Islamic view of Moses

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2011)

Musa with a cane in his hand, 15th century Persian miniature, Czartoryski Museum

This article is part of a series on:
Islam
Beliefs Oneness of God Prophets · Revealed books Angels · Predestination Day of Resurrection
Practices Profession of faith · Prayer Fasting · Alms · Pilgrimage
Texts & laws Quran · Sunnah · Hadith Fiqh · Sharia · Kalam
History & leaders Timeline · Muhammad Ahl al-Bayt · Sahaba Rashidun · Imamate Caliphate · Spread of Islam
Denominations Sunni · Shia Sufi · Ibadi · Ahmadiyya · Quraniyoon · NOI · Liberal
Culture & society Academics · Animals · Art Calendar · Children Dawah · Demographics Festivals · Mosques Philosophy · Politics Science · Women
See also Other religions · Glossary Islam portal This box: view talk edit

Musa (Arabic: موسى‎; meaning Drawn out of water), known as Moses in the Old Testament, is considered an Islamic prophet, messenger, lawgiver and leader in Islam.^[1] Moses is mentioned more in the Quran than any other individual, and his life is narrated and recounted more than that of any other prophet.^[2] According to Islam, all Muslims must have faith in every mentioned prophet (nabi) and messengers (rasul) in the Quran, which includes Moses and his brother Aaron (Harun). The Quran states:

Also mention in the Book (the story of) Moses: for he was specially chosen, and he was a messenger (and) a prophet.
And we called him from the right side of Mount (Sinai), and made him draw near to Us, for mystic (converse).
And, out of Our Mercy, We gave him his brother Aaron, (also) a prophet.

—Quran, sura 19 (Maryam), ayat 51-53^[1]

Many authors and scholars have generally attributed the tale of Moses as a spiritual parallel to the life of Muhammad, since many aspects of their lives are shared. Moses is also believed by Muslims to have foretold the coming of Muhammad, who would be the last prophet (family tree with prophets on right).

Moses is revered in Islam as one of the greatest men of all time and, although the Quran mentions his full narrative, there are many sayings of Muhammad related to Moses and his life and tasks. Muslims also acknowledge that Moses was given a revealed book from God known as the Tawrat (Torah). According to Islamic tradition, Moses was one of the many prophets Muhammad met in the event of the Mi'raj, when he ascended through the seven heavens.^[3]

Counterparts

The Qur'anic Musa is the same figure as the Moses of the Bible.

Historical narrative in Islam

According to Islamic tradition, Musa was born into a family of Israelites living in Egypt.

When he was young

The ruling Pharaoh was told by soothsayers that a child among the male children would grow up to overthrow him, the Pharaoh, hearing this ordered the killing of all the on the advice of his soothsayers, ordered the killing of all new-born Israelite males.

In the basket

In order to protect her son from being killed, Musa's mother put him in a basket and set him adrift on the Nile. She instructed her daughter to follow the course of the basket and to report back to her. As the daughter followed the floating basket along the riverbank, she found herself right in the palace grounds and saw what was unfolding before her eyes. Musa was discovered by the Pharaoh's wife, Asiya, who adopted him.^[4]

Finding out if Musa is a prophet

The Pharaoh was still wondering if this was the Israelite boy that would cause him to lose power, so he asked his advisers for help. Once it happened that Moses was playing on King Pharaoh's lap. He saw the shining crown, studded with jewels, and reached for it and took it off. Pharaoh, who was superstitious like all his fellow-Egyptians, and who in addition was always afraid of losing his throne, asked his astrologers and counselors the meaning of this action of the infant.Most of them interpreted it to mean that Moses was a threat to Pharaoh's crown and suggested that the child be put to death before he could do any harm. One of the king's counselors, however, suggested that they should first test the boy and see whether his action was prompted by intelligence, or he was merely grasping for sparkling things as any other child would. Pharaoh agreed to this, and two bowls were set before young Moses. One contained gold and jewels, and the other held glowing firecoals. Moses reached out for the gold, but an angel directed his hand to the coals. Moses snatched a glowing coal and put it to his lips. He burned his tongue, but his life was saved. After that fateful test, Moses suffered from a slight speech defect.^[5]

