Among the giants of prophetic history, Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) also known as Moses in the Judeo-Christian tradition, occupies a position of unmatched prominence. Revered in Islam as Kalimullah (the one to whom Allah spoke directly), his narrative is the most detailed and frequently cited story in the Holy Quran. Musa (AS) was not merely a leader; he was a revolutionary messenger sent to dismantle the foundations of the world’s most arrogant superpower: the empire of Pharaoh (Firawn).
The life of Musa (AS) is a masterclass in divine providence and the triumph of truth over perceived reality. From a helpless infant floating in a basket on the Nile to a fugitive in the deserts of Madyan, and finally to a Prophet standing with a wooden staff against an army of chariots, his journey defines the essence of Tawakkul (complete reliance on Allah). He was a man of immense physical strength and intense emotion, yet he possessed a heart so humble that he walked miles in pursuit of sacred knowledge from the mysterious Al-Khidr.
In this definitive guide, we delve into the epic milestones of Prophet Musa’s life. We explore the miracles of the Red Sea, the receiving of the Tawrat (Torah) on the heights of Mount Sinai, and the timeless legal and spiritual foundations he laid for the Children of Israel. Whether you are seeking historical facts or spiritual inspiration, the story of Musa (AS) remains a beacon for anyone standing against oppression and seeking the path to the Divine.
Birth and the Divine Plan
The birth of Prophet Musa (AS) occurred during one of the darkest chapters for the Children of Israel (Bani Israil). Pharaoh, driven by a paranoiac vision that a male child from the Israelites would eventually topple his throne, ordered the systematic execution of every newborn boy. In this atmosphere of terror, Musa (AS) was born. To protect him, Allah inspired his mother with a plan that defied all human logic: to place her precious newborn in a wooden chest and cast him into the turbulent waters of the River Nile.
This was not an act of abandonment, but the ultimate test of Tawakkul (trust in Allah). The chest did not drift into the open sea; instead, the currents guided it directly into the private docks of Pharaoh’s palace. It was there that Asiah, the pious and soft-hearted wife of Pharaoh, discovered the child. She felt an immediate, divine love for him and persuaded her husband to spare the infant and adopt him into the royal household. Thus, through a masterpiece of divine planning, the very person destined to bring down the Egyptian empire was raised and protected as a prince within the tyrant’s own walls.
Arabic:
وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ أُمِّ مُوسَىٰ أَنْ أَرْضِعِيهِ ۖ فَإِذَا خِفْتِ عَلَيْهِ فَأَلْقِيهِ فِي الْيَمِّ وَلَا تَخَافِي وَلَا تَحْزَنِي ۖ إِنَّا رَادُّوهُ إِلَيْكِ وَجَاعِلُوهُ مِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ
Transliteration: Wa awhayna ila ummi Musa an ardiihi fa idha khifti alayhi fa alqihi fil yammi wa la takhafi wa la tahzani inna radduhu ilayki wa jailuhu minal mursaleen.
English Translation: “And We inspired the mother of Musa, ‘Suckle him; but when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, We will return him to you and will make him [one] of the messengers.'” – (Surah Al-Qasas, 28:7)
The Years in Madyan
Musa (AS) grew up with the education and strength of a prince, but his heart remained with his oppressed people. After an incident where he accidentally killed an Egyptian while defending an Israelite, Musa (AS) was forced to flee Egypt to avoid execution. He traveled across the scorching desert to the land of Madyan.
Exhausted and penniless, he showed his noble character by helping two young shepherdesses water their flocks. This act of kindness led him to their father, the Prophet Shuayb (AS). Musa (AS) spent the next eight to ten years in Madyan, working as a shepherd. This period was essential for his spiritual development; the solitude of the desert and the responsibility of tending to a flock prepared him for the far greater task of leading an entire nation out of bondage.
The Burning Bush
After completing his term of service in Madyan, Musa (AS) set out with his family to return to Egypt. During a cold, dark night in the desert, they became lost near the base of Mount Tur (Sinai). Seeing a distant fire, Musa (AS) told his family to wait while he sought a brand for warmth or directions for their journey. As he approached the light, he realized it was not a normal fire; it was a brilliant light emanating from a green bush that remained unburned.
