Prophet Musa (AS): The Most Mentioned Prophet in the Quran

Prophet Musa (AS) holds a distinguished position in Islam as one of the five greatest prophets (Ulul Azm). The story of Musa appears more frequently in the Quran than any other prophet, with his name mentioned 136 times across various chapters. His profound legacy offers invaluable lessons in faith, patience, and unwavering trust in Allah.

Who Is Musa (Moses)

Hazrat Musa (AS) is the Prophet of Allah sent to Pharaoh and his rulers to follow the commandments of Allah. He is given the title Kalimullah (The One who spoke directly to Allah) because Allah directly talked to him at Mount Sinai. 

Born during a time of slaughter and miraculously raised within the palace of the very tyrant seeking to kill him, he was later called by Allah at Mount Tur to liberate the Children of Israel from Egyptian bondage and deliver the Torah. 

Prophet Musa Family Tree

The family of Prophet Musa (Moses) is part of the larger lineage of prophets descending from Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (AS). His immediate family includes his parents, his older brother and sister, and his wife. 

• Father: Imran 
• Mother: Yukabid (Jochebed in the Bible). Her name is generally known from Islamic literature, though not explicitly mentioned in the Quran itself.
• Brother: Prophet Harun (Aaron), who was also a prophet and assisted Hazrat Musa in his mission.
• Sister: Maryam (Miriam), who watched over baby Musa when he was cast into the Nile River.
• Wife: Saffurah (Zipporah), daughter of Prophet Shu'ayb A.S. 

Prophet Musa Date of Birth

There is no specific date of birth recorded for Prophet Musa (AS) in the Quran or authentic Hadith. Islamic tradition focuses on the events and lessons of his life rather than specific calendar dates.

Historians and scholars generally place the life of Musa (AS) during the New Kingdom of Egypt, likely between the 15th and 13th centuries BCE ( 1500–1200 BCE). 

The Birth and Early Life of Prophet Moses (Musa A.S)

The story of Musa (Moses) begins during a dark period in Egyptian history. Pharaoh, threatened by prophecies of his downfall, ordered the killing of all newborn Hebrew boys.

Hazrat Musa (AS) was born to Imran and Jochebed (Yukabid), a pious couple from the lineage of Prophet Yaqub (Jacob). When his mother gave birth, she was consumed by terror, knowing that Pharaoh’s spies were actively hunting for newborns. 

Hazrat Musa's (AS) mother, inspired by divine guidance, placed her infant son in a basket and set him afloat on the Nile River, trusting completely in Allah's plan.

The Quran recounts this inspiration:

وَاَوۡحَيۡنَاۤ اِلٰٓى اُمِّ مُوۡسٰٓى اَنۡ اَرۡضِعِيۡهِ​ۚ فَاِذَا خِفۡتِ عَلَيۡهِ فَاَ لۡقِيۡهِ فِى الۡيَمِّ وَلَا تَخَافِىۡ وَلَا تَحۡزَنِىۡۚ اِنَّا رَآدُّوۡهُ اِلَيۡكِ وَجٰعِلُوۡهُ مِنَ الۡمُرۡسَلِيۡنَ

“We inspired the mother of Moses: “Nurse him, but when you fear for him, put him then into the river, and do not fear or grieve. We will certainly return him to you and make him one of the messengers.” (Surah Al-Qasas:7)

The basket did not float out to the sea or get lost in the reeds. By Divine Decree, the current carried the basket gently toward the Pharaoh’s palace.

The Quran's story of Moses reveals that Pharaoh's own household discovered and adopted the baby. Pharaoh's wife, Asiya, convinced her husband to spare the child. In a divine twist, Musa's biological mother was brought to the palace as his wet nurse, allowing her to care for her own son while he grew up in Pharaoh's household. It demonstrates Allah's perfect planning and protection.

Hazrat Musa's (AS) Youth and Exile

As Hazrat Musa (AS) grew into adulthood in Pharaoh's palace, he remained aware of his Hebrew origins. One day, he observed an Egyptian taskmaster brutally beating a Hebrew slave, Musa intervened and accidentally killed the oppressor. He was immediately filled with regret, realising this was a result of anger, and he prayed for forgiveness.

The next day, the same Israelite was fighting another man and called for help again. Hazrat Musa realised the man was a troublemaker, but he was overheard mentioning the killing from the previous day. The news reached Pharaoh, who ordered Musa's execution.

A secret believer from the palace came running to warn Musa: "O Moses, indeed the chiefs are consulting together to kill you; so escape."

Hazrat Musa (AS)fled Egypt immediately, leaving behind the luxury of the palace for the harsh desert. This event led him to Madyan (Midian). This marked the end of his early life in Egypt and the beginning of his spiritual journey toward Prophethood.

