📖 Story
Layla was eleven years old. That night she couldn't eat her dinner, because tomorrow she had to stand in front of her whole class and give a speech about protecting the environment. She said to her mother, "Mama, my heart is pounding. I'm scared I'll stammer or forget what to say, and everyone will laugh at me."
Her mother sat beside her and said, "Did you know that one of the greatest prophets asked Allah to help him speak, and that he sometimes felt afraid?" Layla said in surprise, "A prophet who was afraid?" Her mother said, "Yes. Fear is a human feeling, and the prophets were human. But what matters is what we do when we're afraid. Come, let me tell you the story of Allah's prophet Musa, peace be upon him. His is the story repeated most often in the Quran."
Her mother said, "In Egypt there was a tyrant king called Pharaoh. He was arrogant; he told people he was their god, he oppressed the Children of Israel, and he killed their baby boys, because he feared that someone would be born among them who would end his rule. Allah says: 'Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into factions' [al-Qasas 28:4]."
Then she said, "In that hard year Musa was born. His mother was terribly afraid for him. So Allah inspired her with something amazing: 'And We inspired the mother of Musa: Suckle him; but when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, We will return him to you and will make him one of the messengers' [al-Qasas 28:7]."
Layla said, "Put him in the river?!" Her mother said, "Yes. She put him in a chest, a kind of box, and set it on the River Nile, trusting Allah's promise. She told his sister: Follow him and see where he goes. So his sister walked along the riverbank, watching the box from a distance. The water carried the box all the way to Pharaoh's own palace!"
Layla said, "To the palace of the king who wanted to kill him?" Her mother said, "Yes. That is Allah's amazing plan. Pharaoh's household took him in, and Pharaoh's wife, who was a righteous woman, saw him and loved him. She said: 'A comfort of the eye for me and for you. Do not kill him; perhaps he may benefit us, or we may adopt him as a son' [al-Qasas 28:9]. So Musa lived in the palace, and Allah protected him."
Then she said, "Baby Musa cried. They brought many wet nurses for him, but he refused to feed from any of them. Allah says: 'And We had prevented him from all wet nurses before' [al-Qasas 28:12]. Then his sister said: Shall I direct you to a household that will take care of him for you? And they took him to his own mother! He fed from her at once. Allah says: 'So We restored him to his mother that she might be content and not grieve, and that she would know that the promise of Allah is true' [al-Qasas 28:13]."
Layla said happily, "He went back to his mother, just as Allah promised!" Her mother said, "Yes, and Allah's promise is always true. Then Musa grew up and became a strong man. One day he saw two men fighting, one from his people and the other from Pharaoh's people, and the one from his people called on him for help. Musa pushed the other man with his hand and the man died, though Musa had not meant to kill him. He was deeply sorry and said: 'My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, so forgive me. And He forgave him' [al-Qasas 28:16]."
Then her mother said, "Musa learned that Pharaoh's soldiers were looking for him, so he left Egypt in fear and walked through the desert for many long days until he reached a land called Madyan. There, at the well, he saw the shepherds watering their flocks, and he saw two women standing back, waiting. He asked them: What is the matter with you? They said: We do not water until the shepherds have finished, and our father is a very old man."
Layla said, "So he helped them?" Her mother said, "Yes, even though he was tired, hungry and a stranger. He watered their flocks for them, then sat in the shade and made a beautiful du'a: 'My Lord, indeed I am in need of whatever good You would send down to me' [al-Qasas 28:24]. Then one of the two women came to him, walking shyly, and said: My father invites you so that he may reward you for watering for us. And she said to her father: 'O my father, hire him. Indeed, the best one you can hire is the strong and the trustworthy' [al-Qasas 28:26]. So Musa worked for the righteous man for years and married one of his daughters."
