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In the name of Allah[1], The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful. All Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon our master, the noblest Prophet Muhammad (SAWS)[2].

We have reached the last set of episodes in our program. Although this episode is not the final one, it will deal with the death of Musa (AS)[3] (Moses). Musa (AS), who lived his whole life defending the weak and the oppressed. He was a leader appointed by Allah to eliminate injustices and to transfer his nation from a weak one to one that was in control. We will continue broadcasting this episode from the place where Musa (AS) is buried- Mount Nebo.

We do not know exactly where the prophets were buried; the only prophet whose grave’s exact location we are certain of is Prophet Muhammad (SAWS). Nonetheless, we know that Musa (AS) is buried somewhere in Mount Nebo. There are some indications we received from Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) that prove that Musa (AS) was buried there. The Prophet (SAWS) says in a Hadith[4] narrated by Muslim that during his journey of al-israa and al-mi’raj[5], he passed by Musa’s grave which was near the small red dune. A further indication is that Musa (AS) prayed to Allah (SWT)[6] of his wish to be buried near Jerusalem.

Let us take a quick flashback to the details of Musa’s fruitful life. Let us recall the moments when his mother threw him into the River Nile. Allah says what can be translated as, “And We revealed to M‍ûsa's mother, (saying), “Suckle him; so, when you fear for him, then cast him in the main; and do not fear, nor grieve. Surely We will turn him back to you, and will make him one of the Emissaries; Then the house of Firaawn picked him out to be an enemy to them and (a source of) grief” (TMQ, 28:7-8) [7].

Do you remember Allah’s words in saying what can be translated as, “So We turned him back to his mother so that she might comfort her eye and not grieve (TMQ, 28:13)”? Do you recall how Musa (AS) was brought up in Pharaoh’s castle, and that he preferred to have a message in life over being a prince? Do you recollect Allah’s words, those which can be translated as, “And as soon as he reached full age and matured, (Literally: leveled himself in body and mind) We brought him judgment and knowledge; and thus We recompense the fair-doers (TMQ, 28:14)”? Do you remember when Musa (AS) walked on foot for eight days with no food or water and without a complaint? Do you remember when he watered the flocks for the two girls out of his generosity and noble manners? Do you remember when Allah called him by his name on at-Tur Mountain and said what can be translated as, “Surely I, Ever I, am your Lord. So take off your shoes, surely you are in the holy valley, Tuwa. And I, Ever I, have chosen you; so listen to whatever is revealed. Surely I, Ever I, am Allah; there is no god except I; so worship Me, and keep up the prayer for My Remembrance (TMQ, 20:11-14)”? Along with this, do you recall Allah’s words, which can be translated as: “O Mûsa! Surely I have elected you above mankind for My Messages and for My Words (to you); so take what I have brought you, and be of the thankful (TMQ, 7:144)”; “And mention in the Book M‍ûsa; (Moses) surely he was most faithful and he was a Messenger, a Prophet. And We called out to him from the right side of At-T‍ûr (The Mount) and We brought him near in private conference (TMQ, 19:51-52)”? Do you remember too Allah’s words when he said what can be translated as, “And I had you worked out for Myself (TMQ, 20:41)”?

Musa’s life is the story of strength. It is the greatest story in history on facing injustice and defeating it. Musa spent his whole life without being settled in any one place. He kept traveling from Egypt to Sinai to Madinah and to the boundaries of Jerusalem. There are four women who played a very important role in his life: his mother, his sister, Asya and his wife. These women deserve absolute respect and honor for their actions.

When we take a look at Musa’s (AS) manners, we will find sincerity, defending the weak, generosity, keeping promises, leadership, determination, sympathy, courage and patience.

When we take a look at his acts of worship, we will find that he entrusted his soul to Allah. The first time he threw his stick he was panic-stricken. The second time he threw the stick he was frightened within himself. However, the third time he threw it he repeated Allah’s words, which can be translated as: “Not at all. Surely my Lord is with me; He will soon guide me (TMQ, 26:62)”. Musa (AS) trusted Allah when He asked him to fear nothing. Allah’s promise was fulfilled until the day of Musa’s death. No one could ever hurt Musa, not even when he faced Pharaoh alone and unarmed.