It was at this sacred spot, the Valley of Tuwa, that the Creator of the heavens and the earth spoke directly to him. This event earned Musa (AS) the title Kalimullah (The One Spoken to by Allah). Allah commanded him to remove his shoes out of respect for the sanctified ground and announced his appointment as a Messenger to Pharaoh.
Arabic: فَلَمَّا أَتَاهَا نُودِيَ يَا مُوسَىٰ إِنِّي أَنَا رَبُّكَ فَاخْلَعْ نَعْلَيْكَ ۖ إِنَّكَ بِالْوَادِ الْمُقَدَّسِ طُوًى
Transliteration: Falamma ataha nudiya ya Musa, inni ana rabbuka fakhla nalayka innaka bil wadil muqaddasi tuwa.
English Translation: “And when he came to it, he was called, ‘O Musa, indeed, I am your Lord, so remove your sandals. Indeed, you are in the sacred valley of Tuwa.'” – (Surah Ta-Ha, 20:11-12)
The Confrontation with Pharaoh
During this divine encounter, Allah prepared Musa (AS) for his confrontation with Pharaoh by granting him two undeniable signs (miracles) to prove his prophethood:
- The Miracle of the Staff: Allah asked Musa (AS) what was in his hand. When he threw his wooden staff to the ground, it instantly transformed into a massive, slithering serpent. When he picked it up, it returned to its original state.
- The Miracle of the White Hand: Allah commanded Musa (AS) to tuck his hand into his cloak. When he pulled it out, it shone with a brilliant, dazzling white light that was not caused by any disease or skin condition.
Musa (AS), feeling the weight of the mission and knowing his own struggle with a speech impediment, made a beautiful supplication (Dua) for clarity and strength. He also requested that his brother Harun (AS), who was more eloquent in speech, be appointed as his partner and helper in this mission.
Arabic: قَالَ رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِي يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي
Transliteration: Qala rabbi ishrah li sadri, wa yassir li amri, wahlul uqdatan min lisani, yafqahu qawli.
English Translation: “[Musa] said, ‘My Lord, expand for me my breast [with assurance], and ease for me my task, and untie the knot from my tongue that they may understand my speech.'” – (Surah Ta-Ha, 20:25-28)
The Showdown: Truth vs. Sorcery
Musa (AS) and Harun (AS) entered the court of Pharaoh with a clear message: “Release the Children of Israel and worship the One True God.” Pharaoh, claiming divinity himself, dismissed Musa (AS) as a mere sorcerer. To settle the matter, Pharaoh summoned the most skilled magicians from across Egypt for a public confrontation on a day of festival.
The magicians threw their ropes and staffs, using illusions to make them appear as slithering snakes, which terrified the onlookers. However, when Musa (AS) cast his staff by the command of Allah, it turned into a massive, real serpent that swallowed every illusion the magicians had created.
The magicians, being experts in their craft, immediately realized this was not magic but a divine miracle. In a stunning turn of events, they fell in prostration and declared their faith in the Lord of Musa and Harun, even in the face of Pharaoh’s threats of execution.
Arabic: فَأُلْقِيَ السَّحَرَةُ سُجَّدًا قَالُوا آمَنَّا بِرَبِّ هَارُونَ وَمُوسَى
Transliteration: Fa ulqiya as-saharatu sujjadan qalu amanna bi rabbi Haruna wa Musa.
English Translation: “So the magicians fell down in prostration. They said, ‘We have believed in the Lord of Harun and Musa.'” – (Surah Ta-Ha, 20:70)
The Exodus and the Parting of the Red Sea
After years of Pharaoh’s refusal to release the Israelites, despite being struck by nine different plagues, Allah commanded Musa (AS) to lead his people out of Egypt under the cover of night. As they reached the shores of the Red Sea, they found themselves trapped: the deep sea lay ahead, and Pharaoh’s elite chariot army was closing in from behind.
In this moment of extreme crisis, when the Israelites cried out in despair, Musa (AS) stood with immovable faith. He struck the sea with his staff, and a miracle of tectonic proportions occurred. The sea split into twelve dry paths, with walls of water standing like massive mountains on either side.
Arabic: كَلَّا ۖ إِنَّ مَعِيَ رَبِّي سَيَهْدِينِ
Transliteration: Kalla inna ma-iya rabbi sayahdeen.