Then her mother said, "Years later, Musa was travelling back with his family on a cold, dark night when he saw a fire far off by Mount Tur. He said to his family: Wait here; perhaps I can bring you some news from it, or a burning brand to warm yourselves. When he got there, Allah called to him: 'Indeed, I am your Lord, so remove your sandals. Indeed, you are in the sacred valley of Tuwa' [Ta-Ha 20:12]. Allah spoke to him, which is why Musa is called Kalimullah, the one to whom Allah spoke."
Layla whispered, "Allah spoke to him..." Her mother said, "Yes. And Allah gave him miracles: the staff that became a moving snake when he threw it down, and his hand that came out white and shining, without any illness, when he drew it from his garment. Then Allah commanded him: Go to Pharaoh, for he has transgressed."
Layla said, "To Pharaoh himself? Wasn't he afraid?" Her mother said, "This is the part that's about you, Layla. Musa had a heaviness in his speech, and he worried that he wouldn't speak well. So what did he do? He prayed to Allah: 'My Lord, expand for me my chest, and ease for me my task, and untie the knot from my tongue, that they may understand my speech' [Ta-Ha 20:25-28]. And he asked for his brother Harun to be with him, because Harun was more eloquent. Allah said: 'You have been granted your request, O Musa' [Ta-Ha 20:36]."
Layla said, "So Allah gave him everything he asked for!" Her mother said, "Yes. And Allah gave them both an amazing instruction: 'And speak to him with gentle speech, that perhaps he may be reminded or fear Allah' [Ta-Ha 20:44]. Even with the tyrant Pharaoh, He commanded them to speak gently. And when they said, Our Lord, we are afraid, Allah said: 'Fear not. Indeed, I am with you both; I hear and I see' [Ta-Ha 20:46]."
Then her mother said, "So they went to Pharaoh and called him to worship Allah, but he refused and was arrogant. He gathered his magicians to defeat Musa. The magicians threw down their ropes and staffs, and it seemed to the people that they were moving. Then Musa threw down his staff, and it swallowed everything they had made. The magicians knew that this was not magic but truth from Allah, so they fell down in prostration and said: We believe in the Lord of Harun and Musa. And they didn't turn back, even though Pharaoh threatened them."
Then she said, "Allah commanded Musa to leave with the Children of Israel by night. Pharaoh and his soldiers chased them. The believers reached the sea. The sea was in front of them and Pharaoh was behind them! His people were frightened and said: 'Indeed, we are to be overtaken!' That means they're going to catch us. But Musa said with complete certainty: 'No! Indeed, with me is my Lord; He will guide me' [ash-Shu'ara 26:62]."
Layla said, holding her mother's hand, "What happened?" Her mother said, "'Then We inspired Musa: Strike the sea with your staff. And it parted, and each portion was like a great towering mountain' [ash-Shu'ara 26:63]. The sea split, and a dry path appeared in it, with water on both sides like huge mountains! Musa and the believers walked until they had crossed safely. Pharaoh and his soldiers followed them onto the path, and the water returned as it had been. Pharaoh and his soldiers drowned, and Allah saved Musa and those with him."
Then she said, "Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, told us, as in Sahih al-Bukhari, that when the Prophet ﷺ came to Madinah he found the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura, saying: This is the day on which Allah saved Musa. He ﷺ said: We have more right to Musa than you. So he fasted it and commanded that it be fasted. That's why we fast Ashura, in gratitude to Allah."
Layla said, "Mama, I understand. Musa was afraid, but he prayed to Allah, took his brother with him and relied on Allah. He didn't say: I won't go." Her mother said, "Well done! Courage isn't never being afraid; it's relying on Allah and stepping forward even with your fear."
The next morning, before leaving the house, Layla whispered, "My Lord, expand for me my chest, and ease for me my task, and untie the knot from my tongue, that they may understand my speech." At school she stood in front of the class, took a deep breath and began to speak. At first her voice trembled a little, then it became clear and strong. When she finished, everyone applauded.
