Prophet Musa, or Moses, is one of the most important prophets in Islam. Many of his stories are told in the Quran, some of them more than once. One of these stories is the story of his birth, which teaches us the importance of trusting Allah (SWT) over anything else.
This story starts in Egypt around 1300-1500 BCE. The Pharaoh who ruled Egypt at the time was a tyrant. In the Quran, the Pharaoh is referred to as Firaun, which was not his real name but rather a title that translates to Pharaoh in Arabic. Firaun would oppress the enslaved Bani Israel, the Children of Israel, and would force them to work for him.
“Indeed, Pharaoh ˹arrogantly˺ elevated himself in the land and divided its people into ˹subservient˺ groups, one of which he persecuted, slaughtering their sons and keeping their women. He was truly one of the corruptors (28:4).”
Firaun had a vision in which he saw a fire that spread from Jerusalem and burned Egypt but did not harm Bani Israel. Upon having this vision, he summoned his priests and magicians and asked them to interpret the dream. They told him that one day, a boy from Bani Israel would dethrone him. Firaun was arrogant and cruel. He did not want to lose his status as the Pharaoh, so he commanded that any male child born to Bani Israel be killed. For some time, Firaun would kill all male children born to Bani Israel, but he eventually realized that by doing this, the lineage would die out, and he would not have his slaves for his labor. He decided to kill all male children born in one year but spare them in the next. This way, Bani Israel would live on, and he would have his solution to the vision.
Musa’s mother had two sons: Harun (Aaron) and Musa. Harun was born in a year that the children were spared, so Musa’s mother was able to give birth to him and take care of him with no issue. However, when it was time to give birth to Musa, it was in a year that the children were killed. To avoid losing her child to Firaun, she birthed Musa and took care of him in secret.
“Put him into a chest, then put it into the river. The river will wash it ashore, and he will be taken by ˹Pharaoh,˺ an enemy of Mine and his.’ And I endeared you with love from Me ˹O Moses˺1 so that you would be brought up under My ˹watchful˺ Eye (20:39).”
“We inspired the mother of Moses: 'Nurse him, but when you fear for him, put him then into the river, and do not fear or grieve. We will certainly return him to you, and make him one of the messengers’ (28:7).”
Musa’s mother received a command from Allah (SWT) to place infant Musa in a basket and place it into the Nile. She was hesitant to do so as she worried for her child. However, Allah promised her that she would be reunited with Musa.
Upon putting the basket in the river, it traveled safely away. Musa’s mother sent her daughter, Miriam, to follow the basket and assure its safety. Eventually, it reached Firaun’s palace. Firaun’s men found the basket and brought it to him and his wife, Asiyah. Firaun and his wife had no children, so when she received baby Musa, she convinced Firaun to spare his life.
“Pharaoh’s wife said ˹to him˺, “˹This baby is˺ a source of joy for me and you. Do not kill him. Perhaps he may be useful to us or we may adopt him as a son.” They were unaware ˹of what was to come˺ (28:9).”
After Firaun agreed to spare Musa’s life and raise him with Asiyah, they looked for a wet nurse to feed him. Musa would not accept any woman they found. Miriam, who watched from afar, had an idea and told Asiyah and Firaun that she knew the perfect woman to nurse Musa.
“And We had caused him to refuse all wet-nurses at first, so his sister suggested, ‘Shall I direct you to a family who will bring him up for you and take good care of him?’ (28:12)”
Miriam brought her mother, Musa’s birth mother, to take care of him for Firaun and Asiyah. Because of this, Allah’s promise to her was fulfilled, and she and her child were reunited.
“This is how We returned him to his mother so that her heart would be put at ease, and not grieve, and that she would know that Allah’s promise is ˹always˺ true. But most people do not know (28:13).”
This is only the beginning of Musa’s story in Islam. His stories teach us many lessons, such as trusting Allah (SWT) and distancing ourselves from arrogance and pride. In this amazing story, we learn that Allah’s plans are the best ones, even if they do not seem that way at first. As Muslims, this story reminds us that Allah’s promises are always true and that He is ever-watchful over those who rely on Him with sincerity and patience.
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