Stories of the prophets: 22. MUSA A.S.: EARLY CHILDHOOD TO HIS MIGRATION TO MADYAN

Musa a.s. was the son of ‘Imran, son of Qaa’ed, son of Zaamy, son of Ya’qub a.s., son of Ishaq a.s., son of Ibrahim a.s.  He had a speech impediment and as such requested Allah s.w.t. to appoint his elder brother Harun a.s. to assist him.

The kings of Egypt assumed the traditional little of Pharaoh (Fir’aun).  The Pharaoh of Egypt during Yusuf a.s. was Al-Rayan.  Bani Israel lived in Egypt enjoying freedom, respect and authority while Al-Rayan was Pharaoh and Yusuf a.s., Finance Minister (Al-Aziz).  Things changed upon the death of Al-Rayan.  Qabous, son of Mes’ab who succeeds him was unjust and cruel.  Qabous was in turn succeeded by Al-Walid son of Mes’ab and he was a tyrant.  He was the most arrogant unbelievable

Pharaoh Al-Walid married Asiah the daughter of Mazahim.  Asiah married and lived with Pharaoh while maintaining her faith in Allah s.w.t.  Al-Walid ranked his people into classes, making Bani Israel lowest.  The higher echelon is Copts, the original habitants of Egypt, really despised Bani Israel.  Bani Israel was desperate to be freed from these depressed conditions.  They were glad when there is an omen saying that a boy will come from Pharaoh’s house to free them.  That news drove fear into Pharaoh.  He decreed that every new baby boy born among Bani Israel should be killed. Midwives who did out cooperate were killed.

The cruel decree had a negative effect on the society where there was less manpower to be exploited from Bani Israil to do the hard labor work for Egyptian people.  Pharaoh and his minister than requested the decree to slaughter male infants among Bani Israil in one year but spare those born in the following year.

Musa a.s. was conceived in his mother’s womb during this period.  His elder brother Harun a.s. was born a few years earlier during the turn that male infants were spared.  Musa’s a.s. mother concealed the pregnancy.  She delivered baby Musa a.s. in the presence of trusted family members.  Allah s.w.t guided her and Musa a.s. was cast into the river Nile in a casket.  She told her daughter to follow the casket and observed what happen to her baby brother.  The casket drifted along the river until it reached the compound of the palace.  The palace people picked the baby up and brought him to Asiah, Pharaoh’s wife.  She immediately liked beautiful baby boy.

Asiah pleaded with Pharaoh not to kill the baby.  To avoid hurting his wife, he relented that the baby be spared.  The baby started to cry due to thirst and hunger.  Milk nurses came to him but he refuse to sucks from anyone of them. In desperation, they took the baby to the market searching for a lady to breastfeed him.  Musa’s a.s. sister who had been following the events quickly came forward to offer help.  She guided them to her house after convincing them that there was a lady there where baby had never refused sucking her milks.

Asiah then requested she came and stay with her in the palace to nurse and feed the baby.  But she argued that she had a husband and after children to take care of.  Asiah relented that the baby boy could stay with her.  She was employed and rewarded for her services.

At a young age of 18 Musa a.s. was recognized for his knowledge and wisdom.  Due to these, he became intellectual in the palace.  One day, he came across 2 men fighting, one from Bani Israil and the other from Paradise Copts.  He attacked the Egyptian with only one blow and the man died.  Musa a.s then asks for Allah s.w.t. forgiveness and he made promises to Allah s.w.t. never to help those involved in criminal and sinful acts.

The leaders among the Egyptian have decided to kill Musa a.s.  He left the city and walk until he finally reached Madyan, the village of prophet Shuaib a.s.  When Musa a.s arrived at Madyan, he headed towards where people flocked for water.  It coincides with the time the shepherds came with their herds.  He noticed 2 young women with sheeps keeping a slight distance away from the water well.  Musa a.s offered to help.  He quickly and easily watered the 2 women’s herd.  He then headed for a tree to rest and supplicates for help from Allah s.w.t.  One of Shuaib’s a.s. daughters went back to their father telling him of the events that had happened. Shuaib a.s wanted to reward the man who had helped his daughters.

One of the daughters came back to Musa a.s. and conveyed her father’s wish.  Musa a.s. obliged and followed her to meet her father.  Musa a.s. related his life events in Egypt and Shuaib a.s. pacified him that he is now safe with.  One of his daughters proposed that he employed Musa a.s. to work for the family.   As Shuaib a.s. was rich, he offered one of his daughter’s hand in marriage to Musa a.s.  The dowry would be his services to him and his family for 8 to 10 years.  Musa a.s. agreed to that term.

After completing his service for 10 years, Musa a.s. left Madyan with his wife and head towards Egypt.  Over the years, the tension in Egypt against Musa a.s. has lessened, but they continued to oppress Bani Israil.

 

 STORIES OF THE PROPHETS IN AL-QURAN

(Lessons that we can extract, lessons that we can apply)

(Teaser extraction from the book)

 To be continued…

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