Joseph’s family came to Egypt from the Middle East. They lived here together with the Copts. The pharaohs belonged to the Copts and they ruled Egypt. The people of Egypt made Bani Isra’il, the sons of Jacob [peace be upon him], do all the hard work and were basically second-class citizens. The pharaohs also caused the tribes of Bani Isra’il to fight among themselves, to ensure that they remained weak. Musa also belonged to the Bani Isra’il and thus grew up in Egypt. For Musa [peace be upon him] is the son of Imran, the son of Qa’is, the son of Azar, the son of Levi, the son of Jacob. Peace be upon them all. Musa was a prophet and messenger and, like Abraham [peace be upon him], also belonged to the Ulu al-‘Azm. The brother of Musa [peace be upon him], Harun [peace be upon him], also lived in his time and was also a prophet.
Allah says about this:
“And mentioned in the Book of Musa [peace be upon him]. He was chosen and he was an ambassador and a prophet. And We called him from the right side of the mountain and brought him near for a confidential conversation. And We gave him from Our Mercy his brother Harun as a prophet.”
Pharaoh’s dream
One day, the Pharaoh saw a dream, in which a ball of fire came from the region of Palestine, towards Egypt, and destroyed all his wealth. He called in a number of wise men who had to interpret his dream. They said the interpretation is that a boy would be born from Bani Isra’il, who would take over the throne from the Pharaoh. It was decided that all newborn boys should be killed. At the beginning, the pregnant women were also killed. In this period Musa [peace be upon him] was born. He was among the boys who would be killed, but Allah protected him through his mother. His mother was ordered to put Musa [peace be upon him] in a box and let him float in the Nile with a rope, so that the soldiers could not find him when they searched the house. One day the rope came loose and the box flowed away. The box, containing Musa [peace be upon him], arrived at Pharaoh’s palace. The workers of the palace saw the box and informed others about it. Asiya, the wife of the pharaoh, then arranged for Musa [peace be upon him] to be brought to the palace and, as it were, adopted.
Allah says about this: “Throw him into the box and throw him into the sea, and the sea will throw him on the shore, so that an enemy of Mine and an enemy of his will take him up.” And I have poured out love from Me on you and you had to be brought up under My eyes.” (66 Surah Ta Ha, verse 39)
And also: “We read to you truthful communications about Musa [peace be upon him] and Pharaoh to people who believe. Pharaoh prevailed in the land and made the people of it groups, one group of which he oppressed by slaughtering their sons and leaving only their wives alive; he was of the destroyers. But We wished to do favor to those who were oppressed in the land, to make them rulers, to make them heirs, to give them power on earth, and to show Pharaoh and Haman and their troops what troubled them. And We revealed to the mother of Musa [peace be upon him]: “wean him and if you are afraid of him, throw him into the sea and do not be afraid and do not grieve; We bring him back to you and We make him one of the sent ones.” Then the people of Pharaoh took him up, with the result that he would become an enemy and [cause for] sorrow to them. After all, Pharaoh and Haman and their armies were sinners. And Pharaoh’s wife said, “You and I will rejoice in him. Don’t kill him. Perhaps he will be of use to us or that we will adopt him as a child.” But they didn’t realize it.”
Musa and his mother reunited
Musa [peace be upon him] was initially to be brought up in the palace, but he would not accept breastfeeding from other women. Musa’s [peace be upon him] sister said that she knew someone who was a good nurse. They gave her permission to bring Musa [peace be upon him] to that one. She then took him to his mother. So Musa [peace be upon him] eventually returned to his mother. Asiya took care of Musa [peace be upon him] and therefore gave his mother everything she needed.
Allah says about this: “And the heart of Musa’s mother became inconsolable. She almost would have made it known from him, had We not strengthened her heart that she might be of the believers. And she said to his sister: “Go after him.” So she kept an eye on him from the side without them noticing. For we had previously forbidden minuses for him. And she said, “Shall I show you a family who can take care of him and watch over him?” So We returned him to his mother that she may rejoice in him and not be sad and that she may know that the promise of Allah is true; but most of them don’t know.”
Musa(as) grew up in the palace
Musa [peace be upon him] grew up and became a smart and wise person with good judgment. One night Musa [peace be upon him] walked out and saw that two men, one from Banu Isra’il and a Copt, were arguing. Musa [peace be upon him] pushed the head, causing him to fall, and then die. Musa [peace be upon him] only wanted to appease the quarrel. His intention was not to kill anyone. The people heard about this incident, but did not know who the murderer was. Another time, the same person from Banu Isra’il had another argument with a Copt. Musa [peace be upon him] then knew that the person of Banu Isra’il was wrong, but that man threatened to tell about the incident of Musa [peace be upon him] and the Copt. Thereupon Musa [peace be upon him] fled to the Madyan region.