English Translation: “[Musa] said, ‘No! Indeed, with me is my Lord; He will guide me.'” – (Surah Ash-Shuara, 26:62)
The Israelites crossed safely. When Pharaoh and his soldiers attempted to follow through the same path, the divine protection was lifted. The walls of water collapsed, drowning the tyrant and his entire army. In his final moments, Pharaoh attempted to repent, but it was too late. Allah preserved his body as a sign for future generations.
The Covenant at Mount Sinai and the Tawrat
Once the Israelites reached the safety of the Sinai Peninsula, Musa (AS) was summoned by Allah to the mountain for forty nights of fasting and prayer. During this period, the Tawrat (Torah) was revealed i.e. divine tablets containing the laws, ethics, and creed for the newly freed nation.
These laws, including the famous Ten Commandments, were designed to transform a group of former slaves into a disciplined, holy society. However, the journey was far from over, as Musa (AS) would spend the rest of his life dealing with the rebellions and trials of his people in the wilderness, always acting as their patient intercessor before Allah.
Arabic: وَكَتَبْنَا لَهُ فِي الْأَلْوَاحِ مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مَّوْعِظَةً وَتَفْصِيلًا لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ
Transliteration: Wa katabna lahu fil alwahi min kulli shayin mawidhatan wa tafseelan li kulli shay.
English Translation: “And We wrote for him on the tablets [something] of all things – instruction and explanation for all things.” – (Surah Al-Araf, 7:145)
The Trial of the Golden Calf
While Musa (as) was atop Mount Sinai communing with Allah, a severe trial (Fitnah) unfolded below. A man named Samiri exploited the impatience of the Israelites, who had grown restless during Musa’s forty-day absence. Using melted gold jewelry, Samiri fashioned a statue of a calf that produced a lowing sound when the wind blew through it. He falsely claimed, “This is your god and the god of Musa.”
Despite the desperate warnings of Harun (as), many of the people fell into idolatry. When Musa (as) descended from the mountain carrying the Divine Tablets, he was filled with grief and anger at the sight of his people worshipping a statue after witnessing the parting of the sea.
Arabic: وَاتَّخَذَ قَوْمُ مُوسَىٰ مِن بَعْدِهِ مِنْ حُلِيِّهِمْ عِجْلًا جَسَدًا لَّهُ خُوَارٌ
Transliteration: Wattakhadha qawmu Musa min badihi min huliyyihim ijlan jasadan lahu khuwar.
English Translation: “And the people of Musa made, after [his departure], from their ornaments a calf – an image having a lowing sound.” – (Surah Al-Araf, 7:148)
Musa (as) destroyed the idol and strictly rebuked those involved, eventually leading the nation through a difficult process of repentance and purification. This event highlighted the recurring theme of Musa’s life: the struggle to guide a people whose hearts were still psychologically burdened by the years of slavery and paganism in Egypt.
The Quest for Knowledge
In a famous episode recorded in Surah Al-Kahf, Musa (as) was asked who the most knowledgeable person on earth was. He replied that he was, referring to his status as a Prophet with direct revelation. Allah then revealed to him that there was a servant of Allah at the junction of the two seas who possessed a different type of knowledge i.e. the knowledge of the Unseen and the inner reality of things.
Determined to learn, Musa (as) traveled a great distance to find this man, known in tradition as Al-Khidr. Their journey was marked by three puzzling events:
- Al-Khidr damaged a boat belonging to poor fishermen.
- Al-Khidr took the life of a young boy.
- Al-Khidr repaired a crumbling wall in a town that had refused them hospitality.
Musa (as), driven by his innate sense of justice, could not remain silent and questioned these actions. Al-Khidr eventually explained the hidden mercy in each act: the boat was saved from a king who was seizing all good ships; the boy was replaced by a righteous child to save his parents from future grief; and the wall protected a hidden treasure belonging to two orphans.
Arabic: قَالَ فَإِنِ اتَّبَعْتَنِي فَلَا تَسْأَلْنِي عَن شَيْءٍ حَتَّىٰ أُحْدِثَ لَكَ مِنْهُ ذِكْرًا
Transliteration: Qala fa-ini ittabatani fala tasalni an shayin hatta uhditha laka minhu dhikra.