In the evening she ran to her mother and said, "Mama, I did it! And I remembered Musa at the sea: No! With me is my Lord; He will guide me." Her mother hugged her and said, "Allah is always with us, Layla. He hears and He sees, just as He was with Musa, peace be upon him."
Her mother sat beside her and said, "Did you know that one of the greatest prophets asked Allah to help him speak, and that he sometimes felt afraid?" Layla said in surprise, "A prophet who was afraid?" Her mother said, "Yes. Fear is a human feeling, and the prophets were human. But what matters is what we do when we're afraid. Come, let me tell you the story of Allah's prophet Musa, peace be upon him. His is the story repeated most often in the Quran."
Her mother said, "In Egypt there was a tyrant king called Pharaoh. He was arrogant; he told people he was their god, he oppressed the Children of Israel, and he killed their baby boys, because he feared that someone would be born among them who would end his rule. Allah says: 'Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into factions' [al-Qasas 28:4]."
Then she said, "In that hard year Musa was born. His mother was terribly afraid for him. So Allah inspired her with something amazing: 'And We inspired the mother of Musa: Suckle him; but when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, We will return him to you and will make him one of the messengers' [al-Qasas 28:7]."
Layla said, "Put him in the river?!" Her mother said, "Yes. She put him in a chest, a kind of box, and set it on the River Nile, trusting Allah's promise. She told his sister: Follow him and see where he goes. So his sister walked along the riverbank, watching the box from a distance. The water carried the box all the way to Pharaoh's own palace!"
Layla said, "To the palace of the king who wanted to kill him?" Her mother said, "Yes. That is Allah's amazing plan. Pharaoh's household took him in, and Pharaoh's wife, who was a righteous woman, saw him and loved him. She said: 'A comfort of the eye for me and for you. Do not kill him; perhaps he may benefit us, or we may adopt him as a son' [al-Qasas 28:9]. So Musa lived in the palace, and Allah protected him."
Then she said, "Baby Musa cried. They brought many wet nurses for him, but he refused to feed from any of them. Allah says: 'And We had prevented him from all wet nurses before' [al-Qasas 28:12]. Then his sister said: Shall I direct you to a household that will take care of him for you? And they took him to his own mother! He fed from her at once. Allah says: 'So We restored him to his mother that she might be content and not grieve, and that she would know that the promise of Allah is true' [al-Qasas 28:13]."
Layla said happily, "He went back to his mother, just as Allah promised!" Her mother said, "Yes, and Allah's promise is always true. Then Musa grew up and became a strong man. One day he saw two men fighting, one from his people and the other from Pharaoh's people, and the one from his people called on him for help. Musa pushed the other man with his hand and the man died, though Musa had not meant to kill him. He was deeply sorry and said: 'My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, so forgive me. And He forgave him' [al-Qasas 28:16]."
Then her mother said, "Musa learned that Pharaoh's soldiers were looking for him, so he left Egypt in fear and walked through the desert for many long days until he reached a land called Madyan. There, at the well, he saw the shepherds watering their flocks, and he saw two women standing back, waiting. He asked them: What is the matter with you? They said: We do not water until the shepherds have finished, and our father is a very old man."
Layla said, "So he helped them?" Her mother said, "Yes, even though he was tired, hungry and a stranger. He watered their flocks for them, then sat in the shade and made a beautiful du'a: 'My Lord, indeed I am in need of whatever good You would send down to me' [al-Qasas 28:24]. Then one of the two women came to him, walking shyly, and said: My father invites you so that he may reward you for watering for us. And she said to her father: 'O my father, hire him. Indeed, the best one you can hire is the strong and the trustworthy' [al-Qasas 28:26]. So Musa worked for the righteous man for years and married one of his daughters."
Then her mother said, "Years later, Musa was travelling back with his family on a cold, dark night when he saw a fire far off by Mount Tur. He said to his family: Wait here; perhaps I can bring you some news from it, or a burning brand to warm yourselves. When he got there, Allah called to him: 'Indeed, I am your Lord, so remove your sandals. Indeed, you are in the sacred valley of Tuwa' [Ta-Ha 20:12]. Allah spoke to him, which is why Musa is called Kalimullah, the one to whom Allah spoke."
