Author: Sadaf Farooqi
If you study the Glorious Quran with in-depth reflection, you’ll be struck by how often Allah mentions Prophet Musa [علیہ السلام] in the Book, in one context or other. From his infancy to adulthood, to his family and communal life, Allah mentions him a total of 169 times in the Quran! I wondered what qualities this Prophet of Allah must have possessed that endeared him so much to Allah, that He chose him for Himself, had a private conversation with him, and granted him Prophet-hood?
“And mention in the Book, Musa; Behold, he was a chosen one, and was an apostle, a Prophet” [19:51]
وَاصْطَنَعْتُكَ لِنَفْسِي
“And I have chosen you for Myself [O Musa].” [20:41]
There are, on close pondering, several qualities of Prophet Musa that shine out.
Wasting no time in turning to Allah:
Once a man from the slave-tribe of Bani Israel called out for help as a Coptic (Pharaoh’s tribesman) wrangled with him in the street. Musa [may Allah's peace be upon him] rushed to defend him, accidentally killing the oppressive Coptic with an unintentionally hard blow to the chest. As soon as he saw what he’d done, he repented, sought forgiveness and vowed future good conduct:
“He said: “My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, so forgive me.”
Then He forgave him. Verily, He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
“He said: “My Lord! For that with which You have favored me, I will never more be a helper for the ‘Mujrimun’ (criminals)!” [28: 16-17]
Upon receiving the news of his eventual persecution by the Copts for this murder, he once again turned to Allah in earnest supplication, appealing for Divine deliverance and guidance, as he prepared to flee the town in secret.
“So he escaped from there; fearful, vigilant. He said: “My Lord! Deliver me from the wrongdoing people!”
And when he turned his face toward Midian, he said: “Perhaps my Lord will guide me in the right road.”" [28: 21-22]
Hastening to obey Allah:
When Allah called Musa to a meeting on Mount Tŭr, he arrived earlier than the appointed time. The reason: to please Allah!
وَعَجِلْتُ إِلَيْكَ رَبِّ لِتَرْضَى
“I hastened to You, O my Lord, so that You might be pleased.” [20:84]
Hastening to help the weak and oppressed:
As mentioned above, Prophet Musa [علیہ السلام] fled to another town in order to escape Pharaoh’s men, after he accidentally killed a man from their tribe. Thus, a shining quality in his nature is his eagerness to help weak, oppressed people. This quality again comes forth when he enters a new town and spots two girls in a plight:
“And when he came unto the water of Midian, he found there a whole tribe of men, watering. And he found apart from them two women keeping back (their flocks). He said: “What ails you?” The two said: “We cannot give (our flocks) to drink till the shepherds return from the water; and our father is a very old man.”" [28:23]
His compassionate nature again, after witnessing the girls’ plight, makes him help them, despite being on the run for his life:
“So he watered (their flock) for them.” [28:24]
Putting his trust solely in Allah:
Homeless, jobless, friendless and alone in a strange town, he helped two women chivalrously, but, unlike most unmarried young men today, he didn’t try to hang around, expecting any favors or friendships in return; rather, he turned to no one except his friend, Allah. He withdrew under a tree to sincerely call to His Lord for help.
“Then he turned aside into the shade, and said: “My Lord! I am needy of whatever good You send down for me.” [28:24]
At such a sincere display of pure trust, his Lord responded to his prayer immediately:
“Then there came unto him one of the two women, walking shyly. She said: “My father bids you, that he may reward you with a payment for that you watered (the flock) for us.” Then, when he came unto him and told him the (whole) story, he said: “Fear not! You have escaped from the wrongdoing people.”" [28:25]
One of the two women said: “O my father! Hire him! For the best (man) that you can hire is the strong, the trustworthy.” [28:26]
He said: “I would marry you to one of these two daughters of mine, on condition that you hire yourself to me for (the term of) eight pilgrimages….Allah willing, you will find me of the righteous.” [28:27]
In response to his earnest prayers, Allah granted him a recommendation for work, a “permanent” job, a considerate employer, lavish accommodation, a chaste wife, and compassionate in-laws – all within the same day!
Prophet Musa’s conduct is a far cry from the attitudes of most us Muslims today, who put their trust first in their contacts, references and networking tools to land jobs or marriage proposals. Only when all other tangible avenues are exhausted do we weak-hearted believers turn to Allah in prayer. We ask others for help, shelter, food or money before turning to Him, the Creator, Sustainer, and the Source of provision.
The best compensation:
However, the ultimate recompense for the inherent good in Prophet Musa was yet to come. After testing his sincerity and obedience at the highest of levels, Allah chose him for Himself:
“And when he reached it (the fire), he was called from the right side of the valley in the blessed field, from the tree;
“O Moses! I, indeed I, am Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.” [28: 30]
What could possibly be better than to be summoned to a private counsel with Allah? To be ‘hired’ for the noblest mission?
Surely, in Prophet Musa, there is an excellent example for Muslims to emulate and abide by in daily life, so that we, too, can become those whom Allah chooses for Himself.
(This article was first published in Saudi Gazette)