English Translation: “He said, ‘Then if you follow me, do not ask me about anything until I make to you a mention of it.'” – (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:70)
This journey taught Musa (as) and all of humanity that Allah’s wisdom is vast and that what may appear as a calamity often contains a hidden, divine kindness.
The Covenant at Mount Sinai and the Ten Commandments
After the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharaoh’s army, Prophet Musa (as) led the Children of Israel into the Sinai Peninsula. The people, newly liberated from centuries of slavery, lacked a legal and moral framework to govern their lives. To establish this, Allah summoned Musa (as) to the heights of Mount Sinai (Jabal Musa) for a period of forty days and nights of fasting, prayer, and isolation.
It was during this sacred retreat that Allah granted Musa (as) the Tawrat (Torah). Unlike other revelations that were sent down over time, the core laws of the Tawrat were inscribed by Allah onto heavy stone tablets. These laws, famously known as the Ten Commandments, formed the bedrock of the Covenant between Allah and Bani Israil.
Arabic: وَكَتَبْنَا لَهُ فِي الْأَلْوَاحِ مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مَّوْعِظَةً وَتَفْصِيلًا لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ
Transliteration: Wa katabna lahu fil alwahi min kulli shayin mawidhatan wa tafseelan li kulli shay.
English Translation: “And We wrote for him on the tablets [something] of all things – instruction and explanation for all things.” – (Surah Al-Araf, 7:145)
The Content of the Ten Commandments in Islam
While the Quran does not list the “Ten Commandments” in a single numbered list as the Bible does, the essence of these laws is woven throughout the Quranic text, specifically in Surah Al-An’am (6:151-153) and Surah Al-Isra (17:22-39). These laws were designed to protect the five necessities of life: faith, life, intellect, lineage, and property.
- Strict Monotheism (Tawhid): To worship none but Allah and avoid all forms of Shirk (associating partners with God).
- Honoring Parents: A divine obligation to show kindness and obedience to one’s father and mother.
- Prohibition of Murder: The sanctity of human life is paramount; killing an innocent soul is strictly forbidden.
- Prohibition of Adultery: Protecting the family unit and the purity of lineage.
- Prohibition of Theft: Respecting the property and hard-earned rights of others.
- Prohibition of False Testimony: The importance of truth and justice in the legal system.
- Prohibition of Coveting: Maintaining a heart free from destructive envy of what others possess.
- Prohibition of Taking Allah’s Name in Vain: Respecting the sanctity of oaths and the name of the Divine.
- Observance of the Sabbath: A dedicated time for rest and the exclusive worship of Allah (later abrogated or modified for subsequent nations).
- Justice in Weights and Measures: Ensuring honesty in business and trade.
The Weight of the Tablets
The Tablets were not merely physical objects; they carried a spiritual weight that was almost unbearable. When Musa (as) returned from the mountain and found his people worshipping the Golden Calf, he dropped the Tablets in his intense grief and anger. However, once the situation was resolved and the people repented, he took up the Tablets again, and they remained the primary source of law for the Israelites for centuries.
The Quran describes this moment of divine instruction:
Arabic: فَخُذْهَا بِقُوَّةٍ وَأْمُرْ قَوْمَكَ يَأْخُذُوا بِأَحْسَنِهَا
Transliteration: Fakhudha bi quwwatin wamur qawmaka yakhudhu bi ahsaniha.
English Translation: “So take them with determination and enjoin upon your people to take the best of them.” – (Surah Al-Araf, 7:145)
The Ark of the Covenant
In the aftermath of the revelation at Mount Sinai, the Ark of the Covenant also known in the Quran as Tabut al-Sakina became the most sacred object for the Children of Israel. It was a physical manifestation of Allah’s presence, protection, and peace among His people.
The Ark was a beautifully crafted chest designed to hold the most precious relics of the Prophetic era. Its primary purpose was to provide Sakina (divine tranquility) to the hearts of the believers during times of war, migration, and uncertainty.
What was inside the Ark?
According to Islamic tradition and Quranic verses, the Ark contained the “remnants” of the household of Musa (as) and Harun (as). These relics were symbols of divine authority and a physical link to the miracles of the past. The contents included:
- The Original Tablets: The pieces of the stone tablets of the Tawrat (Torah) that were given to Musa (as) on Mount Sinai.
