Musa and Pharaoh

Musa is the prophet most often mentioned by name in the Qur'an.

The baby on the river. In Egypt, Pharaoh was a very unjust king: he mistreated the Children of Israel and had their baby boys killed. When Musa was born, Allah inspired his mother to place him in a chest on the river, and promised to give him back to her (28:7; 20:38-39). The chest reached Pharaoh's palace. Pharaoh's wife said: "Do not kill him, he will be a joy for us" (28:9). Musa refused every nurse; his sister, who was following from a distance, suggested a woman: it was his own mother! Allah gave him back to his mother, as promised (28:11-13).

Allah's call. As a grown man, Musa lived far from Egypt. One day, travelling with his family, he saw a fire on a mountain. There, Allah spoke to him: "I am Allah" (20:9-14). Allah gave him two signs: his staff became a snake, and his hand became completely white and shining (20:17-22).

Musa's dua. Allah sent him to Pharaoh. Musa was afraid, and he found it hard to speak. He made this dua: رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي ۝ وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي ۝ وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِي ۝ يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي Rabbi shraḥ lii ṣadrii, wa yassir lii amrii, waḥlul 'uqdatan min lisaanii, yafqahuu qawlii "My Lord, open my heart for me, make my task easy for me, untie my tongue, so they understand what I say" (20:25-28). Allah gave him his brother Harun as a helper (20:29-36).

Gentle words. Allah told them: "Speak to him gently; perhaps he will reflect" (20:44). Even to Pharaoh, the most unjust of kings!

The magicians. Pharaoh called his magicians. They threw ropes that seemed to move. Musa threw his staff, which swallowed everything they had made. The magicians understood it was a sign from Allah, and they believed (20:65-70).

The sea. Musa left at night with the Children of Israel. Pharaoh chased them with his army. In front of them, the sea! The people were afraid, but Musa said: "No! My Lord is with me, He will guide me" (26:61-62). Allah told him to strike the sea with his staff, and the sea split in two (26:63). They crossed. Pharaoh and his army were drowned (26:64-66).

What I learn: when I am afraid or something seems hard, I make Musa's dua, "Rabbi shraḥ lii ṣadrii". And I speak gently, even to someone who is not kind.

Understanding the lesson

Explanation At the start of the story, Allah makes a promise to Musa's mother: "We will return him to you" (meaning of part of 28:7). And Allah keeps His promise, in a way nobody could have imagined: the baby comes back into his mother's arms, in Pharaoh's own palace!

Musa was afraid, and he found it hard to speak. He did not pretend to be strong: he asked Allah for help with his dua, and he asked for his brother Harun to go with him. Asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of.

Allah told Musa and Harun to speak gently, even to Pharaoh. If gentleness is asked for with the most unjust king, it is asked for with everyone: our brothers and sisters, our classmates, our neighbours.

In front of the sea, everything seemed lost. But Musa said: "My Lord is with me." When we cannot see a way out, Allah can open one.

Lessons to draw from it • When I am afraid or something is hard, I say Musa's dua: "Rabbi shrah li sadri". • I am not ashamed to ask for help, from Allah first, then from people who can help me. • I speak gently, even to someone who is not kind to me. • I trust Allah's promises.

Key points to remember • Musa's dua: رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي ۝ وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي (20:25-28). • "Speak to him gently" (20:44); the sea parted in two (26:63).

The main message Musa was afraid, but he asked for Allah's help, spoke gently and trusted: Allah was with him.