Most Gracious, Most Merciful بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Prophet Musa عليه السلام Part 1 of 6 1

The Name of Prophet Musa is mentioned 136 times in the Qur’an. Who was Musa ? واذكر في الكتاب موسى إنه كان مخلصا وكان رسولاً نبياً مريم 51 “Also mention in the Book (the story of) Musa: for he was specially chosen, and he was a Messenger (and) a Prophet. (Surah Maryam: 51) The Name of Prophet Musa is mentioned 136 times in the Qur’an.

Believing in all the Prophets of Allah is an essential part of Islamic Faith.

Descendants Ibrahim Ishaaq Isma’il Yaqoob (Israel) Muhammad Musa عليه السلام Ishaaq عليه السلام Isma’il عليه السلام Yaqoob (Israel) عليه السلام Muhammad صلّى الله عليه وسلّم Musa عليه السلام Haroon عليه السلام

Important Terms to Learn to Understand the Story of Prophet Musa (Peace be upon him) Prophet Yaqoob’s another name was Israel. His children and generations who came after him are called as BANI ISRAEL The descendants of ancient Egypt from the ruling family are called as COPTS/COPTIC In Arabic it is قبطي

HISTORICAL PLACES: Canaan: Prophet Yaqoob and his family were living in Canaan (ancient Palestine including other adjoining places) Egypt: Prophet Yaqoob’s another son Prophet Yusuf was the Ruler of Egypt. In the Qur’an, an Egyptian is termed as a ‘Misri’. When Yusuf invited his father to come to Egypt, all the children of Yaqoob came from Canaan and settled in Egypt.

HISTORICAL FACTS: * The people of Egypt were very pleased with Yusuf as he was kind and gentle to them. * Both Prophet Yaqoob and Prophet Yusuf died and were buried in Egypt. * Time passed by……. * Slowly people changed. They became wicked and stopped worshipping Allah. * They also changed their attitude towards Bani Israel, the Israelites. * Some of the Egyptian started looking at the Israelities as foreigners as they had come from Canaan.

Who was Fir'aon ? The Kings of Egypt were called by the name فرعون The English name of فرعون is Pharaoh At the time of the birth of Musa, the King فرعون was an extremely cruel man. According to some historians, his name was Minfitah (Merneptah) “Certainly Pharaoh was mighty on the earth and one who transgressed all bounds.” (Surah Yunus: verse No. 10) “Then he collected (his men) and made a proclamation: Saying, "I am your Lord, Most High". (Surah An_Naazi’aat: Verse 23)

FIR’AUN’S PERCEPTION OF BANI ISRAEL: * Fir’aoun hated the Bani Israel. * He thought his people, the Copts, were special. * He considered the Copts were born to rule. * He thought the Bani Israelees were born to serve. * He extracted work from the Israelites like work-animals. * When he told Bani Israel to take him as god and worship him, they refused to obey. This increased his wrath towards them.

The Killings A coptic Priest told Fir’aoun: “A child will be born among Bani Israel at whose Hands your Kingdom will be lost” In rage and madness, Fir’aon orders the killing of all male children of Bani Israel! “Verily, Fir‘aun (Pharaoh) exalted himself in the land and made its people sects, weakening (oppressing) a group (i.e. Children of Israel) among them: killing their sons, and letting their females live. Verily, he was of the corruptors (oppressors, tyrants)” (Surah Al Qasas: 4) 10

The Birth of Musa * In difficult circumstances Musa was born. * His mother was scared of the cruel rule: TO KILL ALL MALE CHILDREN BORN TO BANI ISRAEL. * Musa’s elder brother Haroon was born when this rule of killing was not applicable. So Haroon was safe. Allah Plans a Way Out……

ALLAH IS THE REAL SAVIOUR! * Musa was born according to Allah’s Plan. * Fir’aoun and his cruel kingdom could not stop the Plan of Allah from taking shape. * Allah wanted what Pharaoh feared. * The child destined to destroy Pharaoh’s kingdom was born. Allah inspires the mother of Musa: “And We inspired the mother of Musa (Moses): (telling): "Suckle him [Musa (Moses)], but when you fear for him, then cast him into the river and fear not, nor grieve. Verily, We shall bring him back to you, and shall make him one of (Our) Messengers." (Surah Al Qasas: 7)

* As per Allah’s order Musa’s mother puts him in a basket and floats it down the River Nile. * Pharaoh’s palaces were on the bank of River Nile. * The King and the Queen notice the basket floating. * The King orders to bring the basket. * They saw a cute little smiling baby boy in it. * The Queen (Aasiya) loved the child. * The King wanted to kill him as he got doubt that he might be from Bani Israel. The Queen now pleads to her husband……..

How Allah works out His Plan “And the wife of Fir‘aun (Pharaoh) said: "A comfort of the eye for me and for you. Kill him not, perhaps he may be of benefit to us, or we may adopt him as a son." And they perceived not (the result of that).” (Surah Al Qasas: 9) * Musa survives. * Starts living in a Palace * Allah wanted Pharaoh to bring up the very child at whose hands his kingdom would be lost!

Musa Returns to his mother * In the meantime, Musa’s mother sends her daughter to find out as to what happened to the child. * Mother is happy that the child is safe. * Musa refuses to take milk from any nurse. * Musa’s intelligent sister convinces the Queen to fetch a good wet-nurse. * Musa’s sister comes with the news that Royal Palace wants her to suckle the child. “So did We restore him to his mother, that her eye might be comforted, and that she might not grieve, and that she might know that the Promise of Allah is true. But most of them know not.” (Surah Al Qasas: 13)

With comfort and luxury at his feet, Musa in fact grew up as a Prince. In the King’s Palace, Musa starts growing up. With comfort and luxury at his feet, Musa in fact grew up as a Prince. Awe of kings and the powerful rich was removed from his heart. As he grew up in the Palace, he witnessed how cruel Fir’ aun was with Bani Israel, his own people. End of Part 1 16