Growing up

Musa grew up as a member of the Pharaoh's household, sleeping in the Pharaoh's palace, and for some days of the week, he went to his mother's house, where he learned about worshipping God.^{[citation needed]}

Having to leave

When Musa became an adult, he saw an Egyptian fighting with an Israelite. On seeing Musa, the Israelite begged him for help. Musa became involved in the dispute and, in a state of anger, struck a heavy blow on the Egyptian, who died on the spot. When he found out what he had done, he prayed to God for forgiveness. The next day Musa saw the Israelite whom he saved. "Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" he asks. Soon thereafter, as Moses was passing through the city, a man approached and alerted him: "O Moses, the chiefs have taken counsel against you. You are to be tried and killed. I would advise you to escape."^[6]

After travelling in the desert for a long time, he arrived in Midian. Upon arrival he saw a group of shepherds watering their flocks. As he went towards the spring, he noticed that the shepherds were female. Musa was astonished by this and when he asked them why they were shepherds, he was told that their father was too old to be a shepherd. Therefore, Musa watered their flocks for them. When the women returned to their home, they informed their father of Musa. Hearing this the old man invited Musa to their home. Musa came into the company of the old man (some Muslims say he was the prophet Shuayb or Jethro), (Zipporah in Biblical and Hebrew tradition), who recognized Musa as a man of God. He pleased by Musa's personality offered a marriage between Musa and one of his daughters in exchange that he handle their animals for eight years and then Musa worked for him for eight to ten years.^[6]

Preaching

God calls Musa

Ten years later, Musa became very homesick. He approached his wife and told her his plans. They would leave in the morning for Egypt. After briefly reassuring her fears, they left the next morning traveling through the desert until he reached Mount Sinai. At nightfall they reached Mount Tur. Musa noticed a fire in the distance. He told his family to stay in their tents and that he would get fire to warm them. He traveled through the dark, finding a small burning bush. Musa approached cautiously. A voice suddenly called out to him, and he heard God speaking to him. At first he was asked to remove his shoes as he was in the sacred valley of Tuwa, then God ordered him to worship Him. God told him to return to Egypt and invite Pharaoh to the worship of Allah. Musa, however, was fearful of the Pharaoh, and wanted signs.^[7] God ordered Musa to throw his staff onto the ground. As a sign to Musa from God, the staff was transformed into a snake. Musa became scared, but God ordered Musa to pick it up, as it would change back to its original form. He also ordered Musa to press his right hand to his left side and it would shine in a bright, white radiant light. Now Musa asked Him to cure his speech impediment and to grant him a member from within his family, Harun to assist him in his task.^[8] God told him that his brother, Harun, could accompany him in his tasks, help in preaching to the Israelites and speak for him in general.^[9]

Musa and Harun arrive at Pharaoh's Court

Musa thus embarked for Egypt to confront the Fir'awn. Musa and Harun arrived in the court of the Pharaoh and told him to release the Israelites. Fir'awn instead reproached Musa by telling him to recall his childhood with them and the accidental killing of the man he had done. Musa admitted that he had committed the deed in ignorance but insisted that he was now forgiven and guided by God. Fir'awn questioned Musa about God, however when Musa answered his question, Fir'awn accused him of being mad and threatened to imprison him if he continued to proclaim that the Fir'awn was not the true God. Musa informed him that he had come with a manifest sign from God.

Musa and the magicians of Pharaoh

To this, the Pharaoh demanded to see the sign to clarify the truth. Musa threw his staff to the floor and it turned into a serpent. He then drew out his hand and it shined a bright white light.^[10] The Pharaoh's counselors advised him that this was sorcery and on their advice he summoned the best sorcerers of the town. Fir'awn challenged him to a battle between him and Fir'awn's magicians, asking him to chose the day. Musa chose the day of a festival, so that everyone could witness the failure of Fir'awn. On the day of the festival of Egypt, Musa offered the sorcerers to perform first; the summoned sorcerers threw their rods on the floor and they changed into snakes. At first Musa, became concerned witnessing the tricks of the magicians, but he was assured by God. So when Musa reacted likewise with his rod, the serpent from his rod devoured all the wriggling snakes. At once the sorcerers, who had come to compete against Musa and win a reward from the Pharaoh, realized this was not magic. They proclaimed belief in the message of Musa and fell onto their knees in prostration despite threats from the Fir'awn. Fir'awn was enraged by this and accused them of working under Musa. He warned them that if they insisted in believing in Musa then he would cut their hands and feet on opposite sides, and crucify them on the trunks of palm trees, for their firmness in their faith. The magicians however, remained steadfast to their newfound faith and were killed by Fir'awn.^[11]

