الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على سيد المرسلين وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين
After walking for more than a week across the burning desert, Musa arrived at an oasis where groups of men were watering their animals. They were pushing, fighting, joking, and laughing, behaving in a rough manner. Musa flung himself onto the ground grateful for the shade of a tree. As he caught his breath, he noticed two women and their flock of sheep. They were standing well back, hesitant to approach the waterhole.
Musa was a man of honor. Even though he was exhausted and dehydrated Musa could not bear to see the women standing back afraid to move toward the waterhole. He approached them, and asked why the men in their family did not look after the sheep. The two young women explained that their father was an old man and the task of caring for the sheep was now their responsibility.
Musa took the women’s sheep to the waterhole, where he easily pushed in amongst the men already there. After completing this task, Musa’ energy was totally spent. He sat under the shade of the tree and began to make dua to Allah.
رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَا أَنْزَلْتَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِير
“My Lord! Truly, I am in need of whatever good that you bestow on me!” (al-Qasas, 28:24)
Musa once again turned to the only real source of help for humankind – Allah (SWT), and before his dua was finished, help was on its way. Musa was probably hoping for a slice of bread or a handful of dates but instead Allah gave him safety, provisions and a family.
One of the two women returned to Musa. She conducted herself with modesty and shyness and said to Musa, “My father wants to reward you for your kindness and invites you to our home’. Musa got up and went to see the elderly man. They sat together and Musa related his story. The elderly man dispelled his fears and told Musa that he had safely crossed the Egyptian border. He was now in Midian and was safe from any authorities that may have been pursuing him.
After Musa had been invited to stay with the family, one of the women approached her father privately and advised him to hire Musa. When her father asked why, she answered because he was strong and trustworthy. Two qualities that Islam tells us are signs of leadership. In the years immediately following the death of Prophet Muhammad (S), the leaders of the Muslim nation were chosen for these two qualities.
The elderly man, who some scholars believe was Prophet Shu’ayb, although there are no authentic sources either confirming or denying this, offered Musa the safety and security of his own family. He gave one of his daughters in marriage to Musa on the condition that he work for eight years, or ten if Musa agreed to stay on for the further two years. Musa was a stranger in a strange land, but Allah heard his supplication and provided for him from sources that Musa could never have imagined.
Musa (AS), married one of the women he had initially helped at the waterhole and spent the next few years working with her father and raising his own family. His new life was quiet and contemplative, he did not have to endure the intrigue of the Egyptian court or the humiliation of his people, the Children of Israel. Musa was able to ponder the wonders of Allah and the universe.
Any account of Musa’s life is filled with lessons and guidance. Allah made Musa go through experiences that would hold him in good stead in his coming mission. He had been brought up in the house of the Pharaoh of Egypt; therefore, he was well aware of the politics and scheme of the Egyptian government. He also had firsthand experience of the corruption of Pharaoh himself – the man who had declared himself God.
It was through Allah’s grace and mercy that Musa was able to escape from Egypt. He was able to experience other cultures and people.
During his time in Midian, Musa was a shepherd. Prophet Muhammad (S) informed us that all the prophets of Allah had spent time tending flocks of sheep. A shepherd has a lonely quiet life; there is time for personal reflection and contemplation of the wonders of life.
However, at the same time a shepherd must be constantly on alert for danger. Sheep in particular are weak animals requiring constant care and attention. If even one sheep wanders away from the protection of the flock, it becomes an easy prey. A prophet usually has the job of protecting a whole nation. He must be alert and aware of any danger threatening his followers, especially the weak, poor and oppressed among them.
After Musa had completed his term of service that he had pledged to his father in law, he was overcome by homesickness. He began to miss his family and the land of Egypt. Even though he was afraid of what would happen if he returned, he experienced a strange longing to return to the land of his birth. He gathered his family together and made the long journey back to Egypt.
While Musa was trekking back across the desert, he became lost. It was a cold dark night. Musa saw what appeared to be a fire burning in the distance. He told his family to stay where they were. He had hopes of either getting directions or being able to carry some fire back to warm his family. Musa was about to participate in one of history’s most amazing conversations. He walked towards the fire, and as he did, he heard a voice.
“… “Blessed is the One in the fire, and the one around it. And glory be to Allah, Lord of the worlds O Musa, verily, it is I, Allah, the All Mighty, the All Wise.”(an-Naml, 27:8&9)
Allah spoke to Musa. He asked Musa to remove his shoes for he would be standing on sacred ground. Allah revealed to Musa that he had been chosen for a special mission and asked him to listen to what was about to be said.