Musa’s acts of worship are also clear in his yearning to Allah where he said to Him: “I have hastened on to You, that you may be satisfied with me”. His humility to Allah (SWT) is also clear when he said what is mentioned in the Qur’an and can be translated as “Lord, surely I have need (literally I am poor) of whatever charity you have sent down to me (TMQ, 28:24)”.

Musa (AS) was determinedly unswayable in delivering his message until his death, despite of all circumstances. I wonder if you love Musa. It is certain that the Messenger (SAWS) loved him. This was made clear when one of the Prophet’s (SAWS) companions struggled with one of the Jews. The Jew attempted to taunt the Muslim by saying, “I swear by Allah who sent Musa as a messenger”. The Muslim was angered and hit the Jewish man. The Prophet (SAWS) berated the companion and asked him not to prefer him, Muhammad, over Musa.

Muhammad (SAWS) wanted the Muslims to feel belongingness with Musa and so asked them to fast Ashuraa, which was the day when Musa (AS) was saved. The Messenger (SAWS) met Musa in the sixth heaven where he found him crying over the fact that many of the Israelites did not follow his message. Similarly, his love for Muhammad’s ummah (Muslim nation) was apparent when he asked the Prophet (SAWS) to return to Allah and request that He reduce the number of daily prayers from fifty to five alone.

Allah’s love towards Musa is obvious in His words that can be translated as “And to M‍ûsa (Moses) Allah spoke long, (eloquent) speech (TMQ, 4:164)”, and “And I cast on you belovedness from Me, and to be worked out under My Eye (i.e., to be chosen for my Revelation) (TMQ, 20:39)”.

Now we have reached the last moments in Musa’s (AS) life, which were mentioned in a Hadith narrated by al-Bukhary. The Hadith is misunderstood by many Muslims, so I will attempt to clarify it. In this Hadith, the Angel of Death came to Musa (AS) in the form of a human being. When the Angel told him that he was going to take his soul away, Musa hit him in the eye as he thought the Angel was one of the Israelites who had come to deceive him. The Angel returned to Allah (SWT) and told Him that Musa (AS) did not want to die. Allah asked the Angel to return back to Musa (AS) in his angel form and tell him that if he wanted to live longer, he could pass his hand over his bull’s hair and he would live as many years as the number of hairs he could touch. Musa (AS) refused the offer and chose to die- he chose Allah’s company. He was given a choice exactly as Muhammad (SAWS) was asked to choose between worldly life and Allah’s company.

The Prophet says that during his journey of al-israa and al-mi’raj, he saw Musa standing and praying in his grave. Musa was enjoying praying and standing in front of Allah even after his death. The graves are ranks and standards; some are furnished from jannah (paradise) and others are furnished from hell. It all depends on your deeds in the worldly life. We hope that the deeds we perform in our short life would allow us to be deserving of a grave from jannah.

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[1] The word Allah is the Arabic term for God. Although the use of the word "Allah" is most often associated with Islam, it is not used exclusively by Muslims; Arab Christians and Arabic-speaking Jews also use it to refer to the One God. The Arabic word expresses the unique characteristics of the One God more precisely than the English term. Whereas the word "Allah" has no plural form in Arabic, the English form does. Allah is the God worshipped by all Prophets, from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.

[2] Salla Allah alayhe Wa Salam [All Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him].

[3] Alayhe as-Salam [All Peace of Allah be upon him].

[4] The Prophet’s actual sayings or actions as narrated by his companions.

[5] The night journey of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) from Makkah to Jerusalem and his ascension to the seventh heaven).

[6] SWT = Suhanahu wa Ta'ala [Glorified and Exalted Be He].

[7] Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated (Surah:Ayah) of the Qur'an. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'an can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.