33]
In any case, the Children of Israel took their long-awaited savior (Moses) for granted. Similarly, today, Muslims’ chosen lifestyle bears no resemblance to Prophet Muhammad’s lifestyle and they have not paved the way for the advent of the Promised Savior.[34]
One similarity between contemporary Muslims and the Children of Israel is that when they must strive in the way of Allah, they avoid this sacred duty due to being comfort-seeking and indolent. Had they strived in the way of Allah, dear Palestine, the beating heart of the Muslim word, would not have fallen into the hands of the criminal Zionist regime for so many years. As a result, the lives of innocent generations would not have been destroyed in anguish and displacement.
Indeed, the children of Israel did not show unquestioning obedience to their divine leader, Prophet Moses (PBUH), and they behaved badly toward him. And now we are the nation of Prophet Muhammad who have neglected the command of Prophet Muhammad for many years regarding the unity between Muslims and striving in the path of God.
The Promised Land
Have you ever thought why Israel commits so many crimes to occupy Palestine and its neighboring countries? Why does Israel seek to reshape the Middle East? Is it not strange that Israel is ready to kill women and children and hold innocent people in detention in order to occupy a country?
One reason for Israel’s presence in the West Asia is based on a strategic policy. In fact, Israel is supposed to protect Western interests in this region. However, another reason that drives the Israeli regime to commit any crime in order to occupy Palestine and its neighbors is rooted in a religious belief. Israelites believe that, according to the Torah, there is a land known as the Promised Land or the Holy Land that belongs to them. The Promised Land is so important in the Jewish faith that, according to the Talmud, everyone who lives in it is considered a faithful person.
Meanwhile, one of the fundamental issues of Judaism is determining the boundaries of the Promised Land precisely. There are various verses about this issue. In Genesis 15:18, the Promised Land is described as a very extensive territory, extending from the Nile River to the Euphrates River. However, in Numbers 34, the more limited map of the Promised Land has been portrayed, which includes Palestine and its surrounding areas. Some Jewish scholars have rationalized the differing interpretations of territorial boundaries. They believe that the Promised Land is a small territory that can be extended and become a large one. Its minimum boundary has been mentioned in Numbers, but when Jews become powerful, the land can be extended to the borders mentioned in the Genesis.
Having briefly considered the Jewish concept of the Promised Land, let us now examine the Islamic perspective. Several verses of the Quran refer to a sacred land that has been promised to the Children of Israel. Among these verses, Quran 5:21 speaks more explicitly about it: “O my people, enter the Holy Land which Allah has assigned for you, and do not turn back, or else you will be losers.”
Here, Moses tells the Children of Israel to enter a Holy Land that God has assigned for them. Therefore, as we see the Quran acknowledges that the Holy Land is promised to the Children of Israel, but here the question arises, does it mean that the Quran affirms that Jews have absolute ownership of this land?
A closer examination of the Quran reveals the answer is no. Some commentators of the Quran believe that “Allah has assigned for you…” means Allah has commanded you to enter the Holy Land. However, even if we assume that this phrase means God has promised and allotted this land to the Children of Israel, it does not support the Jewish claim of having absolute ownership of this land. From the Quranic verses, we infer that it was God’s will that the Children of Israel enter this land and live a life of peace and prosperity, but it was a conditional promise. In fact, this land was promised to them only if they acted righteously, remained patient, sought God’s help, and worshipped Him.
Moses said to his people, “Seek help in Allah, and be patient. The earth belongs to Allah. He gives it in inheritance to whomever He wills of His servants, and the future belongs to the righteous.”[35] Thus if they do not follow these conditions, this land will not be given to them and will instead be forbidden for them. This is why the first generation of the Children of Israel who accompanied Moses wandered in the desert for forty years and did not find the Promised Land: “It is forbidden for them for forty years. They will wander aimlessly in the land. So do not grieve over the defiant people.”[36]
In fact, it was the next generation that, alongside Joshua, conquered Palestine. So it was not God’s will that the Children of Israel have the absolute ownership of the Promised Land. It was a conditional promise. In fact, if the Children of Israel obeyed God and worshiped Him, they could be the absolute owners of this land. It is also understood from several passages of the Torah that God’s promise to the Children of Israel was conditional: “Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” God said further to Abraham, “Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations.”[37]
Additionally, Israelites believe that the Promised Land was given to them by Prophet Abraham. For this reason, they think that this land belongs to Jews. Another reason that Israelites believe the Promised Land belongs to them is that Abraham left his homeland and settled in the Holy Land and Jesus has also lived in this land.
However, this belief is subject to criticism because if it is true that Prophet Abraham has designated the Promised Land for his descendants, then this Land belongs to Muslims too. As according to the Quran, Abraham is Muslims’ father.[38] In fact, all Christians and Muslims are descendants of Abraham and follow his faith.
Is There Another Savior Like Moses?
It is interesting to note that the life of Prophet Moses (PBUH) as the savior of the Children of Israel is very similar to the life of Imam Mahdi (AJ), the Promised Savior. Here are some of their similarities.
- Nobody knew that Moses’ mother was pregnant with him. She also gave birth to Moses secretly. The same story goes for the Mother of Imam Mahdi (AJ).