“I am Allah. There is no Allah but Me, so worship Me and establish prayer to remember Me. The Hour is coming but I have concealed it so that every soul can be repaid for its efforts. So do not let those who disbelieve in it and follow their desires distract you from it, or you will be doomed.” (Ta Ha, 20:14-16)
In a direct conversation between Allah and Musa, salat (prayer) was prescribed upon Musa and his followers. Prayer was also prescribed upon Prophet Muhammad (S) and his followers in much the same way on the night of Prophet Muhammad’s journey to Jerusalem and ascent into the heavens.
At this time, Musa must have been spellbound. He set out for Egypt, following a desire to return to his homeland. He had become lost on a dark cold night and was searching for light and guidance. He walked towards what he thought was a burning fire and found the light and guidance of Allah (SWT).
Musa was holding a staff in his hand. Allah asked Musa to tell him about his staff, and Musa replied: “It is my staff. I lean on it, and with it, I beat down the leaves for my flock; I also have other uses for it.” (Ta Ha, 20:18)Then Allahasked Musa to throw the staff to the ground and when he did, it began to move and shake. The staff had been transformed into a snake.
Musa was afraid; he turned on his heels and began to run away. It is a natural human inclination to be afraid of strange and unknown things, but Allah wanted to remove this fear from Musa’s heart. He was about to embark on a difficult mission and it was important that he began with complete trust that Allah would protect him, knowing that there was absolutely no reason for him to be fearful.
Allah then instructed Musa to put his hand inside his cloak, and it came out shining white. Then Allah asked him to draw his hand close to his side to be free from fear. These were miraculous signs that Musa would need in his coming mission, proof for those who were disobedient and rebellious.
Allah intended to send Musa to Pharaoh – the man he feared most, the man Musa thought would surely put him to death. His heart was fearful, but Allah reassured him that no harm would come to him.
On a dark night, in the shadow of Mount Tur, Allah granted Prophethood to Musa. His first command to him was go to Pharaoh. Allah said: “Go to Pharaoh. He has transgressed all bounds.” (Ta Ha, 20:24)
Musa fled Egypt in fear for his life; he had spent 10 years in a country outside the jurisdiction of Pharaoh. Now Allah was telling him that he must face the corrupt Pharaoh; the man Musa was sure would want to see him executed. He responded to Allah’s words by saying: “My Lord! I have killed a man among them, and I fear that they will kill me” (al-Qasas, 28:33)
Musa was afraid but understood that Allah was completely able to provide him with all the support he needed for a mission that appeared to be virtually impossible. Musa made supplication; he begged for strength and ease in this most difficult mission. He asked Allah to open his chest, and grant him eloquence, self-confidence, and contentment. He also called upon Allah to strengthen him with a trusted and capable companion in prophethood, his brother Harun. The dialogue between Allah and Musa is one of the most amazing conversations contained in the pages of Qur’an. It delivers the message that Allah is all-powerful, omnipotent, yet filled with mercy and love towards His slaves.
This conversation changed Musa’s life. It taught him lessons about himself, about his world, about the nature of humankind and most importantly of all, about the nature of Allah. To this day it continues to teach important lessons to humankind. The lessons learned in the story of Musa are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.
By coming to know the story of Musa so far, we have learned the importance of trusting Allah. We have learned that human beings plan and scheme, but Allah’s plan can overcome any trial, test, or situation. The story of Musa has taught us that there is no relief from the torments of this world except with remembrance of Allah.
The story of Musa teaches us that Allah can replace weakness with strength and failure with victory; and that Allah supports the righteous from sources unimaginable.
Now as Allah confers prophethood on Musa and his brother Harun we learn the true meaning of brotherhood and the true meaning of choosing righteous companions. Musa wanted his brother to be his companion in prophethood and on this dangerous mission to confront Pharaoh because Harun was strong and trustworthy, he was also an articulate, persuasive speaker. Whenever a person stands with his brother united in a common sense of purpose, united in their worship of Allah, united in righteousness they are unbeatable against even the most formidable enemy.
We learn that Musa and Harun went together to Pharaoh and delivered their message. Musa spoke to Pharaoh about Allah, His mercy, His Paradise, and about the obligation of humankind to worship Allah alone.
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Resources and References:
Imam Ibn Kathir – Stories of the Prophets
Mufti Menk – Lessons from the Stories of the Prophets in the Qur’an (https://muslimahlifestyle.com/lessons-stories-prophets-quraan-mufti-menk-creation-of-aadam-as/)
Anwar Al-Awlaki – The Lives of the Prophets (https://www.kalamullah.com/anwar-alawlaki.html)
Aisha Stacey – The Religion of Islam (islamreligion.com)
