Islamic view of Moses

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 Quranic Musa is the same figure as the Moses of the Bible.

Story of Musa

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

When he was young

The ruling Pharaoh on the advice of his soothsayers, ordered the killing of all new-born Israelite males.

In the basket

To protect her son, Musa's mother put him in a basket and set him adrift on the Nile. He 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. They told him to bring two bowls, one with fireballs and the other with gems. If he was a normal baby, he would go for the fire, if he was a prophet, he would go for the gems. Then they brought baby Musa and put him near the two bowls. Musa was reaching for the gems when God made his hands change direction and go to the fire. Then like all babies, he swallowed the fire; therefore, he stammered.

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.

Having to leave

When Musa became an adult, he saw an Egyptian fighting with an Israelite. Musa interceded and killed the Egyptian. 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. Pharaoh tried to have Musa killed and Musa fled.

After travelling in the desert for a long time, he arrived in Midian and came into the company of an old man (some Muslims say he was the prophet Shuayb or Jethro), who recognized Musa as a man of God. He arranged a marriage between Musa and his daughter (Zipporah in Biblical and Hebrew tradition) and then Musa worked for him for eight to ten years.

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. God told him to return to Egypt and free the Jewish people. Musa, however, was fearful of the Pharaoh, and wanted signs.^[5]

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. Musa admitted that he was afraid of getting arrested on the previous murder charge, and also because he could not speak fluently due to a speech impediment.^[6] 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.^[7]

Musa and Harun arrive at Pharaoh's Court

Musa thus embarked for Egypt and faced the Fir'awn. Musa and Harun arrived in the court of the Pharaoh and admonished the Pharaoh and his chief minister, Haman, by informing him that his claim of godhood was false, for there is but one God who created both the Pharaohs and their subjects. He controls all that is in this world and beyond. Musa warned the Pharaoh about God's punishment and told him that he had come with a clear sign and asked for the release of his people from their bondage in Egypt.

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 in white. The Pharaoh's counselors advised him that this was sorcery and on their advice he summoned the best sorcerers of the town. On the day of the festival of Egypt, the summoned sorcerers threw their rods on the floor on Musa' offer and it too changed into snakes. However, 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 and believed in the message of Musa despite threats from the Pharaoh. They were then crucified by the orders of Pharaoh for their firmness in their faith.

Pharaoh's arrogance

Although the magic of the Pharaoh was beaten, he would not relent to the power of God. He 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. Here Musa used his staff to part the sea that allowed the Israelites to pass through, then the Pharaoh also followed but the sea closed on him drowning and killing Pharaoh and his entire army.

The Ten Commandments and the Golden Calf

Musa led his people on the Exodus to Mount Sinai. Musa told the people that Harun was to be the 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. He was given the Ten Commandments at this session. Before leaving, he begged God to be revealed 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.^[8]

Having thus received the scriptures for his people, Musa came down from the mountain and returned to his people. However, he was shocked to find that the Israelites had revolted against his brother Harun and started worshiping a golden calf fashioned by a person named Samiri.^[9]

Shortly thereafter, the elders asked to see the God of Musa, so he took them up the mountain. While climbing, a white bolt of lightning struck their path, and they all bowed in submission. Musa prayed for their forgiveness, 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. God gave them a gift of food called Manna, but eventually the people became restless and asked for a variety of foods such as vegetables. 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^[10] to see the land. 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, the people believed it was too dangerous and refused to enter the promised land. Musa pleaded to them to come, but they refused.

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 22-26^[10]

Burial place

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

• The Qur'anic Verses About Moses