Musa (Moses)

Pharaoh ordered the killing of all newborn boys among the Children of Israel. Allah inspired Musa's mother to place her baby in a basket and set it on the river (Surah Al-Qasas 28:7). The basket was picked up by Pharaoh's own household. Allah decreed that Musa would be raised in the palace of the very tyrant who sought to kill him (Surah Al-Qasas 28:8-9). Musa's mother was even reunited with him as his wet-nurse (Surah Al-Qasas 28:12-13).

After fleeing Egypt and spending years in Madyan, Musa (peace be upon him) saw a fire on the side of Mount Tur. When he approached, Allah called out to him: 'Indeed, I am Allah, Lord of the worlds' (Surah Al-Qasas 28:30). Allah gave him two signs — his staff transforming into a serpent and his hand emerging white and luminous — and commanded him to go to Pharaoh, who had transgressed all bounds (Surah Ta-Ha 20:17-24).

Musa and his brother Harun went to Pharaoh and called him to worship Allah and release the Children of Israel (Surah Ta-Ha 20:47). Pharaoh, who had declared 'I am your lord most high' (Surah An-Nazi'at 79:24), refused and summoned his magicians to compete with Musa. When Musa threw his staff, it swallowed the magicians' tricks. The magicians immediately recognised the truth and prostrated, declaring faith in the Lord of Musa and Harun (Surah Al-A'raf 7:120-122).

When Pharaoh pursued the Children of Israel to the edge of the sea, they feared they were trapped. Musa said: 'No! Indeed, my Lord is with me; He will guide me' (Surah Ash-Shu'ara 26:62). Allah commanded Musa to strike the sea with his staff, and it parted into two towering walls (Surah Ash-Shu'ara 26:63). The Children of Israel crossed safely, while Pharaoh and his army were drowned. In his final moment, Pharaoh declared his belief, but it was too late (Surah Yunus 10:90-91).

After the exodus, Allah called Musa to Mount Sinai for forty nights to receive the Torah (Surah Al-A'raf 7:142). When Musa asked to see Allah, he was told: 'You will not see Me' — and when Allah manifested His light to the mountain, it crumbled and Musa fell unconscious (Surah Al-A'raf 7:143). Upon recovering, he said: 'Glory be to You! I turn to You in repentance, and I am the first of the believers.' Musa returned to find his people worshipping a golden calf, leading to a painful confrontation (Surah Ta-Ha 20:83-98).