Life of Hazrat Musa (as)

 

The Messengers of Allah

'The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. They believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His messengers. (They proclaim) “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and obey. (We seek) Your forgiveness, our Lord! And to You (alone) is the final return.” (Al-Baqara 2: 286)

 

Today, by the grace of Allah, I continue my series of sermons on the Prophets and Messengers of Allah. Last week, I spoke about how the Bani Isra’il found themselves in Egypt and how, over time, they became slaves under the tyrannical rule of the Pharaohs.

 

It was during that period that Allah planned to send Hazrat Musa (as) to warn Pharaoh so that he might reform. Allah narrates the life of Hazrat Musa (as) and his teachings in 22 Surahs of the Quran, with the most detailed accounts of his life and mission as a prophet found in 5 Surahs, namely: Surah Al-Araf, Surah Taha, Surah Ash-Shu’ara, Surah Al-Qasas, and Surah Ghafir (Al-Muminun).

 

Allah recounts the childhood of Hazrat Musa (as) in an extraordinary way. Hazrat Musa (as) was born at a time when Pharaoh was killing all newborn baby boys. The mother of Hazrat Musa (as) received a revelation from Allah on how to save her child from such a situation and keep him alive. She knew that Allah had chosen her child to become a great prophet one day, and she saw the promise of Allah fulfilled. What was that promise? Allah instructed her to place her child in a basket and let it float on the water [specifically the Nile]. Allah assured her that He had destined the child for a great future and that she should not fear, for He would save Musa and bring him directly under the protection of the very person seeking to kill him, namely, Pharaoh.

 

One thing which Allah mentions regarding the revelation given to the mother of Hazrat Musa (as) and found in Surah Taha, is where Allah tells her that “someone who is an enemy to Me and an enemy to him (Musa) will pick him up.”

 

Here, we see that it was not Pharaoh himself who found Musa in the basket on the river, but rather, this revelation indicated that the child would end up in the arms of Pharaoh’s wife, who pleaded with her husband to adopt Musa. Before this, as promised, Allah inspired Musa’s mother to have his older sister follow the basket to see who would pick him up. When she saw that it was the royal family by the river, and that they were so captivated by the baby that Pharaoh’s wife decided to adopt him, she was reassured. Knowing that Musa would be taken to the royal palace as Allah had revealed to his mother, she approached Pharaoh’s wife and suggested finding a nurse for the baby. This allowed Musa’s sister to bring their mother, who was then paid by the royal family, to nurse her own child!

 

Reflect on Allah’s plan: there was a tyrant on earth who wanted to kill all newborn males, yet Allah safeguarded Musa (as) and made his enemy provide him protection until the time came for Allah to grant him prophethood and the mission to save the Bani Isra’il from the slavery imposed by Pharaoh. The Quran also mentions how Musa (as) pleaded with Allah for support and Allah granted him his brother Harun (as) as his helper, making him a prophet as well.

 

We have seen how Allah poured His love and revelations upon Hazrat Musa (as), making him the leader of a people whom Allah greatly favoured. However, despite receiving Allah’s favour, they became ungrateful and failed to recognize His oneness. They strayed so far from the original teachings of Hazrat Ibrahim (as) that they fell into idolatry, except for a few (which includes the biological family of Hazrat Musa (as)).

 

Therefore, we must remember that even a people greatly favoured by Allah can, over centuries, forget Him, with only a few remaining faithful. The parents of Hazrat Musa (as), along with his brother and sister, are honoured in the Quran as pious individuals who preserved the Abrahamic faith. It was a tremendous trial for a mother to be separated from her newborn under such dangerous circumstances. Yet, we see Allah’s kindness and mercy. He did not want Musa (as) to be deprived of his mother and devised a plan to first keep him alive and then reunite him with his mother.

 

As Musa (as) grew, he received the love of two mothers: his biological mother and Pharaoh’s wife. When Musa (as) reached his destiny, that is, when Allah called him for the first time in the blessed valley of Tuwa to speak with him, Allah granted him the status of a prophet and gave him his mission. Musa (as) was commanded by Allah to go to Pharaoh and warn him. But before warning him, Allah instructed Musa (as) to speak gently with Pharaoh in hopes that he might reform. Despite the messages and signs that Musa (as) presented to Pharaoh, Pharaoh refused to accept that there was a greater God than himself, as he considered himself to be god on earth.