In Madian, he married and lived as a shepherd for several years. This period of exile was crucial preparation for his future role as a Prophet and leader.

The Prophet Musa’s Life in Madyan 

After fleeing Egypt without supplies or a caravan, Musa travelled across the harsh desert for eight days until he reached the land of Madyan. It is believed to be near the Gulf of Aqaba.

Exhausted and hungry, he sat beneath the shade of a tree near a water well. Here, he saw a group of men watering their flocks while two young women stood back, struggling to restrain their sheep, unable to get to the water. 

The Prophet Moses asked the women why they were waiting. They replied that they could not water their flock until the shepherds left, and their father was an old man who could not do the work himself.

Hazrat Musa (AS) stepped forward, moved the heavy stone covering the well and watered their sheep for them. He then retreated to the shade. In this moment of desperate need, he made a beautiful dua:

رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَآ أَنزَلْتَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ

"My Lord, indeed I am, for whatever good You would send down to me, in need." (Surah Al-Qasas, 28:24)

The Marriage and Contract

One of the women returned shortly after and invited him to meet her father. The father listened to Hazrat Musa’s story and reassured him that he had escaped from the wrongdoers.

Impressed by Hazrat Musa’s strength and trustworthiness, the father offered Musa a marriage proposal to one of his daughters. The dowry (Mahr) was that he would work for him for eight years, with an option to complete ten.

Hazrta Musa (AS) accepted and, showing his generous character, completed the full ten years.

Hazrat Musa’s Journey Back and Declaration of Prophethood 

After fulfilling his term, Musa felt a longing to return to Egypt to see his family. He set out with his wife and flocks. While travelling through the Sinai Peninsula on a freezing winter night, he lost his way. He tried to make fire but could not. Suddenly, in the distance, on the side of Mount Tur, he saw a fire.  

The Quran mentions it as;

إِذْ رَأَىٰ نَارًا فَقَالَ لِأَهْلِهِ امْكُثُوا إِنِّي آنَسْتُ نَارًا لَّعَلِّي آتِيكُم مِّنْهَا بِقَبَسٍ أَوْ أَجِدُ عَلَى النَّارِ هُدًى

“When he saw a fire and said to his family, 'Stay here; indeed, I have spotted a fire; perhaps I can bring you a torch or find at the fire some guidance." (Surah Ta-Ha:10)

The Encounter at Mount Tur 

As Hazrat Musa (AS) approached the fire, he realised it was no ordinary flame. It was burning within a green bush, yet the fire did not consume the branches, and the branches did not extinguish the fire. It was a light of pure glory.

When he reached the blessed valley of Tuwa, the silence was broken by the Voice of the Almighty:

The Quran depicts it as;

فَلَمَّاۤ اَتٰىهَا نُوْدِیَ یٰمُوْسٰى(11) اِنِّیْۤ اَنَا رَبُّكَ فَاخْلَعْ نَعْلَیْكَۚ-اِنَّكَ بِالْوَادِ الْمُقَدَّسِ طُوًى(12)

But when he approached it, he was called, “O Moses! It is truly I. I am your Lord! So take off your sandals, for you are in the sacred valley of Tuwa. (Surah Ta-Ha:11-12)

This was the moment of Nubuwwah (Prophethood). The voice commanded Moses: "Throw down your staff."

He threw it down, and instantly it turned into a moving snake. Hazrat Musa jumped back in fear, but the voice spoke again: "Don't be afraid. Pick it up, and I will change it back."

When Musa (AS) grabbed the snake, it became his staff again. His fear melted away and was replaced by peace. He understood he was experiencing divine truth.

Then Allah told him to put his hand inside his robe near his armpit. When he pulled it out, his hand glowed with brilliant light.

Allah said to Moses: "These are two signs from your Lord. Now go to Pharaoh and his leaders, for they are wicked people who have gone far beyond all limits."

Confronting Pharaoh-The Prophetic Mission of Musa (AS)

Allah conferred the Prophethood to Hazrat Musa (AS) and then gave him the ultimate command: "Go to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed." 

Hazrat Musa (AS), remembering his speech impediment from childhood and the danger of his past crime in Egypt, asked Allah for support to ensure the mission's success. 

He also asked for his brother, Hazrat Harun (A.S), to be his helper, as he was more eloquent in speech. Allah granted all his requests immediately.

Armed with miracles, faith, and his brother, Musa descended the mountain not as a shepherd, but as a Messenger of God, ready to confront the greatest tyrant on earth.