Pharaoh's arrogance

Although the magic of the Pharaoh was beaten, he would not relent to the power of God. He ordered a meeting of the ministers, princes and priests. During these meetings, he plotted against Musa and the Israelites. During this time, Musa had to cope with a mutiny among his people. Korah, one of the Israelites, behaved arrogantly towards them. Korah told the people that he was favoured by God and he was the possessor of great treasure due to his intilligience. Despite the warnings of Musa and the Israelites, he continued to behave arrogantly. Therefore God caused the Earth to swallow his house along with him. Fir'awn viewed this as an attempt to cause trouble. Gradually, Fir'awn begin to fear that Musa may convince the people that he was not the true God. Therefore, Fir'awn threatened to kill Musa. At this attempt, a man from the family of Fir'awn came forth and warned the people of the punishment of God for the wrongdoers and reward for the righteous. Fir'awn defiantly refused to allow Israelites to leave Egypt. As a result, God decreed punishments over him and his people. These punishments came in the form of floods that demolished their dwellings, swarms of locust that destroyed the crops, pestilence of lice that made life miserable, toads that croaked and sprang everywhere, plagues, and the turning of all drinking water into blood. Each time the Pharaoh was subjected to humiliation, his defiance became greater. Finally a great plague happened (not mentioned in detail in the Quran) and the Pharaoh gave up his defiance. However, Pharaoh was angry and wanted to chase the Israelites after realizing that they have left during night time.

Splitting of the Red Sea

Upon seeing the Pharaoh and his army approaching the Israelites started to run but stopped at the seafront where they could not go any further. The people of Musa thought that they would be overtaken by Fir'awn and his army. However, Musa was commanded by God to strike the sea with his staff. When Musa striked the sea with his staff, the sea divided into two enormous parts, that allowed the Israelites to pass through, then the Pharaoh also followed alongside his army but the sea closed on him. As he was about to die, Fir'awn claimed belief in the God of Musa and the Israelites, but by then his belief was uselesss and rejected by God. The body of Fir'awn, was a sign for all future generations to learn from. On the way, the Bani Israel came upon a people who were worshipping idols, the Bani Israel requested to have an idol to worship, but Musa reminded the tribes of the mercy of God. When they stopped in their travel due to their lack of water, Musa was commanded by Allah to strike a stone, upon its impact twelve springs came forth, each for a specific tribe of the Bani Israel so that they would not dispute.

The Ten Commandments and the Golden Calf

Maqamu Musa, Jerico, Jerusalam

Musa continued to led his people on the Exodus to Mount Sinai. Musa fasted for forty days and then left the people instructing them that Harun was to be their leader while he was gone. Musa then climbed the mountain. Musa returned to the spot where he had first received his miracles from God. He took off his shoes as before and went down into subjugation to The Creator. He prayed to God for guidance. Musa begged God to reveal himself to him. God told him that it would not be possible for him to see God, but that God will reveal himself to the mountain stating: "By no means canst thou see Me (direct); But look upon the mount; if it abide in its place, then shalt thou see Me." When God revealed himself to the mountain it instantaneously turned into ashes. Musa lost consciousness. When he recovered, he went down in total submission and asked forgiveness of God.^[12] Musa was then given the Ten Commandments by Allah as Guidance and as Mercy. Meanwhile in his absence, a man named Smiri had created a Golden Calf, proclaiming it to be the God of Musa. The people began to worship it Harun attempted to guide them but the people of Bani Israel refused to do so until Musa had returned. Musa, having thus received the scriptures for his people, was informed by Allah that Bani Israel had been tested in his absence and they had gone astray by worshipping the Golden Calf. Musa came down from the mountain and returned to his people.^[13] Musa in his anger, grabbed hold of Harun by his beard and admonished him for doing nothing to stop them, but when Harun told Musa of his attempt to stop them, Musa understood his helplessness and they both prayed to Allah for forgiveness. Musa then questioned Samiri for creating the Golden Calf, Samiri replied that it had occurred to him and he had done so. Samiri was exiled and the Golden Calf was burned to ashes, the ashes were thrown into the sea. The wrong-doers who had worshipped the Calf were ordered to be killed for their crime.