 

Regarding Musa’s (as) life before and after prophethood, we see how Allah surrounded Hazrat Musa (as) with His grace. Musa (as) grew up under Allah’s watchful eye, with Him making the Pharaoh provide for his education, food, drink, and other necessities. However, Pharaoh was arrogant and wanted Musa (as) to be like him. But as Musa (as) grew older, he learned the truth. His mother had told him everything, and he knew well that he belonged to the Bani Isra’il.

 

One day, while two men, an Egyptian and an Israelite, were fighting, Musa (as) tried to intervene. In his anger, he accidentally killed the Egyptian. He deeply regretted his action, but it was too late. Fearing the consequences when the Pharaoh would learn that he had killed one of his own men, Musa (as) therefore sought refuge far away in Midian. There, he made a profound supplication, one that brought down divine mercy upon him. Allah granted him not only a place to stay but also a wife and, later, children. What was that supplication?

 

“Rabbi inni lima anzalta ilayya min khayrin faqir.” (O my Lord, I am in great need of all the favours You can bestow upon me.)

 

This supplication is found in Surah Al-Qasas, Chapter 28, Verse 25. Here, Allah informs us through this verse that Musa (as), even before attaining prophethood, was a believer in the one true God, the same God Whom his ancestor Ibrahim (as) worshipped. It also indicates that Musa (as) was already aware of his origins as a descendant of the Bani Isra’il. This is why he fled Egypt initially, knowing how cruel Pharaoh was and that Pharaoh did not have genuine paternal love for him. Musa (as) was merely a favour Pharaoh granted his wife when she asked him to spare Musa’s (as) life.

 

By accident, Musa (as) killed one of Pharaoh’s men, and knowing he was not Pharaoh’s biological son, he feared severe consequences. In Surah Al-Qasas, Allah reveals to us through Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) how Musa (as) invoked his Lord and sought His forgiveness, saying, “Rabbi inni zalamtu nafsi faghfirli” (O my Lord, I have wronged myself, so forgive me!). Allah tells us that He forgave Musa (as) and guided him to peace and happiness, establishing him well in Midian until the time came for him to return to Egypt.

 

When Musa (as) arrived in Midian, we see how Allah continued to inspire his heart towards piety and righteousness. Allah granted him fullness in life – despite living humbly compared to his previous royal life, none of this troubled Musa (as) because he knew that Allah would never abandon him.

 

After serving his father-in-law for eight years, Musa (as) received permission to return to Egypt. It was in the Valley of Tuwa that Allah revealed Himself to Musa (as). Allah appointed his brother Harun as his minister and a prophet. We see how generous Allah was towards him, granting him the “power of speech” despite his initial stammering problem. Allah first strengthened Musa (as) himself and then placed his brother by his side to assist him in his great mission. In this way, Allah blessed Musa’s (as) family, including his parents, siblings, wife, and children.

 

Like all prophets, Musa (as) faced many challenges with his own people, the Bani Isra’il, who were often ungrateful. They constantly demanded signs and were never satisfied. Surah Al-Baqara and other Surahs illustrate how they tested Musa (as). They believed they were challenging Musa (as), but in reality, they were challenging Allah’s power. Despite their rebellion, ingratitude, and idolatry after Allah saved them from Pharaoh and drowned Pharaoh and his army, they remained ungrateful and returned to idolatry. This is why, after Musa (as), Allah sent Hazrat Isa (as) to conclude prophethood among the descendants of Hazrat Yaqub (as) [Israel], and directed His light towards the descendants of Hazrat Isma’il (as), as He had promised Hazrat Ibrahim and Hazrat Isma’il (as) when they rebuilt the Ka’aba Shareef and made this supplication: “Rabbana wab’-as fiihim Rasuulam-minhum yatluu ‘alayhim ‘Aayaatika wa yu’allimuhumul-Kitaaba wal-Hikmata wa yuzakkiihim : innaka ‘Antal-Azzizul-Hakim.” (O our Lord, send among them (Ismail and his descendants – the Arabs) a Messenger from among themselves, who will recite to them Your Verses [revelations], teach them Your Book and Wisdom, and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise.)

 

We see how this supplication was answered by Allah through the advent of the greatest of all prophets, from the creation of this earth until its end. And Allah certainly fulfills His promises in extraordinary ways.

 

I will stop here for today. Insha-Allah, I will continue this sermon on the same subject next Friday. May Allah grant us the ability to follow in the footsteps of all His prophets in obedience and righteousness. Ameen. Summa Ameen, Ya Rabbul Aalameen.

--- Friday Sermon of 13 September 2024~ 09 Rabi’ul Awwal 1446 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius.