The Birth of Moses

The story of Prophet Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, is mentioned in many different passages in the Quran, sometimes in detail, and sometimes in brief. Here, we will mention an account of his life taken from the Quran and Sunnah (prophetic tradition)

The Quran states (what means): "Taa, Seen, Meem [three separate Arabic letters]. These are verses of the clear Book. We recite to you the news of Moosaa and Pharaoh in truth for a people who believe. Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into factions, oppressing a sector among them, slaughtering their [newborn] sons and keeping their females alive. Indeed, he was of the corruptors. And We wanted to confer favour upon those who were oppressed in the land and make them leaders and make them inheritors. And establish them in the land, and to show Pharaoh and [his minister] Haamaan and their soldiers through them that which they had feared." [Quran: 28:1-6]

Allah mentions here the gist of the story, which He later expands upon. He mentioned the details of this story to His Prophet Muhammad  in truth, the way it happened; He, the Almighty, Says (what means): “Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into factions…”[Quran: 28:4]

Pharaoh (Pharaoh) rebelled in arrogance and was haughty. He preferred this world to the Hereafter, and disobeyed the Lord. He divided his people into sects. Some of them were made to live the life of subservience and humiliation; they were the people of Israel. They were the best people of their time. Pharaoh exploited them and dealt with them unjustly, forcing them to take up only the lowest of professions. Not only that, he also killed their males while keeping their women alive. The Quran states (what means): “…Slaughtering their [newborn] sons and keeping their females alive. Indeed, he was of the corruptors.”[Quran: 28:4]

The reason behind this evil practice was the belief of the Israelites that there would come a child from the progeny of Ibraaheem (Abraham), may Allah exalt his mention, who would destroy the kingdom of Pharaoh. It happened when Saarah, may Allah exalt her mention, the wife of Ibraaheem, may Allah exalt his mention, passed through Egypt, and there the king of Egypt tried to misbehave with her. But Allah saved her, and gave her the glad tidings that from her progeny would come a boy who would destroy that kingdom. This information was well known among the Israelites. The Coptic people of Egypt talked about it, till it reached Pharaoh through some of his ministers. Pharaoh then commanded the slaying of all the Israelite male children, in fear of this child.

Imaam As-Suddi  who was a Muslim scholar, narrated from Ibn 'Abbaas and other Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, that Pharaoh had a dream that a fire came from the direction of Jerusalem and burnt all the Coptic people and their houses, but did not harm the Israelites. He woke up terrified and gathered all his priests, soothsayers, and sorcerers, and asked them for the interpretation of his dream. They said: "There will be born a boy from these people, who will destroy the people of Egypt." So Pharaoh ordered that all newborn boys be killed, while the girls were to be kept alive.

That is why Allah Says (what means): “And We wanted to confer favour upon those who were oppressed in the land [i.e., the Israelites] and make them leaders and make them inheritors." [Quran: 28:5] They were to take up the charge of the affairs of Egypt. Allah continues with what means: "And establish them in the land and show Pharaoh and [his minister] Haamaan and their soldiers through them that which they had feared." [Quran: 28: 6]

Allah promised to grant strength and control to those who were weak and suppressed. This Divine promise was fulfilled, and they became, as Allah Says in the Quran (what means): "And We caused the people who had been oppressed to inherit the eastern regions of the land and the western ones, which We had blessed. And the good word [i.e., decree] of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel because of what they had patiently endured…" [Quran: 7:137]

Allah also Says (what means): "So We removed them from gardens and springs. And treasures and honourable station – Thus. And We caused to inherit it the Children of Israel." [Quran: 26:57-59]

Moosaa survives Pharaoh's decree of death

Pharaoh took every step to make sure that Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, would not survive his birth; he even appointed midwives to check routinely upon pregnant women, and know the time of their delivery. No woman therefore gave birth to a baby boy except that the people of Pharaoh would kill it at birth.

Allah Says (what means): "And when he [i.e., Moosaa] brought them the truth from Us, they said: 'Kill the sons of those who have believed with him and keep their woman alive’…" [Quran: 40:25] That is why Israelites said to Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, what means: "…‘We have been harmed before you came to us and after you have come to us.’"[Quran: 7:129]

So the truth is that Pharaoh ordered the killing of boys in the first place to make sure that Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, would not live after his birth.

Many exegetes stated that the Coptic population complained to Pharaoh that the Israelites were decreasing in number because of the killing of their boys, so soon both the old and the young might perish. Consequently, they would lose the manpower of the Israelites, and be forced to carry out the work which they did. So Pharaoh found an economically and socially sound solution, and hence decreed a new order: to kill the boys born in one year and then spare the lives of those born during the following year.