- Prophet Moses went into occultation twice and people could not contact him for a while. One of his occultations took a long time. His first occultation was the time when he left Egypt. His second occultation was the time when Moses was with God for forty days and nights. Imam Mahdi (AJ) also had two Occultations: Minor Occultation and Major Occultation. His Major Occultation has taken too long and continues to the present day.
- Prophet Moses went to Occultation because he was in danger of being killed by his enemies,[39] and so was Imam Mahdi (AJ).
- When Prophet Moses went into occultation, his people faced hardships and pressures. They also suffered humiliation; likewise, during the Occultation of Imam Mahdi (AJ), his followers and friends experience many difficulties and suffer humiliation.
- Allah Almighty states regarding Moses, “We gave Moses the Scripture, but it was disputed.”[40] Imam Mahdi (AJ) also has a book that will be disputed (the Quran that was compiled by Imam Ali).
- According to Imam Sadiq (PBUH), the followers of Prophet Moses were tested with a river. There is a verse about it in the Quran:
When Saul set out with the troops, he said, “Allah will be testing you with a river. Whoever drinks from it does not belong with me. But whoever does not drink from it, does belong with me, except for whoever scoops up a little with his hand.”[41]
The companions of Imam Mahdi (AJ) will also be tested in this way.[42]
- God ordered the earth to swallow Prophet Moses’ enemy (Qarun).[43] He will also tell the earth to open up and take down Imam Mahdi’s enemies (Sufyani and his army).
- In order to kill Moses, Pharaoh gave an order to kill all baby boys, but he did not succeed in killing him because God’s will always prevails. Likewise, in order to kill Imam Mahdi (AJ), tyrants killed numerous descendants of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), but they did not succeed in finding and killing Imam Mahdi (AJ).
- God delayed Prophet Moses’ return to his people, so that those who worshipped the calf would be separated from the true worshippers of God. Similarly, the reason for delaying the advent of Imam Mahdi (AJ) is that God wants to test people’s faith.
- Prophet Moses stroke the rock with his staff and twelve springs gushed from it. When Imam Mahdi (AJ) comes, his food and water will come out of rock.[44]
- Prophet Moses (PBUH) had a staff that miraculously transformed into a snake and then back to the staff. Imam Mahdi (AJ) has also the very same staff.
- The Children of Israel had been informed that Moses was their savior so they awaited him; likewise, the followers of Imam Mahdi (AJ) await his advent.
- As Moses was chosen to be God’s prophet suddenly in one night, the advent of Imam Mahdi (AJ) will also take place suddenly in one night.[45]
In this article, we introduced Prophet Moses (PBUH) as one of the great divine prophets and explored God’s profound love for him. We discussed the circumstances that led to his prophethood and highlighted the ingratitude of his people, whom he saved. We also talked about the Promised Land and examined the similarities between Prophet Moses (PBUH), the savior of the Children of Israel, and Imam Mahdi (AJ), the Promised Savior.
We hope this article has successfully presented an authentic and inspiring image of Prophet Moses (PBUH) as the savior of the oppressed during his time.
[1]. Quran, 19:51
[2] . Muhammad Mahmud Alhijazi, al-Tafsir al-Wazih, vol. 1, p. 746.
[3] . Muhammad Hussain Fadlallah, Tafsir min Wahy al-Quran, 1998, vol. 14, p. 746.
[4] . Ibid., vol. 5, p. 202.
[5] . Ibrahim Burujardi, Tafsir Jami, 1987, vol. 2, p. 462.
[6] . Muhammad Husayn Tabataba’i, Tafsir al-Mizan, 1996, vol. 2, p. 315.
[7] . The Book of Sulaym ibn Qays, p. 599.
[8] . Quran, 20:41
[9] . Fadl ibn Hassan Tabarsi. Majma’ al-Bayan, vol.7, p.375.
[10] . Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, Tafsir al-Kabir (Mafatih, al-Ghayb), vol.24, p.578.
[11] . Tabarsi, Majma’ al-Bayan, vol.7, p.418.
[12] . Quran, 28:7
[13] . Mohammad-Baqir Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.13, p.54.
[14] . Ibid.
[15] . Quran, 28:7
[16] . She is such a great woman that the Quran introduces her as the role model for all the believers, both men and women. (Quran, 66:11)
[17] . Quran, 28:9
[18] . Quran, 28:11
[19] . Quran, 28:12
[20] . Quran, 28:13
[21] . Quran, 28:15
[22] . Ibid.
[23] . Quran, 28:16
[24] . Quran, 28:20
[25] . Quran, 28:21
[26] . Quran, 28:29
[27] . Quran, 28:30
[28] . Quran, 20:12
[29] . Muhammad ibn Ya’qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol. 5, p. 83.
[30] . Quran, 7:138
[31] . Quran, 20:87
[32] . Quran, 5:21
[33] . Quran, 5:22
[34] . According to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), whoever gets up in the morning and has no concern for the affairs of Muslims is not a Muslim. (Kulayni, al-Kafi, Tehran, Dar Al Kutub al Islamiyah, 1986, vol. 2, p. 163)
[35] . Quran, 7:128
[36] . Quran, 5:26
[37] . Genesis 17:8-11
[38] . Quran, 22: 78
[39] . Quran, 28:11
[40] . Quran, 11: 110
[41] . Quran, 2:249
[42] . Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 332.
[43] . Quran, 28:81
[44] . Nomani, Al-Ghaybah, p. 238.
[45] . Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 51, p. 156.
