The Story of Prophet Musa (Moses) and Firawn (Pharaoh): A Quranic Epic

The Story of Prophet Musa in The Holy Quran is filled with profound stories, but few are as detailed, dramatic, and frequently narrated as the epic saga of Prophet Musa (Alayhis Salam), known as Moses in the Biblical tradition, and the tyrannical Pharaoh of Egypt, Firawn.

This is more than just a historical account; it is a timeless lesson in faith versus disbelief, humility versus arrogance, and the ultimate triumph of divine truth over worldly tyranny. It is a story that reminds every believer that even when all paths seem blocked, the help of Allah is always near.

Part 1: The Divine Plan – A Child Saved from a Tyrant

The story begins in an era of immense oppression. The Pharaoh of Egypt, a man so arrogant that he declared himself to be God, had a dream that a child from among the Children of Israel (Bani Israel) would rise to destroy his kingdom. Consumed by fear, he issued a barbaric decree: every newborn male among the Israelites was to be executed.

It was in this terrifying climate that Prophet Musa (AS) was born. His mother was filled with fear, but Allah, the best of planners, inspired her heart:

“…’Put him into the chest, cast it into the river… Do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, We will return him to you and will make him [one] of the messengers.'” (Quran 28:7)

Imagine the immense faith it took for a mother to place her newborn baby in a basket and cast it into the mighty Nile River. But she trusted in Allah’s promise. By divine will, the basket floated directly to the palace of the very man who sought to kill him—Pharaoh. It was none other than Pharaoh’s own wife, Asiya (AS), a righteous woman, who found the baby and convinced Pharaoh to adopt him.

Thus, in a display of perfect divine irony, the child destined to challenge Pharaoh’s tyranny was raised in his own household, nurtured at his own expense.

Part 2: The Call to Prophethood at the Sacred Mount

After reaching manhood and fleeing Egypt due to an incident, Musa (AS) spent years in Madyan. Upon his return journey to Egypt with his family, he saw a fire on the side of Mount Tur. As he approached it, a voice called out from a blessed tree:

“O Musa, indeed I am Allah, Lord of the worlds.” (Quran 28:30)

This was the moment of divine calling. Allah spoke directly to Musa (AS), an honor unique to him. To strengthen his heart, Allah granted him two magnificent miracles (mujizat): his staff, which would transform into a real, slithering serpent, and his hand, which would shine with a brilliant white light when drawn from his side.

His mission was clear and daunting: “Go to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed.”

Part 3: The Ultimate Showdown – Divine Miracles vs. Black Magic

Prophet Musa (AS), accompanied by his eloquent brother Prophet Harun (AS), confronted Pharaoh and delivered the message of Allah. Arrogant and dismissive, Pharaoh accused them of being mere magicians.

To “expose” them, Pharaoh gathered the most skilled magicians from all over his kingdom for a grand public showdown. On the day of the festival, the magicians threw their ropes and staffs, and through their powerful magic, made them appear to the onlookers as writhing snakes.

The crowd was mesmerized. For a moment, even Prophet Musa (AS) felt a sense of fear. But Allah reassured him:

“Fear not. Indeed, it is you who are superior. Throw what is in your right hand; it will swallow up what they have crafted. What they have crafted is but the trick of a magician, and the magician will not succeed wherever he is.” (Quran 20:68-69)

When Musa (AS) threw his staff, it transformed into a monstrous serpent and devoured all the illusions the magicians had created. The truth became undeniable. The magicians, who knew the difference between trickery and a true miracle, immediately fell into prostration, declaring:

“We have believed in the Lord of the worlds, The Lord of Musa and Harun.” (Quran 26:47-48)

Part 4: The Exodus and the End of Tyranny

Despite witnessing this clear sign, Pharaoh’s heart remained hard. After a series of plagues sent by Allah, Musa (AS) was commanded to lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt under the cover of night.

Discovering their escape, a furious Pharaoh gathered his massive army and pursued them. The chase led the Israelites to the edge of the Red Sea—a dead end. Before them was an impassable sea, and behind them was the world’s most powerful army. Trapped and terrified, his people cried out, “Indeed, we are to be overtaken!”

In that moment of ultimate despair, Prophet Musa (AS) displayed the pinnacle of unwavering faith (Tawakkul). He declared with absolute certainty:

“No! Indeed, with me is my Lord; He will guide me.” (Quran 26:62)

Allah then commanded him, “Strike the sea with your staff.” When he did, a breathtaking miracle unfolded: the sea parted, creating twelve dry paths, allowing the Children of Israel to walk safely to the other side.

When Pharaoh and his army arrogantly charged into the same paths in pursuit, Allah commanded the sea to return. The mighty waves crashed down, and the tyrant who claimed to be the “most high lord” was drowned in a humiliating defeat, becoming a sign for all of humanity to come.

Lessons for Our Time

The story of Musa (AS) and Firawn is not just a tale of the past. It is a living lesson for every believer:

Allah’s Plan is Perfect: He can protect you in the heart of your enemy’s fortress. Trust His plan, even when it seems impossible.
Courage to Speak Truth to Power: Faith gives you the strength to stand up for justice, even against the most powerful tyrants.
The Power of Tawakkul: Even when you are trapped between the sea and the enemy, true reliance on Allah can create a path where none exists.
The End of Arrogance: No matter how powerful a tyrant may seem, their end is always humiliation and destruction.

This epic story serves as a powerful reminder that with faith and courage, no obstacle is too great, and no tyrant is too powerful. For indeed, the help of Allah is always near.