It is said that Haaroon (Aaron), may Allah exalt his mention, was born during the year of pardon when children were not killed, while Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, was born in the year in which they were being killed. Moosaa’s mother was very worried from the moment she became pregnant. However, the sign of pregnancy did not show on her. When she gave birth to Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, it was inspired to her that she should make a chest (wooden box) and tie it with a long rope, with the other end tied to her house. As her house was on the bank of the Nile, she would place him in the chest letting the rope loose so it could be hidden in the reeds of the Nile.

Allah Says (what means): "And We inspired to the mother of Moosaa: '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.’ And the family of Pharaoh picked him up [out of the river] so that he would become to them an enemy and a [cause of] grief. Indeed, Pharaoh and Haamaan and their soldiers were deliberate sinners. And the wife of Pharaoh said: '[He will be] a comfort of the eye [i.e., pleasure] for me and for you. Do not kill him; perhaps he may benefit us, or we may adopt him as a son.’ And they perceived not [what was to come]." [Quran: 28:7-9]

She was inspired in her heart that there was no cause for fear, even if he disappeared, Allah would bring him back to her, because He was going to send him as His Prophet and Messenger. He would be a person of honour in this world and in the Hereafter. She used to do what she had been commanded. However, on the day when she let the chest go in the Nile, she forgot to tie it to her house. The chest went on till it passed by Pharaoh’s palace.

The palace servants found the basket with the baby and took it to Pharaoh and his queen. When the queen beheld the lovely infant, Allah instilled in her a strong love for this baby. Pharaoh’s wife was very different from him. He was a disbeliever; she was a believer. He was cruel; she was merciful. He was a tyrant; she was delicate and kind-hearted. She was sad because she was infertile and had hoped to have a son. Hardly had she held the baby than she kissed him.

Pharaoh was stunned when he saw his wife hugging this baby to her breast. He was much astonished because his wife was weeping with joy, something he had never seen her do before. She requested her husband to allow her to keep the baby, so that he could be a son to him. So, as the Quran states (what means): "And the family of Pharaoh picked him up [out of the river] so that he would become to them an enemy and a [cause of] grief. Indeed, Pharaoh and Haamaan and their soldiers were deliberate sinners.” [Quran: 28:8]

His Nursing

The queen summoned a few wet nurses to suckle baby Moosaa (Moses), may Allah exalt his mention, but he would not take any of their breasts. The queen was distressed and sent for more wet nurses. Moosaa’s sister was also worried, as her baby brother had gone without milk for a long time. Seeing the queen's anxiety, she blurted that she knew just the mother who would suckle the child affectionately. They asked her why she was following the floating chest. She said she did so out of curiosity. Her excuse sounded reasonable, so they believed her. They ordered her to rush and fetch the woman she was talking about. Her mother also was waiting with a heavy heart, worried about the fate of her baby. Just then her daughter rushed in with the good news. Her heart lifted and she lost no time in reaching the palace. Allah the Almighty mentions this story in the Quran. [Quran: 28:10-13]

As the child was put to her breast, he immediately started suckling. Pharaoh (Pharaoh) was astonished and asked: "Who are you? This child has refused to take any other breast but yours!" Had she told the truth, Pharaoh would have known that the child was an Israelite and would have killed it instantly. However, Allah gave her inner strength and she replied: "I am a woman of sweet milk and sweet fragrance, and no child refuses me." This answer satisfied Pharaoh. She was appointed as Moosaa’s wet nurse. She continued to breast-feed him for a long time. When he was bigger and was weaned, she was allowed the privilege of visiting him. Moosaa, may Allah exalt him mention, was raised in the palace as a prince.

Allah Says (what means): “And when he attained his full strength and was [mentally] mature, We bestowed upon him judgement and knowledge. And thus do We reward the doers of good.” [Quran: 28:14]

Allah had granted Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, good health, strength, knowledge, and wisdom. The weak and oppressed turned to him for protection and justice.

One day, in the main city, he, may Allah exalt his mention, saw two men fighting. One was an Israelite, who was being beaten by the other, an Egyptian. On seeing Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, the Israelite begged him for help. Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, became involved in the dispute and, in a state of anger, struck a heavy blow on the Egyptian, who died on the spot. Upon realising that he had killed a human being, Moosaa’s heart was filled with deep sorrow, and immediately he begged Allah for forgiveness.

He had not intended to kill the man. He pleaded with Almighty Allah to forgive him, and he felt a sense of peace filling his whole being. Thereafter Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, began to show more patience and sympathy towards people.

