The story of Prophet Musa (عليه السلام) begins not in peace, but in fire and chains. Egypt was a land of ancient glory, where the Nile carried life across its banks, where the pyramids rose like mountains of stone, and where Pharaoh reigned with unchecked power. The people worshipped him as a living god, and his word was law. Yet beneath this grandeur lay the crushed souls of an enslaved nation—the Children of Israel.
They had once entered Egypt with dignity, during the time of Yusuf (عليه السلام). He had risen to power by Allah's command, saved Egypt from famine, and brought his family to dwell in safety. But centuries had passed. Memories faded, rulers changed, and with time, envy and fear replaced respect. Pharaoh and his people saw the growing numbers of Bani Israel and began to despise them.
The Qur'an describes this perfectly:
> "Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into factions, oppressing a group among them, slaughtering their [newborn] sons and keeping their females alive. Indeed, he was of the corrupters."
(Surah Al-Qasas 28:4)
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The Arrogance of Pharaoh
Pharaoh did not merely rule; he demanded worship. He stood before his people and declared with pride:
> "I am your lord, the most high!"
(Surah An-Nazi'at 79:24)
Such words reveal the peak of arrogance, the disease of the heart that blinds a man from truth. He walked the earth as if eternity was his, as if the Nile flowed by his command. Yet Allah allowed his pride to swell, for every tyrant is given rope before his downfall.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned us about this when he said:
> "The most tyrannical man is he who argues arrogantly about Allah, and the most tyrannical of all tyrants on the Day of Judgment will be Pharaoh."
(Ahmad, Ibn Majah – Hasan)
Pharaoh's tyranny was not hidden in the shadows; it was displayed openly. His soldiers marched through villages of Bani Israel, snatching newborn boys from their mothers' arms. Every cry of an infant struck terror in the hearts of women. Every family prayed that their child would be born a girl, for Pharaoh ordered the slaughter of sons while sparing daughters.
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A Prophecy and a Fearful King
Why such cruelty? Why such bloodshed?
It began with a prophecy. Pharaoh's priests and fortune tellers warned him: "A boy will be born among the Children of Israel who will destroy your kingdom."
Instead of humbling himself before the Almighty, Pharaoh hardened his heart. He thought by killing every male child he could outwit destiny. But can man outwit the decree of Allah?
Allah reminds us:
> "And they planned, and Allah planned. And Allah is the best of planners."
(Surah Aal-Imran 3:54)
Pharaoh drenched the land in blood to protect his throne, but in reality, he was paving the way for his destruction. The very child he feared most would not only survive but would grow up in his own palace, under his very nose.
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The Suffering of Bani Israel
The daily life of Bani Israel was one of humiliation. Men were forced into harsh labor, building Pharaoh's monuments, carrying stones under the burning sun, whipped if they slowed even for a breath. Women wept at the loss of their children, their cries echoing through the night. Elders bent with age, remembering the days of Yusuf (عليه السلام), when their people lived in honor.
The Qur'an reminds us of their state:
> "And remember, We delivered you from Pharaoh's people, who afflicted you with the worst torment, killing your sons and letting your women live. And in that was a great trial from your Lord."
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:49)
Yet even in slavery, they held onto the faith of their forefathers. They whispered the name of Allah in their prayers, clinging to hope that a deliverer would come.
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The Light in Pharaoh's House
Amid this darkness, Allah placed a light—Pharaoh's wife, Asiya (رضي الله عنها). Though she lived in luxury, her heart was not deceived. She saw the injustice of her husband, and she believed in the One True God.
The Prophet ﷺ honored her when he said:
> "Many among men attained perfection, but among women none attained perfection except Asiya the wife of Pharaoh, Maryam the daughter of 'Imran, Khadijah the daughter of Khuwaylid, and Fatimah the daughter of Muhammad."
(Hadith – Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibban)
Asiya's faith was a secret at first, but Allah would soon use her as part of His divine plan. She would play a role in protecting the very child whom Pharaoh sought to kill.
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The Decree of Allah
As Pharaoh's soldiers marched through the land, slaughtering without mercy, a question lingered in the hearts of the oppressed: Where is Allah's help?
The Prophet ﷺ once said:
> "Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah."
(Bukhari, Muslim)
And indeed, Allah was answering. His plan was already in motion, though hidden from human eyes. Every drop of blood spilled, every tear shed, was not in vain. Soon, a child would be born who would challenge Pharaoh, split the sea, and lead a nation to freedom.
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Reflections & Lessons
1. Tyranny Cannot Escape Allah's Justice
– Pharaoh ruled with cruelty, but his end was written. Every oppressor, no matter how powerful, will face Allah's judgment.
2. Allah's Plan Is Beyond Human Understanding
– While Pharaoh killed sons out of fear of a prophecy, Allah's decree unfolded in the most ironic way: Musa (عليه السلام) would be raised in Pharaoh's own home.
3. Faith Shines Brightest in Darkness
– Asiya (RA) teaches us that even in a palace of corruption, a believer can remain steadfast. Her example is a beacon for those living in hostile environments today.
4. The Prayer of the Oppressed Is Always Heard
– The cries of Bani Israel were not lost. Allah heard them all, and His mercy was on the way.
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Thus begins the story of Prophet Musa (عليه السلام). A story born from tears, oppression, and unshakable faith. Pharaoh thought his throne unshakable, but soon, a baby would be born whose destiny was written in the heavens. A baby who would bring Pharaoh's arrogance crashing down, by the permission of Allah.
And so, the stage is set for one of the greatest stories in human history—the rise of a Prophet in the shadow of a tyrant.