Story of Moses
According to Islamic tradition, Moses was born into a family of Israelites living in Egypt. The
ruling Pharaoh on the advice of his soothsayers, ordered the killing of all new-born Israelite
males. To protect her son, Moses'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.[5]
Moses grew up as a member of the Pharaoh's household. However, one day when he was
walking outside he saw an Egyptian beating a Jew, and went to the Egyptian and hit him, in the
process killing him. As a result of this incident, Moses was deemed a criminal and was to be
punished, but escaped into the desert. After travelling in the desert for a long time, he arrived in
Midian and came into the company of an old man (most probably the Biblical Jethro), who
recognized Moses as a man of God. He arranged a marriage between Moses and his daughter
(Zipporah in Biblical and Hebrew tradition) and then Moses worked for him for eight to ten
years.
God calls Moses
Ten years after the well incident, Musa became very home sick. 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. Here is the conversation narrated in the Quran and heard God
speaking to him. God told him to return to Egypt and free the Jewish people. Moses, however,
was fearful of the Pharaoh, and wanted signs.[6]
God ordered Moses to throw his walking stick onto the ground. As a sign to Moses from God the
staff was transformed into a snake. Moses became scared, but God ordered Moses to pick it up,
as it would change back to its original form. He also ordered him to press his right hand to his
left side and it would shine in a bright, white radiant light. Moses 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.[7] God told him that his brother, Aaron, could accompany him in his
tasks, help in preaching to Israel and speak for him.[8]
The Ten Commandments and the Golden Calf
Moses led his people on the Exodus to Mount Sinai. Moses told the people that Aaron was to be
the leader while he was gone. Moses then climbed the mountain.
Moses 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. Moses lost consciousness. When he recovered, he
went down in total submission and asked forgiveness of God.[9]
Having thus received the scriptures for his people, Moses came down from the mountain and
returned to his people. However, he was shocked to find that the Israelites had revolted against
his brother Aaron and started worshiping a golden calf fashioned by a person named Samiri.[10]
The Qur'anic account here differs sharply from the Biblical narrative in which Aaron joined in to
mould the calf and joined in its worship.
Shortly thereafter, the elders asked to see the God of Moses, so he took them up the mountain.
While climbing, a white bolt of lightning struck their path, and they all bowed in submission.
Moses prayed for their forgiveness, and they returned to camp and set up a tent dedicated to
worshipping God as Aaron 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. Moses became angry with them and admonished them for their lack of
gratitude.
Lineage of six prominent prophets according to Islamic tradition
Adem (Adam)
Nuh (Noah)
Ibrahim (Abraham)
Ishmael Is'haq (Isaac)
Musa (Moses)
Maryam (Mary)
Isa (Jesus)
Abdul Muttalib
Muhammad
Dotted lines indicate multiple generations