Soon after this, as Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, was passing through the city, a man approached and alerted him: “O Moosaa! The chiefs have taken counsel against you. You are to be tried and killed. I would advise you to escape.” Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, left Egypt in a hurry without going to Pharaoh’s palace or changing his clothes. Nor was he prepared for travelling. He did not have a beast of burden upon which to ride, and he was not in a caravan. He travelled on foot in the direction of Madyan, which was the nearest inhabited land between Syria and Egypt. His only companion in this hot desert was Allah, and his only provision was piety. There was not a single root to pick to lessen his hunger. The hot sand burned the soles of his feet. However, fearing pursuit by Pharaoh’s men, he forced himself to continue on. He travelled for eight nights, hiding during the day. After crossing the main desert, he reached a watering hole outside Madyan where shepherds were watering their flocks.

No sooner had Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, reached Madyan than he threw himself under a tree to rest. He suffered from hunger and fatigue. The soles of his feet felt as if they were worn out from hard walking on sand and rocks and from the dust. He did not have any money to buy a new pair of sandals, nor to buy food or drink. Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, noticed a band of shepherds watering their sheep. He went to the spring, where he saw two young women preventing their sheep from mixing with the others.

Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, sensed that the women were in need of help. Forgetting his thirst, he drew nearer to them and asked if he could help them in any way.
The older sister said: “We are waiting until the shepherds finish watering their sheep, then we will water ours.”

Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, asked again: “Why are you waiting?”

The younger one said: “We cannot push men.”

Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, was surprised that women were shepherding, as only men were supposed to do it. It is hard and tiresome work, and one needs to be on the alert. Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, asked: “Why are you shepherding?”

The younger sister said: “Our father is an old man; his health is too poor for him to go outdoors for pasturing sheep.”

Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, said: “I will water the sheep for you.”

When he approached the water, he saw that the shepherds had put over the mouth of the spring an immense rock that could only be moved by ten men. Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, embraced the rock and lifted it out of the spring's mouth. He was certainly strong. He watered their sheep and put the rock back in its place.

He returned to sit in the shade of the tree. At this moment he realised that he had forgotten to drink. His stomach was sunken because of hunger.

Almighty Allah describes this event in the verses (which mean): “And when he [i.e., Moosaa] came to the water [i.e., well] of Madyan, he found there a crowd of people watering [their flocks], and he found aside from them two women driving back [their flocks]. He said: ‘What is your circumstance?’ They said: ‘We do not water until the shepherds dispatch [their flocks]; and our father is an old man.’ So he watered [their flocks] for them; then he went back to the shade and said: ‘My Lord! Indeed I am, for whatever good You would send down to me, in need’” [Quran: 28:23-24]

The young ladies returned home earlier than usual, which surprised their father. They related the incident at the well, which was the reason that they were back early. Their father sent one of his daughters to invite the stranger to his home. Bashfully, the woman approached Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention: “My father is grateful for what you have done for us. He invites you to our home so that he may thank you personally.”

Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, welcomed this invitation and accompanied the maiden to her father. He, may Allah exalt his mention, could see that they lived comfortably as a happy and peaceful household. He introduced himself and told the old man about the misfortune that had befallen him and had compelled him to flee from Egypt. The old man comforted him: “Fear not, you have escaped from the wrong-doers.”

Moosaa’s gentle behaviour was noticed by the father and his daughters. The man invited him to stay with them. Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, felt at home with this happy household, for they were friendly and fearful of Allah.

One of the daughters suggested to her father that he employ Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, as he was strong and trustworthy. They needed someone like him, especially at the water hole, which was visited by ruffians.

The father asked her how she could be sure of his trustworthiness in such a short time. She replied: “When I bade him to follow me to our home, he insisted that I walk behind him so he would not observe my form (to avoid sexual attraction).”

The old man was pleased to hear this. He approached Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, and said: “I wish to marry you to one of my daughters on condition that you agree to work for me for a period of eight years.”

This offer suited Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, very well, for being a stranger in this place, he would soon have to search for shelter and work. Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, married the Madyanite's daughter and looked after the old man's animals for ten long years.

Time passed, and he lived in seclusion, far from his family and his people. This period of ten years was of importance in his life. It was a period of major preparation. Certainly Moosaa’s mind was absorbed in the stars every night. He followed the sunrise and the sunset every day. He pondered on the plants and everything else around him. He contemplated water and how the earth is revived by it and flourishes after its death.

Of course, he was also immersed in the Glorious Book of Allah, open to the insight and heart. He was immersed in the existence of Allah. All these became latent within him.

One day after the end of this period, a vague homesickness arose in Moosaa’s heart. He wanted to return to Egypt. He was fast and firm in making his decision, telling his wife: “Tomorrow we shall leave for Egypt.” His wife said to herself. “There are a thousand dangers in departing that have not yet been revealed.” However, she obeyed her husband.