Musa (as)'s journey began in the beautiful, golden city of Egypt. One day, at the edge of the River Nile, the mother of Musa (as) was inspired by Allah (swt) to throw her beloved child, the coolness of her eyes, the delight of her soul, into a river - all alone in a basket. It was at that moment, this mother felt the unexplainable pain of being separated from her beloved. Her heart became empty of all emotions. She felt numb. So many thoughts were racing through her mind. Yet, Allah (swt) comforted her, saying: "And We inspired the mother of Musa (Moses), (saying): "Suckle him [Musa (Moses)], but when you fear for him, then cast him into the river and fear not, nor grieve. Verily! We shall bring him back to you, and shall make him one of (Our) Messengers." It was thereafter that Allah fastened her heart, comforted it and strengthened it so she could be reassured about her son. "And the heart of Moses' mother became empty [of all else]. She was about to disclose [the matter concerning] him had We not bound fast her heart that she would be of the believers."
Lesson: Allah consoled the heart of the Mother of Musa (as) in her most difficult moment, when all she could picture was the river and a drowning child. It was not till later that she discovered the hidden wisdom behind her most painful experience. Allah will console your heart too. Amidst the chaos of life, through the rivers of sorrows, and even in the depth of darkness, reach out to Him and He will bind your heart with the sweetness of faith.
Musa (as) was then founded by the wife of Fir'aun who took him under her care. She showered him with love and care and also hired wet nurses to wean him. Amongst those that were hired was the mother of Musa (as) herself. Allah returned him to her so that perhaps her may be at rest and she may be consoled by the warmth of her beloved baby.
Lesson: Allah has a plan for you. When He takes something from you, He will always give you something better. In your loss is a gain. And in your situation there is a greater wisdom though you may not see it now. The jigsaw doesn't make sense till its complete. So trust Allah. You are on just one part of the puzzle. The bigger picture tells a different story and only once it's complete will it all make sense. So continue the journey knowing that whilst you plan, Allah plans and He is the best and most beautiful and perfect of planners.
Musa (as) grew. He became a man, and Allah bestowed upon him maturity, intelligence, knowledge and judgment. "And when he attained his full strength and was [mentally] mature, We bestowed upon him judgement and knowledge. And thus do We reward the doers of good."
Lesson: Notice how Allah (swt) he says at the end of the ayah, "And thus do we reward the doers of good." This knowledge and judgement that Musa (as) was bestowed with was a gift from Allah. Allah saw good in Him and so increased him in good qualities and gave him knowledge and maturity. Allah (swt) rewards the doers of good by increasing them in goodness. As He says elsewhere in the Qur'an, "Is there any reward for good except good?"
Time went on, and Musa (as) continued to grow and mature. One day, he entered a city and there he witnessed to men fighting, in midst of it all, Musa (as), with the intention to resolve the issue and respond to the plea of the man who was being fought, went and struck the other man and unintentionally killed him. Allah says regarding this: "And he entered the city at a time of inattention by its people and found therein two men fighting: one from his faction and one from among his enemy. And the one from his faction called for help to him against the one from his enemy, so Moses struck him and [unintentionally] killed him. [Moses] said, "This is from the work of Satan. Indeed, he is a manifest, misleading enemy." He said, "My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, so forgive me," and He forgave him. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
Lesson: Imagine. Think about this. Musa (as), a Prophet of Allah, killed another human being? Imagine that for a moment. Though it was unintentional, imagine the feeling inside the heart of Musa (as). The sadness, the despair, the shock, the trauma, the regret? How many of us here can claim that we have made this same mistake in our lives? Yet, did Musa (as) despair of the mercy of His Lord? Did he drown in grief? No, he acknowledged that Shaytaan was the one who mislead him. He didn't beat himself up. He didn't despair. Musa (as) instead made Du'aa to Allah for forgiveness. Note how he realised that he wronged his own self. When you sin, you wrong your own soul, but when you turn back to Allah, with sincerity and hope, He will forgive you because Allah loves those who repent and turn back to Him.
So all those who are on the brink of giving hope, remember that it is greatest enemy who misleads you. Hold onto hope. Feel the remorse and then take action by fleeing to Allah. By acknowledging that Shaytaan is your greatest enemy and you can't let him win twice, first at making you sin and then again at making you despair.
Word began to go round that the people of that city were planning to kill Musa (as), and so he was told to flee, and he did. Allah says, "So he left it, fearful and anticipating [apprehension]. He said, "My Lord, save me from the wrongdoing people." Musa (as) was filled with fear and anxiety. Again, he made Du'aa to Allah asking Him for safety and protection. Yet, at the same time he held onto the rope of hope, saying: "And when he directed himself toward Madyan, he said, "Perhaps my Lord will guide me to the sound way."
Lesson: Whenever you feel your world darken, whenever anxiety seeps its way into the cracks between your heart, every time you feel like the entire worlds weight is upon your shoulders and every time you worry about the future will hold, raise your hands. Allah (swt) is near and He understands and He knows and He sees and He will take you further and further. Musa (as) reassured himself and told himself, that Allah would guide way and He did. Because Allah is what His slave expects of Him so only expect good of Allah.
What happened after Musa (as) fled this city? In a state of poverty, fear and apprehension? Find our in part 2 of this series, inshaAllah. :)
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