Musa, peace be upon him: a Quran story for kids

Musa was born in Egypt, where Pharaoh was a cruel king who harmed little boys. His mother was afraid for him, and Allah inspired her:

﴿فَإِذَا خِفْتِ عَلَيْهِ فَأَلْقِيهِ فِى ٱلْيَمِّ وَلَا تَخَافِى وَلَا تَحْزَنِىٓ﴾

Al-Qasas 28:7

It means: When you fear for him, put him in a box and place it in the river. Do not be afraid, and do not be sad.

So she put him in a box and placed it in the Nile, and Allah kept him safe.

The water carried the box to Pharaoh’s palace. Pharaoh’s wife loved the baby and kept him. He would not feed from anyone, until his own mother came. Allah says:

﴿فَرَدَدْنَـٰهُ إِلَىٰٓ أُمِّهِۦ كَىْ تَقَرَّ عَيْنُهَا وَلَا تَحْزَنَ﴾

Al-Qasas 28:13

It means: So We returned Musa to his mother, so she would be happy and not sad.

Think: How did Allah protect Musa when he was a little baby?

Musa grew up and travelled to the land of Madyan. At a well he found two girls waiting, so he watered their sheep for them. Then he sat in the shade and prayed:

﴿فَقَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى لِمَآ أَنزَلْتَ إِلَىَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍۢ فَقِيرٌۭ﴾

Al-Qasas 28:24

It means: My Lord, I truly need whatever good You send down to me.

Think: What do you do when you see someone who needs help?

Years later, Musa was walking with his family on a cold night, and saw a light by Mount Tur. When he came close, Allah called him:

﴿إِنِّىٓ أَنَا۠ رَبُّكَ فَٱخْلَعْ نَعْلَيْكَ ۖ إِنَّكَ بِٱلْوَادِ ٱلْمُقَدَّسِ طُوًى﴾

Taha 20:12

It means: I am your Lord, so take off your sandals. You are in the pure valley of Tuwa.

And Allah chose Musa to be a prophet.

Allah asked Musa what was in his hand, and he said:

﴿هِىَ عَصَاىَ أَتَوَكَّؤُا۟ عَلَيْهَا وَأَهُشُّ بِهَا عَلَىٰ غَنَمِى﴾

Taha 20:18

It means: It is my staff. I lean on it, and I shake down leaves with it for my sheep.

Musa threw it down as Allah told him, and it became a moving snake! Then it turned back into a staff.

Allah told Musa and his brother Harun to go to Pharaoh and call him to Allah gently:

﴿فَقُولَا لَهُۥ قَوْلًا لَّيِّنًا لَّعَلَّهُۥ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَوْ يَخْشَىٰ﴾

Taha 20:44

It means: Speak to him with gentle words, so that he may remember, or fear Allah.

Think: Why do we speak gently, even to someone who does wrong?

But Pharaoh refused. Musa and the believers left at night, and Pharaoh and his soldiers chased them. When they reached the sea, Musa’s people were afraid, but Musa said:

﴿قَالَ كَلَّآ ۖ إِنَّ مَعِىَ رَبِّى سَيَهْدِينِ﴾

Ash-Shu'ara 26:62

It means: No! They will not catch us. My Lord is with me, and He will guide me to the way out.

Think: What do you tell yourself when you are afraid?

Then Allah told Musa:

﴿أَنِ ٱضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ ٱلْبَحْرَ ۖ فَٱنفَلَقَ فَكَانَ كُلُّ فِرْقٍۢ كَٱلطَّوْدِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ﴾

Ash-Shu'ara 26:63

It means: Strike the sea with your staff. He struck it and it split, and each side stood like a huge mountain.

Musa and those with him walked on a dry path, and Allah saved them all.