Layla whispered, "Allah spoke to him..." Her mother said, "Yes. And Allah gave him miracles: the staff that became a moving snake when he threw it down, and his hand that came out white and shining, without any illness, when he drew it from his garment. Then Allah commanded him: Go to Pharaoh, for he has transgressed."
Layla said, "To Pharaoh himself? Wasn't he afraid?" Her mother said, "This is the part that's about you, Layla. Musa had a heaviness in his speech, and he worried that he wouldn't speak well. So what did he do? He prayed to Allah: 'My Lord, expand for me my chest, and ease for me my task, and untie the knot from my tongue, that they may understand my speech' [Ta-Ha 20:25-28]. And he asked for his brother Harun to be with him, because Harun was more eloquent. Allah said: 'You have been granted your request, O Musa' [Ta-Ha 20:36]."
Layla said, "So Allah gave him everything he asked for!" Her mother said, "Yes. And Allah gave them both an amazing instruction: 'And speak to him with gentle speech, that perhaps he may be reminded or fear Allah' [Ta-Ha 20:44]. Even with the tyrant Pharaoh, He commanded them to speak gently. And when they said, Our Lord, we are afraid, Allah said: 'Fear not. Indeed, I am with you both; I hear and I see' [Ta-Ha 20:46]."
Then her mother said, "So they went to Pharaoh and called him to worship Allah, but he refused and was arrogant. He gathered his magicians to defeat Musa. The magicians threw down their ropes and staffs, and it seemed to the people that they were moving. Then Musa threw down his staff, and it swallowed everything they had made. The magicians knew that this was not magic but truth from Allah, so they fell down in prostration and said: We believe in the Lord of Harun and Musa. And they didn't turn back, even though Pharaoh threatened them."
Then she said, "Allah commanded Musa to leave with the Children of Israel by night. Pharaoh and his soldiers chased them. The believers reached the sea. The sea was in front of them and Pharaoh was behind them! His people were frightened and said: 'Indeed, we are to be overtaken!' That means they're going to catch us. But Musa said with complete certainty: 'No! Indeed, with me is my Lord; He will guide me' [ash-Shu'ara 26:62]."
Layla said, holding her mother's hand, "What happened?" Her mother said, "'Then We inspired Musa: Strike the sea with your staff. And it parted, and each portion was like a great towering mountain' [ash-Shu'ara 26:63]. The sea split, and a dry path appeared in it, with water on both sides like huge mountains! Musa and the believers walked until they had crossed safely. Pharaoh and his soldiers followed them onto the path, and the water returned as it had been. Pharaoh and his soldiers drowned, and Allah saved Musa and those with him."
Then she said, "Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, told us, as in Sahih al-Bukhari, that when the Prophet ﷺ came to Madinah he found the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura, saying: This is the day on which Allah saved Musa. He ﷺ said: We have more right to Musa than you. So he fasted it and commanded that it be fasted. That's why we fast Ashura, in gratitude to Allah."
Layla said, "Mama, I understand. Musa was afraid, but he prayed to Allah, took his brother with him and relied on Allah. He didn't say: I won't go." Her mother said, "Well done! Courage isn't never being afraid; it's relying on Allah and stepping forward even with your fear."
The next morning, before leaving the house, Layla whispered, "My Lord, expand for me my chest, and ease for me my task, and untie the knot from my tongue, that they may understand my speech." At school she stood in front of the class, took a deep breath and began to speak. At first her voice trembled a little, then it became clear and strong. When she finished, everyone applauded.
In the evening she ran to her mother and said, "Mama, I did it! And I remembered Musa at the sea: No! With me is my Lord; He will guide me." Her mother hugged her and said, "Allah is always with us, Layla. He hears and He sees, just as He was with Musa, peace be upon him."
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