- The Staff of Musa (as): The miraculous wooden staff that parted the Red Sea and turned into a serpent.
- The Turban of Harun (as): Representing the leadership and priesthood of Musa’s brother.
- A Jar of Manna: A sample of the divine food sent down from the heavens to feed the Israelites during their forty years in the wilderness.
The Power of Sakina
The Quran highlights the Ark’s significance during the appointment of Talut (Saul) as King. The return of the Ark was a sign that Talut was the divinely chosen leader. When the Israelites carried the Ark into battle, it was said that a divine peace would descend upon their ranks, allowing them to remain firm against much larger armies.
Arabic:
وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ آيَةَ مُلْكِهِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ التَّابُوتُ فِيهِ سَكِينَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَبَقِيَّةٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ آلُ مُوسَىٰ وَآلُ هَارُونَ تَحْمِلُهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ
Transliteration: Wa qala lahum nabiyyuhum inna ayata mulkihi an yatiyakumu at-tabutu feehi sakeenatun min rabbikum wa baqiyyatun mimma taraka alu Musa wa alu Haruna tahmiluhu al-malaikah.
English Translation: “And their Prophet said to them, ‘Indeed, a sign of his kingship is that the chest (Ark) will come to you in which is assurance (Sakina) from your Lord and a remnant of what the family of Musa and the family of Harun had left, carried by the angels.'” – (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:248)
The Mystery of the Ark’s Disappearance
For centuries, the Ark was kept in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple of Sulayman (as) in Jerusalem. However, after the invasion of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple, the Ark disappeared from the historical record.
In Islamic eschatology (end-times prophecy), there are narrations mentioned in some traditions suggesting that the Ark is not lost forever. It is believed by some that the Mahdi will rediscover the Ark of the Covenant in the end times from a location such as Lake Tiberias or Antioch. Its discovery will serve as a definitive sign of his truth and will lead many to the path of monotheism.
The Death and Lasting Legacy of the Intercessor
Prophet Musa (as) spent his final years in the wilderness, continuing to shepherd the Children of Israel. According to Sahih Hadith, when the Angel of Death approached him, Musa (as) struck the angel, as he was a man of intense strength and not yet ready to leave his mission. Allah then gave him the choice to live as many years as there are hairs on the back of an ox. Musa (as) asked what would come after those years, and when told “death,” he chose to meet his Lord immediately.
He requested Allah to bring him within a stone’s throw of the Holy Land. He was buried in a hidden location, described by Prophet Muhammad (saw) as being near a “red sandhill.”
Musa (as) remains an intercessor for the believers. During the Isra wal-Miraj (Night Journey), it was Musa (as) who advised Prophet Muhammad (saw) to return to Allah and ask for the reduction of the daily prayers from fifty to five, out of mercy for the Ummah.
Conclusion
Prophet Musa (as) stands as a symbol of the struggle against oppression and the pursuit of truth. His life reminds us that no tyrant is too powerful for Allah to topple and no heart is too small to receive the light of guidance. He was a king without a crown, a leader who served his people, and the Prophet who spoke to the Divine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is Prophet Musa called Kalimullah?
He is called Kalimullah because Allah spoke to him directly without the mediation of an angel.
Where is the grave of Prophet Musa?
According to Hadith, his grave is located near a red sandhill in the vicinity of Jerusalem.
What are the Nine Signs given to Prophet Musa?
The nine signs (miracles) sent to Pharaoh included the staff, the white hand, locusts, lice, frogs, blood, famine, drought, and the flood.
Why is Musa (as) mentioned so much in the Quran?
Musa (as) is mentioned 136 times because his struggles with Pharaoh and the complex behavior of his followers provide parallel lessons for the Muslim Ummah and the Prophet Muhammad (saw).
Is Prophet Musa (as) the same as Moses?
Yes, in Islam he is recognized as a Prophet and Messenger of Allah, while in Judaism and Christianity, he is the central figure of the Exodus and the receiver of the Law.
What is the “Sacred Valley of Tuwa”?
It is the valley at the foot of Mount Sinai where Allah first spoke to Musa (as) through the Burning Bush.