The Confrontation with Pharaoh

Upon returning to Egypt, Musa (AS) and Harun (Aaron) (AS) went directly to the court of Pharaoh. Hazrat Musa (AS) delivered the message with the clarity Allah had promised him. 

Pharaoh mocked Musa (AS), reminding him of his upbringing in the palace and the murder he had committed. He acknowledged his past mistake but declared his new status as a Messenger. When Pharaoh arrogantly asked, "And what is the Lord of the worlds?", Musa (AS) replied:

قَالَ رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ۖ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُوقِنِينَ

Moses replied, “He is˺the Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything in between, if only you had sure faith.” (Ash-Shu'ara:24)

To prove his prophethood, Musa showed the two signs:

• He threw his staff, and it became a manifest serpent.
• He drew his hand from his cloak, and it was white and radiant.

Pharaoh dismissed these miracles as plain magic and accused Musa of trying to steal his kingdom. He challenged Musa to a public duel against Egypt's best magicians. And a day was set for this. 

The Day of the Festival- Musa’s Confrontation With Magicians 

The scene was set in a vast open arena. Pharaoh gathered the most skilled magicians from across Egypt. He promised them wealth and positions of nearness to the throne.

The magicians cast their ropes and staff. Through their sorcery, they bewitched the eyes of the people, making the ropes appear as snakes covering the entire ground. The people were terrified. Even Musa felt a moment of human apprehension, but Allah inspired him instantly. 

Hazrat Musa (AS) threw his staff. It transformed into a real, massive serpent. It proceeded to swallow every single rope and staff the magicians had thrown. 

The magicians knew immediately that what Musa had done was not magic. Overwhelmed by the Truth, they fell into prostration (Sajdah) on the spot. 

فَاُلْقِیَ السَّحَرَةُ سُجَّدًا قَالُـوْۤا اٰمَنَّا بِرَبِّ هٰرُوْنَ وَ مُوْسٰى

“So the magicians fell down in prostration, declaring, “We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses.” (Surah Ta-Ha :70)

The Nine Signs (Plagues)

Despite this humiliation, Pharaoh refused to let the Children of Israel go. To break his arrogance, Allah sent a series of signs (plagues) upon Egypt. These were warnings, detailed in Surah Al-A'raf 133:

فَاَرْسَلْنَا عَلَیْهِمُ الطُّوْفَانَ وَ الْجَرَادَ وَ الْقُمَّلَ وَ الضَّفَادِ عَ وَ الدَّمَ اٰیٰتٍ مُّفَصَّلٰتٍ- فَاسْتَكْبَرُوْا وَ كَانُوْا قَوْمًا مُّجْرِمِیْنَ

“So We plagued them with floods, locusts, lice, frogs, and blood—all as clear signs, but they persisted in arrogance and were wicked people.”

The nine signs include;

• The Staff: Transforming into a powerful serpent that consumed the magicians' snakes
• The Shining Hand: His hand glowing with divine light
• The Flood: Overwhelming waters that devastated Egypt
• The Locusts: Destroying crops and vegetation
• The Lice: Afflicting people and animals
• The Frogs: Invading homes and spaces
• The Blood: Turning the Nile's water to blood
• The Years of Drought: Causing famine across the land
• The Loss of Fruits: Withering of harvests

The Exodus and the Splitting of the Sea

Finally, the command came from Allah to leave. Hazrat Musa (AS) was instructed to lead the Israelites out of Egypt by night. They moved secretly, heading toward the Red Sea.

When Pharaoh realised they were gone, he gathered a massive army and pursued them in a rage.

At sunrise, the Israelites reached the edge of the sea. They looked back and saw Pharaoh’s army approaching. They were trapped between the water and the army. The people cried out in panic. Hazrat Musa’s response is one of the most powerful statements of faith (Tawakkul) in the Qur'an:

قَالَ كَلَّاۚ-اِنَّ مَعِیَ رَبِّیْ سَیَهْدِیْنِ

Moses reassured them, “Absolutely not! My Lord is certainly with me—He will guide me.” (Surah Ash-Shu'ara :62)

Allah commanded Hazrat Musa (AS) to strike the sea with his staff. He struck the water, and the sea split apart. The water stood up like two mountains on either side, revealing a dry path in the middle. Hazrat Musa and the Israelites rushed across.

Pharaoh, blinded by his arrogance, led his army onto the dry path in pursuit. When the last of the Israelites stepped safely onto the far shore, and the last of Pharaoh’s army was in the middle of the seabed, the command came. The walls of water collapsed. 

The Wilderness and the Slave Mentality

Although the Children of Israel were physically free from Pharaoh, their minds were still shackled by generations of slavery. They lacked faith and courage.