Musa, chose seventy elites from among the Bani Israel and ordered them to pray for forgivness.Shortly thereafter, the elders traveled alongside Musa to witness the speech between Musa and Allah. While witnessing the speech between them, they refused to believe until they saw Allah with their own eyes, so as punishment; a thunderbolt killed them. Musa prayed for their forgiveness, they were resurrected and they returned to camp and set up a tent dedicated to worshipping God as Harun taught them from the Torah. They resumed their journey towards the promised land, but ran out of food. They were granted manna and quail as sustenance from God but the tribes of Bani Israel were ungrateful and asked Musa to pray to God for the Earth to grow lentils, onions, herbs and cucumbers for their sustenance. Musa became angry with them and admonished them for their lack of gratitude.

Arrival at Canaan

They eventually reached Canaan, the promised land, and decided to send spies^[14] to see the land and it's residents. When the spies returned, they told the people of wonderful bounty in the land. However, when Musa urged the people to enter the land promised to them, they refused to fight the Canaanites. While two pious and believing men (Joshua and Caleb) told the Israelites to put their trust in God and enter, telling them the best tactics to assault the Canaanites, however the people believed it was too dangerous and refused to enter the promised land. Musa pleaded to them to come, but they refused. They instead told Musa to fight the people of Canaan along with God, while they watched. Musa, then pleaded to Allah to separate his brother and him from the rebellious people. God forbid the Promised Land for them, for period of forty years. During which they would never enter it and would remain wandering.

God says in the Quran:

They said: "O Musa! In this land are a people of exceeding strength: Never shall we enter it until they leave it: if (once) they leave, then shall we enter."
(But) among (their) Allah-fearing men were two on whom Allah had bestowed His grace: They said: "Assault them at the (proper) Gate: when once ye are in, victory will be yours; But on Allah put your trust if ye have faith."
They said: "O Musa! while they remain there, never shall we be able to enter, to the end of time. Go thou, and thy Lord, and fight ye two, while we sit here (and watch)."
He said: "O my Lord! I have power only over myself and my brother: so separate us from this rebellious people!"
Allah said: "Therefore will the land be out of their reach for forty years: In distraction will they wander through the land: But sorrow thou not over these rebellious people.

—Quran, sura 5 (Al-Ma'ida), ayah 20-26^[14]

Death

Harun, died shortly before Musa. It is reported in a Hadis that when the Angel of Death, came to Musa, Musa slapped him in the eye. The Angel returned to Allah and told him that Musa did not want to die. God told the Angel to return and tell Musa to put his hand on the back of an ox and for every hair that came under his hand he would be granted a year of life. When Musa asked God what would happen after that, God told him that he would die after the period. Musa, therefore, requested God for death near the Promised Land "at a distance of a stone's throw from it."^[15]

Burial place

Grave, Nabi Musa, Jerico-Jerusalam

Certain Muslims believe that the grave of Moses is located at Maqam El-Nabi Musa which lies 11 km (6.8 mi) south of Jericho and 20 km (12 mi) east of Jerusalem in the Judean wilderness. A side road to the right of the main Jerusalem-Jericho road, about 2 km (1.2 mi) beyond the sign indicating sea level, leads to the site. Fatimid/Taiyabi/Dawoodi Bohra also believe in the same.

The main body of the present shrine, mosque, minaret and some rooms were built during the reign of Baibars, a Mamluk Sultan, in 1270 AD. Over the years Nebi Musa was expanded, protected by walls, and includes 120 rooms in its two levels which hosted the visitors. A large open cemetery is located around the complex.

See also

• Biblical narratives and the Quran
• Legends and the Quran
• Moses in rabbinic literature
• Qisas Al-Anbiya

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Musa

• The Qur'anic Verses About Moses
• Detailed Islamic Narrative of Moses