Umm Musa, the righteous woman mentioned by Allah Almighty in the Holy Quran, is a great example of deep faith in Allah and reliance on him in the greatest afflictions. The Holy Quran presented her story as one of the greatest models of trust in Allah's wisdom and good governance.
The story of Umm Musa in the Holy Quran
- The affliction of Pharaoh’s Decision
Pharaoh was killing the sons of Israel for fear of the appearance of someone threatening his authority, as Allah Almighty said:
“slaughtering their sons and keeping their women. He was truly one of the corruptors” (Al-Qasas: 4)
When Moses (PBUH) was born, Allah's command came to his mother to make a great decision:
“We inspired the mother of Moses: “Nurse him, but when you fear for him, put him then into the river, and do not fear or grieve. We will certainly return him to you, and make him one of the messengers” (Al-Qasas: 7)
- Throwing Moses in the river
Umm Musa complied with the divine order despite its difficulty for any mother, throwing her child into a box and putting it in the river. That was proof of her deep belief that Allah would save him.
- Brining Moses back to her
Allah carried out his measure, where Pharaoh captured Moses, but Allah's will made Moses refuse to breastfeed from any other woman until he returned to his mother:
“This is how We returned him to his mother so that her heart would be put at ease, and not grieve, and that she would know that Allah’s promise is ˹always˺ true” (Al-Qasas: 13)
Umm Musa’s status in Islam
- Inspiration
Allah inspired her to take this courageous step, demonstrating her high status with Allah.
- Patience and trust in Allah
Umm Musa was patient and was sure that Allah's promise would be fulfilled.
- Motherhood
Umm Musa’s was a model for the affectionate mother who stop at nothing to save her child.
Lessons learned from her story
- Faith in Allah's ability to save believers.No matter how severe the afflictions are, Allah is able to save his worshippers.
- The importance of trust in Allah:Umm Musa placed her full trust in Allah. The reward was that her child returned to her and she became his nanny in the house of Pharaoh.
- Sacrifice for the right:Umm Musa showed great sacrifice when she complied with Allah's order and threw her son into the river.
Sunni sources about the story
- The Holy Quran:
Surah Al-Qasas (verses 7-13).
Surah Taha (verses 38-40).
- Tafsirs:
Tafsir ibn Kathir: Explanation of the story in Surah Al-Qasas’s tafsir.
Tafsir al-Tabari: addresses the story's details and context.
Tafsir al-Qurtubi: extracted the benefits and provisions of the story.
- Hadith books and Biography of the Prophet:
addressing the deep faith and patience of the story of Umm Musa.