Immediately after crossing the Red Sea, they passed by a people worshipping idols. Instead of being grateful to the Unseen God who just saved them, they asked Musa:

"O Moses, make for us a god just as they have gods."  (Surah Al-A'raf, 7:138)

Hazrat Musa (AS) rebuked them harshly, calling them an ignorant people. Despite this, Allah continued to bless them with miracles to sustain them in the harsh desert:

• Clouds (Ghamam): To shade them from the scorching sun.
• Manna and Salwa: Sweet dew (like honey) and quail birds sent down daily, so they did not have to farm or hunt.
• The 12 Springs: When they were thirsty, Musa struck a rock with his staff, and 12 springs gushed forth. One for each of the 12 tribes of Israel, to prevent infighting.

The Revelation of Torah at Mount Tur

Allah commanded Hazrat Musa to return to Mount Tur for 30 nights to receive the Divine Law (Torah). This was later extended by 10 nights to complete 40 nights of fasting and devotion.

Musa left his brother Hazrat Harun in charge, warning him: "Take my place among my people, do right, and do not follow the way of the corrupters.

After the 40 days of devotion, he was then given the Torah for guidance, laws, and mercy for the people.

The Incident of the Golden Calf

While Hazrat Musa was on the mountain, a man named As-Samiri exploited the people's weakness for idolatry. He collected their gold jewellery and melted it down to fashion a Golden Calf and worship it. 

Hazrat Harun (AS) tried to stop them, but they threatened to kill him and refused to stop until Musa (AS) returned.

Upon returning, Hazrat Musa (AS) found his people worshipping the calf. He confronted them, and they eventually repented after the divine instruction for them to kill themselves as a form of penance. Allah forgave them, as he is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful. 

The Refusal to Enter the Holy Land

Finally, the Israelites arrived at the border of the Holy Land (Jerusalem/Palestine). Allah commanded them to enter and fight the tyrannical people ruling it, promising them victory. 

Hazrat Musa sent 12 spies to see the land. They returned reporting that the inhabitants were people of great strength. The Israelites were terrified, and people revolted against Musa (AS), saying:

قَالُوْا یٰمُوْسٰۤى اِنَّا لَنْ نَّدْخُلَهَاۤ اَبَدًا مَّا دَامُوْا فِیْهَا فَاذْهَبْ اَنْتَ وَ رَبُّكَ فَقَاتِلَاۤ اِنَّا هٰهُنَا قٰعِدُوْنَ

“O Moses! we will never enter as long as they remain there. So go—both you and your Lord—and fight; we are staying right here!” (Surah Al-Ma'idah:24)

This was the ultimate betrayal. After all the miracles, including the splitting of the Sea, the Manna, and the Cloud, they refused to trust Allah. 

The 40 Years of Wandering

Hazrat Musa (AS) was disheartened by the betrayal of his people. He prayed to Allah to separate him from these rebellious people. Allah answered:

قَالَ فَاِنَّهَا مُحَرَّمَةٌ عَلَیْهِمْ اَرْبَعِیْنَ سَنَةًۚ-یَتِیْهُوْنَ فِی الْاَرْضِؕ-فَلَا تَاْسَ عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْفٰسِقِیْنَ

“Then this land is forbidden to them for forty years, during which they will wander through the land. So do not grieve for the rebellious people.” (Surah Al-Ma'idah: 26)

For four decades, that generation remained lost in the Sinai Peninsula. During this time, the older generation (who had the slave mentality) died out, and a new, tougher generation raised in the desert under Hazrat Musa’s guidance emerged.

Miracles of Prophet Moses

The miracles of Prophet Musa (AS) are numerous in the Quran. These supernatural events were performed by Allah through a Prophet to prove his authenticity and to challenge the arrogance of his time.

Here are the miracles of Musa (AS), categorised by when they occurred.

The Passing of Prophet Musa (AS)

Musa (AS) passed away on Mount Nebo, within sight of the promised land, shortly before the 40 years of wandering ended. 

According to Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari 1339, when the Angel of Death came to Musa (AS), he initially resisted death and asked Allah to let him live. Allah told him to place his hand on a bull's back; he would live one year for every hair his hand covered. Musa asked, "Then what?" Allah said, "Then death." Musa replied, "Then let it be now.

Conclusion 

Prophet Musa (Moses) A.S is a central figure in Islam, revered as a prophet who was sent to liberate the Children of Israel from Pharaoh's oppression in ancient Egypt. His story includes his miraculous birth, his discovery by Pharaoh's wife, his escape to Midian, and his return to confront Pharaoh with his brother Harun (Aaron) A.S.